Heaton Harriers Memorial 10k Results

Results from the Heaton Harriers Memorial Newcastle 10k can be found at
http://www.heatonharriers.org.uk/mem09res.php

Newcastle Memorial 10k

Morpeth's Johnny Taylor powered his way to a convincing win at the Newcastle Memorial 10K and left the 500 or so field standing. He won the event by what seemed like a huge margin in a time of 30:04 from Team mate Ross Floyd and James Buis of Heaton 3rd. Dave Kirkland of Alnwick was 4th.

The ladies race was won by Claire Simpson (Chester Le Street) going one better than her placing in this years Sunderland Pier to Pier race (Photos coming soon...)

Shapeshifting

Instead of an exotic bus trip, I took a lift to the sleepy hollow of Seaton Burn and spent the 10 miles running home staring at my shadow. I never knew my legs were so long or my head so small!
As I lay in the bath afterwards perusing the Fell Runners Handbook (as you do) it seems that you can't put on a winter fell run unless you build in some alliteration (see last entry).
Now I don't want to be getting all obsessed with all this stressed syllable grammar malarkey but Three Tops, Wrekin Wrecker, Hexhamshire Hobble, Copeland Chase; I ask you, is there a secret code buried in this well fingered tome; are some of the marshalls who stand at the top of mountains in all weathers more than they seem and is there an ancient soiled relict buried deep along the way which holds a terrible secret (there's a joke in there somewhere!) - If I find it, will I be able to retire as a gazillionaire if I can crack the code.....I think we all know the answer to that one.

destination unknown...

Having looked at the photos of the Templeton 10 miler last Sunday, I think I got away lightly (and dry) when I decided not to race last weekend.
This weekend some of the guys are doing the Exhibition Memorial 10k in Newcastle, two 5km laps of a flat park run which, if the weather behaves itself, has solid PB potential. However, the weather seems to have an attitude on board at the moment and unless it starts to get with the programme, we may need to take it along for a consultation in a white room with a serious looking bespectacled professional. It may end in therapy.

Managed 10 miles yesterday lunchtime around the lanes and felt as fresh as a faded foto in a Falkirk fanzine (I love a bit of alliteration!). The thought of making the long trip to Tinto for a 30 minute hill race or Guisborough for the 3 Tops fell race filled me with dark thoughts of dread and despair, never mind trying to get the misfiring running machine round a leaf strewn Newcastle park in under 36 minutes. Now, in my present condition, that would be a laugh. So, instead, once again I'm contemplating a bus trip tomorrow and a long slow run back from an unknown destination. What excitement!

R'n'R in Edinburgh

Spent the weekend in Edinburgh. After a few beers in Stockbridge on Friday night, jogged along the seafront down by Granton and Leith for an hour. In the afternoon it was a long trek up Carnethy and Scald Law before dipping down along the reservoir in the sun. The town was jumping in the evening with Halloween celebrations and loads of punters in fancy dress. Very entertaining.

Was tempted to do the Lasswade XC this afternoon, but with all the rain there was a distinct possibility of me submerging somewhere along the far end of the course which is muddy at the best of times; better get out for some miles soon.

South Shields XC 2009

The course is always exposed but usually dry underfoot; Steady rain throughout the event. Not the best weather for action shots! (A handful more on flickr)

The Border Reivers Half Marathon

A half marafun...at lunchtime....on Thursday....ain't normal?!

The benefits of being self employed is that the boss is (usually) very approachable, even accommodating when it comes to asking for time off for running events.

Organised by those boys in blue, it was announced at the briefing that the prize for the 1st RAF team was £1000, with second prize a measly £750. Not bad; not bad at all.

Around 100 runners of whom some really should have been knuckling down, elsewhere, to help Gordons economy, turned out for the border reivers half marathon. Around 4 miles is on tarmac and the rest on gravelled forest roads which pass through moorland and forestry north of Gilsland. Its pretty much as far north in England as you can get.

The course goes north past Lowland Hill and Blackshaws Hill before turning west along Calf Rigg, Baron Pike and south past Butterburn Hill, Nick Hill, Kingwater Hill, Hill Hill...you're getting the idea; its where the Everest Sherpas come for training!

At 3 miles there were 4 of us together with the leader well away, and for the next 5 miles we jockeyed for position; One lad got away at 8 miles and the eventual 3rd placed runner took off after him at 11 miles. I struggled on one or two of the rises in the latter half but managed to get it together at the end to finish 4th fighting off a runner who had held onto 2nd place for the first 4 miles.

I would have liked to stay for the refreshments and the presentation but they were planned for mid- afternoon and having started at 11 noon and taking 1:24:58 to get round I opted for refreshments on the way home. A suitably low key and enjoyable event, with mile markers, showers, T shirt and medal and the competent organization you would expect from the chaps. Wonder if I'll get a mention in dispatches?