Eight teams from the club travelled down the A1 to Nottinghamshire on Saturday to take part in the National Cross Country Relays.
Held at Berry Hill, Mansfield, where they have been staged every year since 1989, bar 2020, there were over 1000 teams entered across Young Adult and Senior categories with 205 in the Senior Men’s event and 145 in the Senior Women’s. This year’s event was also used as a build up to the Trials in November for the GB team for the European Cross Championships. The course itself was a mixture of parkland and wooded trails which includes a lot of undulating sections, with the weather on the day breezy and chilly although thankfully largely dry. The Under 17 girls event saw Morpeth’s first team in action over a 2.5 kilometre course with what was perhaps the individual performance of the day for the club by Alnwick based triathlete Millie Breese, who has been in fine form all year. After early legs by Caitlin Flanagan, who ran 10 minutes 16 seconds for 49th place on leg 1, and Abi Leiper, whose 9:50 moved the club up to 34th, a very determined run by Millie saw her move the club all of 21 places up the rankings for a final position just outside the top ten. Her time of 9:15 was the fifth fastest for the leg and saw the team finish in a very respectable 13th place with a total time of 29:22. Some 53 complete teams from across the country ran with Vale Royal AC winners in 27:21. There were two teams involved next from the Under 17 boys, and the A team were able to go narrowly one better to finish in 12th. Running over a 3k course, on first leg Will de Vere Owen came in 12th in 9:25 with James Tilley recording 10:12 for the B team over the same leg (54th). Ryan Davies’s clocking of 9:54 saw the team slip marginally to 16th, however a strong run by Liam Roche for the B of 9:46 moved them up to 33rd. On last leg, Bertie Marr’s time of 9:33, the 8th fastest of the leg for the day, moved them back into 12th place. Matty Walton moved the B team up a further seven places for a final position of 26th (9:55), with the B team having the satisfaction at least of being the highest place B team in the category. Some 64 teams ran. The event was won by Cambridge and Coleridge AC with an overall time of 27:34, Morpeth’s two teams recording 28:52 and 29:54. Morpeth’s two other teams, the Under 15 Boys and the Under 13 Girls, put up respectable performances and will have benefited from the higher standard of national competition. The U/15 Boys were led out by Oliver Tomlinson on leg 1 (6:54) and came back in 25th place. Missing Oliver Calvert, Eliot Mavir gamely stepped up and didn’t disgrace himself with 8:01 for 48th on leg 2. Joe Close on leg 3 got the team up some 15 places to a final position of 33rd out of 65 teams with 7:07. The team’s overall time was 22:03, with Chiltern Harriers winning the competition in 20:13. The U/13 Girls team of Emma Tomlinson (8:27 for 46th on leg 1), Molly Roche (8:53 for 43rd) on leg 2 and Megan Potrac (9:20) finished in 46th place with an overall time of 22:28. Liverpool A were the team winners in 22:28. Final event of the day with the biggest numbers was the Senior Men’s relay, held over a two lap 5k course for teams of four. First up for Morpeth was Cameron Boyek, by his own admission not a fan of cross country and also still finding his way back gradually to competitive action, but happy to turn out. Moving smoothly over the first lap and looking good, Boyek held 4th place and was just out of touch with the leaders. He slipped back to 14th on leg 2 but did run an impressive 15:40, with Derby AC taking an early lead with the leg 1 runner recording the fastest time of the day in fact (15:07). In his first taste of national standard competition meanwhile, Conor Marshall ran a measured 17:54 on leg 1 for an incomplete B team, working his way steadily through the pack ahead on the 2nd lap for 85th place. Matthew Briggs took over on leg 2 and certainly didn’t look out of place. Catching some in front and being caught by some behind, Matthew dropped only one place with his 16:27 clocking. Despite the loss of his chip timing strap at the changeover, Phil Winkler had a good run on leg 3 with 16:42 to keep the team in 17th place. Jordan Scott ran 17:33 on leg 4 with the team just dropping out of the top twenty, finishing in 23rd place. The race was won by Shaftesbury Barnet in an overall time of 1 hour 2 minutes and 58 seconds, with teams from the South of England, in the form of Highgate Harriers and Aldershot and Farnham District, also filling the 2nd and 3rd places. Morpeth’s cumulative time was 1:06:25, with a solid and workmanlike performance by all the team despite the absence of some big name runners. Maddeningly, the club narrowly lost out to Gateshead Harriers in the bragging rights for 1st North East team however, with Gateshead narrowly pipping Morpeth in 21st place by a mere 9 seconds! An incomplete NSP team were the only other NE club in action, with neither Sunderland Harriers or Tyne Bridge turning out. Given the high turn out of teams from the South, many of whom will have travelled further (including one from Cornwall), it’s puzzling that more NE teams are not taking part. The Senior Women’s race over three stages that preceded was won by Aldershot and Farnham from Charnwood AC and Lincoln Wellington in a time of 30:21. Teams from Elswick Harriers – with Judith Nutt on leg 1 – and NSP ran from the NE, with the Poly pipping Elswick in 58th and 59th places by the narrowest of margins. All this after the Poly bus had broken down on the way out of Wetherby Services, the runners having to be rescued by Gosforth Harriers and a small fleet of taxis! Getting a Morpeth Senior Women’s team out next year should certainly be a priority. Two Morpeth Harriers were in separate Cross Country action in the United States on Friday 29 October.
