Saturday 26 October 2024

NEHL Lambton Race Report by Bill McGuirk

 

LAMBTON PARK HL, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024

 

STORM ASHLEY DOES A RUNNER

THE threat of extreme heavy rain and high-risk winds of Storm Ashley proved unfounded as over 1,300 hardy souls turned out for the second fixture of the Start Fitness North East Harrier League in Lambton Estate all eager to make up for lost time after the previous scheduled event at Druridge Bay was postponed due to parking problems. 

Despite a few reservations there were no difficulties this time round with parking thanks to the landowners’ assistants who were on hand to see that vehicles were parked up in an orderly and tidy manner despite the post code for the venue causing a few dilemmas! 

Once again it was an early start for the marshals and course builders from the Low Fell, Birtley and Washington clubs who braved the worst of the weather before the venue changed to glorious sunshine much to the delight of the senior athletes.

 

SENIOR MEN

 

THE final event on the programme proved to be a battle between athletes from two of the major local universities as the three-lap multi-terrain contest unfolded. At the completion of the first circuit a group of half-a-dozen or so were locked together as they exited a narrow gate with Newcastle University’s Patrick Davis just heading Gosforth’s Al Johnson, Blackhill’s Ashley Slaven and Durham University duo Miles Brierley and Jake Black. 


All the while Birtley’s new acquisition from Leeds City, Alex Bellew, was cutting back a 2min 58sec handicap from the medium pack while likewise, the leading fast pack group, which included Newcastle University’s Luke Davis, Birtley’s Adrian Bailes, Jarlath McKenna (Tyne Bridge) and Birtley’s Lewis McConnell steadily cut into the start of 5min 15sec. 

Davis continued to cut out the pace entering the penultimate circuit with Johnson in second place followed by Brierley and Black, the Durham Uni pair contesting the HL for the first time this campaign. Going into the final lap Davis had opened up a significant gap and looked strong as Bellew moved through into the top 15 and fast-lappers, Davis, Bailes and McKenna were now just outside the top 20. 

As the athletes came into view before taking in the 150m-long finishing straight it was the multi-coloured-vested Davis who appeared first, however, it was to be a close encounter for Brierley was hot on his heels but an exciting finish saw Davis hang io claim victory by just three seconds with Bellew coming home in bronze medal position a further eight seconds adrift. Meanwhile, Bailes proceeded to get the better of his fast pack rivals to cross the line in a superb seventh position followed by Luke Davis, one place and nine seconds behind with the pair posting the two fastest overall times of 35:54 and 36:03 respectively. Third quickest on the course was India-bound McKenna who finished in 10th place in 36:22. 


There were 451 finishers. The team results – Div One: 1 Tyne Bridge 91pts; 2 Birtley 104pts; 3 Durham City 120pts. Div Two: 1 Newcastle Uni 44pts; 2 Jesmond Joggers 90pts; 3 Wallsend 168pts. Div Three: 1 Durham Uni 78pts; 2 South Shields 154pts; 3 Blyth 186pts.

 

SENIOR WOMEN

WITH under-20s now lining up with the seniors it was pleasing to see four of that age group finishing inside the top five. Victory went to Durham City’s Lucy Storey who crossed line in 27:48, 29 seconds clear of fellow under-20 rival Imogen Bungay of Elswick with Morpeth’s Holly Lawrence the first senior home in third place nearly a minute adrift. 


Fastest overall on the course was Charlotte Dillon (under-20), running from the medium pack with a 2min 31sec penalty, the Houghton athlete finishing just outside the medals in fourth place with an actual time of 26:47. Second and third quickest overall were former Stevenage athlete Storey and Bungay respectively with Sunderland’s Grace Carroll posting the fastest time from the fast pack with 28:56 on her way to finishing in 23
rd place. 



There were 365 finishers. The team results – Div One: 1 Durham City 18pts; 2 Jesmond Joggers 52pts; 3 Morpeth 66pts. Div Two: 1 Tynedale 33pts; 2 Wallsend 36pts; 3 Gateshead 50pts. Div 3: 1 Newcastle Uni 19pts; 2 Birtley 72pts; 3 Houghton 81pts.

 

MASTERS OVER-65

AT THE opening fixture at Thornley Hall Farm there were only 11 competitors, however, this time round there were nearly double that number. Once again the two quickest on the course were Ponteland pair Mick Meaney and former Olympian Ray Smedley with Crook’s Geoff Hewitson, who missed Thornley, third best.

