TRACK & FIELD
2018 Northern League Division 2E Match 4
Morpeth Harriers Senior Men and Women’s Track and Field squad
completed their 2018 Northern Athletics Division 2E campaign,
by finishing fourth in their final round match,
held at Darlington’s Eastbourne Sports Complex on Saturday 4th August 2018.
Morpeth Harriers Senior Men and Women’s Track and Field squad
completed their 2018 Northern Athletics Division 2E campaign,
by finishing fourth in their final round match,
held at Darlington’s Eastbourne Sports Complex on Saturday 4th August 2018.
North East Youth Development League Division 1 Match Four
Morpeth Harriers team of young Male and Female athletes, finished in an accomplished second place
in their final NEYDL Division 1 fixture, held at Hexham’s Wentworth Stadium on Sunday 15th July 2018.
Morpeth Harriers team of young Male and Female athletes, finished in an accomplished second place
in their final NEYDL Division 1 fixture, held at Hexham’s Wentworth Stadium on Sunday 15th July 2018.
2018 Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 3
Subject to further results scrutiny, Morpeth Harriers Senior Men and Women’s Track and Field squad,
secured a narrow on the day team victory over host club Tynedale Harriers
in their third and penultimate Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match,
held at Hexham on Sunday 8th July 2018.
Subject to further results scrutiny, Morpeth Harriers Senior Men and Women’s Track and Field squad,
secured a narrow on the day team victory over host club Tynedale Harriers
in their third and penultimate Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match,
held at Hexham on Sunday 8th July 2018.
2018 North East Youth Development League Division 1 Match Three
In their third round NEYDL Division 1 match,
held at the Morpeth Athletics Track at KEVI School on Sunday 24th June 2018,
hosts Morpeth Harriers Young Athlete squad, provisionally,
with results subject to further scrutiny, finished second to Harrogate,
who very much look like gaining their first Championship,
with one fixture remaining at Hexham in July.
In their third round NEYDL Division 1 match,
held at the Morpeth Athletics Track at KEVI School on Sunday 24th June 2018,
hosts Morpeth Harriers Young Athlete squad, provisionally,
with results subject to further scrutiny, finished second to Harrogate,
who very much look like gaining their first Championship,
with one fixture remaining at Hexham in July.
2018 Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 2
At Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Sunday 3rd June 2018,
Morpeth Harriers Senior Track and Field squad were in action
at the Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 2 meeting.
At Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Sunday 3rd June 2018,
Morpeth Harriers Senior Track and Field squad were in action
at the Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 2 meeting.
2018 North East Youth Development League Division 1 Match Two
Despite stringent efforts by respective Team Managers, (Mark Brown - Boys), and (Dave Thomas – Girls),
to turn a decent squad of athletes out for their second round NEYDL Division 1 match on Sunday 20th May 2018 at Whitley Bay,
Morpeth Harriers face a certain uphill task in maintaining their champions status,
after finishing third behind North Shields Poly, and Yorkshire outfit Harrogate,
who very clearly won the first-round match in April.
Despite stringent efforts by respective Team Managers, (Mark Brown - Boys), and (Dave Thomas – Girls),
to turn a decent squad of athletes out for their second round NEYDL Division 1 match on Sunday 20th May 2018 at Whitley Bay,
Morpeth Harriers face a certain uphill task in maintaining their champions status,
after finishing third behind North Shields Poly, and Yorkshire outfit Harrogate,
who very clearly won the first-round match in April.
2018 North Eastern Counties Track & Field Championships
The annual North Eastern Counties Track and Field Championships, sponsored by Start Fitness,
and held over Saturday12th and Sunday 13th May 2018,
for the first time at Middlesbrough Sports Village,
saw athletes from Morpeth Harriers achieve a total of twenty-four medals,
which included nine Gold, eleven Silver, and four Bronze.
The annual North Eastern Counties Track and Field Championships, sponsored by Start Fitness,
and held over Saturday12th and Sunday 13th May 2018,
for the first time at Middlesbrough Sports Village,
saw athletes from Morpeth Harriers achieve a total of twenty-four medals,
which included nine Gold, eleven Silver, and four Bronze.
2018 Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 1
Sterling teamwork by those who turned out on a warm day on Saturday 5th May 2018, at Gateshead Stadium saw
Morpeth Harriers & AC Men’s and Women’s Track and Field squad, finish an excellent second to hosts Gateshead Harriers,
in their opening Northern Athletics League Division 2E fixture, only losing out by a few points on the day.
Sterling teamwork by those who turned out on a warm day on Saturday 5th May 2018, at Gateshead Stadium saw
Morpeth Harriers & AC Men’s and Women’s Track and Field squad, finish an excellent second to hosts Gateshead Harriers,
in their opening Northern Athletics League Division 2E fixture, only losing out by a few points on the day.
2018 North Eastern Youth Development League Division 1 Match One
In their opening 2018 North Eastern Youth Development League Division 1 fixture,
held at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Sunday 29th April 2018,
Morpeth Harriers & AC Young Athletes squad finished in third place, behind runaway winners Harrogate,
but just slightly adrift of second placed hosts New Marske,
and slightly ahead of fourth placed North Shields Poly.
In their opening 2018 North Eastern Youth Development League Division 1 fixture,
held at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Sunday 29th April 2018,
Morpeth Harriers & AC Young Athletes squad finished in third place, behind runaway winners Harrogate,
but just slightly adrift of second placed hosts New Marske,
and slightly ahead of fourth placed North Shields Poly.
2018 North East Throwing Festival
Four athletes from Morpeth Harriers & AC warmed up for their forthcoming Track & Field season,
by winning their respective age group events at the annual Throws Festival,
organised by North Shields Poly AC,
and held at their home venue at Churchill Playing Fields, on Sunday 22nd April 2018.
Four athletes from Morpeth Harriers & AC warmed up for their forthcoming Track & Field season,
by winning their respective age group events at the annual Throws Festival,
organised by North Shields Poly AC,
and held at their home venue at Churchill Playing Fields, on Sunday 22nd April 2018.
2018 NECAA 10k Track Championships
In his very first outing in a Morpeth Harriers vest, and his very first track 10,000metre race,
new club acquisition Mark Long certainly made himself known,
not only to his new club colleagues, but also the North East athletics fraternity.
In his very first outing in a Morpeth Harriers vest, and his very first track 10,000metre race,
new club acquisition Mark Long certainly made himself known,
not only to his new club colleagues, but also the North East athletics fraternity.
Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix (1)
The first meeting in the series of Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix events
took place at Monkton Stadium on Wednesday 18th April 2018,
and twenty-two athletes from Morpeth Harriers were in competitive Track and Field action.
The first meeting in the series of Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix events
took place at Monkton Stadium on Wednesday 18th April 2018,
and twenty-two athletes from Morpeth Harriers were in competitive Track and Field action.
Gateshead Harriers Open Medal Meeting
Three of Morpeth Harriers Throws specialists were in winning action
at the Gateshead Harriers Open Medal Meeting,
held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 15th April 2018.
Three of Morpeth Harriers Throws specialists were in winning action
at the Gateshead Harriers Open Medal Meeting,
held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 15th April 2018.
Kieran Maxwell Memorial Track & Field Meeting
Wow!!,
What a superb beginning to the outdoor season for Morpeth Harriers Under 17 Man Andrew Knight,
who putted 16.56m at the Kieran Maxwell Memorial Track and Field Meeting,
held at Darlington’s Eastbourne Athletics Facility on Sunday 8th April 2018.
Wow!!,
What a superb beginning to the outdoor season for Morpeth Harriers Under 17 Man Andrew Knight,
who putted 16.56m at the Kieran Maxwell Memorial Track and Field Meeting,
held at Darlington’s Eastbourne Athletics Facility on Sunday 8th April 2018.
