‘Cross country should never be cancelled!’ indefatigable Archie Jenkins, NEMAA secretary,
would later declare at the prize-giving, but conditions had been clearly made
all the more challenging by the numerous snowfalls that had taken place
in the 24 hours beforehand. A demanding course (which already required two ascents
and descents of the old Rising Sun spoil heap from different directions on each lap completed)
was already bedecked with joyous sledging youngsters while competitors
took their first look at the course -although both races ironically took place in bright sunshine.
The first race of the day, featuring women and men over 65, saw a strong
front-running performance from leading NE veteran Sharon Bulman of Old Marske,
who also picked up the 0/45 medal. Not far behind her, however, was Morpeth’s Gemma Floyd,
who followed last week’s team bronze at the Northern Cross Country Championships
with a second place in the race itself and an 0/35 gold medal.
Also picking up silverware was Helen King, ninth overall and third 0/40,
although sadly Morpeth’s leading veteran Jane Hodgson had had to pull out due to injury,
thus preventing a certain team prize.
Morpeth’s other medals in this first race came via a team gold in the 0/65 competition,
with Archie Jenkins and Paul Bentley, who also picked up an 0/70 bronze, joining Walter on the podium.
A longstanding member of Morpeth Harriers for several decades,
Ryder has made the NEMAA championships an annual pilgrimage from his Scottish eyrie
and his victory in the 0/80 category was made all the sweeter by virtue of him
defeating local rival Reginald Checkley of Heaton who had pipped him last year.
In the three lap, second race of the day, featuring male veterans between 35 and 64,
the early pace was set by Conrad Franks of Gateshead Harriers whose front running
championship performance was rewarded with a gold medal.
Gateshead also picked up a team gold ahead of local lads Wallsend,
running here of course in their own backyard, for whom Chris Smith was first home.
Not too far behind Smith, however, was Morpeth’s own John Butters,
whose experience on the fells meant the easier slopes here held few fears,
and he was a clear winner of the 0/40 category and fifth overall.
With Andrew Hebden and Colin Archer both competing in the championships for the first time,
there was an unexpected team bronze in the 0/35s,
one which Archer would later declare just about made taking part worthwhile.
Steve Haswell (0/50) and Paul Bellingham (0/55) had their own personal duel a little further down the field,
with Haswell, returning to competition after some time out, winning out on the final lap.
would later declare at the prize-giving, but conditions had been clearly made
all the more challenging by the numerous snowfalls that had taken place
in the 24 hours beforehand. A demanding course (which already required two ascents
and descents of the old Rising Sun spoil heap from different directions on each lap completed)
was already bedecked with joyous sledging youngsters while competitors
took their first look at the course -although both races ironically took place in bright sunshine.
The first race of the day, featuring women and men over 65, saw a strong
front-running performance from leading NE veteran Sharon Bulman of Old Marske,
who also picked up the 0/45 medal. Not far behind her, however, was Morpeth’s Gemma Floyd,
who followed last week’s team bronze at the Northern Cross Country Championships
with a second place in the race itself and an 0/35 gold medal.
Also picking up silverware was Helen King, ninth overall and third 0/40,
although sadly Morpeth’s leading veteran Jane Hodgson had had to pull out due to injury,
thus preventing a certain team prize.
Morpeth’s other medals in this first race came via a team gold in the 0/65 competition,
with Archie Jenkins and Paul Bentley, who also picked up an 0/70 bronze, joining Walter on the podium.
A longstanding member of Morpeth Harriers for several decades,
Ryder has made the NEMAA championships an annual pilgrimage from his Scottish eyrie
and his victory in the 0/80 category was made all the sweeter by virtue of him
defeating local rival Reginald Checkley of Heaton who had pipped him last year.
In the three lap, second race of the day, featuring male veterans between 35 and 64,
the early pace was set by Conrad Franks of Gateshead Harriers whose front running
championship performance was rewarded with a gold medal.
Gateshead also picked up a team gold ahead of local lads Wallsend,
running here of course in their own backyard, for whom Chris Smith was first home.
Not too far behind Smith, however, was Morpeth’s own John Butters,
whose experience on the fells meant the easier slopes here held few fears,
and he was a clear winner of the 0/40 category and fifth overall.
With Andrew Hebden and Colin Archer both competing in the championships for the first time,
there was an unexpected team bronze in the 0/35s,
one which Archer would later declare just about made taking part worthwhile.
Steve Haswell (0/50) and Paul Bellingham (0/55) had their own personal duel a little further down the field,
with Haswell, returning to competition after some time out, winning out on the final lap.
Morpeths Bronze medal winning team at Wallsend on Saturday 2nd February
North East Masters 10k Track Championships 2018
Three Morpeth Harriers took part in the North East Masters 10k Track Championships
held at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Saturday 22nd September 2018.
David Nicholson was a winner in the Over 60 10k, posting an excellent 39m50.56s,
which places him very much high in the National Rankings for his age group.
Paul Bellingham finished second in the Over 55 contest, posting a time of 41m23.37s.
In the Over 70 Men’s 5k, Paul Bentley finished second in 24m42m07s.
Three Morpeth Harriers took part in the North East Masters 10k Track Championships
held at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Saturday 22nd September 2018.
David Nicholson was a winner in the Over 60 10k, posting an excellent 39m50.56s,
which places him very much high in the National Rankings for his age group.
Paul Bellingham finished second in the Over 55 contest, posting a time of 41m23.37s.
In the Over 70 Men’s 5k, Paul Bentley finished second in 24m42m07s.
The NEMAA 10,000mts gets underway at Monkton Stadium on Saturday 22nd September
North East Masters Athletic Association Track & Field Championships
Eight Morpeth Harriers took part in the annual North East Masters Athletics Association Track and Field Championships
at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium on Saturday 23rd June 2018.
Running in the Over 40 Men’s 100m, Wayne Gedge finished second in 14.9s.
Gedge also threw 17.33m for third in the Discus.
Another Morpeth Harrier taking part in the Discus was Steven Appleby,
who claimed the Silver Medal ahead of Gedge, throwing a best of 32.14m.
The Morpeth pair also claimed medals respectively in the Shot and Long Jump.
Appleby took Silver in the Shot with a best of 8.77m, and Gedge won Silver in the Long Jump with 4.46m.
Gedge claimed his fourth medal of the day in the Triple Jump with a best of 6.16m.
Archie Jenkins won the Over 65 Men’s Gold Medal in the 800m, posting a time of 3m22.1s.
In the 1500m, Over 60 Veteran Gavin Bayne won the Gold Medal in 5m26.3s.
Bayne also medalled in the Over 60 Men’s 5000m, taking Bronze in 19m31.6s.
