Birtley A.C.

A “Great” weekend for Birtley

September 23rd, 2011

Friday with the GB/USA teams

As many people were cramming down carbs in preparation to the big weekend 17 Lord Lawson pupils who are members of Birtley had the honor of training with some of Team GB’s elite runners.Jenny Meadows and Christian Malcolm were on hand to give the young athletes expert advice and photo opportunities as well as joining in with the warm ups. Main organisor John Mayock decided to hold a couple of 100m races to find the fastest girl and boy who would be invited back the next day to race in front of a capacity crowd. Birtley coaches Vince Taylor and Ed Lown were in attendance and the following athletes benefitted from the experience: Andrew Baxter, Olivia Bateman, Hannah Brown, Danielle Coulson, Danielle Graham, Robbie Graham, Emily Laws, Ben Lager, James Lawrence, Jay Madine, Callum McClean, Matthew Norton, Kieran Ryan, Jack Smith, Sophie Taylor, Kieran Taylor and Erin Wesley

Mini North Run

It’s called “mini” but by all means don’t let this word undermine the efforts of Birtley ‘s youngster’s. So that the North Run experience can be enjoyed by everyone the mini marathon is a 1.5k loop around the Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside for boys and girls 3 to 8. The event is ran over three races and Birtley had around 15 mini runners ranging from as young as 3. Well done and look forward to next year.

Sophie and James the sprint stars

Why take the people to the track when the track can be taken to the people? That’s exactly what North Run organisors did for the City Games. Along with pole vault and long jump pit, a temporary 150m running straight was built on between the Baltic and Sage. For a number of years this has brought “stadium” athletics to the heart of the city.

This year two of our Birtley athletes earned the right to race on the same track as team GB and USA. Racing against the fastest athletes from Fridays training Sophie Taylor and James Lawrence ran the 100m in front of the estimated 20000 spectators. Sophie finished 2nd and James finished 1st

Sophie said it was a “surreal experience” racing in front of that many people “having a mint day and I have come back with Helen Clitheroe’s, Christian Malcolm’s, Oyepitan’s numbers and David Oliver’s USA vest and Dwight Phillips’ spikes”

Junior North Run

A change to previous years the girls and boys races ran separately. Within each race runners were staggered in waves from Blue Numbers (15-16 years) Red Numbers (13-14 years) Orange Numbers (11-12 years) Green Numbers (9-10 years). Each wave with 1 and a half minutes between.

The course was 4k taking in the mini loop plus an out and back along the Newcastle side of the river.

Being part of the biggest half marathon in the World and a major part of North East heritage, Birtley has always supported the North Run. We have produced several Junior Champions over the years. This year we have had 4 podium finishes. Sophie Forster finished 3rd in the 15-16 range. She also picked up the prestige’s Stan Long cup which is given to the first North East Athlete. In the 13-14 year olds last years defending champ Lydia Turner managed to retain her title recording the fastest leg of all runners, closely followed by Anna Fawcett in 2nd. Olivia Bateman had another impressive run in the 11-12 year old range. Like Lydia she was defending her first place from last year, which she did in style. Well done.

15-16 Girls 3 Sophie Forster 7 Paige Gilhespy

13-14 Girls 1 Lydia Turner 2 Anna Fawcett 18 Danielle Coulson 30 Danielle Graham 71 Sarah Karen Murray 94 Emily Laws

11-12 Girls 1 Olivia Bateman 37 Laura Kelly 42 Grace Turner 43 Jessica Morgan

9-10 Girls 14 Martha Laws 21 Amelia Bateman 40 Macey Bradshaw

15-16 Boys 7 Chris Peverley 11 Adrian Bailes 75 Sean Ridley

3-14 Boys 21 Lewis Morgan 139 Robbie Graham 208 Lewis Kelly

11-12 Boys 26 Luke Kelly 29 Jamie Johnson 59 Adam Ridley

9-10 Boys 140 Joshua Harvey 343 Jonathan Butchart

Well done Everyone

Great North Half Marathon

Sunday was the day of the half marathon main event. Those who watched the BBC coverage would struggle to miss Darren Purvis with his toe almost on the line at the start of the elite men’s race, proudly showing the Blue and yellow of Birtley AC to the World. Well done to all the seniors.