 

UNDER-17 MEN

A QUARTET of Jamie Lonergan (Blaydon), Sunderland’s William Young, Lucas Powell (Tyne Bridge) and Durham City’s James Omerod were setting the pace at the completion of the opening small lap before going off into the country to face a long circuit. 


As the field came back into view approaching the finishing field it was Lonergan who had moved into a comfortable advantage to cross the line in 19:34, 13 seconds clear of Young with Omerod claiming the final medal position a further six seconds adrift. North Shields Poly’s Daniel Watson, giving away a 2min 34secs start worked his way through into fourth place with the day’s fastest overall time of 17:54; Alnwick’s Liam Mcdonough, in fifth place, was second quickest with 18:03 and Tynedale’s Arthur Di Lullo was third best in seventh spot after recording 18:17. There were 35 finishers. 

Durham City came out on top in the team event with 31pts; Sunderland finished second with 40pts and North Shields Poly were third with 55pts.

 

UNDER-17 WOMEN

IT WAS a North Shields Poly one-two with victory going to slow pack runner Anna Johnson (23:26) who was followed across the line by Darcey Tullis (24:18) who had given her team-mate 1:20 start running from the medium pack. Chester-le-Street’s Lucy Buckle, also running from the medium pack, finished in third place in 24:30. 


Fastest on the course was Blackhill’s Hatti Stead, who worked her way through the field from a fast pack penalty of 2:35 to cross the line in fourth place in 24:42 (actual 22:07). Johnson was second fastest and Tullis third quickest. 


There were 31 finishers. The team resulted in: 1 North Shields Poly 16pts; 2 Tynedale 34pts; 3 Durham City 39pts.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS

THE podium places were all filled by slow pack runners who took advantage of a 1min 44secs start over their fast pack rivals. First home was Tynedale’s Adam Bell who had a 13-seconds cushion over Elswick’s Dominic Kelso with Blaydon’s Jacob Hendry a close-up third just two seconds further adrift. 


Fastest on the course was North Shields Poly’s James Sturman who worked his way through the field to finish in fifth place with an actual time of 12:42. Second fastest was Wallsend’s Kasper Pearson, 10th in 13:09 with Darlington’s Rowan Steel 13th in 13:27. There were 40 finishers. The team resulted in: 1 North Shields Poly 26pts; 2 Elswick 44pts; 3 Blyth 75pts.

UNDER-15 GIRLS

ALNWICK’S Maria Moore claimed a notable victory winning by six seconds ahead of Birtley’s Nell Graham with Gateshead’s Iona Murray completing the one-two-three a further 22 seconds adrift. 

Fastest on the course was Houghton’s Holly Robison who worked her through to finish in fourth place from 1min 44sec penalty to record an actual time of 14:00. Gateshead’s Emily Collingwood posted 14:54 to be second quickest with Robison’s Houghton team-mate Kathryn Pye next best with 14:57. There were 45 finishers. Team Result: 1 Gateshead 18pts; 2 Birtley 21pts; 3 Houghton 31pts.

 

UNDER-13 BOYS

IT WAS a Poly one-two with victory going to Noah Penfold who crossed the line 19 seconds clear of team-mate Peter Davies with Gosforth’s Will Hester completing the medallists. Fastest on the course, running from the fast pack 1min 44secs handicap, was Durham City’s Henry Engelhart with an actual time of 13:47 after working through the field to finish in seventh place. Second quickest was Penfold (13:52) with Davies third best with 14:11. 



There were 52 finishers. Team result: 1 North Shields Poly 7pts; 2 Gosforth 35pts; 3 Elswick 55pts.

 

UNDER-13 GIRLS

POPPIE PHILLIPSON defied 1min 45secs handicap to come home in pole position (16:12, actual 14:27), to claim victory by 30 seconds. Eleanor Maxwell (Tyne Bridge) was second across the line with Tynedale’s Hattie Williams third a further 10 seconds back. Second quickest on the course was Phillipson’s Birtley team-mate Izzy Hall, who finished in fourth spot (15:25) with Morpeth’s Heidi Wilkinson next best with 15:56. 

There were 54 finishers. Team result: 1 Elswick 31pts; 2 Wallsend 33pts; 3 Morpeth 45pts.

 

UNDER-11 BOYS AND GIRLS

THE youngest age groups faced the worst of the weather though it didn’t deter a total of 152 hardy souls facing the starter in the “Try Cross-Country”, many of whom taking part for the very first time despite Lambton being one of the toughest on the harrier league circuit. In the boys contest, where there were 74 finishers, victory went to North Shields Poly’s Matthias Gheorghiu in 7min 33secs closely followed by Jacob Hopper (Jarrow and Hebburn) in 7:38 with Juan Figueroa-Gazmuri (Phoenix Flyers) in 7:56. 


