deluge puts paid to field events

A torrential rainstorm which lasted approximately two hours forced cancellation of all of the Field events, with the exception of the first round of the Javelin, plus two Hurdles events at the second meeting of the Start Fitness North East Grand Prix Meeting, held at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium, on the evening of Wednesday 29 May.
Thankfully the rest of the meeting, which included 200m, 800m, and 3000m events went uninterrupted, however a great deal of praise must be given to both officials, and athletes who persevered throughout the most difficult of circumstances, and all must have been glad to eventually return the warmth of their homes following a deluge which possibly would have led to cancellation had it got even slightly worse.
Fourteen athletes from Morpeth Harriers took part, and in the main event of the evening, the 800m, with fastest race being run for the Jimmy Hedley Trophy, Ellis Hetherington in a nail-biting battle to the line, just missed out on a moment of glory, when finishing second to Sunderland Harrier Scott Armstrong, who posted a finishing time of 1m56.16s, whilst Hetherington posted 1m57.27s for second place.
Another Morpeth Harrier in action in the fastest 800m was Connor Marshall, who finished ninth in 2m03.47s.
Other Morpeth Harriers in action in accompanying 800m races were, Anthony Liddle, who finished second in the third fastest race in 2m10.67s, Under 15 Girl Emma Tomlinson who finished seventh in the fifth fastest race in 2m32.04s, and her younger Under 13 Sister Zoe, who was fifth in the seventh fastest race, posting a personal best time of 2m46.17s.
There was an epic battle for supremacy in the fastest 3000m event between the rest of field, after Houghton’s Brandon Pye quickly stole away to an easy win in a season’s best of 8m19.75s.
Second place went to the visiting Highgate Harrier Monte Watson, who posted a personal best of 8m31.03s, ahead of Morpeth’s Will Cork in third place in 8m34.47s.
James Tilley of Morpeth continued his excellent recent form, to finish fifth in 8m39.05s.
Other Morpeth Harriers in action in the fastest 3000m were Sam Hancox, continuing his return from injury, who finished tenth in 8m46.82s, Elliot Kelso (12th) 8m50.52s, and Bertie Marr (15th) 9m20.39s.
In the third fastest 3000m event, Morpeth’s Harry Armstrong produced an excellent run throughout the seven and a half laps, to finish second, posting a personal best finishing time of 9m44.99s.
Morpeth Veteran Woman athlete Morag Stead, finished 15th in the same event, also posting new figures of 10m44.76s.
In the second fastest 3000m, Morpeth’s Oliver Tomlinson finished fifth in 9m20.74s.
Morpeth Under 20 Woman Ellie Wickens finished seventh in the seventh fastest 200m event, posting a time of 28.36s.
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Morpeth Under 23 Man Daniel Melling posted a brand new personal best time of 1m58.63s in the second fastest 800m at the Loughborough Open on Wednesday 29th May.
Melling won the race, and his time was the sixth fastest overall in the three contested races.