Scott Beattie, representing Tulsa University won the American Conference event at Lakeland, Florida, run over an 8k course, posting a time of 23m49.2s, and led his team to victory in the Senior Men’s event. Rory Leonard, representing Oklahoma State University, finished 18th in Stillwater Big 12 Championships, but was outside the scoring count, as he was eighth home for his team, posting a time of 24m51.5s over the 8k distance. The third fixture of the North East Harrier League season took place within the stately grounds of Lambton Castle in Durham on Saturday afternoon, with some fifty members of Morpeth Harriers turning out across Senior and Junior races. The venue was actually new to the Harrier League in 2020, but this Autumn’s visit was already touched with both a degree of nostalgia and some sadness: it was the last big athletics fixture regionally before the first national lockdown in March of that year, with the whole of the 2020-2021 season subsequently cancelled. In conditions well suited for cross country, with morning rain giving way to afternoon sunshine and softer going underfoot, most athletes were complimentary about the course and the venue itself, although the range of surfaces – soft grass interspersed with occasional tarmac sections – made the choice of footwear once again difficult, and there were again the expected delays on entry with cash being taken. (This issue was flagged up to the League before the season even started…) There were two on the day team victories for the club, although perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the day from a club point of view was the record turnout by Senior and Veteran Women. The two team victories came courtesy of the club’s Under 13 Girls and Under 15 Boys, with both teams packing well in top ten places. Megan Potrac was first home for the club in the U/13s in a time of 17 minutes and 18 seconds, 6th overall behind race winner Katy Otterson of North Shields Polytechnic Harriers. Iris Dungait was 7th in 17:31 and the fastest time of the day for Morpeth was run by Emma Tomlinson, one place behind in 8th, with 15:47 from Fast Pack. Charlotte Marshall was also 14th in 18:15. The team pulled off an excellent victory ahead of Durham City AC and remain in the top three in their league division. The U/15 Boys went one better, finishing in 5th, 6th and 7th courtesy of runs by Oli Calvert (12:45), Joe Close (12:46) and Emma’s brother Oliver (12:51), all three running from Fast. These were also the three fastest times of the day, with further support coming from Dan Burrow, 19th in 15:33 and Stephen Craske, 24th in 15:46. The team finished ahead of both NSP and Birtley AC, and are firmly placed at the top of their division. The U/17 Boys team had to settle for 2nd place for a change, however behind Durham City, although also remain top of their division. In his first outing of the year over the country, Will de Vere Owen running from Slow Pack was 2nd overall in 18:44 behind the talented Josh Blevins of Gateshead Harriers who ran a remarkable 17:52. Bertie Marr, 12th in 18:48, and Ryan Davies, 15th in 19:09, made up the Morpeth count of three, with Ralph Robson also 18th in 19:19, all three running from Fast. Once again, however, there were disappointing turn outs in other Young Athlete categories. Daniel Scott was the only U/13 boy running, finishing in 35th place with a time of 17:38, although this was largely a reflection of a late start after getting caught in some horrendous traffic on the way in. Tabby Robson was likewise the only U/15 girl, finishing in 17th place out of Fast pack in 14:59, with guest runner Zara Jones of Darlington AC first home in 13:53. Abi Leiper was also the only U/17 runner out, coming home in 4th place from Medium Pack in 22:08 with Anna Pigford of Houghton Harriers recording the fastest time of 21:28. Fortunately this doesn’t seem to have the team’s chances too much harm in their division – assuming quorate teams in the next fixtures. Most worrying of all, there were no U/11 runners in either of their races, and clearly a priority for the club needs to be getting some younger members to taste cross country action. Turn out of the day was undoubtedly by the club’s Senior Women, with no less than twenty running, a record for the club in the league. The team was led home by a flying Cat Macdonald, who got herself up to 5th overall