In the girls event it was a double celebration for the Poly with Ada Penfold claiming victory to add to Gheorghiu’s success, winning in a time of 7:26. Second girl home was Gosforth’s Ruby Colins (8:07) with Elodie Soward, also of NSP, third in 8:29. Overall an excellent turnout considering the weather with 30 of the region’s clubs represented.

 

**THANKS to sponsors Start Fitness for their continued support; to the landowners and it’s staff, especially those on car parking duties; to the first aid team and to the course builders and marshals together with the technical officials for making the fixture another highly-successful event. The Harrier League breaks new ground for the next fixture on Saturday, November 23 which takes place at Eltringham Farm and hosted by Prudhoe Plodders when a huge turnout is expected.

 

BILL McGUIRK

Photos by Stuart Whitman Photography

Saturday 19 October 2024

NEHL 2024 - Lambton Estate

Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League LAMBTON ESTATE, 20th October 2024

Hi all, here are the details for Lambton this coming Sunday. Big thanks go to Birtley AC, Low Fell RC, Washington RC for hosting this event.

Post code for the castle is DH3 4PW (what3words, oval.words.pull)

PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY OTHER ENTRANCE.

As at the map, the entrance is via the Bonemill Lane gate (what3words, risk.fumes.broad).


As usual car share is encouraged.

There will be a parking charge of £5. Please have cash ready for payment at the entrance to the car park.

As denoted at the parking map, there is a one system in operation to avoid congestion. It's a single lane road from the Bonemill Lane gate to the car parking area.

ANY DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES.

Course Map and timings:


Race HQ

REMINDER
There are only entries for U11s & Guests of the league (£10 for the season) and M65 transfers (no cost) tomorrow.

Thanks, see you all on Sunday.

Saturday 12 October 2024

Fixture postponed - NEHL Druridge Bay

DRURIDGE FIXTURE POSTPONED - 13 OCT 24

Apologies, Sunday's fixture has had to be cancelled.

The Park Manager has cancelled due to a lot of standing water at the parking areas, particularly the field that the event uses.

We're going to look at dates in March/April to hold the fixture. Thanks to Ralph and all at Blyth RC who have worked hard to get the fixture in the first place and will continue to work with the park authorities for a re-arranged date.

John Stephens
NEHL Sec.

Tuesday 8 October 2024

Entries for NEHL Druridge Bay and Lambton Estate

ENTRIES for Druridge and Lambton

There will be no late entries except for the under 11s at the above venues. 

There will be replacement numbers & guests (£10) and those moving to the women's race in the over 65s only (free).

New club entries will not be processed on the day.

The entries will not re-open between these two fixtures, so if you aren't already entered get your team manager to do it before Wednesday


Entries for both venues close at 4pm this Wednesday 9th Oct 24

Saturday 5 October 2024

NEHL Thornley Hall Farm 2024 - Race Report

ACTION RESUMES DOWN ON THE FARM

 

AFTER two cancellations last season at Thornley Hall Farm the Start Fitness North East Harrier League returned to action at the County Durham venue for the opening fixture of the 2024-25 campaign.

After heavy rain prior to the weekend the weather could not have been kinder with bright sunshine the order of the day. Thanks to landowner Jon Taylor the car parking facilities were deemed fine with the £3 charge once again going to a local charity.

The course, laid out by Stewy Bell and his team the previous day was in excellent condition though it had been tinkered with due to a huge lake appearing at the lowest part of the start and finish field. Stewy was more than happy that the day’s proceedings went well though he was not so overjoyed at losing his car keys somewhere round the 2-mile circuit! However, the passionate Toon supporter and season ticket holder – as is the NEHL treasurer Alan Elders who also missed the game due to officiating duties – loss of his keys wasn’t the be-all-and-end-all as his beloved Newcastle’s well-earned point against champions Manchester City eased the disappointment somewhat! With a number of weary athletes taking advantage of the on-site bar facilities – the only income for the landowner – it certainly is a date to pencil into the diary for next season.

SENIOR/UNDER-20 WOMEN 

IT WAS a delight to see Birtley’s Lydia Turner back to something like her old self as she eased into an early lead from the off taking full advantage of a 2min 20sec start over the medium pack and a 5-minute advantage over the fast pack. Tracking the former GB&NI international were under-20 athletes – taking part in senior action for the first time – Houghton’s Charlotte Dillon and Blaydon’s Ellie Fellows. Turner kept on cutting out a lone furrow at the head of affairs over the two testing circuits to eventually cross the line in 23mim 03secs - a time which proved to be the fastest overall figures of the day - and 23 seconds clear of Dillon (2nd Fastest overall) with Fellows completing the one-two-three over a minute further adrift.

