From Brough Law to Kielder, a busy weekend for the Harriers

On a glorious morning Steve Patterson finished 20th of over 150 finishers in 44.18, whilst Steve Studley finished the five mile race in 51.51 to finish 69th.

Also that day, three Harriers were in action in the Kielder Dark Skies 14. John Cuthbert ran a superb race to finish 12th overall in 1.59.14, one place ahead of Adam Fletcher in 1.59.38. Laura McLean Jr was 100th in 2.34.01.

On Saturday morning last week’s North East Harrier cross country hero Dan Leng was in action in the Beeston Parkrun, near Nottingham. Dan ran comfortably the fastest 5k of the year by a Harrier so far to finish third in a brilliant 16.57.

At the Rising Sun Parkrun, Wallsend Mike Henry ran 24.58 to finish first in the male 65 category in 24.58, whilst up at the Camperdown Parkrun, Dundee Neil Hamilton was 16th in 22.17.

Close to home a large number of Harriers descended on Druridge Bay to take part in the parkrun, which was held in decent conditions for seemingly the first time this year!

It was a good morning for the Junior Harriers as Ollie Telfer was the first of three to gain course personal bests. Ollie knocked just over a minute off his previous best to finish an amazing second in 18.26. In 10th was Joseph Godden, whilst slightly further back Euan Friend was the third of the successful Juniors round in 24.31. Also of note new Harrier Jo Powell was third female finisher, whilst another new recruit Ian Stephenson completed his 100th parkrun!

Results: 2-Ollie Telfer 18.26 (76.94%); 10-Joseph Godden 20.31 (70.67%); 17-Tim Falconer 21.15; 22-David Barnes 22.02; 34-Chris Friend 24.17; 37-Jo Powell 24.22; 38-Euan Friend 24.31; 41-Robert Stephenson 25.03 (54.69%); 43-Chris Stewart 25.10 (53.84%); 45-Ian Stephenson 25.28 (61.39%); 66-Kim Bronze 27.59 (55.39%); 83-David Cooper 29.24 (59.30%); 84-Peter Embleton 29.24 (58.11%); 115-Lorna Stephenson 33.28 (48.90%); 123-Rebecca Heeley 34.41; 147-Graham Syers 42.11.

Last weekend three Harriers headed across the Pennines to Lancaster on Sunday to tackle the Trimpell 20, a popular training race for those taking part in spring marathons. Richard Johnson ran an impressive 2.05.52 to finish a superb eighth overall, whilst John Cuthbert was 104th in 2.38.01 and Laura McLean Jr was 255th in 3.04.06.

The previous day Andy Stephenson was in action in the Hardmoors 55, a race from Helmsley to Guisborough, in what he described as the worst weather he’d ever encountered with a wind chill factor of -16. Andy finished in 13.06.40 which was over two and a half hours faster than last year, a brilliant performance. The weather was so bad that the local mountain rescue team were called into action to help over 100 runners after it was deemed unsafe.

Also that day at a cold and muddy Druridge Bay Alice Tetley-Paul was first female finisher in 23.23 to finish 13th overall. Also for the ladies Mel Steer was third finisher, whilst for the chaps David Barnes was 11th overall.