Calum Johnson Interview

AFTER his National Cross-Country success I eventually found time to ask Calum Johnson a number of questions and, under the microscope, he confidently come up with some interesting, honest and sometimes controversial replies. So here goes and I hope you appreciate his answers as much as I did - BillMcG

Q. Alan, your dad, was no slouch in his younger days so was it inevitable that you would follow in his footsteps or, like many youngsters, did you have a calling to play football.

A.   Unfortunately, I don’t think I inherited the football genes. I know my Dad used to play in his school days and I think my other two brothers got the football bug as they both played for the school and one of them still plays football now. I grew up knowing Dad was a really good runner and I always thought one day he would try and get me into running despite me having other interests like Judo and Swimming (quite a bizarre combination I know!). He never ever pushed me into running competitively though of which I’ve respected a lot and he would always let me do what interested me. Eventually, after being involved in school cross-country races as a teenager, I finally found that I was a decent runner as a 15/16-year-old and I am sure that this would have been music to my Dad’s ears!

Q. Can you remember your first race and if so where and what was it and how did you get on and if you didn’t win can you remember who did?

A.   Although I never ran for a club as a youngster (well until I was about 15/16 when I joined Gateshead Harriers), Dad used to always take me down to run in the Good Friday Road Races (organised by Elswick Harriers which was his club in his running days). I recall racing in the under-13 race and wore one of my Dad’s Elswick vests which was huge on me! I finished third that day but can’t remember who was in front of me though. My first race as a Gateshead Harrier was at the Northumberland County Schools’ Cross-Country Championships (Inter Boys race) and I think I finished fourth or fifth that day. It was won by former runner and fellow Gateshead Harrier and good friend Lewis Hogg who won it by miles. Lewis had so much talent but sadly injury problems stopped him from a running career as a senior athlete. I went on to finish 74th at the English Schools’ that season.

Q. Your dad still has the bragging rights as far as track times go. Do you feel that is a side of the sport you would like to put right?

A.   He certainly does and I will put my hands up and say he was definitely a quicker athlete than I am now! His track times from 800m up to 5000m are way better than mine. I think I have bragging rights when it comes to cross-country though! I am very much a strength/endurance-based athlete due to the nature of my training and the volumes of training I do for Triathlon. I would love to try and lower my track PB’s one day. I don’t know how that would fit into my Triathlon commitments but I haven’t ruled out solely focusing on running at some point in the future, and if that is the case then I certainly will try to focus on improving my track running capabilities and times.

Q. About six years ago athletics looked as though it was being pushed to one side even though you were awarded your first GB vest. Was it around that time you were attracted to the triathlon scene?

A.   I gained my first GB vest as a junior in January, 2013 at the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country and I remember it very well. I was still based in Newcastle at home around that time and was training with the group at Gateshead. Although Triathlon was now my main interest, I tended to use cross-country as part of my winter training and preparations for the Triathlon season. I then moved to Leeds for University in September, 2013. It was around that point I started to focus more on Triathlon so I had to compromise on cross-country races in the winter. Being down in Leeds I was part of the Triathlon programme and sort of had to abide by the coaches down there!

Q. Since starting your triathlon journey you have had some notable successes. What has been the highlight of that journey so far?

A.   Despite Triathlon being my main focus, winning the National Cross-Country title has certainly been the highlight of my sporting career so far! However, there are some stand out moments in Triathlon for me which include finishing 12^th at my first World Under-23 Triathlon Championships and winning silver in the Mixed Triathlon Relay. Also, I won my first international title at a European Cup event in The Netherlands in 2017 which was special, especially as both my parents were there watching and were able to share that special moment with me.

Q. While cross-country isn’t on the Olympic programme is it triathlon you feel you have the best chance of becoming an Olympian?

