October 12th, 2011
The CYP Durham region Cross Country is being hosted by Birtley AC on Sunday 16th October 2011.
On the day they will be mixed races for Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17.
Individual/team registration 10am prompt. Race numbers will be given upon registration.
The first race (U11) starts at 10.30am with the remaining three races running one after the other.
Winner and runners up awards will be made for individual placing’s. Team trophies will be presented to the winning teams in all age groups (Three to score).
These races are the selection for the CYP National Cross Country which are being held in Essex on the 22 January 2012.
Course is suitable for spikes although some tarmac areas are to be crossed.
Directions to Lord Lawson click here http://birtleyac.co.uk/contact/
Refreshments available at the school.
If you are available to help out with organising/marshalling please put your name on the club notice board or see Ed Lown on the day.
Thanks
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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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May 22nd, 2011
Do you know someone that could be a torch-bearer?
The Olympic flame is coming to a high street near you with a chance to be part of history.
The flame will arrive in Britain on 18 May 2012 and arrive in London the weekend before the start of the Games on 27 July.
A nomination process will be used to pick the 8,000 torch-bearers. Use this link and go to the official site and nominate a person who has been your inspiration http://www.london2012.com/games/olympic-torch-relay/carrying-the-olympic-flame/
Organisers say that 95% of Britons will be within an hour’s journey of seeing the torch. Stopping in the North East at Newcastle, Durham and Middlesbrough.
London 2012 chiefs say the aim is for the torch to visit different communities and cultures and draw people in to the Games. It will also be used to showcase Britain’s towns, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sporting and cultural landmarks.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said he hoped the event would bring people across the UK together to celebrate the spirit of the Games.
“We will be working closely with villages, towns and cities the length and breadth of the UK to ensure that as each community welcomes the Olympic flame, they do so in a way that is unique and special to their area,” he said.
London mayor Boris Johnson added: “The Olympic flame is the most recognisable symbol of the modern Games and has an awesome history tracing back to ancient Greece.
“Its arrival on our shores in May 2012 marks not only the start of the London torch relay, but arguably the start of the most important three months in the capital’s recent history.
“Representing peace and unity, the torch relay is yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity in 2012 for ordinary Londoners and visitors to come together and celebrate this historic and exciting moment.”
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April 3rd, 2011
Birtley AC has a long history with the Clubs for Young People (CYP) supporting the organisation’s athletic side for many years.
We have had athletes running in the county championships and then going onto run for Durham in National events on both track and cross-country.
Normal selection for the CYP Durham cross-country team would be in October/November and ran over a course at Aykley Heads in Durham. Unfortunately due to the weather conditions the 10/11 Durham Championships didn’t go ahead and now with the closer of Aykley Heads sport centre they have also lost their venue for future races.
Although it was after National race it was felt that it would be still worth while having a regional race due to the only reason of it cancelation being the weather. It was here that we (Birtley) stepped into the breach offering to organise and run the Durham Champs from our base at Lord Lawson School.
Held on a Tuesday night the twisting and turning course was a challenging one using both the upper and lower fields at Lord Lawson. We covered four age groups U11, U13, U15 and U17.
Birtley dominated in both male and female team and individual events raking in an impressive haul of medals.
The night was deemed a great success and the CYP have informed us that they would love to hold future CYP Durham championships at Lord Lawson School hosted by Birtley.
Like all of Birtley success’s in would not be possible without the enthusiasms and willingness of its members to volunteer. Well done to all those who helped out and look forward to the 11/12 championships.
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Tags: cross country, CYP, Durham, Race, U15, Volunteer, Winner, Winners
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August 31st, 2010
Red Arrows over the Tyne Bridge
For over 15 years Birtley AC has supported the Great North Run by providing officials to help with the ushering of over 40,000 people at the finish line at South Shields.
Without the help of volunteers I’m sure our sport would struggle to host such “great” events.
We have again been contacted and have been asked if we can supply 20 eager marshals for this year’s main event being held on Sunday 19 September 2010.
The Great North Run is the biggest and most iconic half marathon in the World and this is your chance to be part of it. Who knows you may spot a celebrity or even get yourself on TV.
If you are interested or would like further information please see Ed Lown on club nights, but hurry because places are limited and going fast.
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Tags: Charity, Great North Run, Volunteer
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August 7th, 2010
With less than 2 years before the opening ceremony 70,000 voulnteers are needed. Do you have what it’s takes to be a 2012 Games Maker? They want Games Makers to be inspirational, open, respectful, team-focused, distinctive and have a ‘can do’ attitude. Click on the link below to read more and find out.
Click here to volunteer.
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