Birtley A.C.

Pentathlete Steph Hopkinson NE Champion

September 21st, 2011

Many of you will know Steph at the club from her coaching capacity. What some of you will not know is that around her coaching commitments she also finds time to compete in her own right.
When Steph came to the club she was keen to compete and soon found that she had a talent for running, throwing and jumping. These skills were mastered in the Northern Senior track and league where she is a vital part of Birtley’s team.
Naturally this mix of disciplines allowed her to turn to the multi-event of the Pentahlon.
Scoring 2013 points which is shy of her PB, Steph improved on last year’s silver to claim the gold in the North East of England Championship.
Well done Steph our very own Jess Ennis

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Tags: Senior Lady, track & field, Winner
Posted in races

Birtley’s Adrian Bailes leaves very best until last. Prudoe 26/03/11

April 6th, 2011

An excellent run by Ade steals the Chronicles headlines. Read the full story at http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news//tm_headline=birtley-s-adrian-bailes-leaves-very-best-until-last%26method=full%26objectid=28428218%26siteid=72703-name_page.html

For photos http://birtleyac.co.uk/photos/

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Tags: NEHL, U17, Winner, XC
Posted in races

Clubs for young People Durham County Championships (CYP) 29/03/2011

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
Posted in events, races

Harrier League Town Moor 06/02/2011

February 8th, 2011

A cold rain and saturated ground failed to dampen the spirits of Birtley AC athletes and supporters who turned out for the third Harrier League of the 2010/11 season.  

Again some excellent team and individual results with the U15 girls holding onto the top spot in the teams. Senior Men moved into second place with the prospect of promotion.  

Lydia Turner won her race from the fast pack, backed up by the ever improving Paige Gilhesby in 4th and Rachel Ward in 7th completing the team. 

Karl Oakes had a brilliant run in the Senior Men finishing 16th from the slow pack which will move him into the medium for Wrekenton on the 26/02/11 

Under 13 Girls 2nd Team
3rd 0:16:12 Olivia BATEMAN
14th 0:19:45 Danielle GRAHAM
17th 0:21:10 Erin WEST

Under 15 Girls 1st Team
1st 0:15:04 TURNER, Lydia
4th 0:16:04 Paige GILHESBY
7th 0:19:20 Rachel WARD

Under 13 Boys 2nd Team
5th 0:15:49 Lewis MORGAN
12th 0:16:32 Jack FOLEY
13th 0:16:40 Luke KELLY

Under 15 Boys
27th 0:18:37 Matthew NORTON

Senior Men
16th 0:43:44 Karl OAKES
35th 0:44:40 Peter FARNIE
43rd 0:45:00 Lee MILLMORE
46th 0:45:08 David KELLY
135th 0:48:40 Michael KEENAN
162nd 0:50:20 David COULSON
200th 0:52:51 Daniel FLETCHER
240th 0:57:52 Tom MILLMORE
267th 1:13:37 Gerard MURRAY 

For full results see http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2011/index.php 

And look out for Birtley runners http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjqLQmrlA0Y 

As always listen for club announcements and watch the notice board for news and events.

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Tags: cross country, harrier league, NEHL, Senior, U15, Winner, Winners, XC
Posted in races

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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Tags: Race, road, Winner, Winners
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Harrier League Cramlington 23/10/10

October 23rd, 2010

The opening race of the 2010/11 Harrier Leagues was today ran at Cramlington Nature Reserve and hosted by Blyth running club.

A night of showers had left the ground saturated ready for hundreds of runners to churn it up into mud.

New for 2010/11 was the under 11’s running in a combined straight race for girls and boys. Kicking off at 12.15 they ran one small lap of approximatly 1.1k running around the perimeter of “the bowl”. Birtley fielded 3 runners Amelia Bateman, Kieran Taylor and Michael McNally who all had brilliant runs, eager for next weeks second harrier league at Farringdon.  

In the Under 13 boys we had new comers Jack Foley and Lewis Morgan with experienced racer Adam Ridley running one large lap of 3.2k course. Adam finished 11^th  outside the top 10 so we will watch the official results to see if he has moved into the fast pack.

Three of Under 13 girls completed the same testing course with Olivia Bateman finishing 2^nd from the slow pack. She was followed by Danielle Graham and Danielle Coulson both having gutsy runs.

By the U15 boys the course was nice and muddy but this did not put off Sean Ridley flying the flag as the only Birtley runner.

Four runners turned out for the U15 girls Sarah Murray, Sophie Forster, Lydia Turner and Paige Gilhespy. Lydia won the race from the slow pack.

Just 3 years ago in the same race the Senior Men Birtley only managed to field 5 runners. Today 11 Birtley Vests crossed the finishing line, running 3 large laps. Well done to Dan Fletcher having his first Harrier League race as a Senior. Tony Forster for having his first race for the club.  

Birtley still need to get toes on the line in the Under 17 Men and Women and Junior/Senior Men and Women. Come on, join your club mates and race.    

At the time of writing official results had not been published so keep and eye on race results for positions and times. Also watch out for photos of todays race being added to the “Photos” section of the website.

Well done to everyone who turned out and thank you to all the Birtley supports for cheering. Thank you to Blyth running club and officials for orgainsing an enjoyable afternoon of cross country.

Looking forward the Farringdon next week 30/11/2010

Results now published

http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/index.php

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Tags: cross country, harrier league, NEHL, Senior, U13, U15, Winner, XC
Posted in races

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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Tags: Race, road, Senior Lady, Winner
Posted in races

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
Posted in races

Grand prix totals have been added up with three of Birtleys youngster coming out as champs.

September 15th, 2010

Adam Ridley, Amelia Bateman and Olivia Bateman

Adam Ridley, Amelia Bateman and Olivia Bateman have jumped, thrown and raced their way to the top of this years Gateshead Grand Prix. 

After some brilliant individual performances over six events Adam and Olivia both in the under 12’s and Amelia in the under 10’s were presented with their trophies at Gateshead International Stadium. 

Now all they need to worry about is making space on the mantelpiece for their new silverware. 

Well done.

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Tags: track and field, track winners, Winner, Winners
Posted in races

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
Posted in races