Real stories from Tyne Bridge Harriers
As we gear up for another exciting season of Track & Field, we wanted to share some personal stories from a few of our very own members. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone considering giving it a go for the first time, these testimonials highlight what makes Track & Field such a rewarding and inclusive sport. From the thrill of competition to the camaraderie of our team, read on to hear from those who have experienced it first-hand.
Alison Ennis
Q) What made you first decide to try Track & Field, and what was your experience like when you started?
A) Rachael Adamson-Brown was enthusiastically recruiting at the Saturday track session and I thought I’d give it a go! I was nervous at the first meeting but the camaraderie was fantastic amongst the TBH crowd and surprisingly friendly amongst the other clubs.
Q) What’s your favourite event in Track & Field, and why?
A) I love the 200m sprint.. running fast makes me feel like a child, great fun.
Q) How has being a part of Tyne Bridge Harriers and participating in Track & Field impacted your life or fitness journey?
A) Track and field is a bit like school sports day with all your mates cheering you on and a bit of friendly competition…
Q) Can you describe a memorable moment or achievement in your Track & Field experience?
A) Getting over the qualifying height for the high jump with a Fosbury !
Q) What would you say to someone thinking about joining Track & Field for the first time?
A) Do it… you can have a go at anything and people do! Runners trying to throw the hammer and shot putters getting over the high jump.
Q) How does the club support you in achieving your goals?
A) Cake, brownies & flapjacks!
Q) What’s the best part of being part of the Tyne Bridge Harriers T&F team?
A) Being cheered on so enthusiastically even if I come in last!
David Cornish
Q) What made you first decide to try Track & Field, and what was your experience like when you started?
A) I loved Track & Field at school because of the variety of events and have fond memories of getting to hang out with my mates while competing in the multi-event Decathlon event. When I realised Tyne Bridge Harriers offered Track & Field events I was keen to get involved, even though it’d been more than 20 years since I last competed.
Q) What’s your favourite event in Track & Field, and why?
A) I’m a fan of jump events – long, triple and high jump – because of their slightly technical but accessible nature, but I’m going to go for the 400 metre hurdles. It’s a brutal sprint event over 10 barriers that provides an amazing sense of accomplishment when you cross that finish line.
Q) How has being a part of Tyne Bridge Harriers and participating in Track & Field impacted your life or fitness journey?
A) I find T&F, much like other running events, provides a great opportunity to push yourself and measure personal progress which is something I value. I’ve recently branched out to officiating as well, which has a feel-good factor in providing opportunities for others to get involved.
Q) Can you describe a memorable moment or achievement in your Track & Field experience?
A) Many, many great memories! Achievements-wise I’m the V35 club record holder for a few events which I’m quite proud of.
Q) What would you say to someone thinking about joining Track & Field for the first time?
A) Come and give it a try. There’s a lot of personal fulfilment to be gained from pushing yourself out your comfort zone, and you might just find something you really enjoy!
Q) How does the club support you in achieving your goals?
A) Year in year out the voices are different (well, some are the same, you know who you are!), but the encouragement is unequivocal.
Q) What’s the best part of being part of the Tyne Bridge Harriers T&F team?
A) Being part of a diverse and multi-talented team!
Angelo Gabriele
Q) What made you first decide to try Track & Field, and what was your experience like when you started?
A) I first attended as a spectator and enjoyed watching, I was even roped into helping with some of the events – fetching shot puts, catching javelins, putting hurdles out. T&F was one of the reasons I joined TBH, at my first event I was nervous but that didn’t last long, everyone taking part supports you even if it’s the first time doing the event. For me my first event was the hammer…I thought I’d just give it a go, I was given tips and pointers from all the lads from other teams. It felt really supportive!
Q) What’s your favourite event in Track & Field, and why?
A) Has to be the hammer, as I managed to secure myself an age category club record somehow. I also love the 100m, probably because it’s over fast…but it’s a whole lot of pain still but great fun!
Q) How has being a part of Tyne Bridge Harriers and participating in Track & Field impacted your life or fitness journey?
A) As there are many events to compete in I focus some of my gym training to build strength for some of these events. Also the team spirit is great, and everyone is really supportive!
Q) Can you describe a memorable moment or achievement in your Track & Field experience?
A) 100m at Shildon – I took part in the event as a non scorer, I’d been up against the same guy all season and we thought we would continue our personal battle. There were only the two of us in the race, it was a cracking race the crowd really got behind us as the two of us battled it out, finishing within less than .5 of a second between each of us…and we scored no points for our hard work but it was fun!
Q) What would you say to someone thinking about joining Track & Field for the first time?
A) Just turn up and get to the event, that’s the hardest part! Try a few events, don’t worry about time, position – just doing an event scores points for the team. There will always be somebody who will offer advice and help if needed. You will make new friends within ours and other clubs. It’s like a mini Olympics!
Q) What’s the best part of being part of the Tyne Bridge Harriers T&F team?
A) There aren’t many participants from our club and you end up doing lots of events trying different disciplines to see what you enjoy. It’s all about the team…also there is always plenty of sweet treats to enjoy!
