weekend round-up: june 4&5

With the sight of many local runners focussed once again on the forthcoming Blaydon Race, it was a quieter weekend for Morpeth Harriers on the competition front.
 
There were a number of strong Parkrun performances on Saturday, with John Butters first home at Druridge Bay in a time of 17 minutes 28 seconds and Lindsey Quinn second female in 21:24.
 
At Blyth, Richard Johnson came in over a minute and a half of the rest of the field in 16:24 with Anthony Liddle third in 18:25 and Rachelle Falloon first female finisher and 7th back in 18:52.
 
Closer to home, veteran Alistair Macdonald was 2nd over the tough Carlisle Park course in a time of 20:45.
 
The following day Lindsey Quinn was in action again, completing the 5 mile Ingram Hill Forts trail race where she was 2nd female finisher in 44 minutes 1 second, beaten by only seven seconds by Claire Fairburn with Gary Wales winning overall in 33:57.
 
Younger sister Catriona Macdonald meanwhile took part in the Yetholm Hill Race over an 8 mile course which incorporated 2500 feet of climbs and six hills in the Cheviots, including a punishing ascent of The Curr.
 
Not only 1st female finisher, Macdonald was also remarkably 4th overall in a time of 1 hour 22 minutes with father Alistair 11th in 1:35, the race itself won by Andrew Cox of Moorfoot in 1:17.
 
Morpeth Harrier and Northumberland Fell Runner member Richie Hughes placed 2nd in 1:20.