Recording the biggest win of his athletics career so far, Rory Leonard won Gold for Team GB in the 10,000 metres at the European Under 23 Championships at Espoo in Finland on Sunday.
In a smartly-run race where he always looked to be well in contention, the Morpeth Harrier and ex-KEVI pupil pulled away from his nearest rivals with five laps to go, finishing the 28 laps in a time of 29 minutes 8.33 seconds, some three seconds ahead of his nearest rival Guerra of Italy with Spaniard Baidal a distant third. Celebrating as he came down the home straight and clearly overjoyed at his victory, Rory admitted to being understandably still ‘buzzing’ hours later, his win putting the icing on the cake for Team GB who registered their most successful U23 Championships ever, with no less than seven Golds to top the medal table. He said: "It feels really good today. I’ve pictured this moment a million times before, whether it’s at European Cross or on the track. "I’ve lost a lot of people in the last three years, and with that comes a lot of grief. I have so many good people in my corner, who have saved me so many times through my grief. So going out today, I knew I was running for more than myself and even with putting in the training and the miles, I knew I could dig deep to find that extra little bit.” Wednesday evening saw the annual Pie and Peas 10k in the Tyne Valley, organised by local outfit Tynedale Harriers.
Won by a currently flying Liam Taylor of Sunderland Harriers in 32:16 with NSP’s Molly Pace first female back in 37:31, there were only four Morpeth Harriers in action this time. Andy Leeson was 52nd and 4th O/50 in 42:06, with Dave Nicholson not far behind in 70th (2nd O/65) in 43:30. Matthew Boyle was 139th in 48:06 and Norman Clark 235th and 3rd O/70 in 55:55. (Can anyone match Paul Waterston’s epic three helpings of post-race pie and peas some years ago, however?) Sunday’s Hillforts Trail Race, held in the Ingram Valley, was won by Lonsdale Fell Runner Phil Mather in 34:29 with South Shields Harrier Frances Dembele first female finisher in 41:51. Morpeth’s James Dixon was 5th and first O/40 in 35:19 with Anna Wright 29th and 4th female back in 45:52 and Laura Mclean 42nd and 8th female finisher in 57:19.
Monthly one mile road races have recently become a feature of the Summer racing scene, with one such event held last Wednesday at South Shields and another race two days later at Blyth, both runs taking place along the sea front.
Morpeth’s Peter Smallcombe, now being guided by club president Jim Alder MBE, won the fixture south of the river with a fine clocking of 4 minutes 26 seconds. Meanwhile two of the club’s leading veterans were in action at Blyth, with Over 65 Gavin Bayne running 6:11 and O/70 Pam Woodcock 8:20. Websites for both events with the results are here: Shields and Blyth Tuesday evening saw Sam Hancox win his second local race in a fortnight, taking the popular Bridges of the Tyne race for the second consecutive year. Sam certainly enjoys the flat and fast course along the Newcastle Quayside, with three victories and two second places in the last five stagings of the event.
This time he was part of a small leading group at the front that included Birtley AC’s Adrian Bailes and host club Tyne Bridge Harrier’s Jarlath Mckenna. Sam still had Mckenna for company as they came back under the Tyne Bridge, but a last mile of 4 minutes 39 seconds saw him put daylight between himself and the seasoned veteran, formerly of Bristol and West AC, with Hancox taking the tape in 24:52, some eleven seconds ahead of Mckenna with Bailes 3rd in 25:27. It was still a remarkable run by Mckenna, who had won the 20 mile Chevy Chase the previous Saturday in a new course record and must surely have still felt it in his legs. It was a good night all round for the Hancox family, with Rob coming in 54th in 30:37 and picking up a prize as 2nd Over 55. Club colleague Dave Stabler was 34th and 6th O/45 in 29:23. Comments Rob: ‘It’s a good event but the availability of burgers in the Tyne Bar pub help make it a favourite.’ |
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March 2024
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