Jacob mainly earned his award for his truly outstanding performance
at the North of England Cross Country Championships, held at Pontefract,
where he finished fifteenth, and was Morpeth Harriers best placed Young Athlete on the day,
and in addition was second overall from the region in his age group.
He is pictured above with his certificate, which was presented to him at
Morpeth Harriers clubhouse, alongside Club Chairman Bill Woods.

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OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
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NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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It also however, saw a good day at the office for Morpeth Harriers,
who won Gold Medals in the Senior Womens Championship, and Bronze in the Senior Mens event.

The clubs Senior Women were largely spurred by the excellent second leg
by a returning Laura Weightman, who very easily clocked the days
fastest time of 11m49s for the total of 2.25mile distance.

It was Weightman's first competitive team outing for sometime,
and she certainly showed everyone present what they had been missing,
as she stormed into a superb thirty eight second lead following
Gemma Floyd's first leg clocking of 14m04s, which had seen her come
home in seventh place behind eventual third placed Durham City.

Closest to Weightman's time was her Morpeth Harriers clubmate Morag Stead,
who very clearly enjoyed the personal glory that brought them home to a final leg victory,
with a clocking of 13m00s, after Maxine Czarneka's third leg clocking of 13m39s,
had seen the squad forge a sixty five second marginal lead over early leaders Durham City,
which increased to over three minutes after Stead`s final leg effort.

Morpeth Harriers Senior Womens B team finished well in twelfth place overall, and were first B in the event.
Their fastest performer was Kate Chapman, who clocked 14m50s on the final leg,
following on from Ailsa McGregor (15m28s), Maria Drosdowicz (15m50s), and Pam Woodcock (17m18s).

Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens team, who on the day were not as strong as they would have wished,
put up a good sound performance by finishing third behind winners New Marske,
and 2011 title holders Gateshead Harriers.
The added fact that throughout the 6 x 2.25mile event they were never outside the top four,
and David Swinburne's faith in the squad that he had available to him was well repaid
by their stringent efforts to achieve.

It also marked two Morpeth Harriers championship debuts for Eoun Everard,
and former Jarrow and Hebburn and Coventry Godiva Harrier Simon O'Donnell.

Everard got matters boiling along very nicely on first leg,
when coming home in third place and eighteen seconds
behind early leader Mark Shaw of New Marske,
and only three seconds adrift of Gateshead's Callum Johnson,
with his clocking of 10m55s, which would eventually give him
ninth equal overall fastest on the day.

Morpeth Harriers second leg runner Michael Dawson swiftly took
his club into second place at the expense of Gateshead,
and had cut New Marske's lead now to a slender nine seconds
following his excellent third fastest of the leg clocking of 11m26s.

Debutant Simon O'Donnell tried to make some inroads on this,
however he found tough young opposition around him in the
form of Gateshead's Lewis Hogg, and Richmond and Zetland's Doug Roberts,
as he slipped back into fourth spot at the end of his 11m30s effort.

Morpeth Harriers fourth leg runner Lewis Timmins did redress the issue somewhat however,
as he managed to pull out an excellent run in getting round in 10m46s,
fastest of the leg, which was also his clubs fastest performance on the day,
as he stormed back into second place behind new leaders Gateshead,
having disposed of New Marske.

This was all short-lived however, as Morpeth's fifth leg runner Ben Harrison
had the International talents of New Marske's Ricky Stevenson to match up to.
Harrison did fight however, as he produced the legs fourth fastest time of 11m46s,
to come home in third place.

As runners went into the final leg, it was now New Marske holding
just under a minute lead over Gateshead,
with Morpeth just under a minute further adrift.

Matt Nicholson on Morpeth's final leg, tried again to make some inroads on the leaders,
and despite his strenuous ninth equal fastest clocking of 10m55s,
he still couldn't manage to gain any further ground,
and was forced to settle for Bronze medal placing.

Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens B team produced a creditable
performance to finish in seventeenth place overall,
and were third B team in the event.
Their fastest performer was Neil Wilkinson on first leg,
whose clocking of 11m29s gave him ninth fastest on the leg.

Other B team performers were John Butters (12m27s),
Thomas Straughan (12m32s),
Steve Bradley (13m29s),
Chris Waugh (15m58s),
and David Swinburne (12m11s)

An incomplete Morpeth Harriers Veterans A team,
saw Alistair MacDonald and Les Cavill clock 13m09s,
and 15m52s respectively.

Click here for complete results

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Athlete of the Month Award !
2012 Grand Prix News !
The Buttermere Round !
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NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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Please note that the races are now grouped into three categories, A, B or C;
you will need one qualifying race in each of the three categories by the end of the season.
One Park Run in category A may be counted.

Scores will now be calculated using Age Graded tables.
A copy of the formula used to do this can be found online
This will ensure that you can choose your best performances,
irrespective of the number of other Harriers competing.

New Grand Prix Rules

Please can we encourage as many of you as possible to take part this year:
the Grand Prix is aimed at encouraging participation by members of
Morpeth Harriers in a good variety of local races and ensuring a high standard of competition.
You can sign up on the noticeboard in the club house or by sending your details to the website.

Finally, a big thanks once again to Pam and Tony Woodcock
for six years of sponsoring the Grand Prix and a warm welcome
to Phil Walker who is now stepping into the breach.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Athlete of the Month Award !
The Buttermere Round !
North Eastern Counties Royal Signals Road Relays !
Gateshead College Indoor Athletics Meeting !
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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The Buttermere Round, which as indicated is a round circuit from
Keswick to Buttermere and back, which involves some very tough
and undulating terrain to be encountered,
and.amongst the aforesaid competitors were two Morpeth Harriers.

The event was won by Altrincham's Andy Norman in a time of 2hr12m50s,
and approximately fifteen minutes later he was followed home by Gordon Dixon,
who was first Over 50 Man in 2hr27m45s, finishing sixth overall.
Morpeths Mike Winter finished 32nd in 2hr47m59s, and was ninth Over 40 Male.

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Jonathan clocked 28m34s, and finished two places ahead of
Stockport's former Sunderland Harrier Patrick Martin.

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Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Asics Alsager 5 !
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Asics Alsager 5 !
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Asics Alsager 5 !
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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Despite a cold chilly wind, the area seemed to escape the worst
of the wintry conditions that threatened to engulf the country,
and organisers were cheered that they were able to offer conditions
that were manageable with care in places.

Pride of place amongst the Morpeth Harriers performances
must go to their Under 15 Boys squad, who more or less cemented
their place at the top of the seasons Grand Prix standings
with an outstanding team victory on the day.

With leading light, and North East Cross Country
champion Phil Winkler out through injury,
it was left to Elliot Kelly to lead the clubs charge,
and despite suffering the effects of a heavy cold,
he put in a tremendous performance to finish a superb individual third,
and as second fastest on the day overall.

Next home was Ryan Green, who finished seventh, and as fifth fastest on the day.
Green was largely spurred on at the finish, by the sight of his Morpeth Harriers clubmate Jared Lewis,
who it has to be said gave a very polished individual performance to finish ninth,
and only two seconds adrift of Green.Lewis was sixth fastest on the course.
Kelly and Green currently lie second and third in the Grand Prix standings individually.

Jonnie Nisbet made light work of an easy victory in a
sparsely contested Under 17 Mens event,
where he won with twelve seconds to spare over his closest rival.
Unfortunately club colleague Phil Caldwell suffered a recurrence of injury,
and was forced to pull out during the second lap.
Meanwhile Sam Hancox bravely fought his problems to finish 13th.

Morpeth Harriers Senior Men continued their fight at the top of Division 1
by finishing third from the Division on the day behind Sunderland and Gateshead.
They now lie in second place, and one point behind Gateshead,
with Sunderland Harriers further adrift by five points in third.

Thomas Straughan, having his first Harrier League outing,
excelled in finishing in sixth place from the Slow Pack, and led the Morpeth squad home.
He now finds himself promoted to the Medium Pack for the remainder of the season.

Another Morpeth Harrier who sees himself promoted is John Woods,
who came home in tenth place from the Slow Pack,
and the same applies to Morpeth Harriers third finisher Mick Thomsen,
who came home in 21st place from the Slow Pack.
Just missing out on a promotion is Morpeth's fourth finisher Stephen Bradley,
who finished 33rd from the Slow Pack.
Alistair MacDonald was the clubs fifth finisher
in 90th place overall from the Slow Pack,
and the Morpeth Harriers scoring count was completed
with Mike Hegarty coming home in 127th place from the Medium Pack.