DARREN PURVIS 1:12:30 PETER FARNIE 1:21:56 Josh McEnaney 1:22:38 Michael Keenan 1:30:46 Andrew Hailes 1:31:36 David Coulson 1:35:17 Christopher Tiffen 1:37:40 GERARD MURRAY 2:19:5 Andrew Murray 3:02:42

Officials at the finish line

It’s not just the runners who deserve a pat on the back. Without spectators and volunteers the race that has grown to be the Worlds biggest half marathon would not take place. For the past 20 years Birtley has been involved by providing officials at the primary finish. This year we had 22 members

giving up their Sunday to help this event to take place. This is viewed as a developmental opportunity for some of our young athletes to see the event from a different perspective. All agreed that it was an exciting way to round off what had been a fantastic weekend of athletics.

Thanks to: Danielle Coulson, Grace Turner, Robbie Graham, Kersha Russell, Lesley Russell, Margaret Hopkinson, Katy Wilson, Lydia Turner, Paige Gilhespy, Val Baxter, Susan Wilson, Alex Flowers, Sean Ridley, Emily Laws, Bethan Oakes, Carol Ward, Rachel Ward, Chris Peverley, Anna Fawcett, Sophie Forster, Adrian Bailes and Ed Lown.

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Tags: Great North Run, road, Senior, Volunteer, Winners
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Royal Signal Relays, Plus results 12/02/2011

February 13th, 2011

Saturday’s racing conditions, were made perfect by a mild warmth and no wind, which is a sure sign that Spring is in the air.

This is the second year that the Royal Signal Relays have been run at Hetton Park.

The Signal Relays are the North East road relay championships and Birtley Men showed the depth in strength by almost fielding three teams (18 runners). On the day we settled two complete teams. The squad is in an optimistic position for the remaining harrier leagues (Currently lying second in D2) and the fast approaching 12 stage relays on the 20/03/2011. 

Fingers crossed that next year we will have three teams for the Men and see a Women’s Birtley team in the results; picked from the ever increasing number of Ladies we now have training.   

Excellent runs by all and a special mention to Brian Bailes, who pulled on his vest at the last minute to run the anchor leg completing the A team. 

Race review by Adrian Bailes. 

It was about my third appearance running for the senior’s team and this time I felt a lot more relaxed about it. I was in the B team with Dan Turner (running his first senior race), Josh McEnaney, Dave Scott, Dave Coulson and Michael Keenan. The race was run over two laps of a 1.11 mile loop in Hetton Lyons country park. I jogged a lap of the course in my warm up and I thought that it seemed quite an easy course with two hills that were more of long drags than short steep ones. The first lap I found ok – very fast though! – but then the second lap hurt! The second hill towards the end of the loop seemed quite short on the first lap but by the time I got there on the second lap I’m sure it had grown! I finished the first leg in 12:47 and handed over to Dan. Dan has been having a niggling injury in his knee for a while now but he still managed to get round the course. Well done Dan! Meanwhile, Dave Kelly had finished his leg letting me run with him for the first lap but then in the second lap he showed his strength and left me doing the last lap on my own! Dave then handed over to Richard. Richard ran a really good leg and I think I remember him saying he was 20 seconds faster than last year running 12:04! After Dan had finished his leg he handed over to Josh who ran his leg very well even though he’d been suffering with a cold. On the third leg it became apparent that the A team was going to be an incomplete team, so Brian became a last minute substitute and ran the last leg to make sure the A team got a finishing position. Running the third leg for the A team was Lee, with his wife chasing him round all of the way. He handed on to Karl on the fourth leg who came sprinting home to hand over to Shawn. Shawn put in a very solid performance it seems like you’ve been sneaking in some secret training having not seen you at the club for a while ha ha. Good to see you back Shawn! Didn’t see Dave Coulson, Dave Scott or Michael Keenan running as I was busy looking for some money for a piece of cake (sorry lads) but having seen the results it looks like you all had good runs.
The A team came home in a time of 78:39 finishing 14th overall. The B team finished in 22nd place overall with a time of 83:34
Birtleys favourite non-Birtley runner (who is now a second claim member of Birtley) got the third fastest leg in the girls race. Well done Tracy!

Full results can be found on this link.

http://www.new-marske-harriers.co.uk/attachments/article/195/Signals%20Relays%202011.pdf

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Tags: relay, Relays, road, Royal Signal Relays, Senior
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Memorial Road Races 14/11/10

November 18th, 2010

Remembrance Sunday services around the country and people fall silent for 2 minutes.

