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......

There will of course be prizes awarded for winners of the series at the annual presentation night in December.

So how does it work we hear you say?

The idea is that each individual runner is given a handicap based on current form and fitness, which is worked out by the coaches and captains, with points being awarded for anyone that does as well (or better) than expected. Each handicap will be adjusted after every race so that everyone has a chance. The aim of the series is to provide a competition which puts everyone on an even level, reward those who improve throughout the season and give everyone a chance of winning an award, no matter what their age or ability.

We (coaches, club captains and committee) have identified the following races which will be the targets of all our training. You all know that as a club we have something special . . . we urge you to enter as many races as you can . The races which have been selected are very popular races in the summer calendar and are as follows:

Wed 23rd May - Clive Cookson 10K (Monkseaton)

Sat 9th June - Blaydon Race

Wed 20th June - Newburn River Run (approx 6.7 miles)

Wed 4th July - Tynedale 10K

Wed 18th July - Sunderland 5K

Tues 31st July - Morpeth 10K

Fri 10th August - Club Championships

Sun 2nd Sep - Tynedale 10 mile

The summer grand prix (number 4) has been moved back from Tuesday 19th June to Tuesday 12th June in order for us to send a team to the Newburn River Run which is a very popular race and for which 14 members have already entered.

It is worth mentioning that as much as we would like to see as many members as possible compete in these races, we need to remind you that you must keep on top of your race fees in order to compete in all the races. Entry for these races can be up to £10 each and as agreed at February’s AGM, anyone who owes more than £50 in race fees (not subs) will not be entered by the club. If you do have any problems with payment of race fees then please do not hesitate to contact myself, Alex or Steve to discuss options.

The committee are very excited about the re-introduction of this series and are looking forward to some healthy and competitive rivalries. We hope as many members as possible will take part.....let the competition commence!

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.

On an evening when 18 of the 41 athletes running achieved PB’s, including, (as is more difficult) some at the sharp end new records were set not once but twice in the same race in the F45 age bracket, it showed just why this
race series is so popular!
Well done to all who took part, whether racing, marshalling
officiating or supporting.
To see the results on the night and the points table so far,
click here.

So how does your run last night or on 24th April compare with others since the first SGP was run 3 years ago? Was it a PB?
Well not only is our Statto Stacey (left) an elite runner and curtain maker, but she is a wizard at "drawing" together results from every SGP run since it was introduced in 2009 and it makes great reading.
Stacey says:
A couple of people mentioned after the last SGP that they 
couldn’t remember if that was good or not based on other years?
Anyway – I was curious too about how its been going so I 
pulled this together. Might be of some use/ interest for the site ahead of or after tonight …?
To see Stacey's race breakdown, click here.

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. 

From our point of view we had numerous victories backed up by solid performances. Newcomers from both clubs trying their hand at whatever helps the team where deservedly patted on the back. Not forgetting other vital team members giving time to officiate in track and field duties, hopefully everyone enjoyed the day.

Danielle Hodgkinson scored victories in the 800 A and 1500 A, both  times at the standard worthy of a mention in athletics weekly. The only other woman to emulate Danielle with 2 victories was Blyth youngster Bethan Sproat who won in a tight competition in both high jump A and triple jump A.  Other women victors were Helen Morris 3000 B, and debutants Julie Clark 800 B and Charlotte Ramsay triple jump B.

The male contingent was led by Jordan Middlemist exerting his new found confidence on track and young Chris Lillico stretching the muscles in the field. Jordan claiming two impressive victories in 800 A and 1500 A, Chris in long jump A and high jump A.  Scott Povey ran our only 2nd place in the A string 400hurdles.  Other 2nd place finishes came in B competition with our own Dan Weatherill getting a brace in 1500 metres and javelin. Dave Swalwell from Blyth equalled his pb for the 100 metres running 12.2 to gain 2nd spot.

Finally in the exciting 4 x 100 relay the mens team of Dave Swalwell ,Chris Lillico Scott Povey and sprint guru Eric Smart powered home to victory in 48 dead.

Well done to all those involved and as usual a big thanks to all who took the time to pop down to support the team.

The next match will be at Monkton Stadium in Jarrow on May 26th.

Interested contact me! martytel02@yahoo.com

The full results can be found here..

Thanks Martin

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. 

Two Wallsend athletes at the top if their game were heading out in the A squad in the 800 and 1500m races – Danielle Hodgkinson and Jordan Middlemist. In the women’s 800m Danielle lead from the gun and put in a masterful performance looking strong from start to finish. In the mens 800m and both mens and womens 1500m there was a fiercely fought competition. And all 3 races followed the same script. 

