Newcastle welcomed the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay to celebrate the coming Commonwealth Games on the Quayside with a chance for people to try out some sporting activities. Tyne Bridge Harriers were offered the chance to host the athletics events and provided a number of sporting opportunities for people to try out.
The standing long jump competition had a slow start but, as with all great sporting events, heated up once the TBH juniors got involved. Zak Kettle laid down an impressive mark over 2m which prompted repeated attempts from Adeline Bourgenot-Lewis to better this distance. Some impromptu coaching advice from Sandy Anderson was taken but the final centimetres couldn’t be found to take Zak’s crown.
The bleep test certainly provided the most physical challenge with numerous local kids taking on the 20m course. Again the TBH juniors laid down the marks to beat. Henry Pickett set the early form with a final score of 8.6.
This was then bettered by Ruby Ditchburn who turned up the dial with an impressive 9.0. Freddie Palmer left his entry until late on and took to the start line moments before the baton arrived.
An unsuspecting member of the people decided to challenge Freddie and lined up alongside. Freddie was still breezing along when the other competitor dropped out at 4.3 – I’m not sure the +10 pints he’d drunk before starting the challenge was the wisest move! Freddie went on to achieve the top score of the evening with a mighty impressive 12.0.
We then welcomed the arrival of the baton with Tyne Bridge Harrier’s Claire Wynarczyk appearing on the podium having been one of the baton carriers earlier in the day.
Thanks to everyone for their support.
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