The ever popular Pier to Pier race attracted a field of just over 900 runners to the start line on South Shields beach this morning for an early start time of 10am, long before the roller coaster and the arcades in the vicinity got going. On the whole the weather was extremely kind, cool but with the wind on their backs the runners had pretty much perfect conditions for their day out at the seaside. The blow of a whistle started the race and the mad dash down the beach began. The route itself can be described as scenic as it passes Marsden Grotto, Sutter Lighthouse and stunning views of the North Sea are to be had all the way. There was an excellent Elswick turn out today and first home for the club was LEE BENNETT in 5th position overall in a time of 38:38. Lee was also first vet 40-49. He was closely followed by new recuit PHILIP SANDERSON, who returning from injury finished in 7th overall in a time of 39:02. Philip was also second vet 40-49. Well done lads. Next back was IAIN HARDY running well in 22nd position in a time of 42:01,KEVIN STEPHENSON on his way back to form in 32nd 42:50. STEVE ROBERTSON had a very good run in 36th in a time of 43:31, followed swiftly by JASON CLARK 38th in 43:31. DAVE JARDIN, ANTONY BENYON, LEE COULSON, ANDY MIDDLETON, STEVEN CURRY and DANIEL MONK. Continue reading →

Hello Mike, before I start, can I just say on behalf on the club, thank you for your attending the presentation evening and bringing along your Olympic medals.

So Mike, how did you get into athletics?

- I was a12 year old at school and competed in a 2 mile race which I won, I then joined up to Elswick Harriers and it went from there.

Who spotted your talent for running?

- At school there was a PE teacher called Neil Boyd, he allowed us to go training on the moor as a group for practice as he saw potential and encouraged it.

Mike in the middle

Did you train as an individual or with a group & did you have a coach(es)?

- Both really, I trained as an individual and as a group and my coach was Alan Storey from 1975.

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Be part of history on Thursday 14th June. The history and heritage of Elswick harriers is going to feature in an exhibition at the Newcastle Discovery museum in July. As part of it we need an up to date photo of the whole club. The photo will be taken at 7:15pm on the 14th of June at Newburn. Please wear your club vest. Hopefully we can get as many members on as possible. The last time such a photo was taken was in 1989, the clubs centenary year, so it really is something exciting to be part of. 

Phil Hurst running at Sport City, Manchester tonight, in the BMC Grand Prix, ran 3:42 for the 1500m, easily winning the race, and posting a P.B. at the same time.

Robyn Bennett......on your marks!

The NECAA Track and Field Championships were held at Gateshead Stadium last weekend, providing our junior athletes a chance to pit themselves against the best in the North East and experience the rigors of a major track competition. Over the two days, 6 Elswick youngsters took part in a variety of events including some field events. In the U13 category Robyn Bennett ran in the 800m heats to achieve a seasons best time of 2:51. In the U15s Sean Fuller ran a PB of 29.83 in the 200m. Millie Cassidy ran a pb of 2.34 in the 800m and 5:15 in the 1500m also a PB. Her Brother Ewan Cassidy ran a pb of 4:51 to finish 5th overall in the 1500m, and 3rd in the 3000m in a time of 10:43. In the U17 category, Amy Fuller ran a PB of 47.05 in the 300m and also ran a seasons best in the 800m of 2:40. Joseph Walker ran a Seasons best time of 2:11 in the 800m, and a time of 4:43 in the 1500m. Well done to all of them for going out and doing their best in a big championship competition. Full results can be found at:

http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=66339&pagenum=1

Mark finishes 3rd at Middlesborough 5k

Mark McLeod made a welcome return to racing last Sunday with a very promising run out at the Middlesborough 5km event. In blustery conditions Mark finished in third place in a time of 16:13, behind Nick Swinburn 15:42 and the race winner Ian Hudspith 14:58.  Congratulations Mark.

Elswick had two representatives at the VAA-NEE track and field league at Monkton Stadium. Alison Dargie placed first in the women’s 3000 metres event and yours truely placed 3rd overall and 1st M65 in the same event. Alison then went on to win the women’s 400 metres event in 62 seconds (on a windy cold Jarrow evening). The next league meeting is on Monday 28th May. Hopefully Elswick will have a larger turnout at that meeting. Be like Alison and try out some different events!!

Harry Matthews

There are 2 additional awards to be given away at this years Newburn River Run.  In addition to the winners of the mens and women’s race, we will recognising the first unattached male and female runner.  This years race is on 20th June, application can be done by clicking the link on the home page.

I have written a few reports recently for the Elswick Harriers website but there is a set of races I feel I have to tell you all about, these are the Lakeland Trails which take place in the Lake District.  The organisers bill these runs as “Inspiring races in beautiful places” and they certainly do that.  My first experience of “Lakeland Trails” was last September at Keswick when a few of us Elswick Harriers made a weekend of it.  I enjoyed it and have done a few more since.
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Phil Hurst headed for the capital, and the new Olympic Stadium to contest the 800 metres for some speed work. Phil was representing Sunderland University where he is currently studying. He easily qualified for the semi finals, before having to produce a P.B. Of 1:52:16 to reach the finals. The format of three races in three days may have caught up with him as in the final he finished in seventh spot in 1:54:76. Nevertheless this will have been good experience for him.