despite the five minute handicap of Fast Pack and whose 27:29 was the fastest of the day for the two lap course, bettering even Danielle Hodgkinson of Wallsend, who got herself up to 2nd by virtue of running from Medium. Macdonald was supported by two runners making their Harrier League debut as Seniors, Lizzie Rank 13th in 33:52 and Anna Wright 18th in 34:21, both of whom stormed round and looked to the manor born. The scoring count of four was completed by Julie Vermaas, showing no after effects from the previous weekend’s Liverpool Marathon, who was 47th in 35:30. Take a deep breath for the next sixteen home in blue and white: Sarah Lawson, 90th in 34:15 in her first run from Medium Pack following promotion at Druridge; Savannah Kelly, 104th in 37:02; Linzi Quinn, 116th in 32:10 from Fast; Rebecca Lawson, 143rd (38:03) and Robyn Ferguson 144th (38:04) both making debut races for the club; Claire Calverley, 163rd from Slow (36:05); Eleanor Blackburn, 170th (38:41); Laura Shaw, 188th (39:16); Sarah Routledge, 217th (40:07); Sue Smith, 254th (41:20); Louise Dent, 267th (41:50); Mhairi Line, 279th (41:50); Janke Kirby, 309th (43:34); Clare Walker, 314th (43:47) and Margaret Macdonald, 344th (45:17), all these last from Slow Pack. The club’s performance, with no less than five complete teams out, put the team 2nd overall behind so far runaway division leaders Elswick Harriers, but moved Morpeth firmly into contention up the table into third overall with three fixtures still to come, with Elswick Harriers and NSP no doubt looking anxiously over their shoulders at the charge. Mention also to Over 75 veteran Paul Bentley who ran his 3rd consecutive cross country and exercised his right to run in the Women’s race, coming home 293rd in 42:54. Last race of the day was the Senior Men’s event, with some 14 Senior Men turning out.
They were led home by Andrew Lawrence, newly promoted to Fast Pack after Druridge Bay, and coming home in 39:11 for 21st place. In his first cross country race since, ironically, he had run here in the Spring of 2020, Tom Innes had a good run as 2nd counter in 33rd (39:54) with ever-present Jordan Scott 35th and 3rd counter(40:01) in the six to count competition. They were backed up by club coach Eric Adams, having a great run from Slow Pack to finish in 36th (45:18) (and wearing possibly the most colourful shorts ever worn by a Morpeth Harrier), Paul Banks, 67th (46:03), also from Slow, and Connor Marshall, also newly promoted to Fast Pack, 6th counter in 68th (40:51), with Anthony Janetta close behind in 70th from Medium Pack (43:34). Further supporting runs came from: Lee Bennett, now in Fast Pack once again but with a very impressive 42:00 for 128th place; Dave Nicholson, 243rd in 50:08; Adam Coulson, 264th in 50:50; Richard Kirby, 272nd in 51:00; Steve Johnstone, 288th in 51:25; Neil MacAnany, 321st in 52:58 and Paul Bellingham, 381st in 54:50, all these last from Slow. Fastest run of the day over the three lap course was by Adrian Bailes of Birtley AC in 36:55, with Birtley winning the team competition. The race itself was won by Sunderland Harrier Michael Wilson from Slow Pack. The result sees Morpeth’s Senior Men slip off the top of the table to second place after being overtaken by Tyne Bridge Harriers with Sunderland in third, but with only two points separating the teams and three tough fixtures to come, this league has every chance of going to the wire. The Men particularly need those runners yet to compete this season to make at least one fixture. The next one is at Aykley Heads in Durham on 27 November on a course that certainly will need spikes, so put it in your diary now – especially if you are yet to run. This is also the last fixture before the North East Counties Championships at Sedgefield in December. If you are interested in taking part in this, please get signed up on the club noticeboard or notify the club via the website: it is the Championship race. With a whopping 535 finishers in the Men’s race that bettered even the Women’s total of 438, the numbers involved go to show just how hugely popular the NEHL cross country season has become and it is good to see so many Seniors turning out and enjoying both the competition, the atmosphere and the surroundings. Cross country action resumes this Saturday (30 October) with the third NEHL fixture taking place at Lambton Castle Estate, Durham.