Pam Woodcock, who was Morpeth’s only Female competitor in action, won the Over 65 Women’s 1500m in 6m44.0s.
Paul Bentley, Morpeth’s oldest competing athlete on the day, won an Over 70 Men’s Bronze medal in the 3000m, clocking 14m18.0s.
Although a non-medallist on the day, Paul Bellingham competed well in the Over 55 Men’s 800m and 1500m events,
finishing in fifth position in both cases, producing times of 2m31.1s, and 5m07.3s.
Morpeth’s Alistair MacDonald finished fourth overall in the Open Mile race, posting a time of 5m30.6s.
NORTH EAST MASTERS ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018
David Nicholson added two more golds to his growing collection of veteran medals at the North East Masters Athletics Association Cross Country Championships held on marshy park land behind Darlington Rugby Football Club on Sunday afternoon.(4th February 2018)
In a relatively small field, Nicholson was first over 60 male and for the third consecutive year also collected a team over 55 medal, this year supported by club colleagues Paul Bellingham and Peter Scaife.
In addition to the individual and team golds, there was also success earlier in the day during the Men’s 65 and over categories, which was run over two laps instead of the later three and held in conjunction with the women’s race.
Longstanding Morpeth Harrier member Walter Ryder, a stalwart of the competition for many years, made the journey down from his home in Scotland to take a silver in the over 80 men’s category while Paul Bentley picked up bronze in the over 70s. With Archie Jenkins also taking part in the over 65,
the team of Ryder, Bentley and Jenkins were able to collect a further team silver.
Report by Peter Scaife
David Nicholson added two more golds to his growing collection of veteran medals at the North East Masters Athletics Association Cross Country Championships held on marshy park land behind Darlington Rugby Football Club on Sunday afternoon.(4th February 2018)
In a relatively small field, Nicholson was first over 60 male and for the third consecutive year also collected a team over 55 medal, this year supported by club colleagues Paul Bellingham and Peter Scaife.
In addition to the individual and team golds, there was also success earlier in the day during the Men’s 65 and over categories, which was run over two laps instead of the later three and held in conjunction with the women’s race.
Longstanding Morpeth Harrier member Walter Ryder, a stalwart of the competition for many years, made the journey down from his home in Scotland to take a silver in the over 80 men’s category while Paul Bentley picked up bronze in the over 70s. With Archie Jenkins also taking part in the over 65,
the team of Ryder, Bentley and Jenkins were able to collect a further team silver.
Report by Peter Scaife
Start of the Vets race at Durham
2018 Durham Cathedral Relays
The annual Durham Cathedral Relays were held for the second occasion at
the Graham Sports Centre at Maiden Castle on Sunday 14th January 2018.
Morpeth Harriers had a total of nine full teams and three incomplete teams in action in the three events on offer,
successfully striking Gold twice, in the Veteran Men’s Over 35 and Over 55 age groups.
All races were run on a two-lap course, covering a total distance of three kilometres.
The club had no fewer than four complete teams in the Veteran Men’s event,
which also incorporated the North-East Masters Championship.
Their A Team, who were in the Over 35 age category, won by a thirty-three second margin from Sunderland Harriers,
with excellent runs by Andrew Hebden (10m05s), John Butters (9m31s), and Chris Smith (9m18s).
Smith’s time was the fastest of the day, with Butters being third fastest.
The Morpeth B team, who were third in the Over 45 Men’s category, were eighth overall,
courtesy of Rob Hancox (10m40s), Graeme Thorpe (10m48s), and Fergus Bates (10m29s).
Phil Walker (10m44s), Mike Winter (11m33s) and Paul Waterston (11m15s),
saw the Morpeth C team through to 14th overall, and were 6th Over 45 Veteran Men’s team.
Morpeth had more winners with their Over 55 Men’s A team, who were tenth overall,
courtesy of Neil McAnany (10m47s), David Nicholson (11m05s), and Tim Miley (10m52s).
Paul Bellingham (11m31s), and Peter Scaife (12m37s),
lined up in an incomplete Morpeth Over 55 Men’s A team.
The annual Durham Cathedral Relays were held for the second occasion at
the Graham Sports Centre at Maiden Castle on Sunday 14th January 2018.
Morpeth Harriers had a total of nine full teams and three incomplete teams in action in the three events on offer,
successfully striking Gold twice, in the Veteran Men’s Over 35 and Over 55 age groups.
All races were run on a two-lap course, covering a total distance of three kilometres.
The club had no fewer than four complete teams in the Veteran Men’s event,
which also incorporated the North-East Masters Championship.
Their A Team, who were in the Over 35 age category, won by a thirty-three second margin from Sunderland Harriers,
with excellent runs by Andrew Hebden (10m05s), John Butters (9m31s), and Chris Smith (9m18s).
Smith’s time was the fastest of the day, with Butters being third fastest.
The Morpeth B team, who were third in the Over 45 Men’s category, were eighth overall,
courtesy of Rob Hancox (10m40s), Graeme Thorpe (10m48s), and Fergus Bates (10m29s).
Phil Walker (10m44s), Mike Winter (11m33s) and Paul Waterston (11m15s),
saw the Morpeth C team through to 14th overall, and were 6th Over 45 Veteran Men’s team.
Morpeth had more winners with their Over 55 Men’s A team, who were tenth overall,
courtesy of Neil McAnany (10m47s), David Nicholson (11m05s), and Tim Miley (10m52s).
Paul Bellingham (11m31s), and Peter Scaife (12m37s),
lined up in an incomplete Morpeth Over 55 Men’s A team.
Chris Smith in action at the 2018 Durham Cathedral Relays
British Masters 10000m Championships
Morpeth were represented by two competitors at the British
Masters 10000m Championships at Monkton Stadium,
on Saturday 16th September 2017.
David Nicholson finished third in the Over 60 category and also in the
incorporated North Eastern Masters Championship.
David clocked 39mins 42.30secs behind Brian Martin of Quakers
who recorded 38mins 59.96secs, and Laurence Taylor
of North York Moors whose time was 39mins 19.48secs.
Paul Bentley finished 2nd in the Over 70 age-group in a time of 50mins
54.3secs behind Mick Casey of the World Veterans who clocked 42mins
48.5secs.
Paul did have the consolation of winning the North East
Masters title.
Morpeth were represented by two competitors at the British
Masters 10000m Championships at Monkton Stadium,
on Saturday 16th September 2017.
David Nicholson finished third in the Over 60 category and also in the
incorporated North Eastern Masters Championship.
David clocked 39mins 42.30secs behind Brian Martin of Quakers
who recorded 38mins 59.96secs, and Laurence Taylor
of North York Moors whose time was 39mins 19.48secs.
