The above Relays were held at Hetton Lyons Country Park on a traffic free fast but testing course, in all the races each runner ran 2 laps covering a distance of 2.2mile in total.
The afternoon Racing started with the Womans and Vets Woman plus O/50 Vets Men all combined into one race with each Team having 4 runners each running the 2.2 mile. The Gateshead Ladies were well represented with 3 Senior Ladies Teams and 2 Vets Ladies Teams, with the Vets “A” Team coming away with Gold Medals. The team got off to a great start with Jane Giles handing over to Michelle Nolan in 5th position and Michelle closed gaps tomove the team into 3rd place, where Gillian Manford continued the progress moving into 2nd place, and Lisa Atkinson (Team Manager) brought the team home in first position, for a great Team performance. The Ladies Vets “B” Team performed well to finish in 15th place that consisted of (Maggie Lorraine, Venessa Cutter, Leanne Wellings and Angela Kirtley)
The Senior Ladies had 3 Teams running with the “A” Team finishing a creditable 10th position, that team consisting of (Jemma Bell, Chloe Wellings, Sophie Wickham and Jessica Leslie) with the “B” Team chasing them hard in 16th place and the “C” Team in 33rd position, so a good turn out and successful day.
A mention must be given to stalwart Malcolm Thirlaway who ran really well in the O/50’s Men on the first leg.(incomplete team)
Our Men had 3 Senior Teams plus 1 O/40 Vets Team competing, with the Senior Mens “A” Team finishing in a very creditable 5th position, (James Cripwell, Ross Christie, Charlie McMillan, Kevin Connolly, Matt Linsley and Steven Medd) this team was a mix of experience, youth and new faces, which can only auger well for the future as we look to build. The “B” Team also performed well finishing in 16th position as they also had mix of experience, youth and new faces, these two Teams were backed by the “C” Team which welcomed some first time runners from John McDonald’s group, which was great to see, well done to them.
The Club had a strong O/40’s team and they ran really well to finish in 6th position in a very competative age group, this team consisted of Martin Slater, Alan Johnson, Jim Mann, Jeremy Armstrong, Steve Wellings, and Stephen Gray, this was a promising permormance as we look to build in the Vets age groups along with building via our younger athletes as well.
So well done to our Ladies again, as we look now to the last of the Harrier Leagues on the 3rd March at Alnwick, with both Ladies and Mens Teams needing athletes to run and to maintain their strong position in the Leagues, so please make an effort to support the League your contact is Steven Medd (Male) and Lisa Atkinson (Female)
Also we look towards the Road Relays season with the Northern Ladies 6 Stage & Mens 12 Stage (Sun. 25th March) and the Elswick Road Relay (Fri. 30th March) So can you contact Tony Gardner (Men) and Lisa Atkinson (Ladies) don’t leave it to the last minute, as we have to get teams ENTERED.