A.   I would love to see cross-country eventually on the Winter Olympics programme. I can’t see it happening in my time as an athlete which is unfortunate as I do feel it would be my best chance of competing at an Olympic Games. However, saying that, I haven’t ruled out trying to qualify for the Triathlon in a future Games. As much as racing at the Olympics is a dream and goal of mine, I think you have to be realistic and as it’s only once every four years, plus a maximum of three athletes who will go, the chances are slim. Especially when you take into account the bias and politics involved when picking athletes. As someone who knows the sport well, I am confident in saying that at the last two Olympic Games, it wasn’t necessarily the best three triathletes that were on the team and unfortunately that’s how it seems to work. I do believe I have a chance, just like any of the other top level triathletes in Great Britain and I will do my very best to put myself in a position to qualify in Paris 2024 (2020 team already picked, albeit prematurely). If it doesn’t work out then you may see me try to qualify in a different sport (I’ll keep quiet on that one for now). I think qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a very realistic goal for me and that is something that is very much on my radar right now.

Q. Winning the ‘National’ came out of the blue to many observers but after your Northern victory many of your followers felt you had a great chance and so it proved.

A. Yes, to be honest, I surprised myself by winning the National and the way I performed on the day. I think as far as execution goes, it was one of my best ever performances. Races like that don’t come along very often as an athlete, there aren’t many days where everything goes right and you feel absolutely 100% in control. After the Northern, I knew I was in great shape and my fitness was really good and so I knew that I had a good chance of getting a medal, that was my main goal even though it’s not something I think about too much before a race. It may surprise a lot of people that as someone who doesn’t solely focus on running can win such a big race and beat a lot of high class runners. However, what a lot of people don’t know about me is that as a Triathlete, I do large volumes of training across the three disciplines. I tend to rack up on average, about 30 hours per week. Yes, I don’t run the miles that the top runners in the country will run but I do a lot of training that conditions me very well and gives me a good aerobic engine for events like cross-country. When courses are tough and heavy going, as Nottingham was, it suits me well being more of a strength-based athlete.

National Cross Country winner Calum Johnson

Heavy going at Nottingham

Q. The ‘National’ has been won by many great endurance runners in the past including North East Olympians Jack Potts, Alex Burns, Brendan Foster and Mike McLeod. You’ve joined an elite band and after reading the names of previous winners on the trophy how does it feel to join such illustrious company?

A. Winning the National really was a dream come true. I’ve said to a lot people that it’s a race I’ve imagined winning since the day I started running competitively. To actual win it really did mean a lot and I think the photos at the finish line were testament to that! I keep having to look at the trophy to remind myself of what I have achieved and when I read through the names, I am just in awe of what is in front of me. I still wouldn’t put myself in the same league as those names you’ve mentioned like Mike and Brendan as they have achieved so much more than I can really dream of. As a Newcastle/North East lad, I am honoured to have my name next to theirs on the National winning trophy as I really do aspire to be at the same level as they were in their best running days. 

Calum makes the cover of Athletics Weekly

Q. The cross-country season is drawing to a close so what are your immediate plans for the rest of the year?

A. I am actually quite gutted that the cross-country season has more or less ended as it is something I really love doing throughout the winter months. It gives me the motivation and the right training I need to prepare me well for the Triathlon season. My first Triathlon race is just under three weeks’ time and it is part of the European Cup series. I would love to start the triathlon season off on a high. I know my running is definitely in a good place right now so it’s a case of fine tuning my overall fitness and making sure I am ready for the swim and the bike segments too as they will determine whether I am in the race or not. I then plan a Wold Cup race a month later and hopefully qualify for the European Championships in July where I would like to aim for a medal there.

Q. I know your mam and dad, Heather and Alan, have been an inspiration to you over the years supporting you through the highs and lows, but who else over the past decade or so has helped guide you to become the nation’s leading cross-country athlete?

A. Yes for sure, Mam and Dad have been the biggest key players in supporting me and keeping me on track over the years. They have always looked out for me, been at my side every step of the way and given me the best possible chance of reaching the top. They’ve allowed me to take opportunities that would be out of my reach if it wasn’t for their support so I can only thank them for that. 

To be honest there are too many people who know who they are, that have supported me in several ways on this journey. I certainly have to thank John Stephenson, the coach at Gateshead and aside from my Dad, he is the other person to introduce me to running. I joined his group at the very start and have loved every bit of it and so much that I am actually back there now after seven years away at University and other places too. John has always believed in me and has never given up doing so despite all of the setbacks I have had. That means a lot to me, to have someone who fully supports your endeavours and goals no matter where you are or what you are going through just shows how great a person John really is. 

