Another busy couple of months has been had with #blackandamber stripes running here, there and everywhere around the region, I think Gemma Scott is one of our furthest travellers, with her journey to Dublin for the Rock 'n' Roll Half, with Jennifer McDonald 30 miles or so behind her with her journey to Inverness-shire for the Loch Ness Marathon, and Andrew flew to Malaga to compete for GB in the World Masters Championships!
The last race of the previous update was the Hexham Half in July, so from there I’ll try and cover of many races throughout July/Aug/Sept I can, apologies if I’ve missed anyone or anywhere! As usual I’ve managed to collect a random collection of pics from as many of you as I can!
Durham City 10K – 18th July
Nik Stevenson was our solo male in this race and he finished in 20th place in a time of 38:41. Well done Nik. Well done also to our seven ladies who took to the cobbles, Gemma Scott who achieved a 55:13 PB. Gone are the days when she was chasing sub 60! Tracy, Kat, Victoria T, Emma, Sharon and Shona.
Northern Front Runners LGBT 5K – 20th July
This race always proves a lot of fun and a large majority of runners make the effort to run around exhibition park in fancy dress… naturally they had a few busy bees buzzing around the course! George Rudman finished in 2nd place in 16:44. Just WOW … some of the ladies may well have been still positioning their wings correctly for maximum aerodynamism at this point!
The ten other seniors taking part were Ian, Nicola A, Jayne S, Anitha, Kat, Elaine (Proud Mum!) Rudman, Sheena, Mandy, Victoria T and Jennifer.
Northumberland Coastal Run – 29th July
James Dias 1:38:19, James Ramshaw 1:39:50, Lee P 1:45:08, Philip McGuire 1:48:56 were our four lads and Jen our solo female 2:17:23 who braved this tough course.
Gateshead Trail 10K – GT10 – 11th August
I went along to show my support to this one. It felt like I’d dodged a bullet not entering as the heat proved a little much for the task! 18 seniors headed to Blaydon Rugby club for this familiar route around the Derwent Walk. Always popular with the ladies who were out in force as usual. Some great performances considering the hot weather. Well done all and Good Luck Sharon, this was her last race as she’s moved with her family to pastures new!
Dublin R’n’R Half Marathon – 12th August
Well done Gemma Scott who was the solo bee in the Dublin Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon finishing in 2:12:10.
Darlington 10K – 11th August
Andrew Alderson ran in 35:36, followed closely by Alex Muir in 36:18, Lee Pattison achieved a 10K PB in 40:23 and Alan Storey 42:48. Great efforts Lads! Nicola Alderson ran in 56:45, Kat Nicholson 57:13 and Victoria Thomas 69:40. Well done Lasses!
Gateshead Quayside Business Forum 5K – 15th August
Also known as the Monkey Run amongst some of our seniors because of the Cheeky Trip logo! John came along with his photographic skills to this one. You may remember a gallery of photos were posted on our page after the event! If pictures won prizes Andrea Clarke would have won most popular photo with an amazing 24 FB likes! Well loved lady Bee!
As for the racing skills we had 16 lasses and 9 lads take part in this flat and fast course along the Quayside and back going over the Millennium Bridge into Baltic Square. Personal Bests were rife with 14 from the 25 runners. Our Elite Race lads finished in amazing times all achieving that sub 20 mark to qualify again next year. George finished in 27th place with a PB of 16:25, followed Peter 16:38 (PB), Matty A 16:44, Alex 16:54 (PB), Andrew (17:11), Jonathon (17.32), and Lee 19:39 (PB). In the masses race the remaining two fellas lead the ladies and were chasing that 20min mark with Ian Brooks just outside in 20:23 (PB) and Simon Evans 21:12. Not too shabby for last man Evans!
Then came our 16 ladies, who were myself (aka Shorty) 21:49, my first 5K race since the same race in 2016. I was extremely thankful to Roselle for being pacemaker and who followed me closely into the finish in 22:20 (PB and 2nd in age group) running her first 5K in a fantastic time. Andrea and Nicola A both finished sub 24 mins and Doreen 24:51 (PB and 1st in age group) Katja, Elaine R, Amanda, Kat, Jayne C, Emma and Lois all achieved new 5K PBs with Nicola, Jayne S, Sheena and Shona all powering home in fabulous times. Well done everyone!
Branches & Bays 10K – 18th August
Gemma Scott and Nicola Perry were the duo of senior women who completed this adventurous event. Well done lasses!
Dalton Park 5K – 19th August
Andrew Alderson (17:37) and Will Collinson (18:30) stormed into the finish in 1st and 2nd place respectively sporting their #blackandamber stripes, while Nicola Alderson also picked up 1st female in 25:59. Trophies all round! Brilliant!
Tynedale Jelly Tea 10 miler – 26th August
Five seniors completed this Northumberland Event. James Dias 1:04:22, Lee Pattison 1:07:51 finishing 3rd in his age category, Roselle 1:14:33 finishing 1st in her age category, Aidan MacDermott 1:22:50 and Mark Gubbins 1:24:13. Great efforts well done.
Watergate Park 5K & Junior 3K – 30th August
Jonathon and Andrew both finished in the top 20 in times of 17:15 and 17:25 respectively. Doreen was on top of her game, as usual 1st in her age category in 25:24 and winning a prize. Seniors who also ran were Michael, Phil J, Nicola A, Shereen and Amanda H. In the 3K race well done to Grace Johnson in the Under 13 girls and two prize winners, Tom Burnett who came 3rd in the under 13 Boys and Emma Burnett 3rd in Under 15 girls. Well Done everyone!
Hedley & Jill got married! Congrats both of you! – 1st September
Tees Pride 10K – 2nd September
Peter Hodgson finished 11th with a new 10K PB of 35:03. James and Joanne Ramshaw, and Philip McGuire competed too, Philip picking up a new PB also.