Other Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens performances were as follows
Paul Waterston (154th) (Fast Pack), Les Cavill (195th) (Slow Pack),
Richard Kirby (201st) (Slow Pack), and Chris Waugh (209th) (Medium Pack).

In the Senior Womens event, Morpeth Harriers Gemma Floyd
and Jane Hodgson both produced outstanding runs.
Gemma, running from the Slow Pack battled throughout
on this her first Harrier League outing, to finish an excellent second.

Meanwhile Jane pulled out all the stops, to once again
clock the fastest time of the day when placing fourth.

Morpeth Harriers Under 13 Boys maintained their second place
in the grand prix standings, when finishing as second on the day
Also maintaining their second and third placings in the individual standings
were Jacob Hopkins and Kieran Hedley, who finished fifth and eleventh
on the day respectively from the Fast Pack.
Further team support came from an excellent Slow Pack
run from Samuel Williams, who finished 22nd.

Other Morpeth finishers in this event were Philip Kirby (25th) (Fast Pack),
Euan Jones (27th) (Fast Pack), and Lewis James (46th) (Slow Pack).

Hannah Sheerin and Charlotte Jewell both had good runs in the Under 15 Girls event,
which saw them place second and fourth from the Slow Pack.
Excellent runs by Teegan Dryden (4th) (Slow Pack), Georgia Priest (10th) (Slow Pack),
and Harriet Grace (19th) (Slow Pack), saw Morpeth Harriers Under 13 Girls
finish in third team place on the day behind Birtley and Elswick.

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Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Asics Alsager 5 !
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Asics Alsager 5 !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Asics Alsager 5 !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Asics Alsager 5 !
News From Australia (2)
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

Return To Top Of Page

WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Campeonato De Espana De Veteranos Meeting !
Liversedge Half Marathon !
Asics Alsager 5 !
Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League ( 4 )
Asics Alsager 5 !
Blackmoor Lions Half Marathon !
OTHER NEWS FROM FEBRUARY....
NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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Batochir's 2hrs11m05s may have been no match for the rampant Njoroge,
however the new figures see an improvement of 30 seconds on his previous best,
set in last years Flora London Marathon,
and sees this as his second podium finish of the year in Japan.

It was also his fifth Marathon in 10 months following on from the aforementioned London,
the World Championships in Daegu, Bejing, and his recent victory in Hofu.

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Park Run !
UK Inter Counties Championships Selection !
2012 Grand Prix News !
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That is not to say that the event went without its problems,
as certain parts of the course were frozen and rutted,
and bordered upon being dangerous to say the least,
and athletes were forced into extra careful action when needed.

Nevertheless the event went ahead as planned,
and several athletes from Morpeth Harriers were amongst
Northumberland School's leading performers.

Ryan Green, who had won the area Championship at South Shields for Junior Boys,
finished a good second to Cleveland's Henry Johnson on this occasion,
with only nineteen seconds dividing the pair at the finish.
Fellow Morpeth Harriers Jacob Hopkins and Jared Lewis also competed well in this age group,
when finishing in 7th and 15th places respectively, as fifth and seventh from the county.

In the Minor Boys, Morpeth Harrier Kieran Hedley led Northumberland home by placing third.
Fourth counter home for the county was Philip Kirby, who finished 24th.

Jonnie Nisbet was another podium placed athlete,
when finishing third and first for the county,
behind Gateshead's Barry Maskell in the Senior Boys event.
Phil Caldwell also ran well in this age group,
to finish as fourth for Northumberland in 16th place overall.

One athlete not so lucky in the tricky conditions was Under 15 Boys
North Eastern Champion Phillip Winkler, who may well have prematurely
ended his winter cross country campaign, when he took a heavy tumble
when negotiating a rutted area, and may well have damaged ankle ligaments.

Thankfully a hospital examination afterwards revealed no break,
however he did return home on crutches, and faces what is possibly
a lengthy period of incapacity, which is likely to blight both his own,
and his clubs immediate plans for success.
Phillip did however manage to hobble bravely to the finish line in order to
complete as a very creditable second for Northumberland in eighth place overall.
Morpeth's Elliot Kelly continued his excellent run of form, to come home
in 19th place overall, as the county's second counter.

Another Morpeth Harrier continuing an excellent run of form is Alison Brown,
who has had a very tough season, and the Berwick based starlet certainly repaid her selectors,
when finishing third for Northumberland, and 10th overall in the Intermediate Girls event.
Other Morpeth Harriers to feature in this event were Beth Wooley (31st) (8th North),
Hannah Sheerin (41st) (11th North), Josie McReton (50th) (13th North),
and Sarah Wilkes (53rd) (14th North).

In the Senior Girls event Morpeth Harriers Ailsa McGregor and Hannah Rank
finished 10th and 18th respectively, as third and fifth for Northumberland.

In the Minor Girls event, Morpeth's Teegan Dryden finished 22nd, as fourth from the county.
Chloe Robertson and Lizzie Rank finished 30th and 36th and were fifth and seventh from the county.

Finally the Junior Girls event saw Morpeth Harriers Charlotte Jewell and Amber Cormack
place 34th and 53rd as eleventh and fourteenth for Northumberland.
At the time of going to press final team results are awaiting confirmation.

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McCormick clocked a seasons best of 13m32.88, finishing six seconds ahead of fellow Brit,
and current training partner Andy Vernon, of Aldershot and Farnham, who finished fifth.

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Clocking 15m24s for the 5k circuit, although he was a good
fourteen seconds outside his best for the course,
he still managed to come home 67 seconds clear of his closest rival.

Fellow Morpeth Harrier Thomas Straughan was second home
from the club in ninth spot, and agonisingly just four
seconds adrift of his best with his time of 17m40s.

By contrast John Butters managed a new personal best of 18m12s
for the course when finishing 15th.

Finally Marie Drosdowicz came home as 9th lady in 92nd place in 21m52s.

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The following Morpeth Harriers have been included in their final selections.

SENIOR MEN
Matt Nicholson, Lewis Timmins, and Jonny Taylor.

UNDER 17 MEN
Jonnie Nisbet.

UNDER 15 BOYS
Philip Winkler and Elliot Kelly.

UNDER 13 BOYS
Jacob Hopkins and Kieran Hedley.

SENIOR WOMEN
Jane Hodgson.

UNDER 20 WOMEN
Ailsa McGregor and Hannah Rank

The following are currently selected as non travelling reserves.
Peter Newton and Ross Floyd (Senior Men),
Emma Pearson (Senior Women),
and Alison Brown (Under 15 Girls).

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Beppu-Oita Marathon !
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The infrequently used West Yorkshire track, provided an excellent
and most dramatic backdrop for hundreds of runners from various Northern Athletic clubs
who descended on its territory, and the event was duly blessed with continued January sunshine
that prevailed throughout, and runners greatly appreciated the underfoot conditions,
that had been described in true racing terms beforehand by Race Referee Kevin Carr, as good to firm.

Those conditions surprisingly remained throughout the ten race programme,
which made athletes very much appreciative of the venue,
a factor clearly echoed by Senior Women, who being the ninth event on the day
would have normally experienced the heaviest of surfaces.

Amongst those Senior Women in their two lap 8k event was Morpeth Harrier Jane Hodgson,
who truly revelled in finishing seventh overall, and second from the North East
behind Durham City’s North East Champion Rosie Smith,
who ran excellently to finish fourth, just missing out on an individual Bronze by a mere 15 seconds.
Hodgson’s own performance also saw her only ninety seconds adrift of medals,
and was indeed tenacious to say the least.

Morpeth Harriers finished a very creditable ninth of twenty five closing teams,
and were again second from the region behind Durham City.
The supporting performances to Hodgson came from Emma Pearson (52nd),
Kate Chapman (94th), and Marie Drozdowicz (153rd ).

Morpeth Harriers Senior Men were undoubtedly the regions best performers
in their three lap 12k event by finishing seventh of 52 closing teams,
although final results may see them elevated to fifth.

Former Under 17 Mens Northern Cross Country Champion Lewis Timmins led them home,
having an excellent hardworking run throughout to finish in a very creditable tenth place overall,
and as second from the region behind New Marske’s Andy Wiles,
who finished just outside the individual medals.

Timmins’s outstanding performance was well supported by Matt Nicholson (23rd),
who had been well up with the leaders as they entered the second circuit,
Sam Forester, who had flown in from Germany in support of his club,
can feel well pleased with his placing of 54th in such company,
and North of England 10, 000metres Track Champion Peter Newton,
battled hard to come through to finish 64th.

