Thursday 24 February 2022

PARLIAMENT HILL – A NATIONAL TREASURE

 PARLIAMENT HILL – A NATIONAL TREASURE

 


THE first ‘National’, held in 1876 at Buckhirst Hill, saw just 32 competitors and the race was declared void due to every runner going off course.

Things have moved on a bit since then and on Saturday with 10 events on the programme the English Cross-Country Association has received over 8,400 entries, with the senior men’s 12k race boasting over 3,000 alone.

And, despite the 600-mile round trip to London, the North East is well represented having athletes in all races and well over 200 from the region lining up in the senior men’s contest.

And it’s pleasing to see that it’s not just the region’s more established clubs who will be on the start line from the youngest under-13 races to senior/vet men and women.

While Morpeth look as though they have a strong senior representation (14) the likes of Sunderland, Tyne Bridge, who have a host of youngsters going for the experience, and Wallsend, all have 10 entries while Houghton and Low Fell have seven.

The opening hill @ Parliament Hill

Of course, the attraction for many is the fact that this time round – it was cancelled last year due to Covid – the National is once again being held at its spiritual home at Parliament Hill and if anyone hasn’t witnessed the charge up the hill from the start then try and pencil it in when the championships return in three years’ time for you experience the ground move under your feet!

To win the ‘National’ is a wonderful achievement and the North East has boasted a number of senior men champions over the years.

Saltwell Harrier Jack Potts
 
J A Burns & J H Potts

Saltwell’s Jack Potts got the ball rolling in 1931 and the following year it was the turn of fellow Olympian Alex Burns (Elswick) to claim victory. Potts won again in 1936 and after the intervening War years, the region had to wait until 1977 when Gateshead’s Brendan Foster scored a superb victory at Parliament Hill. 

1977 National: Leaders after 3 miles Mike McLeod (Elswick Harriers), Brendan Foster (Gateshead Harriers), Dave Black - obscured (Small Heath Harriers), Tony Simmons (Luton United Harriers) and Bernie Ford (AFD)  pic credit - Peter Tempest

Brendan wins in '77, photo credit Mark Shearman

Two years later it was Elswick’s Mike McLeod’s turn to claim the gold medal. 

Mike McLeod in the '79 English National

The region had to wait another 22 years for its next champion which was former Chester-le-Street athlete Michael Openshaw, who was running in the colours of Midlands outfit Birchfield. 

Michael Openshaw

And while he has decided to forego defending his title this weekend, Gateshead’s Calum Johnson is the last name etched on the trophy after claiming victory at Nottingham in 2020.

Calum Johnson by Gary Mitchell

Naturally, the senior men’s race is the Blue Riband event of the Championships but the region can boast numerous individual and team winners in the junior contests so come Saturday evening all those who have graced the Hampstead Heath course can travel home safely and with a smile on their face. As Max Boyce proudly proclaimed: ‘And I Was There!’ as I will.

 

BILL McGUIRK

Tuesday 22 February 2022

NECAA Royal Signals Relays Report

 STORM LAURA HITS HETTON HARD

Morpeth Harrier's Laura Weightman

THE only storm visible at Hetton Lyons Country Park was that of fleet-footed Olympian Laura Weightman who scorched round the 2.2-mile of the North Eastern Counties Road Relay Championship in a new course record time of 11:01 minutes which was 21 seconds quicker than she posted back in 2014.

With such an important year ahead for the Morpeth athlete it was good to see she still manages to fit in local events whenever possible and, by all accounts the Signals is usually penciled in at the dawn of a new year.

The first of two relays on the programme were the combined senior women, masters’ over-50 and masters’ women 4x2.2-mile event and it was New Marske, thanks to Martin Murray, whose 12:02 at the end of the day, was the quickest overall, led at the first changeover followed by North Shields Poly, Sedgefield and Tyne Bridge.

Martin Murray, New Marske

New Marske continued to lead as the contest entered the third stage with the Poly still in second place with Morpeth now third, Elswick fourth and Houghton fifth.