2018 FPSG Scottish Athletics National Indoor Championships
Amy Lott of Morpeth Harriers is the new Scottish Under 15 Girls 60m Hurdles Indoor Champion.
She won her final at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on Sunday 11th March 2018, in 9.34s,
after earlier winning her heat in 9.33s, going through as the fastest qualifier.
Amy Lott of Morpeth Harriers is the new Scottish Under 15 Girls 60m Hurdles Indoor Champion.
She won her final at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on Sunday 11th March 2018, in 9.34s,
after earlier winning her heat in 9.33s, going through as the fastest qualifier.
North Eastern Counties Athletics Association Indoor Championships
The traditional first day on Saturday 17th February 2018, at the annual North Eastern Counties Athletics Association Indoor Championships, reserved for Field Eventers, and held at Gateshead College, produced no fewer than six individual medals for Morpeth Harriers, two of them Gold.
Two more medals were won by Morpeth Harrier athletes on the second day of competition on Sunday 18th February, which was for track eventers.
The traditional first day on Saturday 17th February 2018, at the annual North Eastern Counties Athletics Association Indoor Championships, reserved for Field Eventers, and held at Gateshead College, produced no fewer than six individual medals for Morpeth Harriers, two of them Gold.
Two more medals were won by Morpeth Harrier athletes on the second day of competition on Sunday 18th February, which was for track eventers.
Northern Athletics League Division 2E Match 3
Morpeth Harriers & AC Senior Men and Women’s
Track & Field squad finished third in their third and penultimate Northern Athletics League Division 2E match,
held at Morpeths Athletics Track, on Sunday 9th July 2017.
On the day, this meant that the club lifted themselves up from rock bottom in the division cumulatively,
to fifth place, however they still face a nail-biting finale to their season in August at Middlesbrough,
when they hope to escape the drop into Division 3.
There is only a mere half point difference in league points between third, fourth and fifth spots,
however, match points eventually could be the deciding issue, in what could well prove to be a dogfight for survival.
Morpeth Harriers & AC Senior Men and Women’s
Track & Field squad finished third in their third and penultimate Northern Athletics League Division 2E match,
held at Morpeths Athletics Track, on Sunday 9th July 2017.
On the day, this meant that the club lifted themselves up from rock bottom in the division cumulatively,
to fifth place, however they still face a nail-biting finale to their season in August at Middlesbrough,
when they hope to escape the drop into Division 3.
There is only a mere half point difference in league points between third, fourth and fifth spots,
however, match points eventually could be the deciding issue, in what could well prove to be a dogfight for survival.
Some of the team relaxing by the track before the Northern League match in Morpeth on Sunday 9th July
Morpeth Harriers & Athletic Club 2016 Throws Review
The Shot Putters, Discus Throwers, Hammer Throwers and Javelin Throwers
of Morpeth Harriers and Athletic Club's Track and Field teams produced
a string of excellent individual performances across all age groups throughout 2016
which resulted in 38 medals being won at various championships.
In addition there were 3 new championship best performances set,
8 North East Youth Development League records broken and 5 of the club's throwers
were selected to represent Northumberland Schools at the English Schools Track and Field Championships.
The 2016 medal haul began in January when Shot Putters Ruaridh Lang (U17),
Andrew Knight (U15), Daniel Lloyd (U13) and Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot (U17)
took silvers in their respective age groups at the North East Indoor Championships.
Hugh Weatherburn (U17) also added a bronze medal to the tally.
The North East outdoor Championships saw gold medals for Lottie Hume (U15 shot and discus),
Ruaridh Lang (discus), Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot (shot), and Bobbie Griffiths (U17 women's javelin).
There were shot putt silvers for Lang, Knight and Pickering-Pruvot
and also for Elliott Moore (U20) and Craig Charlton (Senior).
Steven Appleby gained bronze in the Senior Men's Discus as did Griffiths in her age group discus.
The Northumberland Schools Championships resulted in shot and discus golds for
Lang, Moore, Hume and Pickering-Pruvot who also broke the championship shot record.
Knight broke his age group championship record when winning the shot and also came second in discus.
Griffiths won her favoured javelin event and was second in the discus.
Ellie Burt took silver in the U17 women's shot putt.
Lang, Knight, Pickering-Pruvot, Griffiths and Hume were subsequently selected for the English Schools Championships.
The best of these performances were Ruaridh Lang finishing 4th narrowly missing a medal
and Andrew Knight finishing 6th in his first national championship.
Bobbie Griffiths went on to set a new championship record when winning
the U17 women's javelin at the North of England Championships.
Andrew Knight also won his shot event.
At the Scottish Championships there were U17 shot and discus silvers
for Ruaridh Lang and a silver for Craig Charlton in the senior shot.
Charlton also won the shot putt at the Inter Services Championships when representing the RAF.
Steven Appleby returned from the North East Masters Championships with a discus silver and shot bronze.
The throwers mentioned above were very well supported by numerous other club throwers
in the various league matches in particular Claire Reid who competed in all 4 throwing events
at all 4 senior league matches throughout 2016 scoring a huge number of points for the club.
Altogether very successful season for the throwers and throws coaches at Morpeth Harriers and Athletics Club.
Thanks
Paul Reed
The Shot Putters, Discus Throwers, Hammer Throwers and Javelin Throwers
of Morpeth Harriers and Athletic Club's Track and Field teams produced
a string of excellent individual performances across all age groups throughout 2016
which resulted in 38 medals being won at various championships.
In addition there were 3 new championship best performances set,
8 North East Youth Development League records broken and 5 of the club's throwers
were selected to represent Northumberland Schools at the English Schools Track and Field Championships.
The 2016 medal haul began in January when Shot Putters Ruaridh Lang (U17),
Andrew Knight (U15), Daniel Lloyd (U13) and Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot (U17)
took silvers in their respective age groups at the North East Indoor Championships.
Hugh Weatherburn (U17) also added a bronze medal to the tally.
The North East outdoor Championships saw gold medals for Lottie Hume (U15 shot and discus),
Ruaridh Lang (discus), Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot (shot), and Bobbie Griffiths (U17 women's javelin).
There were shot putt silvers for Lang, Knight and Pickering-Pruvot
and also for Elliott Moore (U20) and Craig Charlton (Senior).
Steven Appleby gained bronze in the Senior Men's Discus as did Griffiths in her age group discus.
The Northumberland Schools Championships resulted in shot and discus golds for
Lang, Moore, Hume and Pickering-Pruvot who also broke the championship shot record.
Knight broke his age group championship record when winning the shot and also came second in discus.
Griffiths won her favoured javelin event and was second in the discus.
Ellie Burt took silver in the U17 women's shot putt.
Lang, Knight, Pickering-Pruvot, Griffiths and Hume were subsequently selected for the English Schools Championships.
The best of these performances were Ruaridh Lang finishing 4th narrowly missing a medal
and Andrew Knight finishing 6th in his first national championship.
Bobbie Griffiths went on to set a new championship record when winning
the U17 women's javelin at the North of England Championships.
Andrew Knight also won his shot event.
At the Scottish Championships there were U17 shot and discus silvers
for Ruaridh Lang and a silver for Craig Charlton in the senior shot.
Charlton also won the shot putt at the Inter Services Championships when representing the RAF.
Steven Appleby returned from the North East Masters Championships with a discus silver and shot bronze.
The throwers mentioned above were very well supported by numerous other club throwers
in the various league matches in particular Claire Reid who competed in all 4 throwing events
at all 4 senior league matches throughout 2016 scoring a huge number of points for the club.
Altogether very successful season for the throwers and throws coaches at Morpeth Harriers and Athletics Club.
