sam secures another blyth success

Sam with his trophy

Blyth 10k
 
On a bright and breezy Sunday morning, Morpeth’s Sam Hancox was first of just under 600 runners home at the annual Blyth 10k race.
 
The popular event, held over an out and back course from Blyth Quayside to Seaton Sluice, was once again sold out well in advance and attracted a good local field drawn by the fast and flat course offering runners a good chance of personal best times.
 
A winner in 2016 and 2018, Sam took charge at the sharp end from the off, with a small group comprising Blackhill Bounder’s Jordan Bell, a winner for the previous two years, and Gateshead and Sunderland veterans Conrad Franks and Liam Taylor trying to go with him.
 
But Hancox had shaken them off well before the turn around at Seaton Sluice, and extended his lead steadily on the long road home along the pavement and cycle paths back to Blyth, finishing in a winning time of 31 minutes 58 seconds.
 
Franks managed to get ahead of Bell for second place, some 30 seconds back in 32:28, with Bell seven seconds behind.
 
Wallsend’s Jennifer Berry took the women’s race in 37:08, with Elswick’s Imogen Bungay 2nd (38:52) and Sunderland Stroller Wendy Chapman 3rd (39:10).
 
With four in the top ten and six in the top 20, Morpeth were clear winners of the team prize, with Rob Balmbra back in 7th (33:48), training partner Mark Banks 8th (33:55) and evergreen Ian Harding 10th (34:06). Ian was 2nd Over 40.
 
Also running in blue and white were: Lee Cuthbertson, 14th in 34:37; Dave Stabler 19th and 2nd O/45 in 35:21; Tom Innes 29th in 36:07; Dean Lonsdale 67th in 38:58; Rob Hancox 74th and 2nd O/55 in 39:13; Mike Winter 157th in 43:25, and Norman Clark 389th and 7th O/70 in 56:16. Good to see both Tom and Dean back in 10k action here for the club.
 
Some 599 finished.
 
Results here: Blyth2
 
Allendale Challenge Marathon
 
Saturday saw the 34th Allendale Challenge Marathon for walkers and runners, organised as an invaluable fundraiser by North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team.
 
William Barnes was 1st back over the challenging route in a time of three hours thirty- six minutes and thirty seconds, with Morpeth’s Nicola McCoy first woman home and 26th overall in 4:55:02.
 
Fellow club member Richard Kirby was 45th in 5:18:11.
 
Results here: Home - Allendale Challenge
 
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon
 
Cat Macdonald and Lindsey Quinn travelled to the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half towards the end of March to take part in an event which also included the British Trail Running Championships (Short Distance) and was a selection race for British Masters.
 
Won by Rugeley Runner Lee Gratton in 1:44:05, Cat was 4th Female and 2nd Senior finisher in 1:23:42.
 
Lindsey was 58th but 9th Female finisher in 1:44:05.
 
Full results here: Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon 2025, 23/03/2025 : : my.race|result