beattie eases to nye victory

The inaugural HogmanHaway 5k took place on New Year’s Eve in Newcastle, with over 1500 taking the chance to post one last performance in 2025 before the New Year celebrations themselves began.
Featuring elite men’s and women’s races over a three lap course round the top end of the city, to be followed thereafter by a mass participation event, distinctly chilly weather compounded by a sharp breeze wasn’t enough to deter the many enthusiastic runners in an event which looks certain to grow in popularity in the future. 
And it was a victorious homecoming for Morpeth Harrier Scott Beattie as he took to the roads once again in his home town after his excellent performance in the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal recently, where he had been narrowly edged out of a medal.
Posting a time of 13 minutes 59.2 seconds, Beattie was in the end a comfortable winner over second placed runner Aron Gebremaria of Birchfield Harriers (14:17.5) and Sheffield and Dearne’s James Gormley, third in 14:27.9.
Three club colleagues also had the distinction of appearing in the elite field, with Peter Smallcombe 8th in 14:44.7, James Tilley 13th in 15:13.1 and Ellis Hetherington one place behind in 15:43.1.
The women’s race was won by Newbury runner Izzy Fry in 15:48.7 with Verity Ockenden of Swansea Harriers 2nd in 16:03.2 and Herne Hill Harrier Lucy Jones 3rd in 16:04.3.
With the elite races over, the ensuing open to all 5k followed a slightly different route round the city centre, with a rather congested start (requiring  some pointy elbows) soon giving to a well strung out field in a twisty and turny course and just over 1500 finishers.
Won in a time of 15:24.7 by Gateshead Harrier Alfie Cook with Birtley Harrier Katie Francis recording the fastest women’s time of 17:56.2, no less than thirteen Morpeth Harriers also ran, with Liam Roche 4th in 15:32.7 and Matthew Walton 7th in 15:46.7.
It was certainly a successful night for the Roches, with Liam’s younger sister Molly 3rd female finisher in 18:44 and brother Thomas 147th in 20:15.8.
Under 15s Mason Gaylor and Heidi Wilkinson were 20th (16:28.9) and 4th Female (18:56) respectively.
Link to full results here: Professional Chip Timing & Event Services in the UK | Titanium Race Timing
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