Two Harriers compete in the English XC Championships

Two Alnwick Harriers were in action at the English National Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday.

In the Senior Womens race Diana Weightman tackled the very muddy 8k course and placed a very good 466th of nearly 800 runners in 41.50.

Meanwhile. Dan Leng took part in the 10k Junior Mens race, finishing 138th of the 211 runners in 38.37.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier that day at Druridge Bay Carole Page was first finisher for an amazing 25th time, her fifth victory in six races!

Second female home was a brand new Harrier in Alice Tetley-Paul, whilst the third lady was Laura McLean Sr.

For the men Peter Grey was winner of the male 55 category in ninth place, whilst David Hindmarsh was 15th and Junior Harrier Robert Stephenson was 49th.

Results: 9-Peter Grey 19.56 (79.77%); 15-David Hindmarsh 21.33 (71.31%); 17-Carole Page 21.45; 22-Alice Tetley-Paul 23.14; 49-Robert Stephenson 26.47; 71-Laura McLean Sr 28.03 (62.86%); 112-Graham Crowe 31.48; 134-Jayne McKenna 35.24; 145-Lorna Stephenson 38.04.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In other events Zoe Robson was 146th in 24.16 at the Nonsuch Parkrun in Surrey, Richard Eastoe was 26th at Workington in 25.23 and Melanie Buchanan was 190th in 32.08 at the Panshanger Parkrun, near Welwyn Garden City.

Also that day, three Harriers took part in the Northumberland leg of the Endurancelife Coastal Trail Race series. In the half marathon between Craster and Bamburgh Pauline Aitchison was 93rd in 2.04.09 and John Ross was 231st in 2.37.02. Meanwhile, Tania Conway was 52nd in the 10k in 1.05.58.

Finally for the weekend Gay and Richard Eastoe took part in the Cumberland AC organised Netherhall 10 at Maryport on Sunday. Gay was victorious in the female 60 age group in 1.37.40, whilst husband Richard was one second further back.

On Saturday, February 18, a decent number of Harriers turned out for the Druridge Bay Parkrun.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The highlight for Alnwick was Rachelle Falloon winning the ladies race in an excellent 19.41, the new fastest 5k of the year by a Harrier. Also amongst the ladies, Carole Page was third finisher and Mel Steer was fourth. For the men there was a decent battle between Tim Falconer and David Hindmarsh which Tim won, whilst David Henderson was winner in the male 60 age group!

Results: 13-Rachelle Falloon 19.41; 18-Tim Falconer 20.40 (73.15%); 22-David Hindmarsh 21.05 (72.89%); 27-Carole Page 21.31; 33-Dave Henderson 22.39 (70.79%); 44-Mel Steer 23.29 (69.69%); 52-Paul Robinson 23.59; 65-Kim Bronze 25.21 (60.62%); 77-John Ross 26.19; 87-Mairi Campbell 26.49 (63.27%); 104-Neil Hamilton 28.22; 136-Stuart Bruce 31.18.

In other parkruns Mark and Ruth Doctor both ran well at the Ellenbrook Fields Parkrun in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Mark was 15th overall in 21.01 and Ruth was 42nd in 24.47.

Richard Eastoe was 44th at the Workington Parkrun in 24.50 and Nell Gair was 132nd at Newark in 33.19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The following day Richard Johnson put in a storming performance to finish 22nd in a huge field at the Great North West half Marathon in Blackpool. Furthermore he ran a big personal best of 1.21.11 which is comfortably the quickest half marathon of the year by a Harrier.