CONNOR CLAIMS THIRD ON IMPRESSIVE 10K DEBUT

Connor Marshall on his way to third place at the Memorial 10k. Picture: Stuart Whitman

In what was his first ever 10k Road Race, Connor Marshall proved himself to be no novice when he figured amongst the leading protagonists, finishing finally an excellent 3rd in the Senior race at the Heaton Memorial Road Race on Newcastle Town Moor on Sunday.
Following a minute’s silence to observe Remembrance Sunday, 387 finishers set off in cold and damp conditions and were led home by Birtley’s in-form Adrian Bailes. He posted a winning time of 30m42s, with Bristol and West’s O/45 Jarlath McKenna finishing 2nd in 30m45s, both ahead of a jubilant Marshall, who posted a personal time of 31m50s.
Next man home for Morpeth was Andrew Lawrence, who was marking a continued comeback from injury, and finished 10th in 33m 29s.
Morpeth’s third finisher was Over 45 David Stabler, also 3rd in his category and placing 55th in 36m 36s.
Rachelle Falloon, who has currently hit a run of fine form, finished 67th in 37m 09s. The Kielder 10k winner was 4th Woman in the event behind the visiting Kate Maltby of Bristol and West, who won in 35m28 with Elswick’s Amy  Fuller 2nd and the Poly’s Jacqui Penn 3rd.
Marshall and Falloon are the respective 2022 Men’s and Women’s Road Champions for Morpeth Harriers as a result of the club’s championships being incorporated into the event as advertised.
Other club finishers were: Anthony Liddle (71st) 37m 36s, Andre Volkov (116th) 40m 05s, Bobby Hagan - who ran in Morpeth colours for the first time following his 2021 transfer from Border Harriers, 122nd in 40m 02s, Lorna MacDonald (123rd) 40m20s and 13th Woman, Lindsey Quinn (146th) 41m00s and 20th Woman, Kirsty Burville (185th) 43m05s and 32nd Woman, and David Nicholson (213th) 44m32s  and 5th O/65 Man.
In the Younger athlete events, Elliot Kelso was second Under 17 Man in the 5k for combined Under 17/Under 20 athletes, and Charlotte Marshall  finished sixth in the Under 15 Girls event.