August 28th, 2011
Things keep getting better for Lydia Turner who is becoming a dominant figure athletics.
Northern Athletics 2011 Track & Field Championship Cudworth
Competing in her second year as a U15 Lydia has recently taken another step in her young but budding athletics carer taking on the countries best athletes.
Not one to shrug off the chance of a competitive race she travelled to Cudworth near Barnsley for the 2011 Northern Junior Championships.
Running the 3 and ¾ lap race Lydia paced herself round, running a tactical race before unleashing her speed over the last 170 metres finishing over two seconds ahead of her next rival. This added another Gold to her growing collection of championship medals.
U15G 1500m FINAL
FINAL
1 Lydia Turner Birtley AC 4:46.45
2 Amy Hinchly Vale Royal 4:48.81
3 Sophie Tarver Wirral AC 4:51.49
Off the track
Lydia takes her athletics as serious off the track as when she’s racing. Between races her sessions vary from hills on a club nights to speed work on a Monday’s and a long run on Sundays.
A week over the summer holidays Lydia was given the privilege of attending a training group chosen from top performers of the London Mini Marathon. Training for four days at Twickenham she gained experience and advice from top coaches.
England Athletics 2011 Championships Bedford
Two weeks after her success of the Northerns, Lydia set her sights on a National Championships travelling to Bedford for the England Athletics Under 17 and Under 15 Championships. A great opportunity for the next generation of athletes to perform at the highest of standard.
Again running the 1500m Lydia went into the race ranked 13th in the country but only one of those managed to finish ahead of her – Coventry Godiva’s English Schools’ champion Sian Rainsley.
The Midlands athlete crossed the line in 4:43.81, with Lydia battling all the way to record. 4 minutes 44.38 seconds.
This is Lydia’s second national medal her first being a team medal from the 2011 National Cross Country.
To watch her race go to the below link and in the middle pane scroll to U15 G 1500m
http://www.englandathletics.org/page.asp?section=1176§ionTitle=England+Athletics+TV
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March 21st, 2011
Team Birtley headed to Catterick on Sunday to take part in the annual Northern Men’s 12 stage road relay championship, hosted by Richmond & Zetland Harriers.
The team assembled at 11am and saw the welcome return to the squad of Tim Bateson, running his first event for the club of 2011.Several other athletes were also making their first team-relay debut following on from Harrier Leagues and individual road races at the end of last year.
The event consisted of 6 shorter legs (approximately 3.75km in length – 1 lap) and 6 longer legs (Approx 7.5km- 2 laps). The route itself was fairly flat and ran on a mixture of minor roads and public footpaths, cutting through some parkland and passing by the military hospital situated just off-site. The most testing part of the course was the final 300m leading up to the change-over point with a steady climb of 55ft which felt like it was never going to end.
A quick glance around the site displayed the high calibre of clubs at the meeting with some of the major clubs and cities fielding 2 teams. Representatives from Leeds AC, Liverpool Harriers, Blackburn Harriers & Manchester Sale Harriers were all in attendance amongst the 35 complete teams taking part.
With many clubs fielding their strongest runners on the 1st long leg Richard Scott was given the difficult task of running amongst a group which included Olympic athlete Serod Batochir. Nevertheless he maintained a steady pace and following subsequent legs from Ronnie Eilles and Darren Purvis the club was lying in 25th place. Despite only being on the road for just over 24 minutes, Darren managed to overtake 9 other runners, recording one of the fastest times on Leg 3.
Dan Fletcher ran solidly on Leg 4 and handed over to Peter Farnie on Leg 5. After Richard’s difficult competition on Leg 1, Peter was up against former world triathlon winner Alistair Brownlee to once again underline the strength of the field.
David Scott anchored the club through to the half-way mark of the race and handed over to Lee Millmore on Leg 7 which consisted of 2 laps. At this point the club was lying 31st place, 6 places behind the initial target of 25th which would have secured a place to the national finals in April.
