THIRD-PLACE HONOURS FOR SAM AT MEMORIAL 10K

The annual Heaton Harriers Memorial Races took place on Newcastle Town Moor on Remembrance Sunday morning.
 
First held in 1920 to remember the dead of the Great War, Heaton Harriers instituted the races because so many of their own members had fought and died in the conflict; indeed, the club records that some 100 of its original 120 members were involved in action, of whom 12 paid the ultimate price.
 
The current races offer opportunities for Young Athletes in races from Under 11 upwards in distances from 1k to 5k, as well as a Senior 10k race, which this year incorporated the North East Masters Athletics Association Championships.
 
With cool and still conditions ideal for racing, the Newcastle Royal Grammar School was again able to offer its facilities for race HQ with athletes making the short jog across from the school and over Brandling Park via the subway to the start on the Town Moor – thankfully now cow-free.
 
In the earlier Under 15 three kilometre race, Morpeth’s Joe Close finished 3rd in a time of 9 minutes 58 seconds behind race winner Harry Lyons. Tabitha Robson was 13th and 4th female finisher in the same race in a time of 11:26 behind winner Hannah Wightman (10:48).
 
The following U/17 five km race was won by Morpeth’s Will De Vere Owen in 15:42, Will showing no after effects from the previous day’s cross country exertions at Middlesborough.
 
Will was backed up by James Tilley, 4th in 16:45, and Ralph Robson, 5th in 17:01 for a winning team.
 
The Senior Men and Women’s 10k saw a pair of equally outstanding performances from Calum Johnson of Gateshead Harriers and Sonia Samuels of Sale Harriers, North East-born and formerly of Wallsend.
 
Johnson looked in imperious form as he raced away from the rest of the field in dominant fashion, winning in a time of 28 minutes 28 seconds, both a course record and a new personal best.
 
Morpeth’s George Lowry had chosen to try and go with Johnson at least part of the way, but was soon left stranded between the leader and a chasing group of club colleague Sam Hancox, Birtley’s Adrian Bailes and Jarlath McKenna of Derby AC. He paid the price after half way sadly, with the chasing group reeling him in and then passing him, and then having their own three-way battle for the minor placings.
 
In the end it was Bailes who was able to take 2nd place in a time of 30:23, with Mckenna 3rd and Hancox 4th  in 30:24, although as an Over 40 Mckenna was later given the veteran’s prize and Hancox 3rd.
 
It was particularly good to see young Hancox back in competitive action after a difficult lockdown and disruptions caused both by injury and lack of racing opportunities. Lowry placed 5th in the race in 31:03 ahead of the reliable Conrad Franks of Gateshead Harriers.
 
For Morpeth, O/45 Eric Adams was 91st in 38:01 with Lindsey Quinn the club’s first female finisher (166th and 9th Senior Woman) in a new pb of 40:53.
 
Lizzie Rank was not far behind in 184th with 41:31, also a pb, and she was in turn just ahead of her mum Shuna, who, in her first 10k for a good while, ran an excellent 45:02 for 247th and 4th Over 45.
 
Two of the club’s leading veteran runners picked up age group awards, with David Mcguchin 2nd Over 70 with 44:40 and Paul Bentley, who has clearly got the competitive bit between his teeth this Autumn, 1st Over 75 in 51:24.
 
Former GB international Samuels meanwhile also looked to be in a different league, winning the women’s race in a time of 33:29 ahead of Justina Heslop of Elswick, no mean athlete herself and back on the comeback trail, with a time of 35:51. Alex Sneddon of Jarrow and Hebburn AC was 3rd.
 
In all some 382 finished, although competitors will be a little alarmed that several athletes reported the distance as being slightly short on their GPS, with match referee Bill McGurk investigating if a course marker had been placed slightly short at the turn round. A shame, as this would spoil an otherwise very well organised and enjoyable event.