A beaming Turner said after receiving her award: “Naturally I’m delighted with my run for I didn’t know what to expect as it was my first cross-country race for six-years. Now I can’t wait for the next one to come around!”

Wallsend’s Jenny Berry was quickest from the fast pack and third overall quickest after a race-long tussle with Morpeth’s Jane Hodgson while Sunderland’s Grace Carroll was the best from the mediums after working her way to finish in 10th position.

With five fixtures to go North Shields Poly are the early leaders of Division One followed by Sunderland and Elvet Striders; Washington head Division Two closely followed by Tynedale with Wallsend in third place; Birtley lead Division Three closely followed by Newcastle University with Gosforth in third spot.

MEN OVER-65

Ten competitors lined up contesting two circuits and it was Ponteland’s Mick Meaney who claimed the bragging rights followed by Robert Hewitson (Durham City) with Crook’s Mark Standbridge next fastest ahead of former Olympian Ray Smedley (Ponteland).


SENIOR MEN/UNDER-20 MEN 

ENTRIES were down on previous years possibly due to Newcastle’s early kick-off, however, it turned out to be stroll in the park for Morpeth’s Josh Fiddaman who led throughout the contest.

The former Blyth athlete and former NE County champion at under-13 level, not only won handsomely from Birtley’s Alex Below and first under-20 Rory Hart (Crook) but his winning time of 30min 16secs was the fastest overall time of the day.

Second quickest was Tyne Bridge’s Jarlath McKenna who worked his way through to 20th place from a five-minute penalty to cross the line with an actual time of 30:46.

Third quickest on the course was Newcastle University’s Monte Watson who finished one place behind McKenna, also running from the fast pack. In the team section, prolific champions Morpeth, got off to a good start with victory in Division One followed by Durham City and North Shields Poly while Newcastle University top Division Two by two points from Wallsend with Crook back in third. In Division Three Blyth lead the way followed by South Shields and Wearside Tri.

UNDER-17 WOMEN 

THIS season this age group ran on their own rather than with the under-20s and it was a convincing win for Jarrow and Hebburn’s Emily Boot whose time of 20:15 was the second quickest overall, the fastest being Chester-Le-Street’s Lucy Buckle who recorded 19:05 working her way through into second place from a 1:15 handicap. Durham City’s Grace Carter crossed the line in third place while Elswick’s Erin Bright, running from the fast pack, was third quickest on the course. Durham City topped the league placings followed by Tynedale and Elswick.

UNDER-17 MEN 

GATESHEAD’S in-form Alfie Cook led throughout to win in 15:51 which proved to be the quickest overall time of the day. Tynedale’s Arthur Di Lullo finished in second place in 16:04 which was the joint second fastest, the other being Alnwick’s Liam McDonough who worked his way through into 13th place running from a 2:30 handicap. Third across the line was Durham City’s William Jardine. Durham City topped the league placings followed by Tyne Bridge and Sunderland.

UNDER-15 GIRLS 

BIRTLEY’S Kitty Graham led the 45-strong field home crossing the line in 12:49, 13 seconds clear of Morpeth’s Faye Heatley with Tynedale’s Emelia Stobbart completing the medal places. Fastest on the course was Houghton’s Holly Robison who finished in fourth place from a 1:40 handicap. Second quickest was Darlington’s Matilda Owens followed by sister Charlotte with the sisters leading Darlington to team victory ahead of Houghton and Gateshead. 



UNDER-15 BOYS 

WALLSEND’S Kasper Pearson comfortably won from Tynedale’s Wilfred Pugh with Dominic Lee (Durham City) finishing in third place.Pearson was second quickest (10:52) on the course behind Darlington’s Rowan Steel (10:47) after working his way through into 15th place from a 1:40 handicap. With 11:00 Heaton’s Alex Smith was third quickest. Blyth, led home by eighth-placed Dexter Heatley topped the team placings ahead of Elswick and Low Fell.


UNDER-13 GIRLS

MORPETH’S Heidi Wilkinson held on to win (13:27) by just three seconds to claim victory over Prudhoe Plodders’ Martha Carr (13:30) with Sedgefield’s Jess Davis four-seconds adrift in third place. Birtley’s Izzy Hall was fastest on the course (12:30), working her way through the field from a 1:20 handicap to finish in seventh place. Elswick’s Ayla Bright was second quickest (12:44) followed by Wilkinson. North Shields Poly came out on top in the team stakes followed by Elswick and Wallsend.