Legs 8,9 and 10 were completed by Tim, Shawn Laws and Michael Keenan with all 3 maintaining the clubs position of 31st. On the penultimate leg Neil Allan ran very well to gain 2 positions on his 2 laps round, clocking almost 4 to 5 minutes faster than some of the runners around him.
On the final leg Karl Oakes was released with a melee of 20 or so other runners as many of the final athletes were set off together to save time at the end of the event. He led the pack over the first 200 meters and came home 2nd in the pack to consolidate Birtley’s final position of 28th.
Although the club was a mere 3 places outside of the top 25, it was still a magnificent achievement to be able to compete at such a high, regional area against such stiff opposition. It was also a great indication of the strength which the club now has in depth and follows on the back of a very successful Harrier League season which concludes next weekend.
A special mention also for Tommy, Ed & Pedro who all swapped their Sunday roast for sandwiches and gave the team encouragement throughout the 4 hours.
For full results click here.
Club Results
28 Birtley Athletics Club 4:03:40
Richard Scott 26:15
Ronnie Eilles 13:48
D Purvis 24:18
Daniel Fletcher 14:58
Peter Farnie 27:07
David Scott 15:57
Lee Millmore 25:43
Timothy Bateson 15:00
Shawn Laws 28:37
Michael Keenan 13:30
Neil Allan 25:18
Karl Oakes 13:09
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January 30th, 2011
Being almost at the top of England we rarely get a chance to have a championship event on our door step. However, this year was a fortunate change and a short journey to Herrington Park Sunderland for the North of England cross country championships.
A make shift community complete with pop up tents, club flags, burger vans and parked (stuck in the mud) cars not to mention the hundreds of people running round in shorts and vests must have been a strange site to a passersby. Hopefully some of them may have been inspired and fancy a go at doing it themselves
Many of us remember Herrington Park from 2007 when the North Eastern and National Champs were ran here.
The 2010/11 Northerns stayed true to the previously tried tested courses and for those who hadn’t already had a taste of Sunderland hills it was an experience to remember.
The organisers took advantage of every twist, hill and camber to make this one of the toughest championships to date. An initially frozen ground soon thawed unleashing a “treacle like energy sapping mud” (Karl Oakes), that in some points couldn’t be avoided.
We had many great runs with another notable performance by Lydia Turner coming 2nd in the U15 girls matching last years second place as an U13.
Well done to all those who competed
Results
U13 Girls
70 Olivia Bateman 12:27
123 Danielle Coulson 13:39
U13 Boys
93 Luke Kelly 12:20
U15 Girls
2 Lydia Turner 17:23
9 Anna Fawcett 18:07
10 Sophie Forster 18:11
49 Sophie Montgomery 19:29
53 Paige Gilhespy 19:37
U17 Men
106 Adrian Bailes 26:10
Junior Men
76 Daniel Fletcher 40:50
Senior Men
95 Neil Allan 45:48
188 David Kelly 50:23
211 Karl Oakes 51:21
410 David Coulson 1:01:50
442 Tony Forster 1:05:11
453 Brian Bailes 1:07:10
476 Tom Millmore 1:14:03
483 Gerrard Murray 1:23:23
487 Patrick Kelly 1:29:49
For full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2011/naxc11.htm
Please keep an ear out for club announcements for coming events and watch the club notice board for races.
Lets see more Birtley AC vests out for Sundays (06-02-11) harrier league at Newcastlre, Town Moor.
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Tags: cross country, England Athletics, Northern Athletics, XC
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October 11th, 2010
At Graves Park, Sheffield on Saturday 9th October 2010.
The same Birtley Trio of Paige, Sophie and Lydia from the road relay champs traveled to Sheffield for the inaugural running of the Northern Crosscountry champs.
With confidence and experience after their 4th placing a week earlier the 3 managed to move into the medal placing with an excellent 3rd place.
Race report By Adrian Bailes
Following on from last weeks successes at the northern road relays the under 15 girls team prepared for the 2 and a half hour haul to Sheffield. The group of Paige Gilhespy, Sophie Forster, Lydia Turner with there parents and friend Adrian Bailes all met at the turners house at 8 o clock and by half 8 we set off with Tony Forster leading us and Julie Turner following in convoy.