Thanks
Paul Reed
Inter Area League Challenge Match
On Sunday 11th September 2016, the very first Inter Area match between the
North East Counties and a combined Yorkshire Select took place at Middlesbrough Athletics Village.
The match was between the NEYDL and YDL, which are both equivalents of the
Young Athletes leagues that run throughout the summer period in their respective areas,
and athletes were selected on the basis of their performances across the four matches that were held during the season.
Yorkshire unfortunately arrived with a much weaker team than expected,
this had been largely due to another event promoter putting on an Open Track Meeting in their area,
despite being given advance warning of the Middlesbrough match being held.
The end result speaks very much for itself, as the NEYDL select had
a resounding victory by the margin of 1009 over 297 from a total of 75 events.
Whilst it was indeed an enjoyable victory following a great deal of hard work
put in by Team Managers, it was largely felt that the North East would have certainly
welcomed stiffer opposition in the act of winning the Shield that had
been designated as a trophy to what is hoped to be an annual event.
Although it was fairly breezy, warm sunshine was very much a welcome addition for all.
A very dominant North East performance was much highlighted in the Field Events,
where no less than three Morpeth Harriers enjoyed double victories.
On Sunday 11th September 2016, the very first Inter Area match between the
North East Counties and a combined Yorkshire Select took place at Middlesbrough Athletics Village.
The match was between the NEYDL and YDL, which are both equivalents of the
Young Athletes leagues that run throughout the summer period in their respective areas,
and athletes were selected on the basis of their performances across the four matches that were held during the season.
Yorkshire unfortunately arrived with a much weaker team than expected,
this had been largely due to another event promoter putting on an Open Track Meeting in their area,
despite being given advance warning of the Middlesbrough match being held.
The end result speaks very much for itself, as the NEYDL select had
a resounding victory by the margin of 1009 over 297 from a total of 75 events.
Whilst it was indeed an enjoyable victory following a great deal of hard work
put in by Team Managers, it was largely felt that the North East would have certainly
welcomed stiffer opposition in the act of winning the Shield that had
been designated as a trophy to what is hoped to be an annual event.
Although it was fairly breezy, warm sunshine was very much a welcome addition for all.
A very dominant North East performance was much highlighted in the Field Events,
where no less than three Morpeth Harriers enjoyed double victories.
Andrew Knight in action at Middlesbrough (Photo by Naomi Arkle)
Andrew Knight produced a new personal best of 33.11m to convincingly win the Under 15 Boys Hammer competition.
In what he classes as his premier event, Knight also enjoyed a convincing victory in the Shot Putt, with his best effort of 13.66m.
The Paul Reed coached youngster very nearly added a third victory to his tally,
when he finished a close second to North Shields Poly’s James Wordsworth in the Discus,
where he produced brand new figures of 29.45m.
In the Under 17 Women’s Hammer, Bobbie Griffiths secured a victory with a best of 29.95m,
where her Morpeth club colleague Hannah Brown finished second with 16.61m.
Griffith’s also took victory in her best event, the Javelin, however was made to fight all the way,
with a best of 35.14m, by Harrogate and Wetherby’s Alice Mann, who produced a best of 34.02m.
Although 28.64m in the Discus, only gave Griffith’s second place behind
Blaydon’s Georgia Kyle, it was a brand new personal best.
Griffith’s Morpeth colleague Charlotte Pickering–Pruvot finished third with 24.11m,
however did enjoy a victory in the Shot Putt with 11.22m.
Morpeth Harrier David Thomas enjoyed victories in the Under 17 Men’s Long Jump and Triple Jump events.
He produced a best of 6.17m in the Long Jump, and went on to win the Triple Jump with a best of 12.69m.
Ruaridh Lang won a very close competition in the Under 17 Men’s Discus,
when he produced a best of 38.91m, however in the Shot Putt,
he just lost out by 49cm to Chester le Street’s David Todd,
when he produced a best of 12.24m.
Lottie Hume produced brand new figures of 17.47m, to win the Under 15 Girls Discus,
however was just 23cm adrift of victory in the in the Shot Putt, despite also producing new figures of 9.40m.
Another Morpeth winner in the Field Events was Ethan Stephenson,
who produced 5.61m, to win in a very tough competition in the Under 15 Boys Long Jump.
Stephenson also finished third in the High Jump, with a clearance of 1.60m.
Katie Hilton finished second in the Under 17 Women’s Triple Jump,
only losing out for victory by 12cm for victory, with her best effort of 10.53m.
Adam Willoughby was 5cm outside victory in the Under 13 Boys High Jump,
with his clearance of 1.45m, and his Morpeth club colleague Koffi Avornyo finished fourth with 1.35m.
Koffi also finished fifth in the Long Jump with 3.50m.
Rosie Winter finished fourth in the Under 13 Girls Shot Putt, with her best effort of 6.68m.
On to track events where the North East enjoyed no less than 32 individual winners, plus all eight of the relays.
Morpeth Harriers provided six of those individual winners, and eight new personal bests were achieved by the clubs’ athletes.
Three of those personal bests came in one event, with Harriet Priest, Hannah Brown,
and Bekki Foster taking first, second and third places, with respective clockings of 12.57s, 12.58s, and 13.60s.
Running in his first ever Under 17 Men’s 3000m event, Morpeth’s Rory Leonard secured an excellent victory in 9m32.09s.
Club colleague Connor Marshall finished third, producing brand new figures of 10m00.94s.
Leonard also finished second in a later run 1500m race, posting a time of 4m37.20s.
24 hours after finishing third in her Junior Great North Run race,
Holly Peck was winning the Under 15 Girls 1500m in 5m09.20s.
Club colleague Lily Heaton finished fourth in 5m28.42s.
Owen Priest of Morpeth had an excellent victory in the Under 15 Boys 300m, posting new figures of 39.32s.
In what he classes as his premier event, Knight also enjoyed a convincing victory in the Shot Putt, with his best effort of 13.66m.
The Paul Reed coached youngster very nearly added a third victory to his tally,
when he finished a close second to North Shields Poly’s James Wordsworth in the Discus,
where he produced brand new figures of 29.45m.
In the Under 17 Women’s Hammer, Bobbie Griffiths secured a victory with a best of 29.95m,
where her Morpeth club colleague Hannah Brown finished second with 16.61m.
Griffith’s also took victory in her best event, the Javelin, however was made to fight all the way,
with a best of 35.14m, by Harrogate and Wetherby’s Alice Mann, who produced a best of 34.02m.
Although 28.64m in the Discus, only gave Griffith’s second place behind
Blaydon’s Georgia Kyle, it was a brand new personal best.
Griffith’s Morpeth colleague Charlotte Pickering–Pruvot finished third with 24.11m,
however did enjoy a victory in the Shot Putt with 11.22m.
Morpeth Harrier David Thomas enjoyed victories in the Under 17 Men’s Long Jump and Triple Jump events.
He produced a best of 6.17m in the Long Jump, and went on to win the Triple Jump with a best of 12.69m.
Ruaridh Lang won a very close competition in the Under 17 Men’s Discus,
when he produced a best of 38.91m, however in the Shot Putt,
he just lost out by 49cm to Chester le Street’s David Todd,
when he produced a best of 12.24m.
Lottie Hume produced brand new figures of 17.47m, to win the Under 15 Girls Discus,
however was just 23cm adrift of victory in the in the Shot Putt, despite also producing new figures of 9.40m.
Another Morpeth winner in the Field Events was Ethan Stephenson,
who produced 5.61m, to win in a very tough competition in the Under 15 Boys Long Jump.
Stephenson also finished third in the High Jump, with a clearance of 1.60m.
Katie Hilton finished second in the Under 17 Women’s Triple Jump,
only losing out for victory by 12cm for victory, with her best effort of 10.53m.
