In-form Jo sets a new female club record in Berlin Marathon

Alnwick Harriers' Jo Gascoigne-Owens took part in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday and in doing so smashed her own female marathon club record!

The previous record was set by her at Chicago back in the autumn of 2014 when she ran 2.55.51, however in the heat of Berlin she sliced six minutes off her previous best to clock 2.49.45. Jo was 19th female overall and was 1st British female finisher.

North of the border there were another three Harriers in marathon action at Loch Ness. Dave Bartrum finished in a fraction over four hours, whilst wife Maureen and Shelley Coates also took part.

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Results: 864-Dave Bartrum 4.00.59; 1209-Maureen Bartrum 4.22.03; 1598-Shelley Coates 4.41.17.

Seven Harriers took part in the latest of the 2016 Grand Prix events, the Haltwhistle Half Marathon.

On a generally flat course Phil Hemsley ran the fastest half marathon of the year by a male Harrier, finishing the 13.1 miles in 1.21.37. This was enough to see him finish fifth overall and win the male 50 category.

Tim Falconer also ran well to finish in 20th place, with Paul Godden about three minutes behind Tim. A special mention should go to Sarah Cross and Adam Spiller who arrived late but still finished in under two hours!

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Results: 5-Phil Hemsley 1.21.37; 20-Tim Falconer 1.32.08 26-Paul Godden 1.35.24; 72-David Hindmarsh 1.48.43; 102-Sarah Cross 1.57.35; 103-Adam Spiller 1.57.35; 127-John Ross 2.06.60.

Two Harriers were in half marathon action that day as well. Katie Blackburn was in the south west at the Great Bristol Half Marathon where she finished in 2.10.15, whilst Ian McAllister took part in the Trail Outlaws organised Penshaw Half Marathon near Sunderland finishing in 2.30.14.

Last but by no means least for the day Peter GREY was representing the club at the SCA Prudhoe Miners 10k.

Peter put in his usual excellent performance to easily scoop the male 55 category victory. He finished 11th of over 150 runners in 40.48.

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The day before the club was represented at seven different parkruns.

The fastest 5k was achieved by Jordan Rogerson at the Newcastle Parkrun where he finished an excellent fourth of 553 runners in 18.29.

The fastest 5k by the ladies was by a brand new member in Rachelle Falloon at the Cambridge Parkrun.

Rachelle is an ex-Blyth RC member who studies in Cambridge. She has suffered from injury issues of late though this didn’t stop her finishing third female in 20.49!

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At Workington Gay Eastoe was 1st in the female 60 category, though husband Richard missed out on winning his! Elsewhere Phil Lee was in action at Whitley Bay, Kirtsy Steed at Durham and Stuart Bruce at the Rising Sun Parkrun.

At Druridge Bay Allan Foggon was fourth finisher in a course best of 20.27, whilst Neil Hamilton was 15th in 22.14.

Justine Norman performed well once again to finish third female, whilst Laura McLean Sr was first in the female 50 age group!

Results: 4-Allan Foggon 20.27 (63.08%); 15-Neil Hamilton 22.14; 25-Justine Norman 23.43 (66.97%); 28-Mel Steer 24.25 (67.03%); 60-John Ross 27.38 (57.54%); 63-Laura McLean Sr 27.43 (63.62%); 97-Melanie Buchanan 31.04; 122-Jayne McKenna 33.35; 139-Lorna Stephenson 39.59.

Newcastle: 4-Jordan Rogerson 18.29.

Cambridge: 63-Rachelle Falloon 20.49.

Whitley Bay: 188-Phil Lee 28.04.

Durham: 349-Kirsty Steed 51.57.

Workington: 45-Richard Eastoe 24.56; 56-Gay Eastoe 26.45.

Rising Sun: 127-Stuart Bruce 28.40.