After the journey we arrived slightly rushed to make it to the start of the race in time. All in good spirit the team ran to the start of the race and Tony collected the team numbers whilst the team did a group warm up. The team were all determined to go at least one place than last weeks 4th place and Paige set off for a quick 2k with two ‘large (or so they say) hills in it. As I stood at the top of this hill, I now realized how large the hill was by some of the grimaces on some of the athletes faces. Paige got up the hill very well and then worked hard chasing the athletes ahead of her and finished the first leg in 13th position. Next person to take to the course was Sophie Forster and she set off rapidly and then the next time I saw her at the top of the hill she seemed to have maintained that harsh pace she started with. Although she thought that at the top of the hill she came out at the next corner she continued pushing on and finished her leg with Chelsea Jarvis of Stockport harriers who won the English schools 800m last year chasing her down but Sophie managed to hold her off and complete her leg in an impressive 5th place. Now it was the last leg and we were set up for an exciting last leg with the four athletes ahead of Lydia all with considerable gaps she like Sophie and Paige set off chasing down the athletes before her determined to get a medal. At the top of the hill Lydia came around in 4th place and with about 400m left Lydia passed the girl in 3rd place and had the team in the bronze medal position. Lydia battled hard and managed to pull away from the girl who was now in 4th place and she was chasing down 1st and 2nd race but as they turned the corner into the finishing straight the two leaders raced each other neck and neck all the way and the gap was just too big for Lydia to catch them up. The team finished the relay in 3rd place beating Stockport Harriers who won last weeks road relays. It was a very good day out and well worth the journey. The team were more than satisfied with there bronze medal in the northern cross country relays.
For the Evening Chronicles coverage click here
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2010/10/13/relay-championships-fail-attract-region-s-clubs-72703-27454193/
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Tags: cross country, England Athletics, Northern Athletics, relay, Relays, U15, XC
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October 2nd, 2010
Sophie, Paige and Lydia
A trio of U15 girls were a leading example of what hard work and team endeavor can achieve at this years Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships in Manchester.
Birtley AC has enjoyed great success in particular with the U13 and U15 girl’s age categories almost dominating North East Athletics for a number of years.
At Manchester Paige Gilhespy, Sophie Forster and Lydia Turner mixed with the best teams from the North of England finishing a brilliant fourth place missing out on third by 20 metres.
With this result they have earned themselves a place in the National Finals that are to be run in Birmingham on 16 October.
Well done Girls
Race report by Sophie Forster,
Woke up absolutely shattered but dead excited for the day ahead. It was our first relay together as a team and it would be the Northern Championships! We traveled down together as a team with coach Tommy at a bright and early 8 o’clock! We traveled sleepy eyed down to Wythenshaw park in Manchester, with very little conversation because we were all soo tired!! We arrived at the event at quarter to eleven geet excited and ready for a goodun! We were greeted by the mud and smell of deep heat. Paige started us off at quarter past 12 and had an amazing run putting us in 31st for the second leg. Paige quoted “I enjoyed the course but was quite difficult under foot, I tried my best and had a good run!” before the race Paige was worried about going first but when asked by coach Tommy after the race she said “I enjoyed it, it was good!” after an amazing first leg it was handed over to Me who set off hard around the course “it was a good course quite scenic but very twisty turning, I ran hard trying my best to take as many in front of me as I could! I loved it!” Sophie finished her leg in 13th place to then hand it over Lydia who took off! Lydia went off around the park “I found the course good and worth the journey and thoroughly enjoyed running part of such a successful team.” Lydia finished the trio in 4th place narrowly missing the medal positions, running the fastest time of the day. A good run by the team and one of many goodun’s to come!
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August 30th, 2010
The bank holiday weekend was a quiet weekend for athletics. There was competition available, but not many chose to participate.
We had a family day out Thursday, so missed training Thursday evening, but Tommy texted Saturday mornings arrangement. We met at the Riverside and did a 20 minute warm up, with former club members Robbie and Steph, and friend Anna, led by Lee and Tracy.