On this day Heaton Harriers host a number of races accommodating Under 11 boys and girls through the age groups to senior.

Birtley as always fielded many runners, giving great performances. 

A particular mention to Erin Wesley having her first run for the club. Erin brought home the team in the U13 girls and helping them pick up first team and a nice trophy.

For full results click on the link below.

http://www.heatonharriers.org.uk/mem10res.php

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Richmond Castle 10k 17/10/2010

October 19th, 2010

Congratulations to Angie Watson who won the Richmond Castle 10k in a time of 42 minutes.

The picturesque race started in Richmond’s cobbled market place. Runners passed the spectacular Richmond Falls on the River Swale before crossing the river at Green Bridge and climbing Sleegill offering fine views of Richmond Castle. Runners were went on a short circuit of Catterick Garrison before returning to Richmond and a great finish within the grounds of the castle of which English Heritage allowed access to.

The only thing Angie did wrong was to give away her bottle of beer not knowing that it’s the only thing that keeps Coach Tommy Millmore going.

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Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships

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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Tags: Northern Athletics, Race, relay, Relays, road, U15
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Mini and Junior North Run

September 21st, 2010

The sun shone brightly on the Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside for this years Mini and Junior Great North Runs, Saturday 18 September 2010. Thousands of youths of all abilities enjoyed an action packed day of racing and athletics cheered on by encouraging spectators.

Saturday’s races are a prelude to the Sunday’s 13.1 mile race and play host to a whole day of competition including the Great North City Games which has elite athletes from England and Australia battling it out. 

The first Birtley runners to compete were in the Mini North run which catered for youngsters aged 3 to 8.

The mini run is a distance of one mile which starts on the Newcastle quayside and heads out up river underneath the Tyne Bridge. The route then turns left crossing the Swing bridge up a slight hill to pass in the shadow of the Sage music centre then crossing back over the Millennium bridge for a the flat fast run into the finish, back on the Newcastle side.

This race was spilt into three waves, one starting at 11.00, 11.30 and 12.00. Many of the Mini North runners have siblings or relatives in the club and it’s great to see so many keen runners for the future generation of Birtley AC.

The spot light turned onto the elite athletes from Aus and England (England beat Aus 5-4) until 2.20 when it was the turn of the 9 to 11 year old boys and girls.

After a nervous wait our 9 to 11 year old athletes got under way.

Their route initially took the same course as the mini run. On the Gateshead side of the Swing Bridge they turned right running out of sight for around 1 mile doing a U turn back on themselves to join the route again from the swing bridge which in total was is distance of 3 miles

Some Brilliant races with Olivia Bateman coming in first girl adding another trophy to the shelf after last weeks track grand prix victory.

Birtley AC results boys and girls aged 9 to 11

Concluding the day’s races at 3.10 Junior Great North Run for boys and girls aged 12 to 16.

Running the same 3 mile route as the 9 to 11 year olds we had another winner Lydia Turner improving on last years 3^rd by two places for the win.

Birtley AC results boys and girls aged 12 to 16

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Tags: Great North Run, mini athletics, road, Winner, Winners
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Cumberland Ale 10 miler Sue Ramage

September 12th, 2010

Due to work commitments Sue rarely gets the chance to attend training nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays but she takes ever opportunity to pull on the blue and yellow of Birtley and put her toe on a start line. 

Most people travel to the Lake District for a relaxing break and maybes walk up a few hills whilst admiring the views. Not Sue Ramage. Sue spends a lot of her time in the North West and uses this as a base to seek out races.

12/09/2010 she ran in the Cumberland Ale 10 miler hosted by Derwent AC. This is a tough undulating course running out from Cockermouth for around 3.5 mile doing a loop and then returning along the same road.

Eager to have a bottle of Cumberland Ale in her hand Sue finished 4^th Lady (1^st in her age category of O/55) in a respectable time of 1hour 19 min and 30. Only two men managed to break the hour mark showing how tough the course is.

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Tags: road, Senior, Vets, Winner
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Watergate 5k

September 8th, 2010

A number of Birtley runners were out dodging walkers, dogs and bikes to complete the Watergate 5k race. The two lap race loops around the central lake before coming back round to finish by the playing fields. This 5k was the final race in a series of three hosted by Lowfell.