As you’ll know and many top athletes will know, there are people who come and go and are fully behind you when you are performing well but then disappear off radar when things aren’t going so well. As an athlete, those people you don’t need in your team. It is people like my parents and John, who you should respect and engage with because ultimately, those are the ones that will help you reach your goals and achieve your dreams.

Q. You have worked extremely hard over many years and you have finally been rewarded. Where there any times when you felt that it wasn’t going to happen and the enjoyment was no longer there?

A. I always find this one of the most important questions to be asked so I am glad you have asked me! Unfortunately, most people who follow sport and follow you as an athlete and aren’t necessarily close to you, will never know what really goes on behind the scenes. Generally, they will see happy social media posts, good results, see you flying to sunny and beautiful locations around the world and basically assume that you live this dream life with no stresses or worries! In reality, it’s far from that. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to not be working a nine-till-five job and that I get the opportunity to visit some brilliant places and see some cool things but that’s just a very small part of the life as an international athlete. 

To be one of the best athletes in the world, you have to be one of the most mentally and physically strong people and that takes a lot of work. Over the years, I have had many setbacks. I’m not going to go into them all as I feel that will just bore people. In Triathlon, there is very little reward for a huge amount of work and so you really do have to enjoy the training. When I go to races, it’s money out of my own pocket (usually I will go to races and whatever money I win will go to paying for the trip), I don’t stay in fancy hotels, I use public transport (which isn’t easy with a bike when travelling abroad) and I have spent many nights in airports to save money. Even to the point of tying my luggage to my feet so I can try to get some sleep without having anything stolen! I’ve been turned away every year for the last five years by the Triathlon governing body, telling me I am not good enough or I am too old to ever become a world class athlete. 

I’ve had to pick myself up many times, get on with it by myself with no coaching, medical, physical or financial support. But I have kept going, I’ve always had enough belief in my own ability to keep going and not give up, and to this day I am proud of that. One thing I have learnt is that if you start to lose the enjoyment, then something needs to change and you must try and work that out yourself because nobody else is going to tell you that. Only you know how you really feel.

Q. Finally Calum, athletics is not easy by any matters or means so what advice would you give to any youngster considering taking up sport.

A. I think foremost is that you are enjoying your athletics or whatever sport it is that your training and competing in. As a youngster, you really want to be doing more than just athletics that may include another sport, going to school and joining in after school clubs, socialising with your friends. Don’t sacrifice all those other things for just athletics. Don’t treat athletics as the only thing you care about or that matters. It’s ok to have a bad race, or a training session you’re not happy with. Take time to look after your body and enjoy going out for food or to the cinema with your mates. I have been there. Yes, I train a lot of hours now, and I commit most of my life to a sport but I certainly wasn’t doing that until most recently. Don’t let any setbacks (i.e. injuries, illnesses or even people telling you that you can’t do it or you aren’t good enough), stop you from working hard or trying to achieve your goals. Be patient, keep persevering and look after your health.

Q. Given your result at the National Cross-Country Championships, was the Inter-Counties result a bit of a disappointment? What were your thoughts following the race?

A. Yes, I was disappointed with the result at the Inter-Counties. I would have liked to have been more competitive at the front end of the race and really competing with the likes of Mahamed and Adam Hickey. The frustrating part was that I know I am capable of doing so, especially on a tough and muddy cross-country course. However, the two weeks post National and leading into the race had been far from ideal. I struggled to do any training after the National due to illness and then ended up in hospital the week before with abdominal issues and was unsure whether I would even race. However, I decided to race because I love cross-country but in hindsight it was probably not the best decision in terms of looking after my health! But these things you learn from and you get to know more about your body and how to deal with certain things. I still finished fifth and that is still way better than I have ever performed at this race which shows that despite everything, my fitness is in a good place. The North East team won the team title which did help lift my spirits and I was chuffed to see the title return to where it belongs, up in the North East.

Intercounties XC Senior Men

Thanks for your time Calum, 

Bill McGuirk

Follow Calum on Twitter @caaljohnson

Intercounties XC Report

LOUGHBOROUGH

HALL THE HARD WORK PAYS OFF HANDSOMELY FOR STEWY AND LYNN AT PRESTWOLD

ANOTHER muddy marvellous day for the region’s athletes competing in the British Athletics Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough. 