Morpeth Harriers next finisher was Ross Floyd,
whose actual finishing position is undetermined at the time of going to press,
and finally Ben Harrison gave a dogged performance to finish in the top 100
by finishing 98th to complete the scoring count.

Other Morpeth Harriers finishers in the Senior Mens event were as follows
Gary Jones (116th), Neil Gunstone (117th), Paul Waterston (213th),
Michael Thomsen (250th), Gordon Dixon (347th).
There were 685 recorded finishers in the Senior Mens event.

In the Under 13 Boys 3.1k one lap event, Morpeth’s Jacob Hopkins battled tenaciously throughout,
and was quite prominent amongst the leaders in the early stages.
He eventually came home in 15th place overall, and as second from the region
behind Gateshead’s second placed Markhim Lonsdale,
but Hopkins was only a mere thirty seconds adrift of the
Bronze medal placing such was the strength of competition around him.

Morpeth Harriers team placing of ninth of seventeen closing teams
in the Under 13 Boys was very creditable, and was very much due to the excellent run of Hopkins,
supported by the equally excellent and perhaps surprising performance of Kieran Hedley,
who after spending nearly ten days in sick bay following a bout of influenza,
turned out in support of his club.
Hedley’s performance was a very much valued contribution
as he came home an individual 45th, and eighth from the region.
Further Morpeth team support came from excellent runs
from Philip Kirby (101st ), and Euan Jones (113th).

Morpeth Harriers best team achievement on the day undoubtedly came from their Under 15 Boys,
who led home by North Eastern Champion Philip Winkler finished in fourth place of sixteen closing teams,
and agonisingly just outside team Bronze medals.

Winkler who was always prominent in their one lap 4k event,
however may feel a little disappointed individually to finish in seventeenth place,
and third from the region behind Jarrow’s Thomas Coyne (9th),
whom he had out sprinted in the regional championships
at Cramlington, and Sunderland Harrier Joel Jones (12th).
Morpeth’s team count was further supported by Elliot Kelly (37th),
Ryan Green (61st), and Jarod Lewis, who produced one of his best
ever performances to finish 75th in a 158 strong field.

Jonny Nisbet was Morpeth Harriers lone competitor in the Under 17
6.2k event which involved completion of two 3.1k laps.
After a steady start Nisbet carefully made his way through the field,
which had a total of 111 finishers, to finish 18th,
and saw him as third from the region behind North Eastern Champion
Wayne Parker of New Marske (9th), and Gateshead’s Greg Chambers (15th).
On this occasion however North Eastern Bronze medallist Nisbet,
did finish well ahead of the North Eastern Silver medallist,
Gateshead’s Barry Maskell, who after a promising start,
sadly faded to finish in fifty eighth place overall.

At the time of producing this report final results have not been fully clarified,
which means that we cannot confirm the team performance of Morpeth Harriers Under 15 Girls squad,
who despite the first publication of results, which indicated that they had not finished as a team,
they did finish as a full squad, however Charlotte Jewell a key member of the squad
tripped shortly after the start, and unfortunately shed a shoe.
Having recovered her shoe, without the added help of a budding " Prince Charming",
she continued to chase down her rivals, and it is believed that she finished
approximately 100th of what is reported to be a 157 strong field.

If she was rewarded with a final position of 100th, this then when recorded
alongside the finishing positions of Alison Brown (43rd), Hannah Sheerin (122nd),
and Sarah Wilkes (135th), would have given Morpeth Harriers Under 15 Girls
squad a final team placing of fourteenth of eighteen closing teams.

Morpeth Harriers did not have any competing athletes in the Junior Mens,
Under 13 Girls, Under 17 Womens or Under 20 Womens age group events.

Click here for Full Results

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Park Run !
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2012 Grand Prix News !
Terry O’Gara !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
2012 North of England Cross Country Championships !
Borders League Cross Country Meeting !
2012 Grand Prix News !
Terry O’Gara !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
2012 North of England Cross Country Championships !
Park Run !
2012 Grand Prix News !
Terry O’Gara !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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The aim of the Grand Prix competition is twofold: to provide a good standard of competition
within the club while also ensuring high levels of participation by Morpeth Harriers in local races.

After six years of successful sponsorship by Pam and Tony Woodcock Planning Consultants,
this year’s event sees Phil Walker, Chartered Financial Planner, stepping into the breach,

and after a lot of discussion, the format is being adjusted to include
a greater number of races and age-graded scores.

This should mean that you will get a score for the quality of your performance
which is irrespective of how many other members turn out,
and you won’t be looking anxiously over the start line to see
how many of your fellow club runners are participating !
In addition, as age-graded tables are being used,
the competition will now be open to all senior male and female members
who have signed up to take part, whether veterans or not.

The range of races is also being expanded.
Although this will mean more races to choose from –
including your best Park Run of 2012 for the Saturday morning early birds –
the number of races you will have to include to count is being reduced
from its present figure of 10 down to 6.

This means you shouldn’t have to race all the year round and,
if you are unfortunate enough to pick up an injury,
you will still have time to make the requisite number.

Click here to see list of 2012 GP Races

In the meantime, please do think about taking part in 2012.
The first race in the Grand Prix will be the Northumberland Half on 25th March,
so you have plenty of time to get training.

You will of course need to sign up for this year’s competition –
which is free to enter – and we will need dates of birth for the scoring system to work.

Get the ball rolling now by emailing the club with your details
or signing up in the clubhouse soon.

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Beppu-Oita Marathon !
Park Run !
UK Inter Counties Championships Selection !
2012 Grand Prix News !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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Terry O’Gara !

It is with our deepest sadness and regret that we announce
the very untimely death of Wallsend Harriers stalwart and former Secretary,
and recently honoured Veteran International Terry O’Gara.

Terry will indeed be well known, and fondly remembered
by both athletes and officials throughout the region,
both past and present, as being a fierce yet fair competitor in his prime,
and be long admired for his friendliness, and his honourable dedication
to his club and the sport of athletics in general.

For these reasons Terry was recently honoured as an unsung hero
at a recent regional awards ceremony at Newcastle’s Civic Centre,
a very much richly deserved honour.

We are sure that many people will wish to remember Terry
in their own special way in the coming weeks,
at this time all members of Morpeth Harriers would wish
to offer their deepest sympathies to his close family at their very sad loss,
and to all his friends and colleagues at Wallsend Harriers,
on the passing of a very much loyal and inspirational leader.

Terry's funeral took place on Tuesday 31st January 2012,
at St Columbas RC Church in Wallsend.

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---

After holding a close second place throughout the first two legs,
courtesy of Lewis Timmins (8m52s), and Ross Floyd (9m11s),
it was very much thanks to an excellent final leg by Matt Nicholson (8m55s),
who courageously fought out a very close battle with New Marske youngster Mark Shaw,
to come away eventually to secure a three second marginal victory,
with Gateshead A, a further twenty eight seconds adrift in third place.

In the final leg battle between Nicholson and Shaw,
Shaw had tried to shake the Morpeth man off at halfway,
however Matt was having none of it, and eventually managed
to gain a slender lead as the pair returned to face the
wind as they entered the final lap of the two lap effort,
which he maintained all the way to the finish line.

Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens B team, very much spurred by
Jonny Nisbet's first leg clocking of 9m35s, which saw him in tenth place at the stage,
came through to finish an excellent sixth, and as first B team, with further good
efforts coming from Gary Jones (10m00s), and David Swinburne (9m53s).

Neil Gunstone clocked 10m04s for an incomplete Morpeth Harriers C team in the Senior Mens relay.

An excellent first leg clocking of 10m32s, the fastest of the day,
by Ashley Gibson, set Morpeth Harriers Senior Women's A team
well on the way to an outstanding victory in their three stage relay.

The victory was so outstanding, that the legs of Jane Hodgson (10m42s),
and Sarah Wikinson (10m56s), second and third fastest on the day,
saw them take victory by a handsome 160 second margin over Durham University A
team, and a retention of the title that they had won twelve months previous,
with the Morpeth Harriers Senior Womens B team coming home in third spot,
a further sixty seconds adrift.Morag Stead, who had been in the victorious
A team twelve months previous, clocked the B teams fastest time of
11m15s, and that was well supported by Abbie Bagshaw's 11m55s,
and Kate Chapman's 12m40s on the final leg.

Morpeth Harriers Womens C team of Jane Briggs (12m56s),
Claire Bruce (14m12s), and Marie Drosdowicz (13m20s), finished in nineteenth place.

The Veteran Mens relay saw an excellent battle being fought out
at the front by North Shields Poly and Sunderland Harriers,
with the North Tyneside outfit eventually gaining victory over the Wearsiders by twenty one seconds.