By the final changeover Morpeth had surged to the head of affairs with a big lead thanks to super vet Guy Bracken while just six seconds separated North Shields Poly, New Marske and Elswick in the chase for the minor awards.

Guy Bracken

At the conclusion it was Morpeth who claimed their second title of the day as Elswick came through to claim second place six seconds ahead of New Marske with the Poly just missing out despite a brave effort by club stalwart Vaughan Hemy.

Meanwhile, in the women’s section, Elswick teenager Imogen Bungay – whose 12:22 was the second fastest female after Weightman – led at the first changeover then came veteran woman and course record holder Olympian Aly Dixon. North Shields Poly were in second place ahead of Gateshead and Jarrow and Hebburn in the senior women’s contest while North Shields Poly and New Marske were behind Sunderland Strollers in the veteran women.

Aly Dixon and Imogen Bungay battle it out

On stage two North Shields Poly moved into the lead – thanks to Holly Waugh who was the quickest of their quartet - followed by Elswick and Morpeth while North Shields Poly edged into the lead ahead of Elswick and Sunderland Strollers in the vet women.

The fireworks began immediately on leg three when Weightman took over the running for Morpeth and she quickly overhauled the athletes ahead showing a superb turn of foot which augurs well for the task ahead in a quest for major championship selection.

After her two-lap stint the Northumbrian had turned a 47-seconds deficit into a minute and 31 seconds advantage before handing over to Millie Breese to run the glory leg.

Morpeth's Millie Breese

The leading positions remained the same in the run to the finish with Morpeth claiming victory in 51:11, the Poly finished runners-up in 52:39 with a delighted Elswick claiming the bronze awards. 

And that wasn’t the end of the celebrations for the Newcastle club for, after playing catch up behind North Shields Poly for the first three stages, a superb run by former English Schools’ cross-country champion Justina Heslop, saw the West Enders hit the front in the closing stages of the vet women’s event to cross the line with a four-seconds cushion ahead of the Poly’s Katherine Davis. The Strollers completed the one-two-three a further 22 seconds behind.

It was an exciting finale to a great competition which had over 100 teams overall competing with Weightman, who was delighted with her run, commenting: “I felt good and it’s always nice to be able to do this race and be part of the Morpeth team for the opportunity doesn’t often come about. My immediate plans are to have a couple of more road races before moving on to track training before the summer championships.”

Morpeth's winning ladies team, from George Patterson


MORPETH RETAIN TITLE WITH RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE

THE blue-vested Morpeth sextet had the bit between their teeth even before their event got underway after they watched Laura Weightman produce an eye-catching performance in the opening event, so much so the Northumbrians were never headed throughout the six-stage contest after George Lowry brought them to the first changeover in pole position and at the end of the day Sam Hancox, George Rudman, Finn Brodie, Alex Brown, who was quickest overall, and Carl Avery celebrated victory after just over an hours running to break their own course record by over a minute and with their second string finishing in fourth place it shows how strong endurance wise the club is at present.

George Lowery & Josh Blevins

Teenager Josh Blevins had Gateshead in second place at the first changeover with the Poly’s David Green third just ahead of Sunderland’s Scott Armstrong.

On leg two Morpeth continued to lead (Hancox) with Sunderland moving into second place as Birtley, thanks to the stages’ second fastest time by Chris Perkins – New Marske’s Lewis Gamble-Thompson was quickest - moved into third ahead of Tyne Bridge and Gateshead.

Sam Hancox

Morpeth extended their advantage at the half-way point after Rudman was quickest on leg three with Gateshead moving back into second ahead of Birtley, Tyne Bridge, Morpeth B and Sunderland.

The Morpeth lead widened even further on stage four thanks to Brodie as Gateshead just held onto second place with Sunderland a close up third ahead of Morpeth B and Birtley.