And, capping a fine overall performance, on the final event of the 10-race programme the North Eastern Counties senior men’s squad claimed an unexpected gold medal after team manager Stewy Bell had to bring in three athletes due to late withdrawals from the original line-up.

While topping the podium came as a huge surprise it was equally so for the senior women who claimed third-place earlier in the day led home by bronze-medallist Philippa Williams. 

That came about despite team manager Lynn Cooper losing both Sonia Samuels and Philippa Stone, first and second in the North Eastern XC Championships!

In the age group races Middlesbrough Mandale’s Josh Cowperthwaite finished runner-up in the under-20 men’s contest while Birtley’s Chris Perkins did likewise in the under-15 boys event.

As well as the medal winners there were many other fine performances throughout the day which augurs well for cross-country running here in the North East.

UNDER-20 MEN (8km)

THE first event of the day saw junior international Josh Cowperthwaite (Middlesbrough Mandale) set the standard for the region by finishing runner-up behind Kent’s Matthew Stonier. Josh, who finished in third place last year, was always in contention at the head of affairs forcing the pace along, not afraid of taking up the running. However, going into the final kilometre the South of England champion managed to ease ahead to claim victory by seven seconds. Josh finished a clear second a similar distance ahead of Henry McLuckie (Hampshire).

Next home for the NE was Morpeth’s Ross Charlton, a recipient of a recent Sport Newcastle Award for his tri-athlete exploits, who had a superb run to finish in 20^th place out of a near 200-strong field. Ross’ Morpeth team-mates Daniel Melling and Daniel Dixon made up the team’s scoring four in 31^st and 38^th place respectively, Daniel Melling getting his pace right on this occasion. 

u20 men - Josh Coweperthwaite

Unfortunately, the team finished just outside the medals in fourth spot just nine points off a podium place. The team’s non-scorers were: 77 Daniel Currie (Middlesbrough Mandale); 81 Josh Fiddaman (Blyth); 129 Daniel Buffham (Morpeth).

UNDER-13 GIRLS (3km)

OVER 300 athletes faced the starter with Middlesbrough Mandale’s Eden Creasey the pick of the North East team. The Teessider, runner-up in the Northern XC Championships and seventh in the National, finished in 15^th place. NE Counties champion, Darlington’s Zara Jones, was next home for the region finishing in 31^st position, five places ahead of Durham City’s Charlotte Dillon. Billingham Marsh House’s Sophie Quinn, one of the youngest in the race, completed the scoring quartet in 36^th place. Once again, the total of 139 points was only good enough for fourth place in the team section out of the 40 counties who closed in. The team’s non-scorers were: 147 Annabel Milburn (Gateshead); 174 Annie Hutchinson (Gosforth); 178 Poppy Wilde (Elswick); 208 Poppy Old (Elswick).

U13 girls - Eden Creasey

SENIOR WOMEN (10km)

THE 300-strong field faced 10 kilometres for the first time bringing the distance in line with the men and it was the North East’s Philippa Williams who led the charge in the early stages with two-time European XC Championship runner-up Kate Avery (Shildon) also in contention in the leading group. Philippa, a former Elswick athlete and making her county debut as a senior, now competes for Sheffield RC but has NE qualification due to birth, kept pushing the pace on until she slipped back in the closing stages to finish in third place. 

It was an excellent performance by Philippa who has gained numerous representative honours as a fell runner as well as winning the Sunderland Half-Marathon (76:41) last year, was suited by the tough Loughborough conditions. Kate, meanwhile, one of the pre-race favourites, was quick to congratulate her NE team-mate after crossing the line in fifth position exactly a minute behind the bronze medallist. While disappointed with her performance Kate still came out on top of the British Cross Challenge earning a nice cheque for her outings over the season.

Morpeth’s Catriona McDonald, opting to represent the NE rather than her native Scottish region, was next home in 41^st place – 106^th last year - with Darlington’s Hannah Plaschkes next in 55^th. Gateshead’s Gillian Manford, like Hannah, making her senior debut in the Inter-counties, was next home in 68^th place with Jarrow and Hebburn’s Georgia Campbell closing in the six-to-score team race in 74^th spot. It was time for celebration when the team realised they had totalled 246 points which earned them third place on the podium. The team’s non-scorers were: 103 Amy Fuller (Elswick). Unfortunately, Heaton’s Danielle Smythe pulled out injured when going well.