Adam Willoughby was 5cm outside victory in the Under 13 Boys High Jump,
with his clearance of 1.45m, and his Morpeth club colleague Koffi Avornyo finished fourth with 1.35m.
Koffi also finished fifth in the Long Jump with 3.50m.
Rosie Winter finished fourth in the Under 13 Girls Shot Putt, with her best effort of 6.68m.
On to track events where the North East enjoyed no less than 32 individual winners, plus all eight of the relays.
Morpeth Harriers provided six of those individual winners, and eight new personal bests were achieved by the clubs’ athletes.
Three of those personal bests came in one event, with Harriet Priest, Hannah Brown,
and Bekki Foster taking first, second and third places, with respective clockings of 12.57s, 12.58s, and 13.60s.
Running in his first ever Under 17 Men’s 3000m event, Morpeth’s Rory Leonard secured an excellent victory in 9m32.09s.
Club colleague Connor Marshall finished third, producing brand new figures of 10m00.94s.
Leonard also finished second in a later run 1500m race, posting a time of 4m37.20s.
24 hours after finishing third in her Junior Great North Run race,
Holly Peck was winning the Under 15 Girls 1500m in 5m09.20s.
Club colleague Lily Heaton finished fourth in 5m28.42s.
Owen Priest of Morpeth had an excellent victory in the Under 15 Boys 300m, posting new figures of 39.32s.
3000mt race at Middlesbrough (Photo by Naomi Arkle)
On to track events where the North East enjoyed no less than 32 individual winners, plus all eight of the relays.
Morpeth Harriers provided six of those individual winners, and eight new personal bests were achieved by the clubs’ athletes.
Three of those personal bests came in one event, with Harriet Priest, Hannah Brown,
and Bekki Foster taking first, second and third places, with respective clockings of 12.57s, 12.58s, and 13.60s.
Running in his first ever Under 17 Men’s 3000m event, Morpeth’s Rory Leonard secured an excellent victory in 9m32.09s.
Club colleague Connor Marshall finished third, producing brand new figures of 10m00.94s.
Leonard also finished second in a later run 1500m race, posting a time of 4m37.20s.
24 hours after finishing third in her Junior Great North Run race,
Holly Peck was winning the Under 15 Girls 1500m in 5m09.20s.
Club colleague Lily Heaton finished fourth in 5m28.42s.
Owen Priest of Morpeth had an excellent victory in the Under 15 Boys 300m, posting new figures of 39.32s.
In the very first track event of the day, Morpeth’s Amy Lott won the Under 13 Girls 70m Hurdles in 12.00s.
Oliver Bultitude of Morpeth Harriers produced a brand new personal best of 16.83s,
when finishing second in the Under 17 Men’s 100m Hurdles.
Sean O’Hara won the Under 17 Men’s 200m in a time of 23.15s, and he finished third in the 100m in 11.61s.
Joe Dowd and Matthew Waterfield proved to be a dynamic duo in the Under 17 Men’s 800m and 400m events.
Dowd finished second in the 800m in 2m07.28s, with Waterfield finishing third in 2m13.77s.
In the 400m places were reversed, with Waterfield finishing second in 54.04s, and Dowd finished third in 57.57s.
Jessica Young-Rogers finished second in the Under 17 Women’s 100m in 12.68s, third in the 200m in 26.13s.
Accompanying Jessica in 100m was club colleague Katie Hilton, who finished third in 13.15s.
Gracie Hufton produced new figures of 11m57.31s, when finishing third in the Under 17 Women’s 3000m.
Whilst all of the regions selected athletes produced their best efforts, both on the track and in the field,
behind them was an excellent Team Management, led by Morpeth Harriers coach and mentor David Thomas,
who had done a splendid job getting the squad together for this unique occasion.
The added help coming from Gary Curtis of Birtley AC, Chris Mole of North Shields Poly,
Robin Rutherford of Darlington Harriers, and Mike Bateman of Morpeth Harriers
had fully supported the team effort, and was most appreciated by all.
We can all look forward to repeating the challenge on Yorkshire soil in 2017,
when the competition should be stiffer.
Morpeth Harriers provided six of those individual winners, and eight new personal bests were achieved by the clubs’ athletes.
Three of those personal bests came in one event, with Harriet Priest, Hannah Brown,
and Bekki Foster taking first, second and third places, with respective clockings of 12.57s, 12.58s, and 13.60s.
Running in his first ever Under 17 Men’s 3000m event, Morpeth’s Rory Leonard secured an excellent victory in 9m32.09s.
Club colleague Connor Marshall finished third, producing brand new figures of 10m00.94s.
Leonard also finished second in a later run 1500m race, posting a time of 4m37.20s.
24 hours after finishing third in her Junior Great North Run race,
Holly Peck was winning the Under 15 Girls 1500m in 5m09.20s.
Club colleague Lily Heaton finished fourth in 5m28.42s.
Owen Priest of Morpeth had an excellent victory in the Under 15 Boys 300m, posting new figures of 39.32s.
In the very first track event of the day, Morpeth’s Amy Lott won the Under 13 Girls 70m Hurdles in 12.00s.
Oliver Bultitude of Morpeth Harriers produced a brand new personal best of 16.83s,
when finishing second in the Under 17 Men’s 100m Hurdles.
Sean O’Hara won the Under 17 Men’s 200m in a time of 23.15s, and he finished third in the 100m in 11.61s.
Joe Dowd and Matthew Waterfield proved to be a dynamic duo in the Under 17 Men’s 800m and 400m events.
Dowd finished second in the 800m in 2m07.28s, with Waterfield finishing third in 2m13.77s.
In the 400m places were reversed, with Waterfield finishing second in 54.04s, and Dowd finished third in 57.57s.
Jessica Young-Rogers finished second in the Under 17 Women’s 100m in 12.68s, third in the 200m in 26.13s.
Accompanying Jessica in 100m was club colleague Katie Hilton, who finished third in 13.15s.
Gracie Hufton produced new figures of 11m57.31s, when finishing third in the Under 17 Women’s 3000m.
Whilst all of the regions selected athletes produced their best efforts, both on the track and in the field,
behind them was an excellent Team Management, led by Morpeth Harriers coach and mentor David Thomas,
who had done a splendid job getting the squad together for this unique occasion.
The added help coming from Gary Curtis of Birtley AC, Chris Mole of North Shields Poly,
Robin Rutherford of Darlington Harriers, and Mike Bateman of Morpeth Harriers
had fully supported the team effort, and was most appreciated by all.
We can all look forward to repeating the challenge on Yorkshire soil in 2017,
when the competition should be stiffer.
Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix (5)
It was a very good night all round on Wednesday 10th August for Morpeth Harriers who had a total of fifteen
athletes in action, on a night that was certainly well adrift of August in terms of conditions and temperature.
Although there were constant showers of rain, thankfully there was no hint of wind.
All fifteen athletes from the club did manage to score points in the individual Grand Prix,
and including Hedley, the club’s athletes managed to pull off no less than seven age group victories,
two from the track, and five coming from some excellent Field eventers.
It was a very good night all round on Wednesday 10th August for Morpeth Harriers who had a total of fifteen
athletes in action, on a night that was certainly well adrift of August in terms of conditions and temperature.
Although there were constant showers of rain, thankfully there was no hint of wind.
All fifteen athletes from the club did manage to score points in the individual Grand Prix,
and including Hedley, the club’s athletes managed to pull off no less than seven age group victories,
two from the track, and five coming from some excellent Field eventers.
Northern Athletics Senior Track & Field League Division 2E Match 4
In their fourth and final round of the Northern Athletics Senior Track and Field Division 2 fixture,
held at Middlesbrough Athletics Village, on Saturday 6th August,
Morpeth Harriers athletes achieved an unexpected superb result
by finishing second on the day to runaway winners City of York,
who won by slightly over 100 match points, and also took the league title.