Any doubts of a Morpeth victory were blown away on the penultimate stage as Brown took over the running and not only did he extend the lead even further to over two minutes his clocking of 10:28 was the overall best of the day. Sunderland, thanks to Steve Jackson, were now in second place ahead of Morpeth B with Birtley and Gateshead racing together just behind.

Now near full fitness Avery had the honour of taking over for the glory leg for Morpeth and he brought the team home just over three minutes clear of Sunderland who held off the fast-finishing Adrian Bailes (Birtley) to claim the silver medals. Morpeth B team finished in fourth place ahead of Gateshead, Tyne Bridge, North Shields Poly, New Marske, Elswick, Blackhill.

**THE North Eastern Counties AA is indebted to Houghton Harriers for once again hosting the Signals Relays and to Peter and Maureen Dodsworth especially who took on most of the hard work prior to and on the day in making sure the Championships were a huge success.

Also a big thank you to all the officials – we wish Phil Lancaster a speedy recovery after having an accident which resulted in a gashed leg just before action began - especially David Daniels for taking the entries and supplying the results. It was a great day’s sport with nearly 900 competitors taking part so well done to you all.

**THE next relay on the local calendar sees action change terrain when the NE Counties once again host their Cross-Country Relay Championships at Thornley Hall Farm on March 19.

This fixture, with the first event at 11am, is for Men and Women Masters and Senior Men and Women and Under-20 Men with a planned programme for junior teams at the same venue on April 2.

The Masters and Under-20 Relay is 3x3k while the Senior Men contest 4x3k. Clubs can enter A and B teams with entries for the senior relays closing on Wednesday, March 9.

Report by Bill McGuirk

Photos: www.stuartwhitman.co.uk

Sunday 20 February 2022

Intercounties XC Loughbrough - North East Mens & Boys teams

Many congratulations to these great guys and lads who have been selected to run in the Intercounties XC to be held at Loughbrough on March 12th


NECAA Senior men 2020

Anyone wishing to travel to Loughborough to watch the races there are seats available on the coach at £10
Please contact Stewy Bell nufcstewy@hotmail.com 07525484605

Travel details for Saturday 12th

6:30am Newcastle Bewick Street opposite Central station

7:00am Carville Park and ride

7:45am Scotch Corner Services car park

10:30 approx Arrive at course

The teams are as follows:

U13 Boys

  • U13 Charlie Jones Middlesborough (Mandale)
  • U13 Dawet Asmelash TS Harriers
  • U13 Adam Feenan NSPoly
  • U13 Joseph Ramshaw Blaydon
  • U13 Noah Williamson Birtley
  • U13 Jamie Lonergan Blaydon
  • U13 Freddie Palmer Tynebridge
  • U13 Oscar Makepeace NSPoly

reserve

  • U13 Hugo Douglas Reeves Darlington
  • U13 Rowan Steel Darlington
  • U13 Alex Smith Heaton
  • U13 Aidan William Turner NSPoly

U15 Boys

  • U15 Ollie Calvert Morpeth
  • U15 Ethan Marron Middlesborough (Mandale)
  • U15 Ben Sproats NSPoly
  • U15 Elliot Kelso Elswick
  • U15 Alex Bowyer Darlington
  • U15 Oliver Thomlinson Morpeth
  • U15 Joseph Close Morpeth
  • U15 Sylvan Tarn Darlington

reserve

  • U15 Jacob Brown Middlesborough (Mandale)
  • U15 Ben Scantlebury NSPoly
  • U15 Harry Furness NSPoly
  • U15 Harry Lyons Darlington

U17 Boys

  • U17 Josh Blevins Gateshead
  • U17 Brandon Pye Houghton
  • U17 William de Vere Owen Morpeth
  • U17 Joe Dixon Morpeth
  • U17 Ethan Bond Gosforth
  • U17 Tom Slane Blackhill
  • U17 Adam Hughes Sunderland
  • U17 Bertie Marr Morpeth

reserve

  • U17 Reece Slater Gosforth
  • U17 Silas Christie Gosforth
  • U17 Ralph Robson Morpeth
  • U17 Joseph West  Middlesborough (Mandale)

