Results round-up: 19th April 2015

A round-up of race results featuring Tyne Bridge Harriers.

Sand Dancer 10K MT: Sunday, 19th April 2015

36:49 Tim Kelso

37:04 Alan Hodgson (NE Masters Gold )

37:29 Lee Cuthbertson (non-counter)

37:40 Paul O’Mara

40:03 John Tollitt

41:20 Adam Wood

42:02 Sophie Marr

43:58 Heather Dorman

45:03 Joel Tepace

48:39 Joanne Wood

55:56 Kerry Morag

60:12 Sheetal Sharma

64:59 Vicki Deritis

69:21 Elaine O’Mara

69:38 Evelyn Maholam

In the team competitions, the Men finished 3rd and the ladies 4th.

Provisional results can be found here.

Druridge Bay Half Marathon: Sunday, 19th April

1:28 Charlie Townsend (3rd overall)

1:55 Zsofia Nemeth

Full results can be found here.

Reeth 10K: Sunday, 19th April 

87:04 Jessica Anderson

Full Results can be found here.

Reeth 20K: Sunday, 19th April

2:12 Sandy Anderson

Full results can be found here.

Greater Manchester Marathon: Sunday, 19th April

2h 55m David Daniels

3:38 Shaun Cowan PB

3:50 Adrian Brooks

3:54 Asari Rashid PB

3:55 Nicola  Brady PB

3:55 Ian Walton 1st timer

3:56:39 Stephen Dixon

3:57 Danny Fletcher PB

4:40 Emma Brooks PB

5:08 Margaret Eccles 1st timer

5:08 Kelly Phillipson 1st timer

5:43 Louise Kelly 1st timer

The TBH crew (together with Gemma and Hannah)

You can find my race report at the bottom of this page – DD

Full results can be found here.

 Great Edinburgh Run (10M): Sunday, 19th April

1:33 Robert Clark

Full results can be found here.

No Ego ‘Conquer the Forest’ Trail challenge: Sunday, 19th April

10K Challenge

53:49 Adrian Hall (2nd )

10M Challenge

1:19 Andrew Dougal (1st )

Full results can be found here.

please get in touch if I’ve missed out an event you took part in over the weekend.

Asics Manchester Marathon: Sunday 19th April 2015

Growing up in the 80’s, I’d often hear news stories of football gangs going crazy during match day train journeys. And although those days of fans fighting and smashing up carriages are a thing of the past, I discovered a far greater ‘horror’ on my train journey to Manchester.

The “Hen Party” day trippers.

Between Newcastle and Manchester, I had the pleasure of three parties sharing my carriage, thankfully, not all at the same time. All were in high spirits and full of joy (not to mention full of drink!) but boy what a funny lot, both funny haha and funny peculiar. One party began playing a Q&A game during the journey, and although they appeared to have no problem discussing using the back door or receiving pearl necklaces, they did, however, think using the word ‘sex’ was inappropriate amongst a crowded carriage. So we had the weird situation of someone asking, “have you ever had ‘s’ standing up” and a raft of replies ranging from “only on special occasions” to “does a failed attempt count”.

Luckily I had the latest issue of Athletics Weekly to read to keep my sanity in check.

Race Day.

Although some ABU’s may argue the point, having Old Trafford football stadium right next to the race village/finishing line is one helluva impressive setting.

Old Trafford football stadium.

And as well as providing a great photo opportunity, it also makes gauging your whereabouts during the race that much easier (something I’ll get to later on). Meeting up with other TBH’ers is always a terrific way to start an event, and today even more so. Because as well as those competing in the race, several other members (including Alison Bulman, Gemma Cowan and Sarah Danielles) had specifically travelled to Manchester to support and cheer on their team-mates, and I’ve got to say, it’s a great feeling knowing you’ve got the support of club members behind you.

Best, Law & Charlton

After the essential team photo it was time to head over to the starting pens to get ready for the race.

Cool temperatures, overcast skies and a slight breeze made for perfect running conditions, and I set off with the intention of staying behind the ‘3 hour pacer’ for the duration of the race. Which I did for the first few miles, but then realised I must have passed him at some point (probably in the to-ing and fro-ing at one of the water stations) and was running fairly comfortably alongside a group of six other runners. Reluctant to become a slave to my Garmin I kept my place at the back of the group and simply followed their lead. It wasn’t until we passed the 10 Mile marker that I checked my watch for the first time. It read 1h 07m.

At this point of the race, the route took in a loop around Altrincham town centre before heading back in the opposite direction, allowing runners an opportunity to see club mates, friends and family running the other way. Still feeling comfortable with the pace, I went into cruise mode and began scouring the other side of the road for the black and white TBH vest.

One by one we passed each other, (apart from Nicola, Ian and Danny who were running together), and the cry of ‘Go on Tyne Bridge’ was accompanied with a good old-fashioned high-five.

As the miles ticked by and we reached 20, I sneaked another peek at my watch – 2h 14m.

We left the suburbs for the next few miles and ran through the surrounding countryside of Carrington. But whether it was the lack of support or the vastness of open fields, the first signs of tiredness began to creep in. There were about four miles to go and I kept imagining the different four mile runs I usually do at home, superimposing the routes in my mind. Anything to make the miles go by quicker.

With two miles to go the race turned back into the city and brought with it some welcome spectator support. It was also at this point the roof stanchions of Old Trafford could be viewed in the distance. The end was in sight – even if it was still two mile away.

My running felt laboured by now, each step requiring more energy than the last. Unsure of my pace, and dare not looking at my watch, I kept waiting for the 3 hour pacer to waltz by and leave me in his wake. But he was leaving it late to do so. The 26 mile marker passed by and the realisation I was going to finish suddenly sunk in (I know how ridiculous that sounds, but your mind turns to mush during a marathon). I began whooping the crowd and high-fiving spectators as I reached the final corner and made the glorious dash to the finishing line.

Ecstatic doesn’t even come close to how I felt afterwards, and finding out how well everyone else ran in the race topped the day off magnificently. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; just finishing a marathon is a fabulous achievement, and every performance is as worthy as the next. People have congratulated me on being first finisher for the club and yet I look at Margaret, Kelly and Louise running for 5 hours plus and wonder whether I’d have the mental and physical strength to run for that amount of time. And to be honest, I don’t think I would (not at the moment anyway).

Well done to my fellow runners and huge thanks to all the club members and members of the Walton family who supported us around the course.

DD