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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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
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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
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Gold rush for U15 Girls at the North Eastern Cross country Championships 8/01/11

January 15th, 2011

Temple park at South Shields again the venue the North Eastern Cross country championships.   

Originally scheduled for December 11th, the event was postponed due to the adverse weather that brought most of the country to a stand still. With a welcome rise in temperature and a thaw of the snow the regional champs was accommodated at the expense of a Harrier League fixture that was due to be ran on the same day.

The club which was founded in 1987 has used this race as the club cross country championships since it was formed. The first Birtley runner in each age category will be awarded with the club championship trophies at the presentation night in May.  

Birtley athletics club had members in most of the age groups with our U15 girls finishing 1^st 4^th and 11^th picking up a team and individual gold.

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

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Tags: cross country, England Athletics, U15, Winners
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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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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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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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Sunderland Harriers Open Crosscountry relays

September 11th, 2010

Birtley AC has given a promising start to the 2010/11 crosscountry season by fielding 29 runners over the day’s races. Sunderland Harriers Open crosscountry races are seen by many as the start of the crosscountry season and it could have been a really wet one after the previous night’s showers. Luckily the weather became bright and warm drying off a lot of the ground water so that conditions under foot did not become muddy. There were six races with Birtley fielding runners in all but one. Straight races for the younger athletes and senior women. Relays for Senior and Veteran men. 

Under 11 boys and girls ran a 1000m course starting and finishing on playing fields the same as all the other races with some slight up and down hills. This race gave our under 11’s a good taste of what the harrier leagues will be like as on the 30^th October Sunderland will again play host to the second of the years harrier league fixtures.

Under 11 Girls

Under 11 Boys  

All the below age groups ran the same 1.8 mile course.

Under 13 Girls

Under 13 Boys

Under 15 Girls

Under 15 Boys

Under 17 Women

Under 17 Men

Relays

Senior Men A 5^th team 40.04

Senior Men B 11^th team 43.46

Veteran Men A 10^th team 48.48

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Tags: cross country, relay, Relays, Vets, Winner, Winners, XC
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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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Success for Seniors in York

August 1st, 2010

Composite team from Birtley Athletics Club and South Shields Harriers gained promotion to division 2. For the second year running the joint team has enjoyed success in the Senior Northern Track and Field League, thanks to the efforts of athletes and officials. They were crowned winners of the Senior Track league Division 3 after the fourth and final event at York on July 31st. Well done everyone look forward to next year in division 2.

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Tags: Northern Track League, promotion, Senior, Winners
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