Paul Bentley finished 2nd in the Over 70 age-group in a time of 50mins
54.3secs behind Mick Casey of the World Veterans who clocked 42mins
48.5secs.
Paul did have the consolation of winning the North East
Masters title.
BRITISH MASTERS NORTH OF ENGLAND TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Morpeths Veteran Over 60 athlete Gavin Bayne, travelled to Sheffield for the
British Masters North of England Track & Field Championships on Saturday 2nd September 2017,
to compete in the 1500m. With a measured and perfectly judged performance,
he was rewarded with a gold medal, clocking a time of 5 minutes 18s seconds
to win by 10 seconds over his nearest, Leeds based rival, Christopher Corcoran.
Report by Peter Scaife
Morpeths Veteran Over 60 athlete Gavin Bayne, travelled to Sheffield for the
British Masters North of England Track & Field Championships on Saturday 2nd September 2017,
to compete in the 1500m. With a measured and perfectly judged performance,
he was rewarded with a gold medal, clocking a time of 5 minutes 18s seconds
to win by 10 seconds over his nearest, Leeds based rival, Christopher Corcoran.
Report by Peter Scaife
Gavin Bayne at Sheffield
2017 North-East Masters 10K Championships
The recent Morpeth 10k Road Race, also incorporated the North-East Masters Championships,
and three Morpeth Harriers were amongst the category medallists.
In the Over 60 Men’s section, David Nicholson and Richard Sill finished
respective winner and runner up, and secured Gold and Silver medals.
Nicholson and Sill finished 56th and 121st overall in the event,
posting times of 40m22s, and 45m06s.
Gemma Floyd who finished 34th overall in 38m20s, was first Over 35 Woman,
and received the Gold medal in respect of her achievement.
The recent Morpeth 10k Road Race, also incorporated the North-East Masters Championships,
and three Morpeth Harriers were amongst the category medallists.
In the Over 60 Men’s section, David Nicholson and Richard Sill finished
respective winner and runner up, and secured Gold and Silver medals.
Nicholson and Sill finished 56th and 121st overall in the event,
posting times of 40m22s, and 45m06s.
Gemma Floyd who finished 34th overall in 38m20s, was first Over 35 Woman,
and received the Gold medal in respect of her achievement.
2017 North-East Masters Track & Field Championships
Five Veteran athletes from Morpeth Harriers took part in the
annual North-East Masters Track and Field Championships,
held at a hot and sunny Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, on Saturday 17th June 2017.
All five of them featured amongst the medallists in the respective age categories.
Throws specialist Steven Appleby was the most successful,
taking two Gold medals in the Over 40 Men’s events.
He won the Discus with a best throw of 32.18m, and the Shot Putt with 8.89m.
The most medals on the day, four in all, however went to Wayne Gedge,
who took Silver behind Appleby in the Discus, throwing a best of 18.49m,
also taking Silver in the 100m, clocking 13.5s,
he took another Silver in the Triple Jump with8.73m,
with his crowning moment coming when he took Gold in the Long Jump with a best of 4.47m.
Morpeth’s third Gold medallist was Over 70 athlete
Paul Bentley, who won the 3000m in 13m55.3s.
Over 60 Veteran David Nicholson took two medals in his age group.
He won Silver in the Men’s 1500m, clocking 5m20.1s,
and Bronze in the 800m with a time of 2m40.5s.
Seasoned Veteran and respected Official Archie Jenkins won himself three medals on the day,
taking Silver in the Over 65 800m in 3m17.7s,
plus a Bronze in the 1500m (6m29.1s),
and a further Bronze in the Shot Putt, with a best of 8.89m.
2017 North East Masters Athletics Association Road Relays
Morpeth Harriers had several of their Veteran athletes, both Male and Female,
competing at the annual North East Masters Athletics Association Road Relays,
held at Bedewell Park in Jarrow,
on the evening of Wednesday 3rd May 2017.
The club fielded no less than four teams in the Women’s three leg event,
and four complete teams also lined up in the Men’s event.
Amongst the honours were their Over 45 Women, and their Over 35 Men,
who finished second and third respectively,
and in the Women’s Relay,
Morpeth’s Gemma Floyd posted the fastest overall time of the night of 11m12s,
which proved to be thirty-one seconds faster than her
closest rival Angela McGurk of the winning club Jarrow and Hebburn.
In the Over 45 Women’s team, who were fourteenth overall but second
in their age group behind Heaton Harriers,
were Susan Smith (14m56s), Carol Parry (14m29s), and Jane Briggs (13m42s).
Briggs was second fastest overall in her age group.
Morpeth’s Over 35 Men, who finished fourth overall,
were third in their age group, courtesy of Tony Lewis (10m26s),
Steve Patterson (10m35s), and Graeme Thorpe (10m37s).
Lewis was seventh fastest overall in his age group.
Other Morpeth performances on the night were as follows
Over 45 Men A (4th) Phil Walker (11m11s), Tim Miley (11m09s), Paul Waterston (11m08s),
Over 45 Men B (9th) Gary Hall (11m36s), Mike Winter (12m09s), Paul Brown (12m39s),
Over 55 Men A (4th) Peter Scaife (12m26s), Paul Bellingham (12m13s), Gavin Bayne (12m28s).
Over 55 Men B (Incomplete) Kevin Bray (12m46s),
Over 35 Women A (7th) Gemma Floyd (11m12s), Jane Kirby (13m48s), Helen King (12m33s),
Over 35 Women B (14th) Helen Bruce (14m02s), Claire Hiscock (16m44s), Jacinta Wake (15m04s),
Over 45 Women B (7th) Shuna Rank (14m39s), Margaret MacDonald (15m55s), Frances Naylor (16m10s).
Morpeth Harriers had several of their Veteran athletes, both Male and Female,
competing at the annual North East Masters Athletics Association Road Relays,
held at Bedewell Park in Jarrow,
on the evening of Wednesday 3rd May 2017.
The club fielded no less than four teams in the Women’s three leg event,
and four complete teams also lined up in the Men’s event.
Amongst the honours were their Over 45 Women, and their Over 35 Men,
who finished second and third respectively,
and in the Women’s Relay,
Morpeth’s Gemma Floyd posted the fastest overall time of the night of 11m12s,
which proved to be thirty-one seconds faster than her
closest rival Angela McGurk of the winning club Jarrow and Hebburn.
In the Over 45 Women’s team, who were fourteenth overall but second
in their age group behind Heaton Harriers,
were Susan Smith (14m56s), Carol Parry (14m29s), and Jane Briggs (13m42s).
Briggs was second fastest overall in her age group.
