Twenty five seconds only divided the first three finishers in the
annual Bermuda 10k Road Race, run on Saturday 16th January 2016. The event had 831 finishers, and Morpeth Harrier Nick Swinburn was third home in 31m48s. Conditions played a big part in terms of everyone’s finishing time, however Nick ran well in the leading group, as first from Great Britain. Only the first three managed to dip under the thirty two minute mark, where the race was won by Zambia’s Jordan Chipangama, with Nick just losing out for second place by a mere two seconds to Bermuda’s Lamont Marshall. Other Brits in the event were Cardiff’s Adam Bitchell, who finished fourth in 33m22s, Havering’s Faye Fullerton, who finished seventh in 35m37s, and was first lady, Cardiff’s Charlotte Arter, who finished eighth in 35m48s, and was second lady, and Bedford’s Suzi Boast, who finished seventeenth in 38m29s, and was sixth lady finisher. Two Morpeth Harriers competed in the annual Brass Monkey
Half Marathon, held in York on Sunday 17th January 2016. Ian Harding emulated his finishing position of 2015, by again placing fifth, however on this occasion bettering his previous finishing time by a whole twenty five seconds, by clocking an excellent 69m51s. The clubs other finisher was Steve Haswell, who finished 125th overall in 83m54s, and was tenth Over 45 Veteran Man. The first day of the Northern Athletics Under 17, Under 20 and Senior Indoor Championships at Sheffield Arena on Saturday 16th January 2016, saw Morpeth Harrier Rory Leonard finish fifth in the final of the Under 17 Men’s 1500m. Running in what was only his second ever indoor event, Leonard posted a finishing time of 4m32.38s, which although was not quite as good as his previous effort at the distance, was nevertheless only ten seconds adrift of a podium place. Added to that Leonard was also running a year young to most of his rivals, and can feel well pleased with his effort against more experienced opposition. A large number of members and friends of Morpeth Harriers & Athletic Club, gathered in St Robert’s RC Church Hall on the morning of Saturday 16th January 2016, to attend a special Coffee Morning arranged in order to raise some much needed funds, for their forthcoming trip to Kastamonu in Turkey, where their Senior Men’s Road and Cross Country squad will be representing Great Britain in the annual European Champions Club Cross Country Championships, on Sunday 7th February. This is a very big honour for the club and the town of Morpeth, perhaps the biggest in terms of a sporting achievement by a team in the area. It is in athletics terms, the equivalent of competing in a Champions League, which no other regional club in any sport to name, can come close to achieving at present, and the club, including their President Jim Alder are justly proud to say the least. In attendance at the function was Ruth Slaughter, who was very much an honoured guest, being the wife of the clubs former President and Honorary Life Member Ernie Slaughter, also a founder member, who very sadly passed away last August after a short period of illness, and who would have also been proud to be able to witness the clubs present day status. However Morpeth Harriers are having to self fund a great deal of the costs in terms of travel, visas and accommodation for the event, which involves at least two flights in both directions, so they are very grateful that proceeds from the function, which apart from the refreshments, included a Cake and Produce Sale, and a Prize Draw, which added to the morning’s entertainment, would in turn help towards the fund. During the proceedings there was a very much surprise visit from the Morpeth Lions led by former Club Member Chris Offord, who presented the club with a very welcome cheque for the sum of £200, which was accepted by Mr Alder, with great applause, for which the club are extremely grateful. Those present were also able to view photos and a video show
of the Morpeth Harriers Senior Men’s Road and Cross Country squad’s achievements during 2015, put together by the club’s Webmaster Hudson Stoker. At the end of the event it was announced that the club had raised £1,300 on the morning itself, which now puts them very much on the way to their target, and they would wish to thank all those who attended, and helped, for their contribution, and thanks also go to St Robert’s RC Church Hall for the use of their premises. Morpeth Harriers Under 15 Boy Daniel Dixon won the judges verdict to be named as the Linden Homes Athlete of the Month for December 2015. He won the award after his excellent run to finish second in the North Eastern Counties Cross Country Championship at Sedgefield in very wintry conditions, claiming the individual Silver Medal, and he very much planted the seeds for an excellent club team victory. Daniel is pictured receiving his Certificate of Achievement from the clubs Press Officer George Patterson at their clubhouse on Mitford Road, on Monday 11th January 2016. Daniel now joins previous award winners Ruaridh Lang (May), Bobbie Griffiths (June), Scott Beattie (July), David Thomas (August), Kieran Hedley (September), Holly Peck (October), and Taylor Glover (November) in the line-up for a possible more lucrative award later this year, courtesy of their generous sponsors. |
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