August update
It might have been the summer hols but the Green and Golds were still going strong, with Wallsend Harriers popping up all over the place…
Most recently we had lads and lasses out for the Ken Jefferson Memorial Farringdon XC Relays, a great pre-x-country season warm-up, hosted in Sunderland. It was very un-x-country like weather, with dry terrain and scorching temperatures. Each leg was just under two miles but there were a good variety of hills and even a stream to wade through. It was good fun but tough going.
Mick S, James T, Alan H and Michael Lindsey were our senior men’s team and Laura Murphy, Sarah Lynch and Emily J were flying the flag for the ladies. Both teams put in a cracking effort but Luke Pichler was our stand out performer, taking third in the u11 category. Well done Luke!
Over in equally Sunny France Danny Hughes was taking on the mammoth challenge of Ironman Vichy. It blows my mind thinking how anyone can take on such a feat. Massive congratulations Danny.
Our friends at Blyth always see out the summer season in style, by hosting a beauty of a 10k along the Links sand dunes (and it’s free and they put on food after!). This year we had a fantastic turn out: – Emily, Sam Crooks, Sarah Robson (top 10 female 42.45), Sarah Lynch, Zahra Strettle, Simon Lyon (fifth in 36.12), Brian Hetherington (great to see him out and running really well with a sub 40), Rob Strettle, Paul Heatherington, Jackie Garnett and Joe Colligan. Full results here.
Earlier in the month a fast and flat Gateshead 5k saw some superb Green and Gold performances, not least from our super star Danielle Hodgkinson who had another blinding win.
Our other 5k crackers were Jordan, Adam, Graham, David Diston, Kevin Wilson, Andy W, Joe Colligan, Mick S, Alex Hemsley, Denver, Nina (another PB and this time sub 22!), Steve Sayers, Danielle, Keith, Paul James and Simon Lyon. Full results are here.
Massive congratulations to Alex Hemsley who has qualified for the 2019 Pontevedra ITU Aquathlon World Championships. This was just days after completing the Bassenthwaite Triathlon in 2hrs 52.27.
And in other triathlon news, the legendary Don Shotton was crowned European Champion in his age group at Glasgow ETU Triathlon European Championships in August.
We really do have a talented bunch.
Good luck to everyone running at the weekend, whether it be the Great North 5k, Great North Mini Run, Junior Run and the bad boy itself – the Great North Run.