However a lot of eyes were very much on the battle for third place,
with Morpeth Harriers Veteran Mens B team eventually winning the day
over the B team by a slender seven second margin.

Indeed it was a battle all the way from first leg,
when Paul Waterston (10m27s), for the B team, came home in fifth place,
and three places ahead of his A team colleague Terry Wall (10m41s).
On second leg, B team runner Phil Walker (10m43s) progressed up to third,
whilst A team runner Michael Thomsen (11m01s), also made progress by moving into fifth.

A very impressive last leg clocking by Chris Waugh (10m15s), fastest Over 50 Veteran Man,
managed to fend off the advances of Morpeth A team runner Neil Wilkinson,
who moved into fourth, following his equally impressive 9m50s,
which eventually emerged as the second fastest overall time,
behind North Shields Poly's Ian Twaddle (9m39s), clocked when he was scenting final leg victory.

Click here for Senior Mens Results

Click here for Veteran Mens Results

Click here for Senior Vets and Womens Results

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Terry O’Gara !
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OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
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WHATS NEW INDEX
Terry O’Gara !
Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays !
Park Runs !
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Terry O’Gara !
Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays !
International XC Race !
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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Ryan Green was a very clear winner of the Junior Boys event,
coming home ahead of Alnwick's Adam Weightman,
with Green's clubmate, and training partner Jacob Hopkins,
securing a well earned third place.

Another Morpeth Harriers winner on the day,
was Minor Girl Teegan Dryden.

In the Minor Boys event Kieron Hedley just lost out
for victory in the final run in, with his Morpeth Harriers
clubmate Philip Kirby bearing down at him at a fast rate of knots,
taking a well earned third place.

Other well placed Morpeth Harriers were Alison Brown,
who took third place in the Intermediate Girls,
and Philip Winkler, and Elliot Kelly,
who finished third and fifth in the Intermediate Boys.

In the Senior Boys event, Philip Caldwell produced an excellent run to finish fifth,
and his Morpeth Harriers clubmate Jack Hepple did well to come home in ninth place.

Additional performances from athletes from Morpeth Harriers.
Minor Boys
Mitchell Green (55th)

Junior Boys
Jarod Lewis (9th),
Sam Foster-Beattie (20th),
Leon Craggs (39th),
James Heppell (43rd),
Kieron Smith (54th)

Intermediate Boys
Henrik Paulsen (35th)

Minor Girls
Chloe Robertson (6th),
Lizzie Rank (7th),
Kate Walker (47th),
Natasha Fleming (52nd)

Junior Girls
Charlotte Jewell (19th),
Ria Fairnington (28th),
Abby Elliot (33rd),
Kirsty Lang (71st)

Intermediate Girls
Beth Woolley (9th),
Helen Sheerin (10th),
Sarah Wilkes (14th),
Josie McCreton (15th),
Paige Capstaff (16th),
Alice Kelly (18th),
Lucy Pargeter (26th)

Senior Girls
Ailsa McGregor (5th),
Hannah Rank (6th)

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North of England Indoor Athletics Championships !
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The North Eastern Counties 400m outdoor Bronze medallist,
running the Indoor 400m Championship for the first time,
unfortunately slightly misjudged the camber during his heat,
and straddled the dividing line at the edge of his lane long enough
to catch the eagle eye of an observing Track Judge,
who in turn issued notice of a disqualification.

This meant immediate elimination from a competition that almost certainly
would have given Robertshaw at least a minor medal to show for his efforts,
as he had more than clearly won his heat by at least five metres,
which in turn would have seen him safely through to the final.

Afterwards a clearly distraught, yet philosophical Robertshaw,
declared that he had taken a great deal of experience from the occasion,
and would hope to put this disappointment behind him as quickly as possible,
and will obviously seek to experience more of this type of event,
in order to gain a wider tactical knowledge for the future.

On the same day, Morpeth Harriers Under 15 Boys sprinter
Alex Nesbit went out in the heats of the 60m when finishing fourth individually,
as fifth fastest overall with 8.07s.

At the second day of the North of England Indoor
Athletics Championships on Sunday 15th January,
Morpeths Alex Nesbit clocked a new personal best,
when finishing second in his heat of the Under 15 Boys 200m, with a time of 25.76s.
Unfortunately 25.81s, could only gain him fifth in the final.

Morpeth's Michael Dawson finished fourth in the final of the Senior Mens 3000m in 8m55.66s.
Jarod Lewis finished third in his heat of the Under 15 Boys 800m in a time of 2m16.71s.
Although this was a personal best, it was still not quite good enough to gain a place in the final.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
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Amongst the 364 finishers were five from Morpeth Harriers,
who were led home by Gary Jones, who finished third in 16m54s,
just short of his best for the 5k circuit.

However one Morpeth Harrier who bettered his previous best was Thomas Straughan.
Having his second run, he managed to clip 62 seconds off his previous best,
when placing eleventh in 17m36s.

Third home was Morpeth's Park Run regular
Graeme Leathard, who finished 44th in 19m40s.

Mike Steven was next home for the club, finishing 91st in 21m12s,
and eight seconds behind him was Marie Drozdowicz,
who gained the extra satisfaction of a new personal best on the course,
when finishing as eleventh Lady overall in 96th place.

At the Leeds Park Run on Saturday 14th January,
Morpeths Laura Weightman finished as first lady, in a time of 16m57s.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
North of England Indoor Athletics Championships !
Mid Lancs Cross Country League !
Xmas Caption Competition Winner !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
North of England Indoor Athletics Championships !
Park Runs !
Xmas Caption Competition Winner !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2011....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2011....

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"Jim, you can stop pumping now,
I need to blow my own tyres up",

was successfull in the Caption Competition.
Phil wins a Bottle of Red Wine.

CONGRATULATIONS,
and thanks to everyone who bothered to enter.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
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Park Runs !
Mid Lancs Cross Country League !
OTHER NEWS FROM JANUARY....
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Philip much deserved his award, particularly for his individual performance
at the North Eastern Cross Country Championships at Cramlington,
where he not only won the Under 15 Boys event with an outstanding
breathtaking finish, after looking to be destined for the Silver medal,
he also encouragingly led the his Clubs squad to an excellent team victory.

Philip is pictured above receiving his Certificate of the award from
Morpeth Harriers Chairman Bill Woods, at the Harriers Clubhouse
on Mitford Road, Morpeth, on Monday 9th January 2012.

He now goes into the pot for a possible more lucrative award later on in the year,
along with previous recipients Joe Robertshaw, Ria Fairnington,
Jonny Nisbet, Ryan Green, and Alison Brown.

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Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country !
Park Runs !
Borders League Cross Country Meeting !
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The Teesside based 10k specialist was a replacement for Belgrave's Phil Wicks,
and he did the Great Britain team, who finished second to the USA proud,
when he came home as fourth counter, behind Team Captain Frank Tickner (5th) 25m55s,
Steve Vernon (7th) 26m00s, and Tom Humphries (8th) 26m07s, in a time of 26m13s,
and not far behind winner Ayad Lamdassem (25m44s), of Spain,
representing Europe, who managed to turn the tables on fellow European Atelaw Bekele,
who on this occasion finished third (25m47s), after he had defeated the
Spaniard at the recent European Cross Country Championships.

Taylor can also feel pleased by the fact that he finished ahead
of previously selected fellow Brits, Keith Gerrard, James Walsh,
James Wilkinson, Derek Hawkins, and Ryan McLeod.

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Athlete of the Month Award !
Park Runs !
Borders League Cross Country Meeting !
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Elsewhere in other Park Run's, Morpeths Andrew Lawrence
recorded an eight second marginal victory in Richmond Park,
London, when he finished in 17m10s.

Whilst stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan,
Morpeth's Craig McBurney took his opportunity to compete
in their Park Run for the first time, where he finished third in 19m09s,
approximately one minute adrift of the event winner.

Meanwhile on slightly more local soil,
Morpeth Over 65 Veteran Paul Bentley finished 57th
in the Durham Park Run in 24m08s.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Athlete of the Month Award !
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Borders League Cross Country Meeting !
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The Benfield Athlete of the Month for November,
finished as first Girl in the combined Young Athletes event,
which covers ages up to and including Under 17 of both genders,
when she finished thirteenth overall, with her time of 11m17s,
being a good thirty eight seconds clear of her nearest girl rival.