UNDER-13 BOYS

MORPETH’S Mason Gaylor proved a comfortable winner crossing the line in 11:41, 26 seconds clear of Gosforth’s Jack McManus with Low Fell’s William McClean just two seconds further adrift in third place. Fastest on the course was Durham City’s Henry Engleheart who posted an actual time of 11:31 on his way to finishing in 14th place from a 1:20 handicap. Second fastest was Gaylor and third quickest McManus. An excellent team victory by Low Fell followed in second place Gosforth with Elswick third.



UNDER-11 GIRLS and BOYS

A TOTAL of 131 youngsters toed the line in the “Try Cross-Country” and the enthusiasm and enjoyment was to the fore all supported heartedly by parents and grand-parents whether their child was at the sharp end, mid-field or at the rear, of course, that’s the way our sport is noted for. 

In the boys’ section, in which there were 75 finishers, first home was North Shields Poly’s Matthias Gheorghiu (6.00) closely followed by Jarrow and Hebburn’s Jacob Hopper just one second adrift with Aycliffe’s Will Allison completing the one-two-three. 

In the girls contest over the same one-mile course, Ada Penfold made it a double for the Poly club crossing the line in 5:23. Gosforth’s Ruby Colins (Gosforth) came home in second place followed by Penfold’s team-mate Ellie Nelson. Thanks go to the tail runners for making sure the contest went off smoothly.




**THANKS go to NEHL league sponsors Start Fitness, to landowner

Jon Taylor, to all the technical officials, course builders and marshalls, to the first aid team, the new chip timing squad Timing Up North and to the chuck waggon personnel, who unfortunately ran out of food as the day progressed. After contesting the most southerly fixture on the calendar harrier League action continues with a trip up the Northumberland coast on Sunday, October 13th to Druridge Bay followed a week later when Lambton Estate is the venue.


 


By Bill McGuirk

Photos - Stuart Whitman Photography

Friday 27 September 2024

NEHL 24-25 - Thornley Hall farm

THORNLEY HALL FARM - 28TH SEPTEMBER 2024

A big 'thank you to John Taylor, owner of Thornley Hall Farm and also Blackhill Bounders, host club for this seasons opening fixture. We could do with a few volunteers to ensure we have enough marshals for the fixture. Just give names in comments. Much appreciated.

DIRECTIONS
Post code: DH6 3LY
Irrespective of direction of travel, the Farm is accessed from the A181. Please do not right turn across the A181 if travelling from the West. Go to the roundabout approx half a mile past the farm and then come back to turn left into the farm. On entry to the farm you will be directed to the parking area. Parking cost is £3 CASH ONLY. PLEASE HAVE YOUR COINS READY.


See http://www.harrierleague.com/ for start times.
Registration / number collection will be in the bar area. John informs me that the bar will be open.



THORNLEY COURSE UPDATE

Big shout out to Stewy Bell and Blackhill Bounders who have been working on the course today. For those familiar with the course, due to the rain the 'lake' has re-appeared in the bowl (lowest part of the course) and also sheep are occupying the far field I believe, making it necessary to make slight modifications to the course laps. John reports parking is ok - greasy on top but firm underneath.
Same legend for the amended map (attached) with medium map marked in blue and large lap marked in red. Large lap may be slightly shorter than usual. Format will be as at original map for each age group.

We'll be making a final decision for the U11's tomorrow morning. It may be possible to run the usual course.


Late entries & guests.

We will be extremely busy tomorrow, arrive early if you have not been entered. Guests of the league will be given priority over late entries should we have time issues.
  • Team managers - DO NOT contact the chip timing company with late entries. We (race HQ) have the entry system and the numbers.
  • Under 11s - must be aged at least 9 on the day.
  • If you're M65 and wish to run the two lap race you need to inform us in Race HQ.
  • The cut off for late entries is 15 mins before each race starts. If you arrive after that you won't be added.
  • Cost of late or guest entry is £10 - keep your number for the whole season.
  • The numbers are really slippy. Team managers - they may not be in sequence in your bag (you'll see why when you pick them up).

Monday 16 September 2024

NEHL 2025-25 Season

 

Hello lovely people, and welcome to another season of mud & mayhem in the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League.

The fixtures are finalised, and we have some new and exciting news:  A new fixture at Eltringham Farm, a new chip-timing solution, and the Under 20 women will be running with the Senior & Masters Women for the first time this year.

So, get ready to dust off those spikes & trail shoes, and prepare to get muddy!