186 complete teams took part in the annual Weetslade Multi Terrain Relays,
organised by Claremont Road Runners on Wednesday 24th June 2020. The difference in this years event is, that no one actually turned up on the night in question, and like many other events, it was held on a virtual basis, with clubs entering, and all of their entered runners having to complete an individual run over the selected distance within a certain timescale, and forwarding their performances to the event organisers. From the results obtained, Morpeth Harriers were declared the overall winners, with Adam Pratt (12m36s), Jane Hodgson (15m03s), and Alistair Douglass (12m24s), combining to produce a seven second margin team win over second team Elswick Harriers, with the Morpeth Harriers B team securing third team placing courtesy of John Butters (13m05s), Lindsey Quinn (15m33s), and Sam Hancox (12m27s). It was extremely sweet with Douglass and Hancox emerging as the fastest Senior Men performers overall. This was the clubs first taste of team success since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, and although it was on a virtual basis due to current circumstances, it was nevertheless welcome. In addition to the first and third places squads, the club had four other squads in action, who placed 5th, 22nd, 31st, and 78th equal. They also had an incomplete squad. Jane Hodgson was the third fastest Veteran Female, and John Butters was the third fastest Veteran Male. It is with great disappointment that Northern Athletics has now
cancelled all its 2020 outdoor Track and Field events and Championships. This follows an earlier statement on 9th April 2020 which is on the NA website. ROSS CHARLTON The Friday 22nd May edition of the Newcastle “Chronicle” saluted Morpeth Harrier Ross Charlton, who recently under the current lockdown, celebrated his 18th Birthday. Their Grassroots Sports section, contained the headline “Charlton tipped to be future Olympian,” and despite the fact that he is more likely to achieve that feat in the sport of Modern Pentathlon, his club are more than happy to celebrate with the possibility of that achievement, with a Young Lad who has served his club well, since joining in September 2012, as a mere ten year old. In addition to his running, Ross has also found time to excel in the Swimming Pool and is also very competent in the sport of fencing, which makes him an ideal prospect as a Modern Pentathlete. Ross is also the reigning Under 17 World Champion in the Laser Run, an event incorporating Running and Shooting, a title which he achieved last year in Budapest. Newcastle Fencing Coach Iain Aberdeen looks after Ross in that sport, and he sees great days ahead for him, adding that “There is no doubt in his mind, that he will be a future Olympian, providing he keeps up the good work. He has been nominated by Pentathlon GB, to join Team GB’s Gold Club in recognition of his present prospective Olympic Status, targeting Paris 2024. Aberdeen is confident that Ross possesses all of the potential for Paris and is also looking even further to 2028 for this young talent. He recognises that Ross has all that is needed as a runner, is a decent swimmer, however it did take him a while to accustom himself to the shooting. Ross has worked hard, not only on the physical part of his ability, but also the mental aptitude required for success. Meanwhile, back at his club Morpeth Harriers, Ross continues to work with Middle Distance Coach Mike Bateman, who has guided him for the past three years, and has seen a huge improvement from him over that period. Bateman goes on to describe Ross as a hard worker, and that his attitude in both training and competition is spot on. Ross also saw success athletically in the Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships, winning the Senior Boys event at Temple Park, he finished second in the Schools Inter Counties Cross Country at Penrith, 22nd in the All England Schools Cross Country at Liverpool, 17th in the Inter Counties Cross Country in Loughborough, and 30th in the English National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham. All in all, a superb seasonal record. Unfortunately, the current Coronavirus epidemic has put the brakes on Charlton’s sporting activities. It was hoped that he would do well on the track this summer, but that looks like it is not to be, which is both frustrating and disappointing for Ross and his supporters, who also include his Father John, Mother Naomi, and Younger sister Sadie, who is also a competent swimmer, and attends the Harriers. Sadie’s future may belong in equestrianism we gather. In September, Ross is due to link up with the Senior GB squad at Bath University, where he will be combining this with a degree in Sports Studies. Earlier this year, Ross was recognised by Sport Newcastle, who chose him for a Rising Stars Award in recognition of his achievement, and undoubted talents. Other Morpeth Harriers worthy of mention for their varied achievements are Sam Tate, also for Modern Pentathlon, and Brothers Daniel and Joe Dixon, who have achieved well in Triathlon. Read article published in The Chronicle Friday 22nd May 2020 © Article reproduced courtesy of ReachPlc 2020 |
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