Morpeth’s Over 35 Men, who finished fourth overall,
were third in their age group, courtesy of Tony Lewis (10m26s),
Steve Patterson (10m35s), and Graeme Thorpe (10m37s).
Lewis was seventh fastest overall in his age group.
Other Morpeth performances on the night were as follows
Over 45 Men A (4th) Phil Walker (11m11s), Tim Miley (11m09s), Paul Waterston (11m08s),
Over 45 Men B (9th) Gary Hall (11m36s), Mike Winter (12m09s), Paul Brown (12m39s),
Over 55 Men A (4th) Peter Scaife (12m26s), Paul Bellingham (12m13s), Gavin Bayne (12m28s).
Over 55 Men B (Incomplete) Kevin Bray (12m46s),
Over 35 Women A (7th) Gemma Floyd (11m12s), Jane Kirby (13m48s), Helen King (12m33s),
Over 35 Women B (14th) Helen Bruce (14m02s), Claire Hiscock (16m44s), Jacinta Wake (15m04s),
Over 45 Women B (7th) Shuna Rank (14m39s), Margaret MacDonald (15m55s), Frances Naylor (16m10s).
2017 North-Eastern Counties Road Relay Championships
Morpeth Harriers were particularly well represented at the annual Royal Signals Road Relays,
held at Hetton Lyons Country Park on Saturday 18th February, which incorporated the
North-Eastern Counties Athletics Association Championships.
Morpeth Harriers were also medallists in the Over 50 Men’s event.
They took well-earned Silver medals in a very tough battle alongside
early leaders Sunderland Harriers, and eventual winners North Shields Poly.
Morpeth Harriers were particularly well represented at the annual Royal Signals Road Relays,
held at Hetton Lyons Country Park on Saturday 18th February, which incorporated the
North-Eastern Counties Athletics Association Championships.
Morpeth Harriers were also medallists in the Over 50 Men’s event.
They took well-earned Silver medals in a very tough battle alongside
early leaders Sunderland Harriers, and eventual winners North Shields Poly.
Rob Hancox
Rob Hancox came home in third place on leg one, posting a time of 12m46s,
which was to be the third fastest overall Over 50 Men’s time, and only a mere
twelve seconds adrift of leaders Sunderland Harriers,
with North Shields lodged into second place, only ten seconds ahead.
which was to be the third fastest overall Over 50 Men’s time, and only a mere
twelve seconds adrift of leaders Sunderland Harriers,
with North Shields lodged into second place, only ten seconds ahead.
Phil Walker
This all changed for Morpeth on leg two, courtesy of a fine performance by Phil Walker,
whose clocking of 13m03s was the fastest of the leg, and took his squad into poll position
ahead a deposed Sunderland Harriers, who were now nineteen seconds adrift,
with North Shields Poly bearing down on them as the halfway stage was reached.
whose clocking of 13m03s was the fastest of the leg, and took his squad into poll position
ahead a deposed Sunderland Harriers, who were now nineteen seconds adrift,
with North Shields Poly bearing down on them as the halfway stage was reached.
Alistair MacDonald
It was all change again on leg three, as North Shields Poly went into the lead,
courtesy of an excellent 11m19s by Guy Bracken, easily the day’s fastest Over 50 time,
however Alistair MacDonald managed to hold on to second place, posting a personal time of 13m16s,
which gave him a twenty-four second margin over Sunderland Harriers going into the final leg, which was run by Tim Miley.
courtesy of an excellent 11m19s by Guy Bracken, easily the day’s fastest Over 50 time,
however Alistair MacDonald managed to hold on to second place, posting a personal time of 13m16s,
which gave him a twenty-four second margin over Sunderland Harriers going into the final leg, which was run by Tim Miley.
Tim Miley
Miley got around the 2.2mile leg, posting an excellent 13m05s, which maintained
the margin over Sunderland Harriers, however in doing so, he had also severely
eaten into North Shields Poly’s seventy-five second lead, having whittled it down
to a mere thirty seconds at the death, and fully deserved the Silver medal team award.
the margin over Sunderland Harriers, however in doing so, he had also severely
eaten into North Shields Poly’s seventy-five second lead, having whittled it down
to a mere thirty seconds at the death, and fully deserved the Silver medal team award.
North East Masters Cross Country Championships
Some excellent running by some of the club’s older competitors
brought home a set of Gold and Bronze team medals,
plus some individual successes for Morpeth Harriers,
at the annual North East Masters Cross Country Championships,
held on a brand-new course at Rising Sun Country Park,
Wallsend on Saturday 4th February 2017.
Some excellent running by some of the club’s older competitors
brought home a set of Gold and Bronze team medals,
plus some individual successes for Morpeth Harriers,
at the annual North East Masters Cross Country Championships,
held on a brand-new course at Rising Sun Country Park,
Wallsend on Saturday 4th February 2017.
David Nicholson
|
Gavin Bayne
|
Paul Bellingham
|
David Nicholson (41st) (1st O/60 Man), Gavin Bayne (47th) (3rd O/60 Man),
and Paul Bellingham (57th) (8th O/55 Man) secured an excellent fifty-eight-point margin win
over second placed Heaton Harriers in the 55 to 64 Year age category
to take a handsome set of Gold Medals in their three lap 5.25mile event.
Nicholson and Bayne also secured individual Gold and Bronze medals for their efforts.
The Bronze medals for Morpeth Harriers were won in the 45 to 54 Male age group,
where they just lost out on a countback situation to Heaton Harriers,
having finished on a level number of team points.
Crook AC were winners in this event, also on the three-lap course,
by a healthy margin of twenty-three points.
and Paul Bellingham (57th) (8th O/55 Man) secured an excellent fifty-eight-point margin win
over second placed Heaton Harriers in the 55 to 64 Year age category
to take a handsome set of Gold Medals in their three lap 5.25mile event.
Nicholson and Bayne also secured individual Gold and Bronze medals for their efforts.
The Bronze medals for Morpeth Harriers were won in the 45 to 54 Male age group,
where they just lost out on a countback situation to Heaton Harriers,
having finished on a level number of team points.
Crook AC were winners in this event, also on the three-lap course,
by a healthy margin of twenty-three points.
Tim Miley
|
Paul Waterston
|
Paul Brown
|
Tim Miley led the Morpeth team home in this event, finishing twelfth overall,
and he was third Over 50, securing an individual Bronze medal.
Further team support came from Paul Waterston (19th) (5th Over 50),
and Paul Brown (35th) (7th Over 50).
and he was third Over 50, securing an individual Bronze medal.
Further team support came from Paul Waterston (19th) (5th Over 50),
and Paul Brown (35th) (7th Over 50).