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Athlete of the Month Award !
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Mens race winner Harding's only previous experience of the event,
had been in 2005, when he had finished third behind two times winner Nathan Shrubb,
and for Holt, it was her first experience of the event,
and had felt well pleased with her performance.

Photo courtesy of Keith Robertson
Harding crossed the finish line on the Stanners in Morpeth in an excellent 33m41s,
that proved to be a good 57 seconds margin over Sale Harrier Daniel Bradford,
who had finished finished fourth in the corresponding event twelve months previous,
when the organisers had been forced to shorten the course due to the icy conditions.
Third place in the Mens Race went to Leeds City's Carl Smith, who clocked 34m53s.

Morpeth Harrier Sam Forester, who had travelled home from Nuremberg
in Germany specially for the event, finished fourth in 35m39s.

Fifth place went to Low Fell Harrier John Archer,
who had been the first to wilt in a five strong leading pack,
who had gone off in the first mile.
Archer's time was 36m16s.

North Shields Poly's Graeme Cook finished sixth in 36m45s,
and there was a very close fight for seventh and eighth place
between Claremont's Brendan McMillan (37m19s), and Elswick's Paul Turner (37m27s).

First Male Veteran home was Morpeth Harrier Paul Waterston,
in ninth place in 38m09s, closely followed in by the second Veteran Man,
and fellow clubmate Phil Walker, who clocked 38m20s.

Photo courtesy of Keith Robertson
Holt was a very clear winner of the Womens event,
crossing the finish line in 23rd place overall, and her time of 41m57s
was a good 2m44s clear of her nearest rival Joanne Lee
of Tynedale Harriers, who was 36th overall.
Lee was closely followed home in 37th place by Morpeth's Kate Chapman,
who can feel well pleased with her effort of 44m49s.

Morpeth Harriers dominated both the Mens and Womens team events,
with the aforementioned Chapman being supported by the efforts
of Marie Drosdowicz (67th) 49m06s, and Pam Woodcock (94th) 54m14s.

Harding, Forester and Waterston were the Morpeth Harriers
counters in the successful Mens team effort.

Another Morpeth success was Gavin Bayne's victory
in the Over 55 Mens category by finishing 31st in 43m28s.

Morpeth Harriers would like to thank Benfield Motors (Morpeth)
and George Patterson for sponsoring the race and also the club
would like to thank Morpeth Rugby Club for the use of their premises
for registration and the after race Presentation,
also to the Red Cross for their First Aid provision,
and to their members and friends who gave their valued assistance on the day,
to ensure the continued success of the event.

Finally, many thanks and congratulations to Kevin Bray,
who very efficiently carried out his duties as Race Director for the very first time.

Click Here For Complete Results

Click here to see some photos from Morpeth 11K Road Race

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In a 400 plus strong field, Michael Dawson was very much involved
in a three strong close finish, finishing third behind Leeds City's Carl Smith,
and Gateshead's Callum Johnson, with Dawson's 16m05s,
being only ten seconds adrift of his rivals,
with the first two being given equal clockings.

They were followed in turn by a quick procession of hardy club runners,
including Morpeths Andrew Lawrence, who clocked 16m43s finishing eighth
one place and two seconds ahead of the highly acclaimed
Kate Avery of Shildon, who was the events first lady finisher by a clear three and a half minutes.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Lancaster 4k Christmas Road Race !
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First from the club to complete the 5k circuit was Mike Hegarty,
who finished sixth overall, and was just outside his personal best for the course with 17m14s.

Other finishers from the club were as follows
Robert Balmbra (35th) 19m17s,
Gavin Bayne (47th) 19m56s,
Graeme Leathard (48th) 19m57s,
Eric Adams (72nd) 20m48s,
Mike Steven (83rd) 21m12s,
and Marie Drosdowicz (111th) 22m22s.

Meanwhile in the Durham Park Run,
Paul Bentley clocked a new personal best on that course
when clocking 21m18s, to finish 36th.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Lancaster 4k Christmas Road Race !
Woodlawn Xmas Pudding Run !
Xmas Caption Competition !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
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WHATS NEW INDEX
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Saltwell Road Race !
Gateshead Stadium Indoor Meeting !
Morpeth Harriers Club Road Championship Presentations !
2012 London Marathon Draw !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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Hofi Yamiuri Marathon !
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Morpeth Harriers Club Road Championship Presentations !
2012 London Marathon Draw !
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She was also second Lady finisher, being slightly over two minutes adrift
of Ladies race winner Alison Dixon, of Chester Le Street,
who was making a return to action, following a serious foot injury incurred
in the World Championship Marathon in Daegu.

Dixon broke the Womens course record when clocking 35m59s.
Morpeth Harriers only other leading finisher on the day came
in the Under 15 Girls event, where Alison Brown
finished third behind race winner Lydia Turner in 11m18s.
Turner had improved her own course record by thirteen seconds by clocking 10m26s.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Hofi Yamiuri Marathon !
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Gateshead Stadium Indoor Meeting !
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2012 London Marathon Draw !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
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WHATS NEW INDEX
Hofi Yamiuri Marathon !
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Saltwell Road Race !
Morpeth Harriers Club Road Championship Presentations !
2012 London Marathon Draw !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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In addition to the Championship Awards,
a surprise was very much in store for Under 15 athlete Alison Brown,
who was given the Most Improved Young Athlete Award for 2011.

The draw was also made for the three club places available
in next years London Marathon,
and in that Jane Briggs, Tony Lewis, and Paul Tomlinson were successful.

WHATS NEW INDEX
Hofi Yamiuri Marathon !
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Saltwell Road Race !
Gateshead Stadium Indoor Meeting !
2012 London Marathon Draw !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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WHATS NEW INDEX
Hofi Yamiuri Marathon !
Lotto Cross Cup Meeting !
Saltwell Road Race !
Gateshead Stadium Indoor Meeting !
Morpeth Harriers Club Road Championship Presentations !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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The Mike Bateman coached Duchess High School pupil certainly
deserved all his plaudits as he calmly got on with the business in hand
to produce one of the finest performances of the day,
that also saw one of the tightest of finishes.

Perhaps it was Winkler's country roots, that saw him take on the role of a wily fox scenting its prey in front him,
that enabled him to grab the Under 15 Boys Gold Medal in the final run to the line
with Jarrow and Hebburn's Thomas Coyne, and only a mere second divided them at the death.

However for Winkler, it was a just reward for all of the hard work that he has put in,
along with his aforementioned coach, and this Gold is a much coveted
addition to the Silver Medal that he won at Darlington, when he was an Under 13.

Winkler was obviously overjoyed on learning that he had also
spearheaded a very much welcome Morpeth Harriers Under 15 Boys team
victory by a margin of twenty two points over Shildon, with further excellent support
coming from Elliot Kelly (6th), and Ryan Green (13th).
Kelly had an excellent run, and he clearly showed his bravery in the early stages
when he established a slender lead.
Green also ran a sensibly judged race to produce an excellent performance all round.

Although not making the scoring count, Joe Elder also deserves some praise for his performance,
where in finishing 18th, was easily in the top half of a fifty one strong Under 15 Boys field.
Morpeth Harriers other finisher in this event was Jarod Lewis,
who finished 29th, but will feel a little disappointed at not being further up the field.

Despite being without Maxine Czarneka through illness,
Morpeth Harriers Senior Women still managed to pull of an expected team victory.

The Northern Road Relay Champions, now boosted by the added presence
of former Elswick Harrier Ashley Gibson, won by a margin of eleven points over Durham City,
who included former Northern Junior Champion, and former Morpeth Harrier Aiveen Fox,
who emerged as their second counter in tenth place.

Meanwhile Morpeth Harriers led by Gibson (3rd) were outstanding in their win.
For Gibson, who never gave up, despite having to spend much of her race
having to chase down the powerful Rosie Smith (Durham),
and 2010 Champion Kirsty Legg of Middlesbrough Mandale,
a Bronze individual medal was well deserved.

However the addition of a Gold team medal was even more deserved,
following the excellent supporting performances by Jane Hodgson (4th),
and Team boss Sarah Wilkinson, who in finishing sixth was indeed a very inspirational force.

Slightly further down the field were Sarah Graham (19th),
Gemma Floyd (22nd), and newcomer Abi Bagshaw (24th),
whose excellent combined performances would have seen
an excellent B team performance in finishing as fifth best on the day.

Marie Drozdowicz, who is gradually getting back to full fitness
following a painful foot injury, and her finish in 57th place was a very creditable effort.
Margaret MacDonald also ran well to finish in 100th place in a strong field.