If you are already registered, please remember to bring your number! (You can get a replacement if it's gone AWOL, but it will cost you). f you are not registered but wish to be, please contact the club through the website in advance. Directions: the A1 South is best avoided at present with the roadworks causing major delays even outside of rush hours. Best route via A19 onto A194 and A1. At Junction 63, take A693/A167 exit signed Stanley/Chester le Street and then 2nd exit onto Chester Road/Picktree Lane. The entrance is off Bonemill Lane with signs for Lambton Castle although we are told there will be cross country signs. Please be aware there is a car parking charge of £4! (Twice the charge at Druridge...that's inflation for you). Try and come with others, although we are told there is hard standing for cars. Look for Morpeth tent and flag. The course should be better underfoot than either of the two xcs so far, with the prospect of some genuine mud. Spikes or trail shoes should suffice. Start times are as follows: 12.00 Under 11 Boys 12.05 Under 11 Girls 12.15 Under 17 men 12.20 U17 and U20 women 12.35 Under 15 Boys 12.40 Under 15 Girls 12:50 Under 13 boys 12:55 Under 13 girls 13.05 Senior & veteran women 13:50 Senior & veteran Men More information is available on the NEHL website. Can't promise any Lambton Lions but not entirely sure about the Worm.... Hope to see you there. The Northern Cross Country Relays took place on Saturday afternoon at Graves Park in Sheffield, although a clash with the following day’s high profile Abbey Dash 10k meant that the number of clubs represented was significantly down.
The Men’s race, held over four legs of 2 miles each, was won by Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield, whose A team recorded 41 minutes and 47 seconds. City of Sheffield and Dearne AC were 2nd in 42:28 with Vale Royal AC 3rd in 42:57. The only North East club taking part were Sunderland Harriers and AC whose team finished 9th in 44:32, but perhaps the most telling statistic is that six of the top ten and twelve of the top twenty clubs all came from Yorkshire – although remarkably Leeds City failed to even make the top ten, perhaps showing where it was on their list of priorities. Some 57 clubs finished teams. Fastest leg was by Angus McMillan of City of York whose 9:50 was one of only two on the day sub ten minute performances. The Women’s race, contested over three legs and the same distance, was won by Sale Harriers in 35:20 with Rotherham Harriers A in 2nd in 36:47 and Rotherham B 3rd in 37:26. Fastest leg of the day was by Sale’s Georgia Taylor Brown in 10:58. The only North East team represented this time were Birtley, who finished 27th in 45:49. Some 43 clubs finished complete. Fields were also down across all the Junior races, with only 18 clubs taking part for example in the Under 17 Boys. Disappointingly, there was no Morpeth representation at either Junior or Senior athlete level, with a good chance to pick up medals on the regional stage missed. The following day’s action moved to West Yorkshire with the return of the high profile and very popular Leeds Abbey Dash. The race was taking place for the first time since 2019, when, to the consternation of all involved, the distance was found to be some 23 metres short and, as a result, all times subsequently scratched. The organisers will have been grateful, then, for everything going off without a hitch this time, with well over two and a half thousand finishers and fine, if chilly and breezy, weather. 2021’s Dash was won by Ethiopian Kadar Omar of Birchfield Harriers in a time of 28 minutes and 46 seconds from Omar Ahmed in 2nd (28:50) and David Mullarkey 3rd (29:13). From a North East point of view, it was great to see talented U/23 Sam Charlton of Wallsend Harriers back in competitive action for the first time in a while, and finishing in 4th place in 29:17. Performance of the weekend in a Morpeth vest was undoubtedly that of Finn Brodie who has been in fine form for the last couple of months. Finn finished in 20th place in a new pb of 29:35, one of some twenty seven runners who all ran sub 30 minutes. Now resident in Leeds for a number of years, Phil Winkler was 116th in 33:31 and Graeme Thorpe 236th and 10th Over 45 in 36:59. With a very high class field, the women’s race was won in a very fast time of 31:19 by Jess Piasecki of Stockport/Manchester Met with Charlotte Arter 2nd in 31:30 and Jess Judd 3rd in 31:37. |
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