In their fourth and final round of the Northern Athletics Senior Track and Field Division 2 fixture,
held at Middlesbrough Athletics Village, on Saturday 6th August,
Morpeth Harriers athletes achieved an unexpected superb result
by finishing second on the day to runaway winners City of York,
who won by slightly over 100 match points, and also took the league title.
Inter League Track and Field Match Preview
A total of 27 athletes from Morpeth Harriers & Athletic club have been chosen
to represent the North East Youth Development League
in an Inter League Track and Field match against a West Yorkshire Select,
scheduled to be held at Middlesbrough Athletics Village, on Sunday 11th September 2016.
A total of 27 athletes from Morpeth Harriers & Athletic club have been chosen
to represent the North East Youth Development League
in an Inter League Track and Field match against a West Yorkshire Select,
scheduled to be held at Middlesbrough Athletics Village, on Sunday 11th September 2016.
Start Fitness North East Grand Prix (4)
Several Morpeth Harriers, both in Track and Field events, maintained their excellent
seasonal form at the fourth Start Fitness North East Grand Prix Meeting,
held at Gateshead Stadium on Wednesday 20th July 2016.
Several Morpeth Harriers, both in Track and Field events, maintained their excellent
seasonal form at the fourth Start Fitness North East Grand Prix Meeting,
held at Gateshead Stadium on Wednesday 20th July 2016.
English Schools Track & Field Championships
Several members of Morpeth Harriers were amongst the many athletes from around the country,
in competitive action at the 86th annual All England Schools Track and Field Championships,
held for the second successive year at Gateshead Stadium,
on Friday and Saturday 8th and 9th July 2016.
The Championships had a new sponsor in the form of Sportswear Company New Balance,
who had taken over the mantle that was relinquished during 2015 by supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.
On the track, the clubs best performances over the two days belonged to
Scott Beattie, Kieran Hedley and young Holly Peck,
who was competing in what was her highest profile track event ever.
Several members of Morpeth Harriers were amongst the many athletes from around the country,
in competitive action at the 86th annual All England Schools Track and Field Championships,
held for the second successive year at Gateshead Stadium,
on Friday and Saturday 8th and 9th July 2016.
The Championships had a new sponsor in the form of Sportswear Company New Balance,
who had taken over the mantle that was relinquished during 2015 by supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.
On the track, the clubs best performances over the two days belonged to
Scott Beattie, Kieran Hedley and young Holly Peck,
who was competing in what was her highest profile track event ever.
Northern Athletics Senior Track & Field League Division 2E Match 3
A superb fighting performance saw Morpeth Harriers Senior Men’s
and Women’s Track and Field squad finish a very close third
in their home third round Northern Athletics Division 2 Match,
held at the King Edward School Athletics Track in Morpeth, on Sunday 3rd July.
Only 57 points divided the first three clubs, and Morpeth had to thank
their on the day squad of both Male and Female athletes
for producing a truly excellent result, with some fine performances.
In the Men’s events, Morpeth had no less than four double victories, all of them on the track.
They also achieved outstanding wins in both the 4 x 100m, and 4 x 400m Relays.
In the Women’s events, although there were no double wins,
there were however two A string and three B string wins.
Start Fitness North East Grand Prix (3)
Morpeth Harriers & AC had four individual event winners at the third meeting
in the 2016 Start Fitness sponsored North East Grand Prix series,
held at Gateshead Stadium, on the evening of Wednesday 29th June 2016.
The main track event of the night, which also involved a Trophy presentation,
was the Stan Long Mile, which is run honouring the memory of the legendary Gateshead Harriers Coach,
who was mentor the Brendan Foster during his illustrious International career,
and is still revered and respected by many within the sport.
Andrew Knight in action in the U15 Boys Shot Putt at Monkton Stadium
Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix (2)
The second meeting of the Start Fitness sponsored North Eastern Grand Prix, held at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, on the evening of Wednesday 8th June, saw some excellent performances by athletes from
Morpeth Harriers & AC, both on the Field and on the Track.
Two of the best performances certainly belonged to Field throwers
Charlotte Pickering – Pruvot, and Andrew Knight.
Charlotte’s best was in the Under 17 Women’s Shot Putt,
which she won with her best effort of 11.71m,
which bettered her previous by 51cm.
It was certainly an excellent evening for Andrew Knight of Morpeth Harriers,as he produced new figures of 13.35m, to win the Under 15 Boys Shot Putt, beating his previous best by all of 1.61m, an incredible performance, which now makes him third in the national rankings,
Senior Mens 4x400m relays at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 5th June
Northern Athletics Senior
Track & Field League Division 2E Match 2
Thanks to good all round teamwork, and some excellent performances by a squad of very willing athletes, Morpeth Harriers & AC’s Senior Men and Women’s Track & Field outfit secured a well earned second place, in their second round Division 2 E fixture, held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 5th June 2016.
Scoring a total of 401.5 points, they were just over 110 points
adrift of clear winners Gateshead Harriers, who were the event hosts.
They were however thirteen points ahead of round one winners City of York,
who managed to finish third, some fifty points clear of fellow Yorkshire club Skyrac, with Wallsend/Blyth, and New Marske very much tailed off in fifth and sixth places.
All of this effectively means is that Morpeth have now slipped into third place cumulatively, with Gateshead and City of York in a close battle for the top two places.
However another good result in their third round match, on home territory at Morpeth on the 3rd of July, should see Morpeth Harriers very much clear of any possible relegation worries,
and only Skyrac to worry about for holding on to third place.
Track & Field League Division 2E Match 2
Thanks to good all round teamwork, and some excellent performances by a squad of very willing athletes, Morpeth Harriers & AC’s Senior Men and Women’s Track & Field outfit secured a well earned second place, in their second round Division 2 E fixture, held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 5th June 2016.
Scoring a total of 401.5 points, they were just over 110 points
adrift of clear winners Gateshead Harriers, who were the event hosts.
They were however thirteen points ahead of round one winners City of York,
who managed to finish third, some fifty points clear of fellow Yorkshire club Skyrac, with Wallsend/Blyth, and New Marske very much tailed off in fifth and sixth places.
All of this effectively means is that Morpeth have now slipped into third place cumulatively, with Gateshead and City of York in a close battle for the top two places.
However another good result in their third round match, on home territory at Morpeth on the 3rd of July, should see Morpeth Harriers very much clear of any possible relegation worries,
and only Skyrac to worry about for holding on to third place.
Ruaridh Lang
Scottish Athletics Throws Grand Prix
North Eastern Counties Under 17 Men’s Champion Ruaridh Lang of Morpeth Harriers,
was certainly in fine form on Saturday 4th June 2016,
when he finished a close second to City of Glasgow’s Andrew Peck,
in the Discus, at the Scottish Athletics Throws Grand Prix, held in Livingston, Scotland.
Lang produced a new lifetime best of 44.21m, which agonisingly was
still a mere 23cm short of toppling the Scottish West District Champion,
however this latest effort ranks him currently as eighth in the National rankings.
Ruaridh also competed in the Shot Putt at Livingston,
where he again finished second to Peck,
with a best on the day effort of 11.97m,
which is around 43cm adrift of his personal best.
North Eastern Counties Under 17 Men’s Champion Ruaridh Lang of Morpeth Harriers,
was certainly in fine form on Saturday 4th June 2016,
when he finished a close second to City of Glasgow’s Andrew Peck,
in the Discus, at the Scottish Athletics Throws Grand Prix, held in Livingston, Scotland.
Lang produced a new lifetime best of 44.21m, which agonisingly was
still a mere 23cm short of toppling the Scottish West District Champion,
however this latest effort ranks him currently as eighth in the National rankings.