With a distinct lack of their normal front runners, including Team Manager David Swinburne (ill),
Morpeth Harriers Senior Men couldn't manage to pull off an expected team victory.
However certain absences did see a unique window of opportunity for some of the clubs lesser knowns,
to grab a chance of what became a Silver Medal team effort,
behind a relatively strong Gateshead Harriers.

Only thirty three points divided Morpeth from victory,
and it was Matt Nicholson who led them home with a solid
performance to finish fifth behind race winner Ricky Stevenson of New Marske,
who eventually won his own personal battle of wits with 2009 Champion Patrick Martin,
(formerly Sunderland Harriers), now with Stockport,
with Jack Martin, also now Stockport in third place.

Fourth place went to New Marske's Andy Wiles,
who was a Bronze medallist in 2009 behind Martin.

Next home for Morpeth in 18th place was Michael Dawson,
with Gary Jones having an excellent run to finish in 26th place as third counter.

Veteran Paul Waterston also produced a superb performance to emerge as the fourth counter in 34th place.
Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens scoring count was completed by Andrew Lawrence,
who made the journey from London worthwhile when placing 40th,
and one place ahead of clubmate Mike Hegarty,
who won his first ever North Eastern Cross Country Championship medal,
which in turn was just reward for all the hard work he has put in training.

Although the following did not make the scoring count they gave creditable performances.
Phil Walker (52nd), Neil Gunstone (60th), after missing the start,
Alistair MacDonald (70th), Gordon Dixon (80th), John Butters (86th),
John Woods (90th), Mick Thomsen (115th) (1st Championship),
and Rob Hancox (150th).
There were a total of 292 finishers in the Senior Mens Championships.

Only two points deprived Morpeth Harriers Under 13 Boys of a Gold Medal team win.
They finished behind Middlesbrough Mandale, and were led home by an excellent Jacob Hopkins,
who tried to stay with eventual race winner Markhim Lonsdale of Gateshead Harriers
for as long as he could muster over the 2.9k circuit.

Eventually Lonsdale drew away, however Hopkins did have the satisfaction
of putting five seconds between himself and Elswick's Ewan Cassidy,
to grab a Silver individual medal, to add to the aforementioned team medal.

Assisting Hopkins in the team medal were Kieran Hedley,
who produced a superb run to finish fifth, and Philip Kirby,
who gets better with every race, who finished in 22nd place
out of a 48 strong field of Under 13 Boys finishers.
Morpeth's Samuel Williams also ran creditably to finish in 32nd place.

Unfortunately a pre race bout of glandular fever hit Morpeth Harrier's
Jonnie Nisbet's chances of winning the Under 17 Mens title.
Nevertheless Nisbet took his place on the start line,
and battled bravely throughout the 6.3k event, to finish in third place,
to take the Bronze Medal behind New Marke's Wayne Parker,
and Gateshead Harrier Barry Maskell.

Nisbet will also be grateful to club colleagues Sam Hancox (25th)
and Matthew Leveson (26th), whose combined
supporting efforts gained additional Bronze team medals.

Unfortunately Morpeth Harriers just missed out on medals
in the combined Under 17/ Under 20 Womens event.
Ailsa McGregor was fifth Under 20 in eleventh place overall,
and Hannah Rank was sixth Under 20 in seventeenth place overall.
The scoring count was closed by Lucy Shuttleworth,
who was 25th Under 17, and 25th overall finisher.

Morpeth Harriers Under 13 Girls finished as fifth team behind Jarrow and Hebburn.
They were led home by Lizzie Rank (14th), with good supporting runs coming from
Teegan Dryden (19th), and Olivia Priest (23rd).
Harriet Grace and Lois Scott also finished for Morpeth Harriers in 33rd and 39th places out of 41 finishers.

It was very disappointing that Morpeth Harriers failed to field a complete Under 15 Girls squad,
and only an excellent run by Alison Brown (8th),
and Jennifer Tynemouth (36th) were to show for the club.

Morpeth Harriers just missed out on countback as the overall best performers on the day.
Finishing level on the day with Gateshead Harriers,
it was only the three teams wins to Morpeth's two that gave them the nod.

In the Ladies events Morpeth scored one more point than their rivals,
however Gateshead had the same margin in the Mens events.
Shildon were the third overall club on the day, however the margin was quite vast.

Credit must go to Blyth Running Club, and their Team Leader
Dave Kitching for their superb organisation on the day.

North East Counties Cross Country Championships Results

Under 13 Boys
Click here for Under 13 Boys Results

Under 13 Girls
Click here for Under 13 Girls Results

Under 15 Boys
Click here for Under 15 Boys Results

Under 15 Girls
Click here for Under 15 Girls Results

Under 17 / Under 20 Women
Click here for Under 17/ Under 20 Women Results

Under 20 Men
Click here for Under 20 Mens Results

Senior Men
Click here for Senior Mens Results

Senior Women
Click here for Senior Womens Results

Under 17 Men
Click here for Under 17 Mens Results

WHATS NEW INDEX
Xmas Caption Competition !
Athletics News from Down Under !
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
Athlete of the Month Award !
Morpeth Harriers New Track Facility Update !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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The expression on Lindsey's face,
and Jim's seated pose obviously leaves a few tales that may come to mind,
and the distinct presence of a bicycle may give rise to more imaginative thoughts.

All that we ask is that you send us a caption to match the occasion,
and the best caption sent before 31st December 2011,
will receive a prize of a bottle of Red Wine in the New Year.
Send us your suggestions

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Sian completed the gruelling endurance event which involves
Running, Swimming and Cycling over very rough and tough
enduring terrain in an excellent 10hrs50mins.
Needless to say Christmas will be very much a feet up job for Sian.

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The club had two out of the three winners in the Boys events,
and two of the three Girls events, which clearly outlined their superior individual performances.

Philip Kirby of Newminster, began the day well by winning
the Minor Boys with thirteen seconds to spare over his closest rival,
and clubmate Mitchell Green, also from Newminster,
and younger brother of Ryan, made it onto the school bus for the County Championships,
to be held at Temple Park, South Shields on Tuesday 17th January 2012.

Ryan Green from King Edward was a nineteen second margin winner of the Junior Boys,
with fellow Morpeth Harrier Jacob Hopkins of Meadowdale finishing second
James Heppell of St Benet Biscop produced a storming finish to take third place,
and a further seven seconds adrift.

Sam Foster-Beattie of King Edward also made the County Championships,
by virtue of his sixth place.Samuel Williams of Chantry, also a Morpeth Harrier, finished 30th.

Joe Elder of St Benet Biscop battled hard for his third place in the Intermediate Boys,
and Morpeth Harriers clubmate and schoolmate Henrik Paulsen did well to finish eleventh.

Lizzie Rank representing Newminster won the Minor Girls event,
and Beth Wooley was a clear winner of the Intermediate Girls event,
where Morpeth Harriers athletes Hannah Sheerin,
Josie McCreton, Paige Capstaff, Alice Kelly and Lucy Pargeter
also finished in third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh places respectively.

Abbie Elliot, Charlotte Jewell, and Kirsty Lang finished in second, fifth,
and eleventh places respectively in the Junior Girls event.

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Angus Tait Hexhamshire Hobble !
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Her finishing time was 80m40s, which made her also first Female finisher
by a margin of over nine minutes from Tynedale's Beth Gregory-Smith, who was 63rd overall.

Fellow Morpeth Harrier Kevin Bray finished in 81st place in 93m29s,

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After her victory at the Heaton Memorial Road Races,
the Berwick based Under 15 starlet followed up with two
notable successes in the Borders Cross Country League.

Living as far North involves Alison sometimes travelling
to the region at least three times a week, and these recent
successes are not only a testimony to her determination,
but also her excellent improvement in overall terms.

Alison is pictured receiving her certificate of her achievement
from Morpeth Harriers Club Chairman Bill Woods
at the clubhouse on Monday 5th December.

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Laying it at too low a temperature could cause the surface to break up later,
as has happened at another North East track.
Consequently we don't expect to have a useable track before April and it may
be later than that before the grass in the centre of the track has properly taken root.

However, the good news is that through a new Sport England programme (Places People Play)
and matched funding from various sources, including ourselves,
some new changing rooms are to be built next to the track.
There will be two 'team size' changing rooms and two smaller rooms
together with showers and WCs, plus a small kitchen.
The building will replace the semi-derelict changing block previously used by KEVI.

The delay in the track surfacing will actually benefit this as the
hard track base can be used to bring in building materials - otherwise
there would have been a risk of the freshly laid surface being damaged.
Work on the building is expected to start in January and February
with new perimeter fencing likely to be installed around the same time.