Tommy was not available for the warm up, as he had Sophie and Sophie at the Town Moor for a park run. Both girls commented later that evening that they had enjoyed taking part in the 5km run, but said it had been very windy. Tommy agreed that it had not been a good day for fast times, but that both lasses had run well.
After the training session Adrian went straight through to Gateshead stadium to watch his mates in the Northern inter-counties competition. Birtley had only the one athlete in this competition, but he had other friends who he had made through the sport that he wanted to watch. As it was, we were 15 minutes late and missed Chelsea Jarvis of Merseyside win her 800 in a time of 2:17….(under 15 girlie). Another friend, Liam Ayton (North East…..Durham athlete) was out sprinted from the last hurdle in the 1500 steeplechase, an event Adrian has always fancied trying.
The highlight of the meeting for Ade was watching club mate Lydia Turner in the 1500m. Lydia’s race was fast from the start, but she showed experience and maturity at her young age and she let the leaders tear off. After 300m the leaders had settled down to a practical pace and Lydia had caught them. At 600m Lydia took the lead and stretched the pack out, only one athlete showing any attempt to stay with Lydia. At the bell Lydia was firmly in control at the front and although the second placed athlete did try to close the gap in the last 100m Lydia finished a comfortable winner in a time of 4:52 (unofficial). In the following race Charmaine Porter was representing the North East, she ran her race with the senior women as there was only 3 competitors in that category. Tommy did observe that it was sad that such an event should have voids where there were no athletes available or selected to represent their region.
Julie was delighted to see that Lydias friends had turned up to support Lydia, Paige Gillespy, Adrian, Pedro and Tommy, cheering from the track side.
Sundays training was missed as there was an event on at Hexham. Tynedale had organised a meeting, with a mile race, Tommy said he loved that one as it was a traditional event. Adrian had wondered between the 800 and the mile. We went to the Wentworth Stadium, unaware that anyone from the club would be there, but when we arrived the Taylors were already there and warming up for competition. This surely must be the last track and field for the season. We saw Vince running himself through two heats towards the final in the 100m this event was a seeded event, as were most of them. Kieran Taylor was taking part in what looked like a “quadrathlon” I am sure Vince can expand with details if anyone is interested for next year. I think it was a 60m sprint, standing long jump, throwing the “howler” and 600m. I couldn’t say how he did overall as we missed the field events, but he ran a very good 4th place in the 600m, against some stiff opposition. Sophie ran against Charmaine Porter, in with all the under17 lads, never seems fair that to me, but…..never mind, mustn’t grumble.
After Sophies 800 was the showpiece event. Unknown to most people the mile race was an elite race. The race record was 3:56 and Adrian and Anna Fawcett entered thinking it was a seeded race………Doh! the first lap was 56seconds (Ades pb for 400 is 62), they went through 800 in 1:58. Ade was smiling all the way, enjoying mixing with this calibre of athlete, although you could hardly say he was mixing with them. The race was won in 4:07 (this was a mile not 1500m). Ades time wasn’t particularly good 5:23, but he was pleased that he didn’t get lapped, and loved the experience. Anna followed Adrian home, but there were still two athletes behind them so they were both smiling at the end. After the race the winners went off to cool down, and didn’t even ask their new friends Adrian and Anna if they wanted to go with them
Just before we left, we saw Sophe Taylor lining up for the 200, I think it was a seeded race, and when she went passed us with 40m to go she looked to be fighting for 1st or 2nd place. (couldn’t see from where we were where she ended up). After her race we said our ta ta’s and left for home. Sorry, we don’t know how Vince finished in his 100m.
By YB
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Tags: Northern Athletics, track and field
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August 28th, 2010
Lydia Turner
Lydia Turner wearing the colours of the North East team and competing in her favourite event the 1500 metres, didn’t have far to travel for the Northern Athletics Inter County Championships, this year being held at Gateshead.
Lydia showed her experience by not going with the leading two runners who went off at a fast pace from the gun.
With only 400 metre’s gone Lydia’s consistent pace closed the gap and she was able to take the lead which she held to the finish, running 4.52 in very windy conditions.
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