(The distance ran turned out to be well over 11k)

Senior Women individual winners

North East Senior Women @ the finish

North East Senior Women - Team Bronze 

UNDER-15 BOYS (4km)

BIRTLEY’S Chris Perkins completed a full set of medals with a superb second place behind big rival, Suffolk’s Lewis Sullivan. Having won the Northern and finished third in the National Chris added a silver medal to his collection with a determined effort that saw him come home just eight seconds behind the winner. 

It was a great effort by the youngster making up for the disappointment of two years ago when he just missed out on a podium place in the under-13 age group after crossing the line in fourth position. 

Next home for the region was Morpeth’s Ryan Davies in 29^th place followed by Blaydon’s Will Collinson (45^th) with Josh Blevins (North Shields Poly) completing the scoring four a further two places back. Totalling 123 points it was another fourth place finish for the NE! The team’s non-scorers were: 59 Joe Dixon (Morpeth); 86 Tom Slane (Blackhill); 100 Oliver Douglas (North Shields Poly); 199 Zak Old (North Shields Poly).

North East U15 - Chris Perkins

Chris Perkins - individual Silver

UNDER-17 WOMEN (5km)

GATESHEAD’S Ines Curran was first home for the NE finishing in 44^th place. Houghton’s Anna Pigford was second counter for the team in 52^nd position with Emily Chong (Chester-le-Street) 84^th and Tess Graham (Birtley) 98^th completing the scoring quartet for 12^th place in the team section. The team’s non-scorers were: 132 Kate Salthouse (Tynedale); 151 Amy Leonard (Houghton); 179 Rebecca Wren (Tynedale); 245 Amy Ellis (Gosforth). Middlesbrough Mandale’s Betty Bergstrand finished 46^th.

North East U17 women's team

UNDER-17 MEN (6km)

ARCHIE LOWE (Middlesbrough Mandale) made a brave effort to make it onto the podium but missed out by a matter of just 11 seconds. The Teessider was in contention throughout but at the end of a grueling encounter Archie had to be content with fourth place, a disappointing position to finish after working so hard. Gateshead’s Ethan McGlen showed a good return to form to finish next counter in 21^st place with team-mate Charlie Daley next home for the NE in 53^rd place followed by recently-crowned 3,000m indoor champion, Henry Johnson (Houghton) in 61^st place. The team total of 139 points slotted the NE into seventh place. The team’s non-scorers were: 66 Rowan Bennett (Morpeth); 91 Dylan Gooding (Morpeth); 96 Will Bellamy (Houghton); 102 John Russell (Darlington). Gateshead’s David Race finished 67^th.

U17 men - Archie Lowe

UNDER-13 BOYS (3k)

IT certainly was a baptism of fire for the region’s youngest, most of whom were competing on the biggest cross-country stage ever. Perhaps many of the team were overcome by the occasion as North East and Northern champion Alex Bowyer (Darlington) could only finish in 51^st place. Second counter for the NE was Gateshead’s Theo Dragoi in 95^th position. Gateshead’s Matthew Das and Harry Lyons (Darlington) closed in the scoring four in 132^nd and 141st places respectively. The team finished 24^th. The team’s non-scorers were: 163 Oliver Tomlinson (Morpeth); 214 Matthew Downs (New Marske); 219 Ethan Marron (Middlesbrough Mandale); 249 Zac Brannon (North Shields Poly).

UNDER-20 WOMEN (6km)

IN her first year as an under-20 Gateshead’s Chloe Wellings ran superbly to finish 17^th and first counter for the NE which reflects a huge improvement on last year’s run as an under-17 where she finished 93^rd and out of the team’s scoring four. Houghton’s Eva Hardie was next home for the NE in 55^th place followed by Amy Baker (Gateshead) in 63^rd position. Birtley’s Eve Southern closed in the scoring quartet in 87^th spot to give the team a total points score of 222 for ninth place. The team’s non-scorers were: 97 Laura Havis (Middlesbrough Mandale); 104 Eve Quinn (Sunderland); 120 Kirsty Duffin (Morpeth).