First in for Birtley was Lee Millmore finishing 3^rd position overall and improving his 5k time from the week before by over 20 seconds denying Morpeth a 1, 2 ,3 on the podium. Next was Dave Coulson in 58^th position sporting a nice tan back from his recent holiday. Dave had previously raced in the first two races of the series and came away as overall series winner. Excellent. Pat Kelly never to shy away from a race was 93^rd. The Watergate 5k incorporates the North East Vets 5k championships and Pats result seen him picking up Bronze medal for his age category.  

Also racing were three of Birtley’s youths running in the combined age category race around one lap of the 5k course. Luke Kelly worked hard to come in first for the Under 11 boys category. Lukes sister Laura battled all the way to the line to finish 2^nd in her Under 11 girls category. Danielle Coulson also sporting a nice tan had a brave run and finished 1^st out of the Under 13 Girls.  

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Tynedale Jelly tea glee for Birtley

September 5th, 2010

By Karl Oakes

Darren Purvis wearing and winning in the Birtley vest

In this 10 mile race with over 500 runners,  we had three men (Darren, Karl and Pat) and a little lady, (Angie). This race is called the Jelly Tea as at the end every runner does literally get a jelly tea; a sandwich and a cup filled with jelly with a spoon of course!  Maybe we could come up with a race, Karen’s already come up with a few; ‘Strawberry, Cream Scone Stroll’, ‘Cross Crumpet’ or maybe ‘ The Chocolate Cake Challenge’…suggestions on a postcard to…

Back to the real world, the conditions along the undulating, tough course from Hexham to Ovingham were pretty good, but a little windy. This didn’t hamper us and it was great to see Darren running with a Birtley vest on again and it turned out to be a great comeback for him as he won the race in fine style, leaving everybody behind right from the start.

The rest of the Birtley squad had good runs and we all thoroughly enjoyed this very popular race, which was well organised and marshalled by Tynedale Harriers.

Birtley A.C. at the Tynedale Jelly 10 mile 2010 race

Club Results

Further Information

Click here for full results – courtesy of Race Results.

Further details of this race can be found here – courtesy of Journal Live.

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Bupa Great Yorkshire 10k Michael Keenan

September 5th, 2010

Michael Keenan at the end of the Bupa Sheffield 10k 2010

Good morning sports fans. This week’s race report comes from the sunny city of Sheffield which hosted the annual BUPA great Yorkshire 10k on the 5th September.

The race was my 5th and final 10k hosed outside the region which I have taken part in this year following earlier events in Edinburgh, Derby, Leeds and York.

Like all BUPA events the race was extremely well organised with runners given a coloured race number based on their predicted finish time and usual foot-chips to ensure results were as accurate as possible.

The race began at Arundel Gate in Sheffield city centre and was very much an “out and back circuit”, after a short steady drop in the first km the course continued along a flat and wide dual carriageway which ran alongside the river Don. At 5km the runners reached the turnaround point and passed the Hillsborough football stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday. The next 4.5km was all flat dual carriageway until the final, cruel and painful 500m up the high street and to the finish. My Garmin recorded it as a 25 meter/82 foot ascent (almost as tall as 7 Elephants!!)

My plan for the race was to try and run steady 4 minute kms and to get just under 40 minutes which is what I managed at Derby earlier in the year. At the half-way point the target was in reach with 19.53 on my watch, but as the race wore on the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the night before began to take their toll, as did the thought of having to climb 7 Elephants and I stumbled through the 10k mark in 40.11. BUPA also decided to add 80 meters to the course which added an extra 13 seconds to my time, giving a 40.24 final time, placing me 91st out of 4,700 runners.

The Men’s race was won by Craig Mottram from Australia in 28.50 and there were athletes from Finland, Italy, Spain and the UK all in the top 10.

The Women’s race was won by Freya Murray in 33.01.

All in all it was a very enjoyable run which was well supported by spectators all along the route. Before I joined Birtley 18 months ago, as a 100m runner, I was unable to even run 10k and so to miss out on a PB was no big deal… especially with Cross Country season around the corner!!!

A special mention also for Tracy Laws who was seeded as an elite athlete and came home as the 6th fastest lady in a time of 36.52.

** For anyone interested highlights of the race will be on channel 5 on Saturday September 11th at 10.30am.**

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