U20 Men

  • U20 Max Creasey Middlesborough (Mandale)
  • U20 Chris Coulson Houghton
  • U20 Joseph Anderson Morpeth
  • U20 Duncan Hughes Blackhill
  • U20 Charlie Daley Tynedale
  • U20 Peter Smallcombe Jarrow
  • U20 Will Bellamy Houghton
  • U20 Ryan Eden NSPoly

reserve

  • U20 Alex Seed Sunderland
  • U20 Fraser Bigg Tynebridge
  • U20 Holden Outhwaite Allerton Juniors
  • U20 Ciaran Lines Houghton

Seniors

  • SNR Calum Johnson Gateshead
  • SNR Finn Brodie Morpeth
  • SNR Kieran Walker NE Project
  • SNR Carl Avery Morpeth
  • SNR Alex Brown Morpeth
  • SNR Cameron Allen Houghton
  • SNR Sam Charlton Wallsend
  • SNR Phil Wylie Western Tempo
  • SNR Jarlath McKenna Bristol

reserve

  • SNR Conrad Franks Gateshead
  • SNR Sam Hancox   Morpeth
  • SNR Greg Jayasuria Middlesborough and cleveland
  • SNR Liam Aldridge    Billingham
  • SNR Adrian Bailes    Birtley
  • SNR Stephen Jackson Sunderland

Intercounties XC Loughbrough : North East Ladies Teams

North East Counties XC Girls & Ladies Teams

The NEHL is delighted to share the teams for the up coming Intercounties XC competition in Loughbrough to be held on March 12th.

NECAA Senior ladies 2020

Regular harrier league participants are well represented across all of the age groups, and the teams are as follows:

U13 Girls

  • U13 Katy Otterson North Shields Poly
  • U13 Sophie Quinn Middlesbrough (Mandale)
  • U13 Anna Johnson North Shields Poly
  • U13 Ruby Dann North Shields Poly
  • U13 Grace Carter Durham City
  • U13 Mary Parkin Heaton
  • U13 Taylor-Jett Miller Chester-le-Street
  • U13 Niamh Phillipson Birtley

Reserves

  • U13 Lily McColl North Shields Poly
  • U13 Lottie Graves Darlington H
  • U13 Niamh Adams Blyth Running Club
  • U13 Frances Elliott Gosforth

U15 Girls

  • U15 Charlotte Dillon Durham
  • U15 Zara Jones Darlington H
  • U15 Eden Creasey Middlesbrough (Mandale)
  • U15 Poppy Old Elswick
  • U15 Iona Johnstone Gateshead
  • U15 Annie Hutchinson Gosforth
  • U15 Ellie Fellows Blaydon
  • U15 Freya Talman Darlington H

Reserves

  • U15 Erin Blight Elswick
  • U15 Emma Ashman Gosforth
  • U15 Annabel Milburn Gateshead
  • U15 Hannah Wightman Gosforth

U17 Girls

  • U17 Millie Breese Morpeth
  • U17 Jessica Milburn Gateshead
  • U17 Katie Francis Birtley
  • U17 Holly Waugh North Shields Poly
  • U17 Imogen Bungay Elswick
  • U17 Ellie van der Merwe North Shields Poly
  • U17 Jess Sails Tynedale
  • U17 Hannah Bowyer Blackhill

Reserves

  • U17 Mia Wetherill Darlington H
  • U17 Katie Joslyn North Shields Poly
  • U17 Marissa Boon Darlington H
  • U17 Macy Kelly Darlington H

U20 Women

  • U20 Ines Curran Gateshead
  • U20 Emily Chong Chester-le-Street
  • U20 Anna Pigford Houghton Harriers
  • U20 Tess Graham Birtley
  • U20 Amy Leonard Houghton Harriers
  • U20 Kate Salthouse Tynedale
  • U20 Lydia James Gateshead
  • U20 Carys Purves Gosforth