UNDER-15 GIRLS (4km)

THE course had cut up badly with long muddy patches in evidence for the penultimate race of the day and it was Alnwick’s Millie Breese who led the region’s charge to finish in 32^nd place exactly a minute adrift of a podium place. Houghton’s Erin Keeler-Clarke was next home in 48^th position followed by Birtley’s Katie Francis in 57^th place with Darlington’s Marissa Boon closing in the team in 70^th position to give the team a total of 207 points for 11^th place. The team’s non-scorers were: 79 Abigail Leiper (Morpeth); 91 Jessica Milburn (Gateshead); 125 Lucy Scothern (Chester-le-Street); 200 Holly Waugh (North Shields Poly).

SENIOR MEN (10km)

IT’S always nice to end the day on a high and that certainly was the way it turned out for the team and the many supporters who had stayed behind to give the athletes their support. The squad’s chances of making it onto the podium were badly hit by three withdrawals from the original nine. However, the rookies who came in did a superb job in backing up the regulars in the team. With newly-crowned National champion Callum Johnson (Gateshead) in the team anything could happen and it certainly did. Callum had been under the weather leading up to the race and it wasn’t until 48 hours before the off that he gave the team management the nod that he would definitely be on the start line. 

Once the race got underway Callum could be seen just off the leading bunch of five or six. It was always going to be a big ask for a repeat of his Nottingham performance but the Geordie boy is made of strong stuff and while at times he looked to be struggling he managed to keep focused to cross the finish line in pain in a remarkable fifth place. It was a position he accepted as OK at the finish after admitting that he was never comfortable throughout the contest. It was a great performance considering he had had an overnight stay in hospital just six days prior to the race. While finishing fifth may be a disappointment after his National victory Callum managed to stay upbeat especially after hearing that the team had won the team title.

Backing up Callum for a memorable victory were five athletes from five different clubs around the region. After a lean time through injury Carl Smith (Tyne Bridge) showed a return to form after moving steadily through the field to finish in 30^th place. Following him across the line two places behind was the find-of-the-season Liam Aldridge of Billingham Marsh House who was making his first appearance in the county team. It was also a first senior appearance for Houghton’s Cameron Allen and he certainly didn’t disappoint with a 34^th place finish. While the team lined up with a number of new members, Middlesbrough and Cleveland’s Greg Jayasuriya has been a regular in the squad for a number of years and by finishing in 42^nd place and fifth counter he was to mount the top of the podium for a third time. I was nervously counting the runners home waiting for the last scorer to come into view and I hadn’t to wait long for David Green (North Shields Poly) to come into view and while he was outsprinted by a couple of athletes in the run to the line he eventually crossed the mat in an excellent 60^th place. 

A quick calculation saw the North East close in with a total of 203 points. Was it going to be enough to give the team a medal chance? It certainly was. For within minutes it was announced that in third place was Sussex with 256 points. Second was Yorkshire on 221 points with the NE claiming the title once again after missing out in the previous two years. 

While the scoring six did a magnificent job so did the back-up trio of Michael Hedley (Tyne Bridge), Alex Brown (Morpeth) and Gateshead’s Conrad Franks. Michael, in his county debut, finished 97^th, Alex, on his senior debut was 122^nd while county regular Conrad finished 137^th. Just to show how strong the region is at present Houghton’s Luke Pickering, in his first year as a senior, finished in 49^th place.

North East Senior Men @ the finish

North East Senior Men - Team Gold

The superb day overall could not have happened if it were not for the tiresome work of the backroom team. Men’s team manager Stewy Bell and his new assistant Albert James were naturally delighted with the day’s results as were women’s team manager Lynn Cooper and her new assistant Bernadette Caygill. Well done to them all and to all the parents and supporters who got behind every NE competitor whether at the sharp end or not. The journey home was a joy after all that and just to add a sprinkling of gold dust to the day Newcastle managed to hammer Southampton for a badly-needed three points!

Bill McGuirk
NEHL Reporter

Photos - Vicki Thompson, Dave Woodhead
Video - Mark Hookway

Full results here

NEHL Alnwick Castle - Report

MAGICAL DAY FOR THE WIZARDS OF WALLSEND

AFTER a number of false starts the Start Fitness North East Harrier League eventually got back on track with the annual fixture hosted by Alnwick Harriers under the beautiful backdrop of Alnwick Castle.