Archie Jenkins
Another finisher for Morpeth Harriers in this event was seasoned Veteran Archie Jenkins,
who worked his way round the tough new circuit to finish 82nd overall,
and eleventh in the Over 60 Male category.
who worked his way round the tough new circuit to finish 82nd overall,
and eleventh in the Over 60 Male category.
Paul Bentley
|
Walter Ryder
|
In the Over 65 Male event, which was run as a separate race over a shorter distance of 3.5miles,
covered by two laps, Morpeth Harriers Paul Bentley, and Walter Ryder, who had travelled
all the way down from West Scotland, finished in sixth and eighteenth places respectively.
Paul was second in the Over 70 Male category, taking an individual Silver medal,
and Walter also secured a Gold medal in the Over 75 Male category.
covered by two laps, Morpeth Harriers Paul Bentley, and Walter Ryder, who had travelled
all the way down from West Scotland, finished in sixth and eighteenth places respectively.
Paul was second in the Over 70 Male category, taking an individual Silver medal,
and Walter also secured a Gold medal in the Over 75 Male category.
Start of the Veterans relays at Durham on Sunday 15th January
In the Veteran Men’s event, run over three legs,
Morpeth’s Over 35 Men finished in fourth team place, courtesy of Tony Lewis (10m29s), Tim Miley (10m54s), and Paul Waterston (11m25s). Miley and Waterston were both competing below their age group. In the Veteran Men’s Over 55 section, Morpeth Harriers won, courtesy of Paul Bellingham (11m48s), David Nicholson (11m40s), and Gavin Bayne (11m54s). Nicholson and Bayne were first and second fastest Over 60 athletes. Peter Scaife, who was acting as the ever-willing Morpeth Veteran Men’s Team Manager, stepped up at the very last minute, despite a problem, to help a Morpeth Men’s Over 55 B team to fifth team place, courtesy of Jim Alder (12m06s), Chris Waugh (13m57s), and Scaife himself with a final leg clocking of 12m49s. |
Durham Cathedral Relays The annual Durham Cathedral Relays, on Sunday 15th January 2017, were subject to a last minute course change, due to the usual circuit being rendered unusable on grounds of safety, because of conditions left by the snowfall that hit the region on Friday. The event was switched from the old Racecourse venue to the nearby Durham University Playing Fields at Maiden Castle, as Durham City Harriers were forced to make stringent efforts in finding a suitable course as, albeit not quite as testing, as a last minute, last ditch effort. Thankfully the threatened constant rain that had been promised, had abated by the time proceedings got underway on Sunday Morning, and runners faced conditions, that although were relatively soft underfoot in parts, were not quite as heavy as expected, and times for the two lap 3k circuits were therefore relatively fast. |
Morpeths veteran squad and Rosie the dog at Blyth
57th Blyth Sands Handicap Race
While a number of their club colleagues made the longer journey west into
the wilder uplands of Allendale for this year’s Hexhamshire Hobble,
a handful of Morpeth’s veteran men chose instead to take advantage of the age-related handicaps on offer in the comparatively calmer and certainly much flatter Blyth Sands Race the same morning, (4th December) and they were rewarded with two age category awards and a first team prize.
The annual Sands race, generously hosted once again by Blyth Running Club, sees competitors run off age and gender related handicaps
in a 5 mile run from Blyth to Seaton Sluice and back.
In a nod to its origins (a challenge from Blyth based rowers to the town’s runners many years ago),
oars are planted in the sand at either end of the beach to mark the turning points in the race,
and as runners round them, these often give a clue to how fixed handicaps are unravelling.
In contrast with last year’s challenging full tide and consequent narrow strip of sand,
2016’s race was run on a low tide, giving competitors the chance to round
the bottom end of the three groynes on the beach (thus avoiding the dreaded ‘groyne strain’),
although towards Seaton Sluice runners reported some tricky rivulets and soft sand,
with many regretting not bringing a change of dry socks.
The race was won by Elswick Over 65 veteran Mark Mcnally
in a time of 26 minutes 57 seconds off a 9 minute handicap
with female Over 50 veteran Jacqueline Keavney
(who had travelled all the way from Richmond) in second place in 27m 8s.
First home for Morpeth was Under 18 Jake Masterman, 5th in a time of 28m 13s (the third fastest time of the day).
Next home for Morpeth in 7th place (29m 1s) was Gavin Bayne who was also the fastest Over 60 man.
Twenty years after his last appearance in the race, it was a nostalgic run for one of the club’s leading veterans
as he ruefully recalled the days when the club’s ‘hard men’ would run to Blyth from Morpeth via Bedlington – and then home again.
Not far behind him were Morpeth’s Over 50 veterans Paul Waterston and Phil Walker.
Running neck and neck for most of the race, Waterston only nudged ahead of his training partner in the last quarter of a mile.
While Waterston (9th in 29m 28s) picked up the Over 50 prize, it was a welcome return for Walker,
12th in 29m 28s, in his first serious competitive outing since breaking toes in Bothal Woods over the summer,
and also coincidentally his first race in the blue and white since moving up an age category.
With Masterman not counting for the team, Morpeth’s team count was made up by
Peter Scaife, 14th in 30m 12s and 3rd O/55, and the club were in consequence
comfortably winners of the team prize ahead of host club Blyth and Elswick Harriers.
Not far behind Scaife were O/65 Richard Sill (21st in 31m 16s), Archie Jenkins (43rd in 33m 35s)
and Andrew Richardson (59th in 35m) who all also had good run-outs.
British and Irish Masters International Cross Country Meeting
Englands Master squad at Tollcross Park, in Glasgow on Saturday12th November.
Four Morpeth Harriers were in action at the annual British and Irish Masters
International Cross Country meeting, held at Tollcross Park,
in Glasgow on Saturday12th November.
Representing England, Chris Smith and John Butters finished in 16th and 23rd
places respectively in the Over 35 and Over 40 Men’s events.
Bob Marshall competed for Scotland in the Over 65 Men’s event, finishing 16th in his age category.
Fergus Bates competed in the 8k Open Race, and finished in seventh place.
England won the Overall Team award, ahead of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
International Cross Country meeting, held at Tollcross Park,
in Glasgow on Saturday12th November.
Representing England, Chris Smith and John Butters finished in 16th and 23rd
places respectively in the Over 35 and Over 40 Men’s events.
Bob Marshall competed for Scotland in the Over 65 Men’s event, finishing 16th in his age category.
Fergus Bates competed in the 8k Open Race, and finished in seventh place.
