What a corker of a x-country it was on a dismal February Saturday. The course was “brutal” (Bill McGuirk’s words in the Chronicle) and the weather quite simply hideous.
But did that deter our gritty Green and Golds? No sir. We laugh in the face of wind, rain, freezing temperatures and layers and layers of thick mud…
A small but perfectly formed team took to the hills of the Rising Sun Country Park for the NEMAA Open X-Country Championships on Saturday 4th Feb.
They all put in a fantastic effort with Keith O’Donnell 45th, Kris Stobbs 23rd and 6th v35. Elaine was 15th and 4th v35 so I’m hoping that means I was 5th v35 in 16th position.
We’d have been contenders for a team prize if we’d had just one more vet on each team. Such a shame with a competition like this on our doorstep. Come on vets, get your spikes on and let’s show ’em how it’s done next time!
A special mention must go to our awesome juniors Erin Prior and Sam Charlton who put in inspiring performances at the Schools X-Country in Cumbria. Erin was 7th overall and 2nd from Northumberland and Sam was 12th overall and 6th from Northumberland.
We are very proud to have these great young athletes as part of the Green and Gold family.
An ‘out of this world’ performance from Mish Margison wins tonight’s Winter Grand prix, knocking 1 min 38 sec from her previous best a fortnight ago. Thomas Ferguson was closing the gap but settled for a 2nd place finish. Danny Hughes rounded off the podium in 3rd.
Fastest male of the night was Samuel Charlton with a 17:23, 2nd Olly Aird with a 17:51. Fastest female, fellow junior Erin Prior with a 20:24, Emily James 2nd in 22:21. Well done everyone.
Here’s the overall table, and Alf Alan Heslington holds onto top spot, with Julie Williams 2nd and Sarah Robson holding on to 3rd. However only 4 runners have qualified for all competitions, including Alan. For all other runners, if you haven’t got your name down for the Royal Signal relays, let Simon Lyon know ASAP!
Thanks Paddy for helping with the times 
🙂
Gary Lewis
What a weekend for Wallsend Harriers!
Whilst teams of three gave it their all over a two-mile leg of muddy terrain at Durham Relays, a merry band of Green and Golds took on the infamously fast (but cold) Brass Monkey half marathon in York. And what triumphs they bestowed.