There was more good news with the decision that the old cricket pavilion is to be restored for use.
This will be a great benefit when competitive meetings are held at the new facility,
as it will act as an administrative HQ, housing the results recorders etc.

One loose end still to be tied up is the purchase of all
the necessary equipment to host a full-scale meeting.
Landing areas, pole vault stands and hurdles etc. don't come cheaply -
a figure of £25,000 to £30,000 is likely to be required.
Some of this will come from the Places People Play grant
but funding is also currently being sought from other sources -
any leads from club members will be gratefully received.

Another area where help will be needed from club members and others is coaching.
Once the facility is completed we will need coaches to develop our athletes across the full range of events.
Historically we have always had more endurance coaches (although never enough !).
Now we will need coaches for jumps, throws, hurdles etc.

We have already had a handful of offers (some from outside the club)
but we will need many more - existing members, former members and others.
Where coaches are willing to help but need to advance through the UKA coaching structure
we can often access funding for this. However, the club's own insurance means that anyone we deem to be
competent to coach is covered, whether or not they have a formal coaching qualification.
So, how about it for yourself or someone you know ?

Read the full story about the track construction project>>>>>>>

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She finished fourth in 29m41s, and was second Over 50 Woman
behind race winner Ingrid Hope of Sunderland Harriers.

Running off a handicap of five minutes,
fellow Morpeth Harrier Richard Sill placed 43rd in 35m52s.

Click here for complete Results

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Hurst won the event, held now entirely within the confines of Newcastle Racecourse,
in a time of 24m23s, which put him eight seconds clear of the Ehiopian at the finish line.
Hagos had found the tough windy conditions not to his liking.
Despite those tricky conditions, the event attracted a field of 128 finishers,
and amongst them several Morpeth Harriers.

First home for Morpeth in eleventh place was Gary Jones, who clocked 27m44s.
Veterans Paul Waterston and Phil Walker finished seventeenth and eighteenth respectively,
and were fourth and fifth in the Over 45 category in times of 28m32s, and 28m52s.
Next home for Morpeth was Gordon Dixon, who finished 26th,
and was second in the Over 50 Mens category in 30m27s.

Michael Thomsen (39th) 31m54s, J. Callaghan (53rd) 33m52s,
and Dave Gray (99th) 39m14s, were Morpeth Harriers other finishers in the Mens race.

Former Elswick Harrier Justina Heslop, now with Clapham Chasers,
was a convincing winner of the Womens race, finishing 8th overall in 27m23s.

However Morpeth Harriers triumphed in the Womens team race,
by being the only team to complete with the required three counters.
They were led home by Charlotte Wilson,
who finished as fifth Woman, in 42nd place in 32m07s.
The successful team count was completed by Kate Chapman (7th Lady) (57th) 34m06s,
and Jane Briggs (10th Lady) (1st Over40) (65th) 34m56s.

Although still recovering from injury, Morpeth's Marie Drozdowicz
managed to finish as 12th Lady, in 82nd place overall, and as 2nd Over 50 in 37m02s.

Click here for complete Results

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Winter Standards Indoor Meeting !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
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WHATS NEW INDEX
Athletics News from Down Under !
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
Angus Tait Hexhamshire Hobble !
Athlete of the Month Award !
Morpeth Harriers New Track Facility Update !
Blyth Sands Race !
Norman Woodcock Road Race !
Park Run !
Winter Standards Indoor Meeting !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
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WHATS NEW INDEX
Athletics News from Down Under !
Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships !
Angus Tait Hexhamshire Hobble !
Athlete of the Month Award !
Morpeth Harriers New Track Facility Update !
Blyth Sands Race !
Norman Woodcock Road Race !
Park Run !
OTHER NEWS FROM DECEMBER....
NEWS FROM NOVEMBER....

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Paul finished third overall in 21m48s, finishing 88 seconds adrift of the winner,
and he was third home for England in a 1-2-3 battle, being also second Over 40.

Meanwhile although Walter finished further down the field,
he was still well placed for England in the Over 60 category in 28m54s.

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On a slightly heavy surface, and giving five minutes to a good
proportion of his opponents as a result of his Fast Pack start,
he literally carved through all but thirty of the record 419 strong field,
to emerge as a very worthy fourth counter for his new club,
who finished as second team behind Gateshead Harriers.

Within this performance he also showed to his new clubmates
that Morpeth Harriers have acquired a very useful
talent potentially worthy of International status.

Morpeth were led home by Veteran Phil Walker,
who when finishing tenth fom the Slow Pack,
showed that he is getting back to somewhere very near his best form.

Only two places behind Phil was his Morpeth clubmate Chris Waugh,
who also came through from the Slow Pack.

Another man certainly returning to near his better form is Gary Jones,
and his run from the Medium Pack saw him finish a very creditable nineteenth.

Next home was the aforementioned Everard,
and the Morpeth Harriers scoring count was completed by the
excellent runs by Nick Swinburn (37th) (Fast Pack),
and Gordon Dixon (52nd) (Slow Pack).

What is very creditable about Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens
overall performance on the day, is that in addition to the scoring six,
another five from the club managed to finish inside the first 150.

In addition to Everard, Morpeth Harriers also produced the
fastest performers in another three events on the day.
Notable of these was Philip Winkler, who worked his way
through from the Fast Pack to finish fourth, and led his
clubs Under 15 Boys to a narrow team victory over Blyth,
with excellent further team support coming from
Elliot Kelly (8th) (Fast Pack), and also Ryan Green (12th) (Fast Pack).

Despite a mid race tussle with Blackhill's Isaac Dunn,
Morpeth's Jonnie Nisbet clocked the fastest Under 17 Mens
time to finish third on the day.

Ashley Gibson marked her Morpeth Harriers Harrier League debut
by posting the fastest Senior Womens time to come through to finish eleventh,
and led her club to second team place in Division 2.
Further team support came from excellent runs by Jane Hodgson (15th) (Fast Pack)
and Emma Pearson (41st) (Fast Pack).

Morpeth Harriers finished as fourth team in the Under 13 Boys event,
being led home by an excellent Jacob Hopkins,
who was second fastest when finishing fifth from the Fast Pack,
and just ahead of clubmate Kieran Hedley (6th) (Fast Pack), who was third fastest.
Morpeth's scoring count was completed by Philip Kirby (39th) (Fast Pack).

Alison Brown finished eighth in the Under 15 Girls event,
and her run from the Fast Pack saw her emerge as fifth fastest on the day.
Sarah Wilkes finished 18th from the Slow Pack for Morpeth.

The Under 13 Girls event saw Morpeth's Georgia Priest and Lois Scott
finish 11th and 24th respectively from the Slow Pack.

In the non scoring Under 11's event, Morpeth Harriers Ailsa Jones
and Harriet Priest finished as sixth and 17th females respectively.

Click here for complete Male Results

Click here for complete Female Results

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After a close decision, Ryan Green won the judges hearts for two excellent performances.
Firstly for his individual victory in the Under 15 Boys event at the
first Start Fitness North East Harrier League at Cramlington,
then his contribution to a good team performance at the
National Young Athletes Road Relays at Sutton Park.

Ryan is pictured above receiving his Certificate of Achievement
from Morpeth Harriers Club President Jim Alder MBE,
at the Clubhouse on Mitford Road on Monday 21st November.

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Posting an excellent 29m20s, he won from McCormick by the slender margin of two seconds,
with Mansfield's Luke Cragg just a further shade adrift in third spot.

Taylor obviously had to call upon all of his inner strengths to beat McCormick,
and will certainly feel all the better for the experience of beating him for the first time in a major road encounter.

Having his first race for some time, Morpeth Harrier Nick Swinburne
also competed well to come home in 16th place in 30m41s.
Graeme Taylor, Michael Dawson, Paul Waterston and Mike Hegarty
were also prominent Morpeth Harriers finishers in the Mens race,
in 34th, 38th, 92nd and 109th places respectively.

Morpeth newcomer Taylor clocked an excellent 31m43s,
and Dawson was close behind in 31m49s.
Waterston was second finishing Over 45 Male Veteran in 33m58s,
and Mike Hegarty finished in 34m30s.

With these excellent placings, Morpeth Harriers may well be
at the helm of things when team placings are decided.

In the Ladies race, Maxine Czarneka produced an excellent run
when finishing as twelfth Lady in 37m29s.
Fellow Morpeth Harriers Kate Chapman and Charlotte Wilson
were also prominent when placing 26th and 32nd
with respective clockings of 39m52s and 40m38s.