England won the Overall Team award, ahead of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Sunderland 5k road race
(incorporating the North East and Northern Athletics Championships)
The annual Sunderland 5k road race which this year also incorporated
both the North East and Northern Athletics Championships.
was held over its traditional course at the Silksworth sports complex
and hosted by Sunderland Harriers on Wednesday 13th July 2016.
The Over 50 and above Male Veterans race ran was won
by Keith Smith of Tyne Bridge in an impressive time of 17 minutes 9 seconds,
Rob Hancox had a strong run to finish in overall third in a time of 17m 33s.
Despite some twinges in the last kilometre which threatened to cause him to drop out,
Morpeth’s Dave Nicholson was 9th overall but first Over 60 in a time of 19m 1s.
Behind Hancox and Nicholson, Peter Scaife was 13th and 4th Over 55 in 19m 45s,
Paul Bellingham 17th and 6th O/55 in 20m 2s and Paul Bentley 33rd and 3rd Over 65 in 22m 52s.
(incorporating the North East and Northern Athletics Championships)
The annual Sunderland 5k road race which this year also incorporated
both the North East and Northern Athletics Championships.
was held over its traditional course at the Silksworth sports complex
and hosted by Sunderland Harriers on Wednesday 13th July 2016.
The Over 50 and above Male Veterans race ran was won
by Keith Smith of Tyne Bridge in an impressive time of 17 minutes 9 seconds,
Rob Hancox had a strong run to finish in overall third in a time of 17m 33s.
Despite some twinges in the last kilometre which threatened to cause him to drop out,
Morpeth’s Dave Nicholson was 9th overall but first Over 60 in a time of 19m 1s.
Behind Hancox and Nicholson, Peter Scaife was 13th and 4th Over 55 in 19m 45s,
Paul Bellingham 17th and 6th O/55 in 20m 2s and Paul Bentley 33rd and 3rd Over 65 in 22m 52s.
The start of the 2016 Masters Relays at Sutton Park
2016 British Masters Relays
With a final margin of over two minutes, a new course record and the three fastest times of the day,
Morpeth Harriers’ veteran men were comprehensive winners at the British Masters Relays on Saturday 14th May.
The annual competition, held in the traditional bucolic setting of Sutton Park to the North of Birmingham,
sees the country’s leading veterans (now referred to as Masters)
compete in ten year age categories over legs of three miles with teams
of either six (35-45 year olds), four (45-55) or three (55-65, 65 and over).
Chris Smith got proceedings off for the six stage Over 35 team, and in a head to head battle with Birchfield Harriers,
quickly showed that he was now clearly back to his best as he got the better of his rival on the run in to
post a time of 15 minutes and 5 seconds and take an early lead in the race.
Smith handed on to Michael Morris who now had Birchfield’s second leg runner in close attention.
With Morris’s training this year focussed on a forthcoming Ironman Triathlon,
as well as a recent bout of bronchitis to contend with, this was a tough challenge,
and though Morpeth dropped to second place at the end of the leg,
his posting of 16m 6s was still good enough to keep the club firmly
in contention and may even in a way have done Peter Newton on third leg
a favour by giving him something to chase.
This Newton did with a gusto that showed he too is now very much a man on form,
having put last year’s injuries well behind him, and he soon reeled in Birchfield’s
third leg runner to re-establish Morpeth’s lead. He went on to post the fastest leg time of the day (14m 31s) and,
in so doing, put the club into a position which was never to be seriously challenged.
On leg 4 John Butters - who had chosen to represent the club ahead of taking the opportunity
to gain a North East counties vest in the Inter-Counties fell race championships at Snowdonia
that same day - ran a very sensible and controlled leg of 16m 6s to comfortably maintain
Morpeth’s margin and then handed on to leading national veteran Ian Hudspith.
Hudspith has represented the club through thick and thin in these relays and indeed still holds the course record here,
and once again he showed he was in dominant form, tearing round the course despite the absence of any challenger to push him,
and in the process posting the day’s second fastest leg time of 14m 40s.
At this point Morpeth had a commanding lead of over two minutes from their nearest rivals
and it was up to final leg runner Ade Whitwam to bring the team home,
and this he did emphatically with a final leg clocking of 15m 27s,
just outside the top ten fastest times of the day.
Morpeth finished in an overall time of 1 hour 31m 55s, a new course record,
and were over two minutes clear of Ron Hill Camburslang in second place (1:34:06),
with last year’s winners Thames Hare and Hounds in third (1:34:30).
The legs of Newton, Hudspith and Smith were later declared the three fastest of the day.
Morpeth also fielded a B team for the first time in this competition.
Making their debuts in on legs 1 and 2 both Mark Cockburn (16m 56s, 26th position)
and Steven Patterson (17m 7s, 23rd) had extremely creditable runs. Behind them,
Peter Scaife (19m 44s, 26th) and Jim Alder (also 19m 44s, 30th), both eligible for older categories,
did their best to plug the holes left by late unavailbility and Mick Thomsen took the fifth leg for a sadly incomplete team.
His posting of 17m 6s saw the team up to 26th position at this point. In all, some 41 teams took part, with 38 complete.
With a final margin of over two minutes, a new course record and the three fastest times of the day,
Morpeth Harriers’ veteran men were comprehensive winners at the British Masters Relays on Saturday 14th May.
The annual competition, held in the traditional bucolic setting of Sutton Park to the North of Birmingham,
sees the country’s leading veterans (now referred to as Masters)
compete in ten year age categories over legs of three miles with teams
of either six (35-45 year olds), four (45-55) or three (55-65, 65 and over).
Chris Smith got proceedings off for the six stage Over 35 team, and in a head to head battle with Birchfield Harriers,
quickly showed that he was now clearly back to his best as he got the better of his rival on the run in to
post a time of 15 minutes and 5 seconds and take an early lead in the race.
Smith handed on to Michael Morris who now had Birchfield’s second leg runner in close attention.
With Morris’s training this year focussed on a forthcoming Ironman Triathlon,
as well as a recent bout of bronchitis to contend with, this was a tough challenge,
and though Morpeth dropped to second place at the end of the leg,
his posting of 16m 6s was still good enough to keep the club firmly
in contention and may even in a way have done Peter Newton on third leg
a favour by giving him something to chase.
This Newton did with a gusto that showed he too is now very much a man on form,
having put last year’s injuries well behind him, and he soon reeled in Birchfield’s
third leg runner to re-establish Morpeth’s lead. He went on to post the fastest leg time of the day (14m 31s) and,
in so doing, put the club into a position which was never to be seriously challenged.
On leg 4 John Butters - who had chosen to represent the club ahead of taking the opportunity
to gain a North East counties vest in the Inter-Counties fell race championships at Snowdonia
that same day - ran a very sensible and controlled leg of 16m 6s to comfortably maintain
Morpeth’s margin and then handed on to leading national veteran Ian Hudspith.