Ruaridh also competed in the Shot Putt at Livingston,
where he again finished second to Peck,
with a best on the day effort of 11.97m,
which is around 43cm adrift of his personal best.
Over the whole two days of competition,
Morpeth Harriers had a total of 36 athletes
who took part in the Championships.
Morpeth Harriers had a total of 36 athletes
who took part in the Championships.
Northern Athletics Senior Track & Field League Division 2E Match 1
With what was probably one of their youngest ever Men’s and Women’s squads,
Morpeth Harriers finished a very encouraging fourth in their first round
Northern Athletics Senior Track and Field Division 2 match,
held at the New University facility, Heslington, near York on Saturday 7th May.
It was also good to see sunshine and a fair degree of warmth for competing athletes,
and there were some fine performances, especially from some of the younger debut making athletes.
There were also some good performances from some of the more Senior Male and Female athletes,
to support the efforts of their younger club colleagues, which made for a good all round team performance.
Whilst host club City Of York had an outstanding team victory on the day by the margin of 104 points
over second placed Gateshead, only a mere 24 points divided the second third and fourth teams.
With what was probably one of their youngest ever Men’s and Women’s squads,
Morpeth Harriers finished a very encouraging fourth in their first round
Northern Athletics Senior Track and Field Division 2 match,
held at the New University facility, Heslington, near York on Saturday 7th May.
It was also good to see sunshine and a fair degree of warmth for competing athletes,
and there were some fine performances, especially from some of the younger debut making athletes.
There were also some good performances from some of the more Senior Male and Female athletes,
to support the efforts of their younger club colleagues, which made for a good all round team performance.
Whilst host club City Of York had an outstanding team victory on the day by the margin of 104 points
over second placed Gateshead, only a mere 24 points divided the second third and fourth teams.
Gateshead Harriers Open Medal Meeting
Nine Morpeth Harriers were in competitive action at the Gateshead Harriers Open Medal meeting, held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 24th April. Katie Hilton in the Under 17 Women’s 100m, made a very promising start to the new track campaign, when she produced new figures of 13.5s, when finishing fourth. Fellow Morpeth Harrier Hannah Brown also competed here, finishing as tenth fastest with 13.94s. Brown’s appetite for early season competition in her first outdoor outing in her new age group, also led her to take on the rigours of 80m Hurdles for the first time, and saw her finish second in 12.8s, just ahead of club colleagues Hannah Priest and Becky Foster. Priest was also tackling the 80m Hurdles for the first time as an Under 17, and finishing third in 13.2s was certainly an encouraging start, and club newcomer Foster can also take much pleasure from finishing fourth in 14.2s. Hannah Brown also competed in her first 200m for nearly two years, and she set new figures of 29.6s, when finishing fifth. Becky Foster also showed a keen eye for competition, when finishing second in the Under 17 Women’s Long Jump, with a best of 3.70m. Morpeth Harriers other track specialist in action was Kofi Jeje Avornyo, who was having his first taste of outdoor athletics for the club. He was seventh fastest in the Under13 Boys 100m with 15.1s, and 30.4s in the 200m gave him fourth place. Morpeth Harriers also had some very prominent Field throwing specialists in action. Paul Reed coached Craig Charlton and Andrew Knight pulled off good victories in the Senior Men’s and Under 15 Boys Shot Putt. Charlton, making his outdoor debut, Putted a good 11.85m in the Senior event, inflicting a 67cm marginal defeat on former Morpeth Harrier Paul Corrigan, now competing for Wallsend Harriers, whom he will no doubt come up against in the forthcoming Northern Senior League competition, and possibly in others, the new Morpeth acquisition certainly cuts a fine prospect on this standard of performance. Other good news for Reed and his club, is the winning performance of Under 15 Boy Andrew Knight, with his best of 11.81m, however it was the narrowest of margins of only 2cm from Durham City’s Luke Allen. He had bettered his previous best by 77cm however. Another throwing performance was by Ellie Burt, who finished second in the Under 17 Women’s Shot Putt with her best of 9.27m The clubs other performance on the day was by Under 17 Men’s Long Jumper David Thomas, who was agonisingly just slightly short of his best with 5.62m, which gave him second place to Gateshead Harrier Joe Halpin, who produced a best of 6.01m. 
2016 Anne Marie Readshaw Memorial Open Meeting
Three Morpeth Harriers commenced their 2016 Track and Field season in excellent style, by producing winning performances at the annual Anne Marie Readshaw Memorial Open Meeting, held at Shildon Athletic Stadium, on Sunday 17th April. Joe Armstrong won the Senior Men’s 3000m in an excellent 8m56.6s, setting a new personal best by three seconds, which also gave him a thirty three second margin victory over Sunderland Harrier Sparrow Morley. The Under 17 Women’s Shot Putt saw Morpeth’s Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot produce an excellent 11.20m, which improved her own best by 4cm, but also saw her only a mere 20cm adrift of the current club record, held by Senior athlete Claire Reid. This performance will no doubt have pleased Charlotte’s Coach Paul Reed, who has been working very hard with the young talent. Pickering-Pruvot’s nearest challenger Kate Carmichael of Middlesbrough Mandale was more than a metre adrift in second place. The third Morpeth Harriers performance came from one of their youngest athletes Bobby Stone, who not only won the Under 13 Boys Long Jump by all of 35cm from Birtley’s Rowan Mason, he also improved his own best by 7cm, when he produced a best of 4.16m. Armstrong and Pruvot are now currently second in their Regional age group following these respective performances, and Stone is lying in third spot. |
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Morpeths Relay squad at Monkton Stadium September 2015
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End-of-Season Relays Meeting
Morpeth Harriers retained the overall title at the End-of-Season Relays Meeting at Monkton Stadium on Wednesday 9th September 2015. Morpeth gained victory in the Under 15 Girls 4x100m, when the squad of Hannah Brown, Katie Hilton, Jess Young and Nadine Arkle clocked a time of 52.7secs. Harriet Priest and Ailsa Jones replaced Brown and Hilton in the 4x200m team who finished 2nd to Tynedale in a time of 1min 54.4secs. There was also success in the Under 15 Boys 4x200m Relay when the line-up of Oliver Bultitude, Jack Balmbra, Sam Yates and Jack Andrews gained victory in a time of 1min 46secs, beating Durham. They had earlier been disqualified when finishing second to Durham in the 4x100m Relay. Morpeth won the second heat of the Senior Mens' 4x100m, but were beaten ontime by Heat 1 winners, Chester Le Street. The team of David Storey, Hans Paulsen, Kenny Harrison and Sean O'Hara clocked a time of 45.7secs. Henrik Paulsen and Joe Elder came in for Paulsen and O'Hara in the 4x200m when Morpeth finished 3rd in their Heat but only 5th fastest overall behind Chester Le Street. Their time was 1min 39.3secs. The 4x400m Relay team finished in 4th position behind Tynedale in a time of 3mins 52.3secs. The line-up was Jacob Hopkins (58.5), Matthew Waterfield (59.2), Henrik Paulsen (59.3) and Joe Elder (55.3). Morpeth had to settle for second place in the Senior Womens' sprint Relays to Jarrow & Hebburn. The team consisting of teenagers, Kirsty Lang, Beth Laidler, Megan Deakin and Lauren Smith clocked times of 54secs and 1min 53secs, respectively. In both the 4x100 races for Under 13 Boys, Morpeth took second place behind Blaydon. The line-up of Matthew Ash, Matthew Heslop, Nathan Hume and Benny Butler clocked times of 57.9secs and 58.9secs, respectively. The Under 17 Mens' team of Sean O'Hara, Will Aitchison, Declan Stoker and Joe Dowd finished runner-up in both the 4x100m and 4x200m behind Gateshead. The times were 47.2secs and 1min 37.6secs. The Under 17 Womens' line-up of Hannah Brown, Naomi Arkle, Jess Young and Lily Hood finished third in the 4x100m behind a Jarrow & Hebburn Mixed Team in 52.4secs. Nadine Arkle and Ailsa Jones replaced Brown and Young in the 4x200m and they finished third (1:56.3) again behind Jarrow & Hebburn. Morpeth finished 4th in Heat 1 (fifth fastest overall) and 3rd in the 2nd Round Heat 1 (fourth fastest overall) behind Houghton in the Under 13 Girls' 4x100m. The line-up of Grace Bathgate, Nicole Teasdale, Amy Lott and Jewels Simpson clocked times of 59.6secs and 60.0secs, respectively. Report by Les Venmore |
