Brass Monkey Half Marathon, 18 January 2026

A strong contingent of Blaydon Harriers headed to York on Sunday 18 January 2026 to take on the Brass Monkey Half Marathon, one of the most popular and competitive winter road races in the country. True to its reputation, runners were met with cold, testing conditions, but that didn’t stop the Blaydon lads from producing some excellent performances across the field.

Organised by York Knavesmire Harriers, the Brass Monkey is renowned for its fast, flat course and consistently attracts a high‑quality field. With places allocated via a ballot and the race selling out well in advance, it remains a key early‑season target for many club runners.

Blaydon Harriers were well represented, with nine runners completing the 13.1 mile course and several strong age‑category performances recorded:

Matthew Alderson – 1:11:31 (40th overall, 3rd V40)

Alex Muir – 1:13:02 (61st overall)

Peter Hodgson – 1:15:40 (94th overall)

Martin Graham – 1:16:17 (113th overall)

Hedley Fletcher – 1:21:09 (10th V50)

Oliver Bailes – 1:22:27

Michael Beirne – 1:25:49

Michael Friberg – 1:32:58

Aidan Rosen – 1:38:15

With several runners finishing well inside the top quarter of a large and competitive field, it was a solid all‑round team effort and a great way to kick off 2026.

The Brass Monkey has built its reputation on being “fast but unforgiving”, and this year was no exception. Battling the elements while holding pace over a flat but exposed course made for a tough morning’s racing.

Well done to everyone who raced and represented the club so strongly.