Hudspith has represented the club through thick and thin in these relays and indeed still holds the course record here,
and once again he showed he was in dominant form, tearing round the course despite the absence of any challenger to push him,
and in the process posting the day’s second fastest leg time of 14m 40s.
At this point Morpeth had a commanding lead of over two minutes from their nearest rivals
and it was up to final leg runner Ade Whitwam to bring the team home,
and this he did emphatically with a final leg clocking of 15m 27s,
just outside the top ten fastest times of the day.
Morpeth finished in an overall time of 1 hour 31m 55s, a new course record,
and were over two minutes clear of Ron Hill Camburslang in second place (1:34:06),
with last year’s winners Thames Hare and Hounds in third (1:34:30).
The legs of Newton, Hudspith and Smith were later declared the three fastest of the day.
Morpeth also fielded a B team for the first time in this competition.
Making their debuts in on legs 1 and 2 both Mark Cockburn (16m 56s, 26th position)
and Steven Patterson (17m 7s, 23rd) had extremely creditable runs. Behind them,
Peter Scaife (19m 44s, 26th) and Jim Alder (also 19m 44s, 30th), both eligible for older categories,
did their best to plug the holes left by late unavailbility and Mick Thomsen took the fifth leg for a sadly incomplete team.
His posting of 17m 6s saw the team up to 26th position at this point. In all, some 41 teams took part, with 38 complete.
Morpeth Harriers winning vet team at Sutton Park
In the even more keenly contested Men’s Over 45s run at the same time, Morpeth fielded one team of four.
Paul Waterston led out in 17m 8s and came home in 21st place. Mike Winter on leg 2 ran 18m 56s and finished in 28th.
Fastest time for the team was run by Fergus Bates on third, with a strong clocking of 16m 14s, as he moved the club up to 16th.
On the last leg Rob Hancox dropped only one place, finishing in 17m 27s with the team finishing in 1:09:45 overall.
Some 48 teams contested this category and the winning time of 1:05:14 was posted by Thames Hare and Hounds,
with North Shield Poly in third (although they had been at one time in first place).
Finally, although he was unable to run this year, the club would like to pay tribute to Phil Walker,
who for so many years had the difficult and often invidious task of getting bodies down to these championships.
This year’s victory was very much built on foundations Phil laid, as he worked tirelessly to persuade,
plead and cajole Morpeth’s vets to go down. Quite why it should be so difficult to get people to go
is a mystery to those of us who do go down: it’s usually a great day out, and while a long one,
gives runners of all abilities the chance to compete with, and watch, the best in the country.
Hopefully Phil will be there in 2017, next year’s teams will be both male and female,
and we will look to build on this year’s results.
Paul Waterston led out in 17m 8s and came home in 21st place. Mike Winter on leg 2 ran 18m 56s and finished in 28th.
Fastest time for the team was run by Fergus Bates on third, with a strong clocking of 16m 14s, as he moved the club up to 16th.
On the last leg Rob Hancox dropped only one place, finishing in 17m 27s with the team finishing in 1:09:45 overall.
Some 48 teams contested this category and the winning time of 1:05:14 was posted by Thames Hare and Hounds,
with North Shield Poly in third (although they had been at one time in first place).
Finally, although he was unable to run this year, the club would like to pay tribute to Phil Walker,
who for so many years had the difficult and often invidious task of getting bodies down to these championships.
This year’s victory was very much built on foundations Phil laid, as he worked tirelessly to persuade,
plead and cajole Morpeth’s vets to go down. Quite why it should be so difficult to get people to go
is a mystery to those of us who do go down: it’s usually a great day out, and while a long one,
gives runners of all abilities the chance to compete with, and watch, the best in the country.
Hopefully Phil will be there in 2017, next year’s teams will be both male and female,
and we will look to build on this year’s results.
Paul Waterston at Hetton Lions Country Park
North Eastern Road Relay Championships
The annual Royal Signals North Eastern Road Relay Championships were
held at Hetton Lyons Park, in Hetton-Le-Hole,, on Saturday 20th February 2016.
Bronze Medals were gained in the Male Veteran Over 50’s section by Morpeth Harriers,
who finished third behind very strong squads from North Shield Poly, and Sunderland Harriers.
Competing in the 4 stage event for the club were Rob Hancox (13m19s), (fifth fastest on Leg One), who has only just recovered from a hernia operation, Paul Bellingham (14m40s), (eighth fastest on Leg Two), Alistair MacDonald (13m15s), (third fastest on Leg Three) and Paul Waterston (12m43s), (second fastest on Leg Four).
The times of Waterston and MacDonald also proved to be seventh and tenth overall in the Over 50 Men’s Relay. Unfortunately lack of a fourth runner robbed Morpeth Harriers of
a prominent finish also by their B team in the Veteran Men’s Over 50 contest.
At the end of three legs they were lying in tenth place,
courtesy of Peter Scaife (14m36s), Kevin Bray (14m54s),
and Neil McAnaney (14m20s).
McAnaney was also seventh fastest on the third leg.
The annual Royal Signals North Eastern Road Relay Championships were
held at Hetton Lyons Park, in Hetton-Le-Hole,, on Saturday 20th February 2016.
Bronze Medals were gained in the Male Veteran Over 50’s section by Morpeth Harriers,
who finished third behind very strong squads from North Shield Poly, and Sunderland Harriers.
Competing in the 4 stage event for the club were Rob Hancox (13m19s), (fifth fastest on Leg One), who has only just recovered from a hernia operation, Paul Bellingham (14m40s), (eighth fastest on Leg Two), Alistair MacDonald (13m15s), (third fastest on Leg Three) and Paul Waterston (12m43s), (second fastest on Leg Four).
The times of Waterston and MacDonald also proved to be seventh and tenth overall in the Over 50 Men’s Relay. Unfortunately lack of a fourth runner robbed Morpeth Harriers of
a prominent finish also by their B team in the Veteran Men’s Over 50 contest.
At the end of three legs they were lying in tenth place,
courtesy of Peter Scaife (14m36s), Kevin Bray (14m54s),
and Neil McAnaney (14m20s).
McAnaney was also seventh fastest on the third leg.
