The club had a big turnout and some excellent performances in the junior and senior races at Newburn Business Park on Good Friday.
Under dark skies, the races started with the under 11s. Our group of 9 year olds all did well with Harry Hunter finishing an impressive 7th, followed by Alfie Cook, Tristan Crang , Bailey McDonald Crooks and Holly Asquith, our only finisher in the girls race.
The under 13 boys team of Oliver Douglass 6th , Theo Barron 8th, and William Wells 14th just missed out on first place. They were backed up by Sonny Lewins, Ben Asquith, Lewis Harmieson and Cameron Marshall. For William, Sonny and Lewis it was their first under 13s race, stepping up from the under 11s.
Willow Morris had one of her best races to date to finish 3rd in the under 13 girls. Aoife Bell, in her first full under 13 race was 8th with Jessica Milburn making up the team in 14th. Freja Bell, Jessica Ord and Lucy Oliver completed a promising showing in this age group.
Ines Curran was a clear winner of the under 15 girls, running very strongly. Our only other under 15 finisher, Jamilla Nessa did well to improve on her time for the course.
Ethan McGlen showed that he is returning to form by coming 2nd in the under 15 boys. David Race, coming back after injury, was 7th and Jack Garrett in 32nd put his rugby aside to make up the team.
The heavy overnight rain meant that some parts of the full relay course were more akin to a trail event than a road race, with the underfoot conditions much more of a challenge than usual.
Team performance of the day was the senior womens’ fine win. Led by Stacey Smith, running the fastest overall time on the first leg, Mary Ferrier and Michelle Nolan-Hood ensured that the lead was not seriously challenged to come home over 30 seconds clear.
The club had 8 teams finishing the womens race. Our second team, made of under 20 runners, Elisha Tait, Chloe Wellings and Amy Baker, was a creditable 8th. Well done also to Jane Giles, fastest over 50 runner.
The mens team of Matt Linsley, Charlie McMillan, Calum Johnson and Steven Medd finished 5th, a good performance after several call offs. In charging through the field on the 3rd leg, Calum ran the day’s fastest time. The club finished 6 teams. It was encouraging to see junior runners, James Morris and Will Dixon, as well as Charlie, competing well at this level.
Well done to all the club’s runners who turned out. Thanks to everybody for making the early start to deliver and encourage our runners and erecting, moving, re-erecting and taking down the tent! Thanks to all at Elswick Harriers for organizing such a successful and enjoyable event.