Reserves

  • U20 Kate Gaffing Morpeth
  • U20 Olivia Katory Morpeth
  • U20 Abbie Walker Sedgefield
  • U20 Imogen King Elswick

Senior Women

  • SEN Catriona MacDonald Bellahouston RR/Morpeth
  • SEN Emma Bramley Durham
  • SEN Amy Fuller Elswick/Newcastle Uni
  • SEN Kate Avery Shildon
  • SEN Alex Sneddon Jarrow & Hebburn
  • SEN Helen Warburton Gosforth
  • SEN Eleanor Bradbury Blaydon
  • SEN Molly Pace North Shields Poly
  • SEN Katarina Bonner Elswick

Reserves

  • SEN Georgia Campbell Jarrow & Hebburn
  • SEN Judith Nutt Elswick
  • SEN Jade Hutchinson Darlington
  • SEN Libbie Read Heaton

Best of luck to everyone taking part.

Race timetable

11:00    U-20 Men        8000m
11:30    U-13 Girls        3000m
11:45    Senior Women        8000m       
12:35    U-15 Boys        4000m
12:55    U-17 Women        5000m       
13:15    U-17 Men        6000m       
13:40    U-13 Boys        3000m       
14:00    U-20 Women        6000m
14:20    U-15 Girls        4000m       
14:45    Senior Men        10000m

Tuesday 15 February 2022

NEHL Sherman Cup & Davison Shield Report 2022

SHERMAN SUCCESS – AGAIN – FOR MORPETH WHILE TYNE BRIDGE CLAIM FIRST-EVER DAVISON SHIELD

 


MORPETH Harriers duly won the Sherman Cup again while Tyne Bridge Harriers secured the Davison Shield for the first time ever.

Once again organised superbly by South Shields Harriers at Temple Park, a strong Morpeth outfit claimed the Sherman for a record 24 times – 10 in a row - and surpassing Gateshead’s 23 victories, while Newcastle outfit Tyne Bridge celebrated lifting the Davison Shield for the first time due to lining up as many females’ as possible.

Morpeth, with two team successes out of the five age groups led Elswick by seven points with Gosforth finishing in third place a further nine points adrift while Tyne Bridge, who didn’t come out on top in either of the five races, were the only club to close-in teams in all five contests.

Individually, Morpeth’s Matthew Briggs was a comfortable winner of the senior men’s race with Conrad Franks (Gateshead) finishing strongly to claim the runners-up award ahead of Sunderland’s Stephen Jackson.

Matthew Briggs, Morpeth

Birtley’s Chris Perkins ended his cross-country campaign with a front-running victory in the under-17 men’s contest finishing ahead of Bertie Marr (Morpeth) and Jarrow and Hebburn’s Joshua McKenny.

Chris Perkins, Birtley

Morpeth’s Joseph Close had three seconds in hand over North Shields Poly’s Ben Sproats in the under-15 contest with Oliver Tomlinson, also Morpeth, completing the one-two-three.

Joseph Close, Morpeth

In the under-13 event, Freddie Palmer (Tyne Bridge) took the honours ahead of Blaydon’s Finn Graham and Birtley’s Callum Bailey.

Freddie Palmer, Tynebridge

In the senior women’s race it was a repeat of two years ago with Elswick’s Amy Fuller claiming victory relegating Catriona MacDonald into second place with early leader Kim Simpson (Gateshead), runner-up the previous weekend in the North East Masters XC Championships, finishing in third spot.

Amy Fuller & Catriona MacDonald


It was a Houghton one-two in the combined under-17/20 event with victory going to the in-form Eva Hardie who had a 15-second cushion at the line over team-mate Anna Pigford with Birtley’s Katie Francis, the first under-17, completing the medallists.

Eva Hardie, Houghton

Durham City’s Charlotte Dillon claimed victory in the under-15 race finishing 13 seconds ahead of Elswick’s Poppy Old with Gosforth’s Annie Hutchinson claiming the bronze award.