Both Danielle and Jordan timed their races to perfection against some superb completion from Morpeth athletes and in the final lap of all 3 races both athletes took control of the races finishing strong and making it a double victory for Wallsend/Blyth in both the mens and womens events. Excellent racing – in fact you would have paid to watch such a great couple of events!! Well done to all!

Adding to the atmosphere and success of the day were the remaining Wallsend athletes who were pulling out all the stops. In the 800m B race Liam Smart took to the helm to represent the green and gold and he put his all into the event. Once he had finished and managed to get his lungs to forgive him he went on to take part in the javelin with Dan Weatherill and then again with Dan take part in the men’s 4 x 400m relay team.

Dan Weatherill was a man for all seasons and as well as the relay, was Jordan’s wing man in the 1500m having an excellent race. As soon as he had raced however he was off to compete in the javelin, high jump (equalling his PB) and the long jump.

There were many other great performances from Paul Brown in the field events, Sean Hind in the 400m and Eric Smart in the 100m as well running he final leg of the 4 x 100m relay securing an excellent victory – a fantastic performance from the team!

The wallsend women were thin on the ground but website wally was there to add her bit to the party taking part in the hammer, shot put, javelin, 4 x 400m relay and the 3000m (just!). There was a slight  panic at the start of the 3000m as website wally, deep in conversation, somehow missed the fact that all the competitors were on the start line 200m away whilst she was chatting away. Still after clocking a 200m to get to the start line that possibly would have rivalled our superior sprinter Eric Smart Wally made it to the start to complete the 7 laps (not 12!) of the race! All good fun eh!

Jo Armstrong, although saving her legs ready to participate in a triathlon on Monday, was another Wallsend athlete ready to add her support to the team. So off Jo went to hoy (technical  term!) the discus for the team...and what a fine performance Jo - well done!

As ever, as well as the competitors Wallsend had support with officials – Margaret, Tommy, Paul Brown, Tony Maddocks and Captain Fantastic Mick Skeldon and the ever present vocal, exuberant, lovely, bobble hat wearing specatators – such a GREAT bunch....in fact so lovely that they nearly make you miss a race once you get talking to them!!!!

And finally...thanks as ever to the patient, calming and rather brilliant Team Manager Martin Telford! Looking forward to the next meet already – hope you have it in the diary (26th May)...see you there!

Photos from the day?....

.....of course – thanks to Adam Hill...click here

And Steve Armstrong...click here

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.

Last year we were thrilled to have 58 teams line up but secretly we did expect a few more this year. What we didn't expect was 108 teams! It was incredible to see so many local athletes supporting our event and a huge thanks must go to all those clubs who made the effort, organised their teams and supported Wallsend Harriers. Surely this is something we should remember when our Club Captains are hassling us to compete in other local clubs' races....

At the 'sharp end', despite being weakened by the absence of Yared Hagos and Phil Aiston we were still able to field an A team that we were confident would challenge for top honours, after all a former Junior Great North Run winner (Chris Smith), a World Triathlon Champion (Harry Coates) and one of the region's top vets (Brian Hetherington) isn't too bad a team! Chris stepped up another level in class with a 10.02 to finish in 5th on the first leg with Brian moving up 2 places with 10.16 on leg 2. Harry had it all to do on the last leg but reliable as ever, he moved Wallsend into second with 9.55 but couldn't quite catch Morpeth who fielded a very strong team.

The ladies A team, although finishing 3rd had the distinction of being the leaders for a short while after Stacey Rogers handed over in the lead with the second fastest ladies time of the night in 11.10. Chrystal Skeldon had a cracking run, dropping just 2 places in 13.00 and handing over to Becki Newman who consolidated 3rd place in a time of 12.40. A fab run by the girls and well deserved third place!
As is the case in these races (seeing as we have so many people running!) there were some great times and great performances but too many to mention so I encourage you to leave a comment at the end of this report to tell us how you did, whether you were pleased, got a course PB, anything you like, just share your thoughts of a cracking night.

Of course the night would not have ran as smoothly without all the help behind the scenes - the marshalls, the tea makers, the officials, the organisers, the photographers, the supporters and of course our very own Bill Todd, Alex Richardson and Emma Walton who sacrificed watching and supporting the troops in order to make sure the entries and results were processed accurately and efficiently - which they were!

A tip top night, as our Club Chairman said at the presentation, there is something special about North East athletics at the moment and we should all be proud to be playing our part.

Lee

Full results click here