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Morpeths Senior Women sprint relay squad at Monkton
Bobbie Griffiths in action ln the Javelin at The Tartan Games
David Thomas in action in the Triple Jump at The Tartan Games
Hannah Brown in action in the 75m Hurdles at The Tartan Games
England Athletics Track & Field Championships
Three North Eastern Counties Champions from Morpeth Harriers all competed in the England Athletics Track and Field Championships, held at Bedford Stadium on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2015. On the Saturday, Under 15 Girl Javelin Champion Bobbie Griffiths threw a best of 33.04m, when finishing ninth in a very stiff A string competition. Equally tough on the Sunday was the Under 15 Boys Discus competition, where Ruaridh Lang produced a best of 39.99m, which gave him a well earned fifth place. On the Track, Scott Beattie finished fifth in the Under 17 Men’s 3000m in 8m42.70s. The event was won by Isaac Akers, to whom Beattie had finished fourth to at the English Schools Championships in July, and again finishing just in front of Beattie, was Stroud’s Tom Mortimer, who had finished third at the English Schools Championships. |
Tartan Games
The curtain rang down on the North Eastern Counties Track and Field season on Sunday 30th August 2015, with the annual Tartan Games meeting, organised by Gateshead Harriers, being held at Gateshead’s International Stadium. Several athletes from Morpeth Harriers & AC were in action at the event, and the club had six Gold medal winners, four of them being achieved in the Field events. One of those Field event specialists was North Eastern Counties Under 15 Girls Champion Bobby Griffiths. Griffiths, who had competed at Bedford on the day before in the AAA’s Championships, showed a real zest for competition, as she made a slight improvement on her Saturday efforts when she threw 33.62m to win the Under 15 Girls Javelin Gold medal, managing a couple of metres better than her closest rival Keira Waddell of Chirnside Chasers. One man who is certainly bang on form in the Triple Jump is David Thomas. Thomas, who recently managed to get over the twelve metre mark, unfortunately couldn’t quite achieve that on this occasion; however his 11.52m was enough to give him victory and a Gold medal. Morpeth Harriers third Gold medal in the Field events went to Under 13 Girl Elena Saunders, who achieved a best of 8.27m in the Shot Putt. The fourth Gold medallist from the club in the Field events was Andrew Knight, who won the Under 15 Boys Shot Putt with a best of 10.18m. Another Morpeth medal winner in the Field events was Under 17 Man Charlie Chisholm, whose best of 8.76m, gave him a Silver in the Shot Putt. Matthew Heslop of Morpeth, added another Silver medal to the clubs tally in the Under 13 Boys Long Jump, with a best of 4.33m. In the same competition, clubmate Bobby Stone just missed out on a podium place, finishing fourth with 3.87m On the track, Under 15 Girl Hannah Brown proved to be a very fluent hurdler, when she quite convincingly took the 75m Hurdles in 12.18s from Gateshead’s Emma Scarborough, who clocked 12.35s. It was indeed a well earned Gold medal, who had recovered from a ham-string problem to take part. Also very pleased was Morpeth Harriers Coach Dave Thomas, who in Griffiths, Thomas (no relation) and Brown, had produced three Gold medal winners. Another Gold medal for the club and Coach Thomas, came courtesy of Kirsty Lang, who as a lone entry in the Under 20 Women’s 400m Hurdles took the title, albeit in 79.94s, finishing nursing a slight niggle. Lang had recovered however to later finish second in the Under 20 Women’s 100m Hurdles in 18.21s, to add Silver to her earlier Gold. Joe Dowd won a Silver medal in the Under 15 Boys 800m. After leading for the whole of the opening lap, and beyond the bell, Dowd was eventually passed by Blyth Running Club’s Josh Fiddaman. Dowd was only a mere second adrift of Fiddaman at the finish line, where he clocked 2m08.52s. Just missing out for the Bronze medal behind Dowd, was his Morpeth team-mate Connor Marshall, who clocked 2m18.79s, finishing behind Chester Le Street’s Ben Horsfield. In addition to the aforementioned medallists, Morpeth had other participants who came very close to podium places. After finishing third in his heat of the Under 13 Boys 200m, Matthew Heslop finished fourth in the Final in 28.77s. Nadine Arkle finished fourth in the Under 15 Girls 200m in 28.51s, after getting second place in her heat, Elder sister Naomi, finished sixth in the final of the Under 17 Women’s 200m in 28.55s. It was agreed that the Under 17 Men’s 200m be run as two graded events. Morpeth’s Declan Stoker was fourth fastest in 24.66s. In the Senior Men’s 200m event, which was also run as a Graded race, Morpeth’s David Storey proved to be fourth fastest in 23.95s. Hot competition saw Morpeth brothers George and Jack Balmbro go out in the heats of their respective Under 13 100m and Under 15 Boys 200m, when finishing sixth in 16.36s, and fourth in 27.31s. |
IAAF World Athletics Championships
Medical advice from Great Britain Team Doctors unfortunately ruled 24 year old Morpeth Harrier Laura Weightman out of the Women’s 1500m Semi Final on Sunday 23rd August at the IAAF World Athletics Championships, currently being held in Beijing in China. The Commonwealth Silver and European Bronze medallist had fallen at the end of her heat on Saturday, hitting her head on the track, which resulted in a rather nasty graze above her right eye, which also drew blood, and she was quite evidently in distress and delirious, as TV pictures showed. What followed afterwards was constant monitoring of her condition, and although the athlete had awoken on the Sunday Morning feeling somewhat better, doctors ruled otherwise however, indicating that the concussion that she had suffered from her fall had left her in an unfit condition to compete at such a high level, and could be considered dangerous. Weightman, who had finished sixth in the third heat in Saturday’s first round in a time of 4m06.13s, which gave her an automatic spot in the Semi Finals, was obviously left feeling somewhat distraught, and speaking on her behalf, her Coach Steve Cram, also disappointed, said that Laura will certainly bounce back, because that’s the way she is made, however needed to be left to come to terms with what has happened. Perhaps ironically, but maybe by way of some form of consolation, Laura’s Great Britain colleague Laura Muir of Dundee had a superb run in her Semi Final, where she finished third behind Ethiopian favourite Genzebe Dibaba, and second placed Kenyan Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon. Clocking a time of 4m07.95s, Muir was only a second or so behind the front two, and was third fastest overall over the two heats. Weightman in the meanwhile will need to take some time out to recover from her disappointments, we wish her well. Start Fitness North Eastern Grand Prix Meeting, 12th August 2015
