Welcome to the 2023/24 Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League season.
As usual the first fixture will be held at Wrekenton, in the area behind the Cardinal Hume School (Old Durham Rd, Gateshead NE9 6RZ). Many thanks to Saltwell Harriers for hosting the fixture, and also Gateshead Council for allowing us to use the land.
As usual the first fixture will be held at Wrekenton, in the area behind the Cardinal Hume School (Old Durham Rd, Gateshead NE9 6RZ). Many thanks to Saltwell Harriers for hosting the fixture, and also Gateshead Council for allowing us to use the land.
Find below course map for information. As you'll see, as last year, there areas marked for tree / sapling planting. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER ANY OF THESE AREAS (WE'D LIKE TO HOLD FUTURE FIXTURES!).
PARKING: PLEASE USE THE PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE NHS CAR PARK THAT IS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE CARDINAL HUME SCHOOL (IE OTHER SIDE OF OLD DURHAM ROAD, AT MOSS HEAPS). THERE IS VERY LIMITED PARKING ADJACENT TO THE COURSE ON DERELICT GROUND BUT NOT ADVISABLE AS THE AREA IS 'A BIT OF A MESS' (TO QUOTE MESSAGE FROM SALTWELL).
TRY TO AVOID PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, BLOCKING ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS FOR THEIR HOMES AND/OR GARAGES (AGAIN WE'D LIKE TO COME BACK). TRY TO CAR SHARE. PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS IN THE AREA ARE GOOD.
TRY TO AVOID PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, BLOCKING ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS FOR THEIR HOMES AND/OR GARAGES (AGAIN WE'D LIKE TO COME BACK). TRY TO CAR SHARE. PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS IN THE AREA ARE GOOD.
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Wrekenton (car park)
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Wrekenton (course)
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Wrekenton (course)
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We are trialing some adjustments in start time in the early part of the season. Use the 'usual' times at the website and attached map for guidance, but race 3 (U17s) will aim to get underway at 1220 (rather than 1215) with a similar 5 minute 'add-on' for subsequent races until the Senior & Veteran Women which will get underway at 1320 (don't think we've ever gotten underway at 1305). Men's race will start at the usual time (1350).
We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Forecast is good, and hopefully with this weeks rain the going will be a bit softer than in recent years.
Timetable
12.00 Under 11 Boys
12.05 Under 11 Girls
12.20 Under 17 men
12.40 Under 15 Boys
12.45 Under 15 Girls
12:55 Under 13 boys
13:00 Under 13 girls
13.20 Senior & veteran women
13:50 Senior & veteran Men
Course Map
Guests may run in the league at a cost of £5 for the whole season. This is a one off charge. They must register on the day, and let us know if they competed last season (and if they did we can check the pack).
Guests must be members of a EA or SA, or similar affiliated club.
Second Claim runners may not count for team points. They can either run for their first claim club as a guest, or if they come and register on the day they can take part as a non-counting runner in their second claim vest.
Guests & Second claim runners do not accumulate team points, but do get individual grand prix points.
Race HQ will be at the NEHL Tent next at the start area.
Reminder to ALL competitors. We do not split race packs. Your team manager needs to collect and pay for your team entries. I have a list of who owes what, we will not take individual numbers out of the packs, we are far too busy. Find out who your team manager is and make sure they have a cheque or cash with them to cover the club's entry fees.
Costs are £50 + £3 per runner for clubs
£5 for guests
If by some unknown reason you manage to lose your number on the day you've collected it from your team tent, you can buy a new one for £5. I know it sounds daft, but it has happened before.
First fixture on the day entries
By prior arrangement with me (Vicki). I'll be taking limited entries on the day from clubs - DO NOT expect to rock up with 20 juniors and have them all sorted. Race HQ will be extremely busy.
Remember I need Name, Club, Date of Birth, and Sex (if it's not obvious).
If you have this pre-written on a bit of paper that would be great.
Remember I need Name, Club, Date of Birth, and Sex (if it's not obvious).
If you have this pre-written on a bit of paper that would be great.
No DoB - No entry
Guest - register on the day as per normal
Quick reminder of the rules.
You must start in the pack you have been allocated. (You will be DQd for running from the wrong pack)
You must wear your club's team vest or t-shirt, and all vests must be of the same design (or you will be DQd & won't count for team points)
As per league rules you CANNOT wear headphones
Guest - register on the day as per normal
Quick reminder of the rules.
You must start in the pack you have been allocated. (You will be DQd for running from the wrong pack)
You must wear your club's team vest or t-shirt, and all vests must be of the same design (or you will be DQd & won't count for team points)
As per league rules you CANNOT wear headphones
Age restrictions as follows:
Under 11 - must be aged at least 9 on the day of competition
Under 13 - must be 11 on 31st August 2023.
Under 15 - must be 13 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 men - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 & 20 women - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Men - must be 17 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Women - must be 20 on 31st August 2023.
Athletes may NOT move up or down age categories
Masters men aged 65 may (if they wish) run in the 2 lap Senior Women's race, they register as per normal in the men's race, then come to race hq for a replacement number. Masters wishing to do this must stay in the 2 lap race all season.
M65+ Team Competition.
It was proposed and agreed to at the AGM that the M65 runners choosing to compete in the 2 lap shorter race with the ladies could have their own team competition.
The format will include 3 runners from the same club forming a team, and the runners must be M65+
It's a little something to keep our running legends motivated and competitive.
So - You guys normally in the 2 lap race don't need to do anything different to normal (just keep on running), and any Masters 65+ fellas who feel like they'd prefer to give this a go instead of slogging it round 3 laps need to come and swap out their numbers at race HQ.
Results will be available on the usual link http://www.harrierleague.com/results/2023-24/