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Sherman Cup Competition For the fourth year in succession, Morpeth Harriers Male athletes produced excellent performances to win the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League Sherman Cup competition, at a warm Temple Park, South Shields, on Saturday 10th October 2015 Morpeth Harriers Veteran Men, who competed within the Senior race, finished as third team in a separately scored age group from Over 40 upwards, and confirmed the club as overall winners of the Sherman Cup. Team counters were John Butters (3rd) (36th), Paul Waterston (10th) (63rd), and Alistair MacDonald (42nd) (140th). Other Morpeth Harriers finishers in this section were, Mike Winter (47th) (150th), Mick Skeldon (53rd) (161st), Jim Alder (60th) (174th), Peter Scaife (91st) (228th), Richard Kirby (140th) (307th), and Paul Bellingham (172nd) (353rd). |
John Butters at Temple Park
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World Masters Athletics Champs – Lyon 2015
by Ady Whitwam It was Friday 7th that I flew from London Luton on a well-known orange airline, to the heat of Lyon in France, for the World Masters Athletics Champs. I had 3 days to acclimatise before my 10,000m race on Monday 10th August, which was just as well, given the 40-degree wall of heat that assaulted me at the airport. Luckily, the city had a rainstorm over the weekend, so by Monday the temperature had dropped and conditions seemed more favourable for running 25 laps of the track. On race day, I was picked up at 0700hrs and was at the Stade Laurent Gérin in plenty of time to fit in an old man’s sit down, a leg stretch and a very tentative warm-up jog. By this point, I’d worked out that I was in the quicker of the two M35-40 races and that I was about 10th or 12th quickest on paper. The Australian with 29:46 to his name did not show up on the day, so the Belgian who’d run 30:38 this season seemed to be the favourite. The supporting cast also included quite a few decent 31-minute runners, compared to my season’s best of just outside 32. From the gun, I was always involved and got away fairly well. There was a group of about 6 or 7 of us for the first mile or so, before the Belgian chap started to test us out. It didn’t take much testing and he was away up the track, looking quite spritely. I worked hard to stay in the top 3 or 4 but by halfway I had started to overheat and realised that I was going to lose touch with the medal positions. I went through halfway in roughly 15:47, which although not too far off schedule, took far more effort than I’d wanted. For the medals, Belgium was followed by Spain and Sweden. With about 2 miles to go, the lanky Swede in 3rd place appeared to be slowing and I clawed back a few seconds per lap for about a mile. Sadly, with only a couple of laps to go, he woke up to the danger and put in his final effort to claim a medal. I dug in, for pride more than anything else and managed to dip under 32 minutes for 4th place. 31:55.57 was a fair way short of expectations and significantly below what my fitness suggested I could achieve but perhaps the conditions got the better of me. It was a great experience and one that I might consider repeating in the future, albeit in the M40 category next time out! Ady Whitwam Morpeth Harriers / Army British Masters Track & Field Championships
Morpeth Harrier Gavin Bayne certainly made his long journey to Birmingham’s Alexandra Stadium worthwhile on Sunday 26th July 2015, when he won a Bronze medal in the British Masters 5000m Over 60 Men’s event, in a time of 18m52.28s. North East Masters Track and Field League Monsoon conditions of an extraordinary proportion forced the abandonment of proceedings at the second in the series of North East Masters Track and Field League meetings, held at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium, on Monday 1st June 2015. Morpeth Harrier Gavin Bayne competed in the earlier run 1500m, where he finished as first in the Over 55 Veteran Man’s section in a time of 5m21.4s. He had intended to compete in the later 800m; however those events were cancelled due to the worsening conditions. European Masters 10k Road Race Evergreen Morpeth Harriers Veteran Archie Jenkins competed in the European Masters 10k Road Race, held in Grosseto, Italy, on Friday 15th May 2015. Finishing 29th in the strongly contested Over 60 Men’s section, he was seventh home from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who were fourth behind a rampant host squad in the team race. Archie’s finishing time was 48m04s. |
Morpeths Vets team at Sutton Park
British Masters Athletics Federation Relays
A very personal regional battle for supremacy, proved to be a major highlight for club athletics enthusiasts who were in attendance at the annual British Masters Road Relays, held on Saturday 16th May 2015 at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. That battle was between top North East clubs Morpeth Harriers and Sunderland Harriers in the Over 35 6 Stage event. The Wearsiders very soon had the upper hand, and by some margin, as their first leg runner Kevin Jeffress came home in ninth place in 15m31s, whilst Morpeth’s first leg runner Paul Waterston finished 28th in 16m45s. Neil Wilkinson on second leg for Morpeth improved the squads position by two places when he got round in 16m49s, however Sunderland, courtesy of Steve McMahon, had improved their placing to fourth, and had furthered their time margin over Morpeth to two minutes. Whilst Sunderland held fourth place leading to the halfway point at the end of leg three courtesy of Ian Dixon, Morpeth did improve their placing by five to 21st, courtesy of Tony Lewis, who clocked 16m59s, however the Wearsiders lead over Morpeth had now increased to around 2mins20secs. That was all about to change however on fourth leg, courtesy of Ian Hudspith for Morpeth. Ian not only clocked the fastest time of the day of 14m31s, he also very much destroyed Sunderland’s margin, when he came home two places ahead of their fourth leg runner Noel Hitchcock, who had slipped from fourth to tenth. Hudspith had climbed thirteen places, and now had a six second lead over the Wearsiders, and was only fourteen seconds adrift of Bronze medals as he handed over to fifth leg runner Rob Hancox. Whilst Hancox did drop one place on the penultimate fifth leg, he still managed to hold off Sunderland, albeit only by ten seconds, as he handed over to Morpeth Harriers final leg runner Mick Thomsen, who was appropriately being chased and challenged by Sunderland Harriers Michael Thompson. It was certainly a nail-biting run to the finish line for the North East pair, and although there would be no medals for either of them it was very obvious that it was the regional pride that was at stake. Eventually it was Morpeth Harrier Mick Thomsen who made it to the finish line first in eighth place, and by the slender margin of nine seconds over Sunderland Harrier Michael Thompson, showing respective total timings of 1hr39min05secs, and 1hr39mins14secs, both around four minutes adrift of Silver medal place, which went to Scottish club Ron Hill Cambuslang, with the Over 35 Men’s Championship going to Thames Hare and Hounds in 1hr34mins49secs. 43 clubs had contested the Over 35 Men’s 6 Stage Relay, and Morpeth Harriers finished as third team from the Northern Region behind Preston and Salford, who finished third and fourth respectively. Morpeth Harriers also had a team competing in the Over 45 Men’s 4 Stage Relay, which finished eighteenth of 43 competing clubs in a time of 1hr12mins19secs, which was around seven minutes adrift of winners Aldershot. Competing for Morpeth Harriers were Paul Brown (17m57s), Phil Walker (17m36s), Tim Miley (18m06s), and Gavin Bayne (18m40s). Unfortunately they lost out to Tyne Bridge for regional supremacy, who finished fifth overall, however Morpeth Harriers were still third from the Northern Region. Report by Peter Scaife |