Nine personal best performances were achieved by athletes from Morpeth Harriers & AC at the sixth and final Start Fitness sponsored North Eastern Grand Prix Meeting, held at Gateshead’s International Stadium on Wednesday 12th August 2015. A very fitting finale to the league was definitely in the seeded 3000m, where the club had no fewer than eight athletes taking part. The event was won by Morpeth’s Chris Smith, who managed to outpace Middlesbrough and Cleveland’s Gregg Jayasuriya in the closing stages, and crossed the finish line in a brand new personal best of 8m38.1s, winning by just under a second. Fourth place went to Morpeth’s Thomas Straughan, who also set new figures of 8m48.0s, just outpacing club colleague Carl Avery, who was running the distance for the first time, and could feel well pleased with his clocking of 8m48.2s. Also running the distance for the first time, and also his first track outing in a Morpeth vest was Steve Patterson, following his transfer from Alnwick Harriers. Steve clocked 10m13.4s, and was tenth fastest Senior Man. James Young of Morpeth was second fastest Junior Man in the seeded 3000m, clocking a time of 9m23.5s, again a new personal best performance. Clocking a personal best time of 9m11.4s, Kieran Hedley of Morpeth was the fastest in the Under 17 Men’s 3000m Adam Shewry’s 10m11.2s, earned him third fastest Under 17 Man in the 3000m. Emma Holt set new figures of 9m52.3s to win the Senior Women’s 3000m. Morpeth athletes Adam Gibbs and Joe Elder were first and second fastest finishers in the Junior Men’s 400m, with respective clockings of 51.35s and 54.04s. In the Senior Men’s 400m, Morpeth’s Paul Bellingham was sixth fastest in 66.80s. Amber Cormack set new figures of 62.14s, when finishing as second fastest Junior Woman in the 400m. Both Ross Charlton and Connor Marshall produced new figures of 10m09s and 10.15s respectively when finishing second and third in the Under 15 Boys 3000m. Morpeth had three athletes competing in the Under 13 Girls 800m. Rhiannon Hedley finished second in 2m33.46s to North East Counties Champion Natasha Stephenson of Gateshead Harriers. Third place went to Holly Peck in 2m33.64s, and fourth place went to Lily Heaton in 2m34.22s. Morpeth’s Joe Dowd finished third in the Under 15 Boys 800m in 2m11.06s. In the Under 15 Shot Putt, Morpeth’s Andrew Knight won with a best effort of 9.04m, and in the Under 13 Boys Shot Putt clubmate Daniel Lloyd finished second with a new best of 7.39m. Northern Athletics Senior League Division 2E, Match 4
Despite finishing fifth in their final Northern Athletics Senior League Division 2 match, held at Middlesbrough’s New Athletics Village on Saturday 8th August 2015, Morpeth Harriers & Athletics Club still avoided relegation by virtue of their accumulated match points won over the four fixtures, points which saw them finish third overall, which is one of the best achievements made by the club for several years. Results from the match are now finalised, and the small band of sixteen (Men) and seven (Women), who were available for selection to respective Team Managers David Swinburne and Mike Bateman, certainly did their utmost to achieve this most welcome outcome. FINAL MATCH RESULT 1st City of York 405.0pts, 2nd Middlesbrough (Mandale) 363.0pts, 3rd Gateshead Harriers 320.0pts, 4th Skyrac 318.5pts, 5th Morpeth Harriers 293.5pts, 6th North Shields Poly 220.0pts. FINAL LEAGUE POSITIONS 1st Gateshead Harriers 18pts, 2nd Skyrac 17pts, 3rd Morpeth Harriers 15pts, 4th City of York 14pts, 5th Middlesbrough (Mandale) 13pts, 6th North Shields Poly 7pts. Middlesbrough (Mandale) and North Shields Poly are relegated to Division 3 for 2016, and Gateshead Harriers and Skyrac go to a promotion playoff. Start Fitness North East Grand Prix Meeting 22nd July 2015 There were some truly excellent performances by athletes from Morpeth Harriers at the fifth and penultimate Start Fitness North East Grand Prix meeting, held at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Wednesday 22nd July 2015. Very prominent amongst those performances were Chris Smith, Scott Beattie, Carl Avery, Kieran Hedley, Daniel Moore and Holly Peck. In the seeded Senior Men’s 1500m, Smith clocked a new personal best of 4m02.8s, when he won by a few strides from his Morpeth Harriers clubmate Scott Beattie, who was first Under 17 Man, clocking a new personal best of 4m04.4s. A few strides behind Beattie was Morpeth Senior Man Carl Avery, who in his first ever track 1500m clocked an excellent 4m04.9s. Not far behind Avery, was another Morpeth athlete Kieran Hedley, who clocked an impressive 4m08.4s. Hedley was second Under 17 Man behind Beattie. Other top Morpeth performers in the seeded 1500m were James Young, who was fourth fastest Junior Man with 4m13.0s, and Thomas Straughan, who sixth fastest Senior Man with a new personal best of 4m13.8s. Another top Senior Man in action was Daniel Moore, who was fastest in both the 100m and 200m with impressive clockings of 11.6s and 23.3s respectively. Fellow Morpeth Harrier Wayne Gedge was third fastest Senior Man in the 100m with his time of 13.0s. In the Under 17 Women’s seeded 1500m, Morpeth’s Abby Sheldon was second fastest in 5m14.0s. Holly Peck of Morpeth won the Under 13 Girls 1500m in 5m04.5s, outpacing club colleague Rhiannon Hedley, who clocked 5m06.9s. Lily Heaton of Morpeth was fourth in 5m22.8s. Ellie Coxon of Morpeth finished fifth in the Under 15 Girls 1500m in 5m20.6s. In the Under 15 Boys 1500m, Connor Marshall of Morpeth was fourth in 4m46.2s. Morpeth Harriers also had some good performers in the Field Events, quite notably Elliot Moore, Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot, and Dan Lloyd. Moore putted 11.71m to win the Under 17 Men’s Shot. Pickering-Pruvot, in only her second outing in a Morpeth vest, produced a best of 10.13m to win the Under 15 Girls Shot. Dan Lloyd was second in the Under 13 Boys Shot with a best of 6.92m. Andrew Knight was fourth in the Under 15 Boys Shot with a best of 8.71m. In the Senior Men’s Discus, Morpeth Harrier Steven Appleby produced a best throw of 29.43m to take sixth place. |
Northern League Division 2E
 Bobbie Griffiths ln action at Middlesbrough Sports Village
Northern Athletics U/17, U/15 & U/13 Track & Field Championships
The first day of the combined Northern Athletics Under 13/15/17 Track and Field Championships, held at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Saturday 15th August, saw two Morpeth Harriers achieve respective medals. Bobbie Griffiths won a superb Silver Medal in the Under 15 Girls Javelin Final, throwing a best of 35.69m, which although was a little short of her lifetime best, still earned her a well deserved podium place. Another podium place well earned was by Under 17 Man David Thomas, who produced a lifetime best of 12.02m in the Triple Jump, to take a Bronze medal. The second day of the championships brought three more medals to the table for the club.Bobbie Griffiths, fresh from her medal winning efforts on the first day, returned to the venue to take the Bronze medal in the Under 15 Girls Discus. She fought a tight battle for third place with Amber Valley’s Lily Naylor, however squeezed into the medal winning slot by a mere 14cm with her best throw of 26.88m. Griffiths also threw a lifetime best of 23.66m in the Hammer, however in a very tough front line competition she could only finish tenth of 12 in the competition. Scott Beattie won a Bronze medal in the Under 17 Men’s 1500m, finishing behind Hallamshire’s Cameron Bell, and Skyrac’s Alex Pagdin in a time of 4m07.80s Morpeth’s Under 15 Boy Ross Charlton won a Silver medal in the 3000m, finishing behind Middlesbrough Mandale’s year older Josh Cowperthwaite, who won in 10m18.5s. Charlton posted a time of 10m24.9s. Morpeth’s only other athlete competing at the championships was Ailsa Jones, who unfortunately went out in the heats of the Under 15 Girls 800m. 
David Thomas in action at Northern League match
at Cleckheaton
Chris Smith in action at Northern League match
at Cleckheaton
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