Charlotte Dillon, Durham

It was also a one-two in the under-13 event with North Shields Poly duo Katy Otterson and Anna Johnson finishing ahead of Durham City’s Grace Carter.

Once again a “Try Cross-Country” for under-11s opened the day’s proceedings and over 100 youngsters took part despite the near gale-force winds.

Birtley’s youngsters were again in full flow with Ed Moon winning the boys event and Olivia Murphy coming out on top in the girls’ contest.

Ed Moon, Birtley

Allerton’s James Troop, one of a number of competitors from the North Yorks’ and South Durham League who made the trip to contest the NEHL 125th anniversary, finished in second place ahead of Elswick’s Nicholas Surtees-Brown while in the girls contest Gateshead’s Emma Blackburn finished runner-up just ahead of Alnwick’s Alicia Purvis.

**IT was a superb day’s competition and a huge thanks goes out to the South Shields club from the NEHL for their excellent organisation, not just in erecting the course and supplying the enthusiastic marshals – especially the car park attendants – but giving nearly 1,000 competitors a great day’s sport and to all the officials who resolutely stood their ground throughout the windy day.

The curtain comes down with the final fixture at Alnwick Pastures on March 5.

Report by Bill McGuirk

Photos: https://www.stuartwhitman.co.uk/ 

Teams Top Results

Senior Men

1Morpeth Harriers & AC171-Briggs   4-Hancox   12-Innes
2Gateshead Harriers322-Franks   9-Alexander   21-Hansen
3Sunderland Harriers393-Jackson   8-Reed   28-Rankin

Masters Men

1Elvet Striders215-Watt   7-Warner   9-Littlewood
2Tyne Bridge Harriers438-Turnbull   15-Tailford   20-Moir
3South Shields Harriers596-Camps   22-Owen   31-Myers

Senior Women

1Morpeth Harriers & AC132-MacDonald   5-Quinn   6-Macdonald
2Sunderland Harriers344-Fox   14-Tomlin   16-Dobinson
3Jesmond Joggers6710-Chapman   28-Ruddy   29-Green

Masters Women
1North Shields Poly316-Harlow   9-Davis   16-Newson
2Tyne Bridge Harriers442-Dargie   7-Stevenson   35-Turnbull
3Elswick Harriers525-Nutt   21-Smith   26-Banner

U17 Men
1Morpeth Harriers & AC132-Marr   4-Davies   7-Walton
2Gosforth Harriers335-Slater   6-Christie   22-Doe
3Sunderland Harriers358-Hughes   10-Revell   17-Walton

U17&20 Women
1Gosforth Harriers286-Lewis   9-Purves   13-Rickerby
2Elswick Harriers434-Bungay   17-Lee   22-King
3Tyne Bridge Harriers7020-Dorman   24-Moir   26-Arif

U15 Boys
1North Shields Poly202-Sproats   6-Watson   12-Head
2Morpeth Harriers & AC211-Close   3-Tomlinson   17-Mavir
3Elswick Harriers434-Kelso   18-Robinson   21-Jackson

U15 Girls
1Gosforth Harriers163-Hutchinson   6-Wightman   7-Ashman
2Elswick Harriers222-Old   8-Wilde   12-Russell
3Gateshead Harriers374-Johnstone   10-Watson   23-Barrett

U13 Boys
1Gosforth Harriers379-Ponton   12-Handyside   16-Adlam
2North Shields Poly418-Furness   14-Sturman   19-Head
3Elswick Harriers516-Aitken   13-Coulson   32-Mason

U13 Girls
1North Shields Poly81-Otterson   2-Johnson   5-Mccoll
2Morpeth Harriers & AC358-Tomlinson   12-Roche   15-Dungait
3Gosforth Harriers509-Bell   10-Elliott   31-Patterson

Thursday 10 February 2022

NEHL Sherman Cup & Davison Shield 2022

Morning All and welcome to Temple Park February 12th 2022

Postcode for the event is NE34 8QN

Although runners will wear the same race number as for other Harrier League races, this is not a League race, it's the Sherman Cup (male)/Davison Shield (female).