Marie Bell
Q) What made you first decide to try Track & Field, and what was your experience like when you started?
A) I was talked into taking part! I had only been in a running club a few months, I hadn’t done anything since school. I was apprehensive but had no reason to be. What struck me was how supportive it was, officials, team mates and the other clubs!
Q) What’s your favourite event in Track & Field, and why?
A) That’s a really difficult question as I’ve given everything a go. I enjoy triple jump (I had never ever done it before taking part in masters!) Last season I had an injury so took part in throws. I did the hammer for the first time, amazing!!!
Q) How has being a part of Tyne Bridge Harriers and participating in Track & Field impacted your life or fitness journey?
A) It’s just great being part of a team and being there for each other, and there’s plenty of laughs so it has a really positive effect on well being.
Q) Can you describe a memorable moment or achievement in your Track & Field experience?
A) I hold a bronze, silver and gold in the British masters 10,000m championships. Just running 25 times round a track is an achievement 
so getting British championship medals is special. Getting a PB in events is always a good feeling. Last year I PB’d in all throws and hadn’t really done anything since before lockdown (maybe frustration at being injured and not running)
Q) What would you say to someone thinking about joining Track & Field for the first time?
A) Give it a go!!! You’ve nothing to lose. Anyone over 35, the masters league is incredible, real team spirit but so much support. It’s amazing watching the older athletes, they’re such an inspiration, so age isn’t a thing, track and field isn’t just for the young-uns 
Q) How does the club support you in achieving your goals?
A) The variety of training. Really well thought out club sessions. Top tips from coach Yam, the track sessions. The long social runs on Sunday are lovely!!! These longer runs do help on track just like shorter track sessions will help your road running.
Q) What’s the best part of being part of the Tyne Bridge Harriers T&F team?
A) The best part of TBH Track and Field is just the same as what’s great about TBH in general – encouragement and support. It doesn’t matter what training group you’re in, everyone makes the same valued contribution to the team 
Paul O’Mara
My love for the track started in COVID when it was deemed the only thing safe to do running wise with all road races off the menu. A few years before I made my debut for TBH on the track at Churchill doing 100m, 200m,400m and 800m all in one day – a jack-of-all-track-races-but-master-of-none! Over the last few years I have found the track beneficial to helping me achieve my fastest 5k road time. If you want to run fast then running on the track faster definitely helps in that respect!
The best thing about track and field over the last few years is seeing members from groups 1-5 turning up running, jumping and throwing regardless of ability. As a coach myself I encourage all my juniors and senior athletes to race on the track, off the back of this they have all enjoyed it and in the process made them faster for road races.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of track and field is relays to finish the day, this gives you the opportunity to mix with other runners from different groups all coming together to run and get points for the team.
I would recommend track and field to anyone at the club as it will have something for everyone! Some people find a love for throwing things or jumping very far into sandpits – two things I definitely can’t do.
More importantly track and field is team effort in a relaxed environment for racing, you will gain plenty of support from the club and someone may even bring some baked goods for your efforts.
Gemma Finnie
Q) What made you first decide to try Track & Field, and what was your experience like when you started?
A) I was always intrigued by track and field when I first joined TBH in 2017 but didn’t know a lot about it and thought it was mainly for members from group 1 and 2. In 2019, I plucked up the courage to give it a go myself, most of the time I turned up and supported members as I was too scared to give something a go, though I did brave a 100m relay and 800m run around the track. I always struggled to attend the fixtures due to working most weekends until I changed jobs in 2024 and was able to attend most dates, which I then saw myself completing 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m and 400m relay and long jump – now that escalated quickly!
Q) What’s your favourite event in Track & Field, and why?
A) Relays will always be my favourite because I love being a part of a team, and relays are always fun to be a part of, and the 100m relays are over before you know it
Q) Can you describe a memorable moment or achievement in your Track & Field experience?
A) At the end of 2023, an email went out wanting TBH to provide more officials and I’ve always enjoyed volunteering after volunteering at parkrun and the world transplant games in 2019, so I thought I’d give it a go – I then did my training for level 1 field official in 2024 – helping Sandy and Jessica on the second fixture (18th May) and by the last fixture (14th July) I was team coordinator and participated in the maximum 8 events that an individual can sign up for!
Q) What would you say to someone thinking about joining Track & Field for the first time?
A) Give it a go! You might find yourself a new hobby or learn a new skill – every member of TBH will support you along the way. If you’re not sure, bring your TBH vest and fitness gear and come and support your club mates, then if you fancy giving something a go you can sign up on the day!
Bring a picnic and lots of drinks and make a day of it! There’s no pressure!
Q) How does the club support you in achieving your goals?
A) You will have loads of support on the day to help you take part in the events, and you’ll always be applauded for giving something a go. (You’ll not be as bad as me at Javelin) If you’re interested in becoming an official – ask Dave M, Jessica and Sandy for more information and I’m sure the committee will welcome you on board.
Q) What’s the best part of being part of the Tyne Bridge Harriers T&F team?
A) The morale, we’re all a supportive team and would love to encourage members from group 1 to 5 to give it a go – it’s also a good way of meeting members of the club from different groups.
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