And it turned out to be welcome return to action for around 1,000 eager competitors relishing the challenge of the Northumberland hills, strong winds, an occasional heavy shower and, of course, the inevitable mud patches though they were no way near the conditions for those who lined up in the National the previous weekend in Nottingham.

While there was plenty to smile about at the end of the day – plenty celebration cakes as well - for Wallsend Harriers it was exceptional for first home in the senior women’s race was Alex Hemsley while Sam Charlton showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals to come out on top in the senior men’s contest which meant a double celebration at the end of the day for the green and golds.

SENIOR WOMEN

Alex Hemsley defied logic by leading throughout the five-mile contest in what was her Harrier League debut. At one stage the Wallsend athlete resembled a scared rabbit as she took an early lead which she extended with every stride and by the midway stage was nearly a minute clear of Heaton’s Rachel Barnes with Alnwick’s Lisa Baston following behind just ahead of Ponteland’s Ray Smedley. Going out into the country for the final time Alex showed no signs of giving up the advantage though the leading medium and fast pack runners were making inroads into her lead. However, the advantage was too great for her to be caught and at the finish she had extended her lead to nearly a minute-and-a-half over Rachel as Alex’s team-mate Jennifer Berry had worked her way into third place running from the medium pack as fast-pack runner Danielle Smythe (Heaton) followed her home in fourth place from the fast pack to post the quickest time of the day.

Morpeth, led by Jane Hodgson in fifth place, won the Division One team race ahead of Heaton and Tyne Bridge while Wallsend, bidding to reclaim a top division place for next season, topped the Division Two scorings ahead of Durham City and Jesmond Joggers. Newcastle University won the Division Three team race followed by Ponteland Runners and Claremont.

SENIOR MEN

Three 2.8-mile laps faced the 350-strong field and it was Newcastle University’s Jack Douglas who quickly opened up a significant advantage on the first circuit and when he crossed the starting point to go out for a second time he had a 12-second cushion over Sunderland pair Nathan Reed and Michael Edwards who were determined to keep the Wearsiders’ title challenge on track. Birtley’s Andrew Beevers was next followed by Durham City’s Will Lindsey, all five taking advantage of the two-and-a-half and five minutes start respectively over the chasing medium and fast packs.

Things changed slightly as the athletes came into view for a second time before setting off on the final lap. Wallsend’s Sam Charlton, running from the medium pack, had eased into the lead by a few metres with Douglas in a comfortable second place ahead of the Sunderland duo who were still running shoulder-to-shoulder in third and fourth, Beevers was fifth and Lindsay sixth as Newcastle University’s Chris Larkin was cutting through the handicap from the fast pack just outside the top 20.

On the final lap Charlton, who was having his first cross-country race – his first as a senior athlete - since the North Eastern Counties Championships upped the tempo all the way to the finish to ease across the line over a minute-and-a-half ahead of Douglas as Reed eventually got the better of team-mate Edwards to claim the third-place award. Claremont’s Kris Axon, running from the medium pack, finished fifth with Charlton’s university team-mate Larkin, winner at Aykley Heads before Christmas, completing the top six. Charlton proved to be the fastest on the course with Larkin second quickest with Gateshead’s Conrad Franks next fastest after working his way through the field to finish in 10^th place.

Charlton, who last year swept the board both locally and nationally, at under-17 level was pleased with his performance as he bids to retain his English Schools’ title in Liverpool in two week’s time.

“I have to be happy with that for I didn’t really know what to expect after being out injured since the North Easterns,’’ said Charlton immediately after the race. “I’ve had to miss out all of the championship races this winter due to a knee injury but thankfully, things are looking much better now. The plan was to go hard on the first lap, ease off on the second, then, if everything was ok, push on again on the third lap. I think I got carried away a bit on the second lap but everything is coming together before defending my schools’ title after missing out on so much training that is logically the one to go for as it gives me the most time to get as close to 100% fit as possible.’’

Sunderland duly won the Division One team race ahead of Wallsend with Gateshead in third place while Gosforth came out on top in Division Two ahead of Birtley and Ponteland as Houghton led the way in Division Three ahead of Jesmond Joggers and Blyth.