There are no handicap packs and no pack promotions for this event.

All races are scratch races with all runners in a race setting off at the same time.

This is a one off annual competition across all age groups.

Cup/Shield points are awarded to clubs in all 5 age groups (U13, U15, U17/20, Senior and Vet) and the best club across all age groups wins the trophy.

You don't earn League points for this event but if you have a Harrier League race number for this year then you can still race

There's no additional cost, it's included in your £3 paid for the race number for the season
.
Just turn up at the start line in time for your race. There's no need to register again.

The timetable is the same order as usual for a Harrier League meeting BUT, because the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield have no packs, things will progress a little quicker than usual so keep an eye on events so you aren't late for the start of your race.

REMEMBER TO WEAR THE CORRECT NUMBER, NOT THE ONE FROM THE NORTHERNS

Pre entries will cost £3, Lost or replacement numbers are £5

RACE NUMBERS 2021-22

This year there are 6 sets of numbers across the categories.

Under 11 have Yellow numbers
Under 13 have Blue numbers
Under 15 have Green numbers
Under 17/20 have Purple numbers
Senior Men have White numbers
Senior Women have Orange numbers

also in the bottom right of each number is category code:
U11, U13, U15, U17&20, M, W
On the back of each number is your chip.

RACE ORDER & TIMES for the coming season
1200 Under 11 Boys (1.5k)
1205 Under 11 Girls (1.5k)
1215 Under 17 Men (1.5 laps approx. 5k)
1220 Under 20 & Under 17 Women (1.5 laps approx 5k)
1235 Under 15 Boys (1 lap approx. 2 miles - 3.2k)
1240 Under 15 Girls (1 lap approx. 2 miles - 3.2k)
1250 Under 13 Boys (1 lap approx. 2 miles - 3.2k)
1255 Under 13 Girls (1 lap approx. 2 miles - 3.2k)
1305 Senior Women (2 laps approx. 4 miles - 6.4k)
1350 Senior Men (3 laps approx. 6 miles - 9.6k)

Here is the course map for this weekend's Sherman Cup fixture at Temple Park.




Parking is limited so please car share where possible. You will need your change handy as parking is not free inside Temple Park. Cost is 70p. It is council owned so they will be taking payment, or you can pay at the machine.

Race headquarters is on the course at the NEHL tent and numbers will be available for collection from 10:30, then on the course from 12:45.  Please arrive in enough time to get parked and collect your number (if you don't have one already).

Reminder:

Our sponsors Start Fitness have very kindly agreed to award a free commemorative T-Shirt to anyone who competes in four league fixtures, plus the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield, the North Eastern Championships, and the Northern Championships.

Example of T-Shirt (It may be a different design or colour)

The fixtures are as follows:

25.09.21 Wrekenton
10.10.21 Druridge Bay
30.10.21 Lambton Castle
27.11.21 Aykley Heads
11.12.21 Northeastern Championships - Sedgefield
08.01.22 Thornley Hall Farm
29.01.22 Northern Championships
12.02.22 Temple Park (Sherman Cup/Davison Shield)
05.03.22 Alnwick Castle

Loos & First Aid
Portable toilets will be situated next to the course, and first aid will be at the Start/Finish area, and on the course.

Covid-19 guidance Part of the granting of our event license is based on application of current guidance provided by gov.uk and also that provided England Athletics (https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-2021/ ) Prior to the event when final instruction / information is sent to participating clubs (e-mail, social media) the following points will be encouraged:
  • Use hand gels / cleaning materials available at the toilets
  • Wear a mask when not running / in areas where there are larger numbers of people
  • Bring own hand gel and use frequently
  • Take 2 x LFT tests in the week leading to the event
  • Completed vaccination programme where possible / applicable
The following is mandatory: Do not attend the event if you currently display any symptoms associated with COVID-19