Debut Girl Triumphs!
Wallsend Harriers new member, Jaclyn Younger, made an impressive debut in the fifth race of the Summer Grand prix as she came home at the head of a 31-strong field to announce her arrival at the club.
Although the handicap was somewhat generous - as it often can be for unestablished runners - Jaclyn still worked hard to shake off the attentions of fellow-starter Clare Luery and hold onto her lead despite the thunderous approach of the whole field as she raced towards the finish.
Her time of 16.09 for the two-mile off-road course on the paths of the Rising Sun Country Park in Wallsend bodes well for further improvement over coming months.
Conditions on the night were dry and sunny, but the blustery west wind was little aid to good times.
At the finish line, Jaclyn had a ten-second advantage over second-placed runner Caroline Hasson, herself posting an impressive 40-second improvement on her previous best for the course and marking a welcome return to form.
Three of the club's male veteran runners occupied the remaining top-five places, with club Treasurer Alex Richardson leading the way in third, ahead of Ian Knox and Mick Baker.
The honour of fastest time on the night proved a hotly-contested battle, as Simon Gibbs edged a one-second advantage over veteran Paul Leigh - much to the satisfaction of the hugely-improved Gibbs as he sliced an impressive twenty seconds from his previous best time for the course. Donna Horne once again recorded the fastest female time of the night, ahead of Emma Walton and Catherine Willis.
Of the thirty-one finishers, twenty-nine came home within 75-seconds of one another.
With husband and wife defending champions Chris and Lesley Mitsides both finishing outside the top ten, there was something of a shake-up in the overall table. With two races to go - and only the best five results to count - Simon Gibbs remains at the head of the table, but Micky Todd moves into second place, ahead of Emma Walton in third and Alex Richardson in fourth.
Results (Actual time in brackets)
Jaclyn Younger 17.09 (16.09)
Caroline Hasson 17.19 (14.04)
Alex Richardson 17.30 (13.45)
Ian Knox 17.32 (14.02)
Mick Baker 17.33 (12.33)
Simon Gibbs 17.35 (10.50)
Micky Todd 17.37 (12.37)
Joy Fenwick 17.37 (13.37)
Paul Brown 17.44 (12.44)
Tony Maddicks 17.45 (13.45)
Emma Walton 17.50 (12.50)
Kath Gidney 17.51 (14.21)
Chrystal Skeldon 17.51(13.21)
Darryl Roe 17.52 (12.22)
Jimmy Flynn 17.54 (13.39)
Trevor Wakenshaw 17.56 (12.56)
Rachel Keith 17.59 (16.29)
Catherine Willis 18.01 (13.16)
Clare Luery 18.03 (17.03)
Lisa Walker 18.04 (13.19)
Mick Skeldon 18.05 (11.35)
Paul Leigh 18.06 (10.51)
Lesley Mitsides 18.06 (15.21)
Donna Horne 18.09 (12.24)
Dave Moir 18.18 (11.48)
Peter Joyce 18.20 (13.20)
Billy Todd 18.22 (14.07)
Billy Green 18.23 (11.53)
Steve Kiszow 18.29 (13.44)
Chris Mitisides 18.41 (11.56)
Kate Duffy 18.45 (18.45)
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