AGE GROUP RACES

UNDER-17/20 WOMEN

Tess Graham (Birtley) and Blaydon’s Cecilia Reid worked their way through the field from the medium pack to claim first and second places respectively with Tess getting the verdict by four seconds. The pair were followed home by Morpeth’s Sophie Coaker and Elswick’s Emily Allison. The leading four finishers were all contesting the younger age group while Chester-le-Street’s Ella Duffield, who finished in fifth place, was the leading under-20. In a tight team race, Blaydon came out on top by finishing just one point ahead of Elswick with Morpeth a close up third.

UNDER-17 MEN

Morpeth’s Dylan Gooding led throughout to claim a comfortable victory running from the slow pack. Gateshead’s Jack Garrett held second place before being caught in the closing stages by Houghton’s Samuel Gibson, who, after giving 2min 5sec start away, was rewarded with the fastest time of the day. Garrett held onto third place finishing just four seconds ahead of Sunderland’s Alexander Seed who just held off the fast-finishing Dylan Davies (Morpeth) who was rewarded with the second fastest figures behind Gibson. Gooding led Morpeth to team victory finishing ahead of Houghton and Sunderland.

UNDER-15 GIRLS

Birtley’s Katie Francis defied a 1min 40sec handicap to wind her way through the field to finish in pole position. Alnwick’s Ellie Price was a long-time leader but was caught close to home so had to settle for the runners-up award. Gosforth’s Alice Lewis finished third with Millie Breese (Alnwick), with the second fastest time of the day, crossing the line in fourth position. Alnwick won the team contest finishing comfortably ahead of Blackhill Bounders and Birtley.

UNDER-15 BOYS

Chris Perkins bounced back in the most positive way after his third place in last weekend’s National Championships in Nottingham. The Birtley athlete, like team-mate Kate Francis, defied a 1min 40sec penalty to come home in pole position. Unfortunately, Matthew Burton (South Shields) who had led for most of the way, was disqualified for having run from the wrong pack. Blaydon’s Joseph Lonergan crossed the line in third place closely followed by Morpeth’s Ryan Davies who was rewarded with the second fastest time of the day behind Perkins. Morpeth won the team race finishing ahead of Gosforth and Sunderland.

UNDER-13 GIRLS

The first seven home all defied a 1min 40sec handicap with victory going to Durham City’s Charlotte Dillon who won comfortably by 45 seconds to finish ahead of Billingham Marsh House’s Sophie Quinn with Elswick’s Poppy Wilde crossing the line in third place a further 11 seconds adrift. Gateshead came out on top in the team race with Gosforth second and Elswick third.

UNDER-13 BOYS

The first three home took advantage of a 1min 40sec start to claim the awards. Victory went to Durham City’s William Jardine who finished 25 seconds clear of Houghton’s Thomas Pigford with Sam Livingstone (Morpeth) a further 31 seconds behind in third place. Fastest on the course was Gateshead’s Theo Dragoi who managed to weave his way through the field to finish in fourth place. Morpeth came out on top in the team stakes finishing ahead of Gateshead and Birtley.

UNDER-11

Once again the ‘Try Cross-Country’ runs are proving extremely popular with 47 lining up in the girls event and 56 in the boys contest. In the girls competition it proved to be the closest race of the day with the timing system unable to split Millie Moat (Gosforth) and Durham City’s Grace Carter with the judges deciding that Millie was fractionally ahead at the line. Blyth’s Niamh Adams led the charge for third place just four seconds behind the leading duo.

It was a similar situation in the boys race with the leading pair, Gateshead’s Alex Lienard and Rob Walton (Morpeth) both being given the same time as they crossed the line. Once again a difficult decision for the judges but Alex was given the verdict as Birtley’s Noah Williamson claimed the third place medal.

*Grateful thanks go to Alnwick Harriers for going about in their unflappable way to give competitors the chance of a great day’s sport. On the back of hosting the North Eastern Counties XC  Championships in December once again everyone involved did a superb job.

Bill McGuirk
NEHL Reporter

Photos: Stuart Whitman, Emily James, John Geddes, Paul Dixon

Results available at harrierleague.com