Good Friday means either church (for some), shopping for others or the Newburn Easter Relays for those of the unhinged variety - the athletics race meeting is held just at the edge of Newcastle. The run takes place on the edge of an industrial estate which was a graphite works back in the day. In a former life the part of the site was used for mustard gas production during the 1st World War and was known as 'Canary Island'. There was also a power station, Stella North, located in the west of the site which is situated within an ox bow formed by the River Tyne. Yes, I know I am a font of knowledge. I happened to work on the brownfield reclamation in the 1990's. A lifetime ago.
I hadn't any plans to contribute to the relays, made up of four legs. They are 2.1 miles in length and on a flat course; but I was asked if I was available and, having no other commitments, I confirmed my availability; which was big of me, I know.
It was cool but dry with no wind. The ladies race (3 runners per team) was in full swing when I arrived. The 3 Macs made up the Morpeth B team (a family affair) and were already flogging themselves up and down long lengths of tarmac for no good or obvious reason. They finished 15th team out of around 100 teams - yes, one hundred teams - its a big date on the North East running calendar - no fun runners running here.
The men and vets were up next and I was last leg on the crack M60's team. There is no obvious way to tell which age group runners are in, but I guess the thin grey skinned, wheezing spindly affairs dropping off the back of the bunch early doors are more likely to be the oldies.
I set off on the last leg and got into my stride early, catching 3 very quickly. Always good for morale. On the back straight and on the track that runs between hedges and shrubs I reigned it in a little as there was no one around me and I was a bit knackered. However, at the turn (halfway mark) I could see that there were two or three not too far ahead and, spurred on like a swivel eyed loon, I hit what remained of the gas burners and got past them all by the time the finishing straight arrived.
As it turned out we won the M60 category. Mind, there were only around 8 teams in that age group, but mustn't grumble. We took off back home via Newcastle where a little retail therapy resulted in me cashing in my old prize vouchers and some cash for a new pair of Mizuno's. Free pair of socks and 10% off thrown in.
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