Check out the newest twitter addition to our website thanks to Statto Stace's progamming prowess! (just to the right of your screen for those not as observant!)  

.....And one of the latest tweets is from British Olympic hopeful Louise Hazel about our very own Danielle Hodgkinson! Go Dan!!

Tweet away Wallsend Harriers :-)

Following the exciting announcement of the reintroduction of the Summer Road Race Grand Prix you know what you need to do...get your trainers on and get your racing legs ready!! So to help you...what's on at the club this week?

Tuesday: Club training 6.30pm start at the college - whether you are running with Julie's, Kev's or Steve's group it doesn't matter as long as you go go go and give it your all!
Thursday: Club training 6.30pm start at the college
Friday: Track session Churchill playing fields 6.15pm start - all welcome and this will REALLY help you notch up those great finishes in the Summer Road Race Grand Prix races.

Have a great week green and gold gods and goddesses!!

We are pleased to announce to all our members that we have re-introduced the Summer Road Race Grand Prix after a 2 year absence. This exciting series is separate from the internal Summer Grand Prix and is based on how you run over 8 local road races of varied distances (organised by other clubs) during the Summer, but which are races you will normally run anyway. You enter each race as normal by adding your name to the list at the club. It is most likely that your overall score will be the total of your best 6 finishes from the 8 races andbonus points will be given for anyone completing all 8 events.....find out more......

Young Jack Armstrong goes from strength to strength and yesterday he stepped up another level at the Newcastle Parkrun. Running with his Dad Graeme, the 13 year old set off to try to break his course PB of 21.06 but as ever at the Town Moor conditions were blustery to say the least! However he whizzed around the course to finish in a superb 50th place out of 324 finishers in.....20.37!!! That's about 6.37 miling, not bad for a little whipper-snapper! Surely the next target is the magical 20 minute barrier which I'm sure he is capable of achieving soon.Well done Jack! 

Stacey Rogers continued her fine form with a victory at the Middlesborough 5K. After winning the Terry O'Gara Memorial 5k, getting the  second fastest time at the Gordon Smith Relays and coming second at last week's Sunderland 10K, Rogers wanted another test before she competes the Great Manchester 10K next weekend. In 'gusting gales' she was neck and neck with the host club's Carolyn Summersgill until the last kilometre where she powered away to win in a PB of 17.56, beating her previous best by 16 seconds. Anyone else in action this weekend in either the Childrens Cancer Run or the Ashington Tri (Becki!) - let us know how you got on and add your results into the comments section of this article! Spread the news and share the joy! :-) 

Sarah Fordham, in only her 2nd
SGP ran a fantastic 2 minute PB to win last night’s 2nd Summer Grand
Prix of 2012.
Fast-improving Sarah just could not be
caught as she led the 40 other runners around the 2 mile course in the Rising
Sun country park. All had to endure heavy rain as registration took place
and start times came round.

Martin Telford writes.....A solid turnout enabled the Wallsend/Blyth team to cement 2nd place. A position we held for most of the meeting. North Shields poly made a fist of hosting this the first match of the series of four and took a grip from the outset. Thanks to them as hosts and congratulations on talking the first meet. 

On a hilly course in Sunderland today there were yet more superb performances from all the Wallsend athletes. Winning the race was our very own Yared Hagos who continues to be on fine form however as well as Yared there were some head turning performances from our other athletes. After showing their support for the track & field team yesterday (thanks guys!) Chris Smith put in a belter of a performance dipping under the 36 minute mark to take 6th senior men's slot and Andy Graham not too far behind took the 9th senior mens position. In the women's race international athlete Aly Dixon took the victory but our very own Stacey Rogers, getting back to form, finished 2nd senior woman - well done Stace...one for the girls!! 

Well what a fantastic start to the T&F season from the combined Wallsend/Blyth team securing 2nd place behind North Shields Poly at Churchill playing fields yesterday. With competitor numbers down due to racing clashes, holidays and broken bones team manager Martin had a job on his hands ensuring he had as many events covered as possible. But never wanting to let the side down and in usual Wallsend/Blyth team spirit the troops pulled together and turned their hand to any event they could in order to score some vital points. And what an eventful day it was with some outstanding races in particular the 800/1500m and the men’s 4 x 100m relays. 

I know it is hard to believe but the planning for 'The Toby' 2012 has started already. Fancy a weekend of laughter, running, laughter, more running and even more laughter.....Then 'The Toby 2012' could be for you! The dates of this fantastic weekend of fundraising and fun are Friday 17th (leaving around 6pm) to Sunday 19th August and we will be running the 145 mile coast to coast route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. 

This is a simply awesome weekend so come on guys get involved and either add your name to the list in the changing rooms or send us a message through 'contact us' letting us know YOU ARE IN!!! 

If you want more details before you take the plunge (you really won't regret it!!) then speak to Kevin or Vicky....alternatively click here to have a read about what we got up to last year!

Lee Morgan writes...For the second time in just 10 days, Wallsend Harriers hosted a popular race and for the second time in just 10 days, our race was a big success! 

The Gordon Smith Memorial Relays are run in memory of our former Chairman who passed away in the 1990s, the race having added significance this year after the passing of Terry O'Gara, not only Gordon's predecessor as Club Chairman but also his best mate. Gordon was a big promotor of veteran athletics, always encouraging our senior members to compete in the green and gold, no matter what their age and ability and so the rule is that every team must field at least one veteran runner in the 3 x 2 mile relay. It was lovely to see, as ever, the Smith family in attendance to show their support and great for us to show them that Gordon will never be forgotten.