Click here for complete results

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Hagos drew well clear to record an untouchable 47m51s,
however Harding stuck like glue to Scotsman Stuart Gibson of Ron Hill Cambuslang,
who finished second in 50m42s, just eclipsing Harding's excellent 50m46s.
What was sweet however for Harding, was the fact that he picked up
his very first North of England silver medal, with Hagos claiming the Gold
in the incorporated North of England area Championships.

Another good Morpeth Harriers performer was Phil Walker,
who when finishing 33rd in 58m11s, was second in the Over 45 Male Veteran category.

Other Morpeth Harriers finishers in the Mens race were
Michael Thomsen (91st) 62m40s, Rob Hancox (132nd) (19th O45) 65m30s,
and Norman Clark (297th) (6th O60) 73m52s.

In the Ladies Race Jane Briggs ran well to finish as second Lady in the Over45 category in 69m39s.
Pam Woodcock was an excellent winner of the Over 60 Veteran Ladies title when placing 376th in 77m52s,
and Marie Drosdowicz was 6th Over 50 Lady in 410th place in 79m40s.

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Other Morpeth Harriers finishers at the event were
Larry Clarke (62nd) 20m38s, and Mike Steven (65th) 20m41s.

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Will, a long standing Belgrave Harriers servant, who himself featured
in some of his own clubs greatest achievements, has managed to put together
a collection of great club stalwarts spanning 25 years of the amateur
British running club fraternity, and it certainly brings welcome reading
to both fellow competitors and loyal supporters alike.

Cockerell quite simply asked a collection of people who are connected to the club fraternity,
and who carry a distinct knowledge of what they have witnessed,
to back their thoughts up with honest statements about their choice.

Some of those named are fairly household to events like the National Cross Country,
and the National Relays, and some are great performers from the past.

Three Morpeth Harriers are featured amongst the Top 100,
with Ian Hudspith proudly taking his place as No 1 in the poll.

David Swinburne quite deservedly features at No 48,
and finally in what Will describes as one half of the Morpeth two headed monster,
Mark Hudspith slots in at No 75.

This is certainly a must read for the grass roots athletic enthusiast,
and interestingly other North East athletes to feature are Brian Rushworth (Sunderland) 18th,
John Hunter (Loftus) 65th, Stewy Bell (Chester Le Street) 80th, and Mike McLeod (Elswick) 84th.

We are sure that there are still many greats who did not feature in the Top 100,
and some of you may have your own ideas as to who they are.
Nevertheless it all still makes for a refreshing and entertaining read,
and is certainly an escape from elitist tendencies normally associated with this magazine.

Will has already planned to produce a list of Top 100 club women,
we shall eagerly look forward to its publication.
Well Done Mr Cockerell.

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Harding felt that this run had given him very adequate encouragement
ahead of this Saturday's annual Brampton to Carlisle 10mile Road Race,
which incorporates the North of England 10mile Championships.

Taylor was actually one of a trio of Morpeth Harriers individual successes on a murky damp day.

Jonnie Nisbet was a convincing winner of the Under 17 Mens 5k event,
holding a twenty second margin over his closest rival,
Patrick Crombie of Sunderland Harriers.
Nisbet's finishing time was 16m35s.

Another convincing Morpeth Harriers winner was Alison Brown,
whose 11m33s for her Under 15 Girls 3k race, saw her finish
with fifty four seconds to spare over her closest rival Danielle Coulson of Birtley,
and was a just reward for all her recent hard work in training.
Sarah Wilkes of Morpeth finished fifth in 13m04s.

Jacob Hopkins ran well to finish second in the Under 15 Boys 3k event in 10m55s,
which was agonisingly just eleven seconds adrift of race winner Ewan Cassidy of Elswick.
Kieran Hedley also competed well in this event, to finish fifth in 11m12s.

Ryan Green was Morpeth Harriers sole competitor
in the Under 15 Boys 3k, where he finished fifth in 10m16s.

In the Under 13 Girls 3k event, Morpeth's Georgia and Olivia Priest
finished 6th and 13th in respective times of 13m50s, and 14m44s.

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A heavy rainstorm during the Under 15 Boys 3 x 2k event made its mark
on the normally reasonably pristine surface, which also continued to prevail
slightly during the Senior Womens 3 x 3k event which followed, however it
did manage to peter out during the final event of the day, the Senior Mens 4 x 5k.

On the day, Morpeth Harriers athletes managed to produce some
positive results from the four events in which they competed.
The most surprising however, and most welcome,
came from their Under 13 Boys, in their 3 x 2k event,
where they thoroughly exceeded all expectations by finishing
in 16th place out of 91 teams who faced the starter,
and were seventh from the North of England.

Fortunes were indeed boosted by first leg runner Kieron Hedley,
who in September was a relatively unknown force.
However he proved his worth when he came home in 18th place in 7m31s,
which was followed by Jacob Hopkins excellent 7m29s on second leg,
which in turn saw him rise eleven places to seventh.
This left final leg runner Philip Kirby, who would not always be automatic third choice,
with the task of maintaining a respectable placing.
Philip did an excellent job, by clocking 8m07s, which although saw him drop back to sixteenth,
still showed him to play his part in a superb result.

Morpeth Harriers fielded two Senior Womens teams in their event,
and their A team were boosted by the debut of Ashley Gibson (formerly Elswick),
who came home in seventh place on the first leg in 10m35s,
which just outside the top ten best performances of the day.

They maintained this position throughout the three leg event,
with further excellent support coming from Maxine Czarneka (11m15.95s),
and Sarah Wilkinson (11m11.50s).
That placing also saw them finish as second from the North of England,
behind Yorkshire's Bingley Harriers who finished in fifth spot.

Morpeth Harriers B team were 43rd, and were also sixth B team to finish.
Kate Chapman (12m57.35s), Carolyn Booth (formerly Dickie) (12m08.55s),
and Sarah Graham (12m02.35s), all had excellent runs.

Much had been expected of Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens performance,
and despite illness and injury respectively robbing them of the services
of Ian Hudspith and Nick McCormick, their two teams performed
superbly to finish in ninth and thirty first places.

The A team got off to an excellent start, with Jonny Taylor clocking
the days fifth fastest overall time of 15m48.35s,
and coming home with a first leg placing of fifth.

On second leg Peter Newton found a great deal of tough opposition around him,
as he battled in the tricky conditions to maintain a respectable placing.
Peter slipped to eleventh place, despite clocking 17m00.35s,
and third leg runner Ian Harding ran a similar 17m01.80s, as he dropped a further place.

Matt Nicholson did supply a last leg revival however as he got back up
to a final ninth at the end of his excellent 16m32.50s clocking,
as they also finished as fourth from the North of England.

The Morpeth Harriers Senior Mens B team also performed excellently to finish as third B team.
Their fastest runner was Michael Dawson, who clocked 17m23.40s when placing 59th.
Ben Harrison climbed a further six places on second leg when he got round in 17m54.55s.
David Swinburne kept the momentum going when he climbed a further eight places
to 45th with his clocking of 18m12.40s.
On the final leg, Morpeth Harriers welcomed back Sam Forester
to the fold after many years of absense, and the former Junior Great North Run
winner certainly did his club proud, as he clocked a superb 17m25.15s,
to climb a further mammoth fourteen places to their finishing spot.

The Under 15 Boys 3 x 2k event was run during what was the worst conditions of the day,
where a heavy downpour forced spectators and officials alike to seek some protective shelter.
During the course of proceedings Morpeth Harriers first leg runner Ryan Green began the challenge
by coming home in a time of 7m34s to finish 55th of the 98 starters, and passed on to Joe Elder,
who was called in as a last minute replacement for the ill Philip Winkler,
who gained a further place on his run of 7m47s.
Jarod Lewis finished off the final effort by placing 51st in 7m46s,
which gave Morpeth Harriers the mantle of 22nd from the North of England.

Having three out of their four competing teams in fairly high positions
was certainly a good result for Morpeth Harriers,
after a good days work, and withstanding the conditions,
was a true testament to their athletes determination.

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Conditions were much better than in previous years
with bright sunshire and a firmer underfoot surface.
Taylor,who was 3rd in 2010, soon headed the 450-strong field
on the revised shorter course, pulling away to a winning margin of 82secs
over Gateshead's Conrad Franks with his finishing time of 32m28s.

Morpeth also had the winner of the Ladies race when Jane Hodgson
had a convincing victory finishing in 11th position overall.
The winning margin was identical to the Mens' with Sunderland's
Michelle Holt (also 2nd in 2010) taking second place ahead of Heaton's Jo Zoppi.

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