The annual Birtley Junior Cross Country Relay race was an overall successful event for Tyne Bridge Harriers, proving all juniors brought their ‘A game’.
Before I start with the race coverage, let’s talk about the conditions and the course.
As most who were there will agree, the weather was windy, drizzly and slightly chilly (if not more so for the eager spectators, who cheered on each TBH runner as they went past).
The second obstacle was the course. It was tough: steep, hilly and pretty much designed to give the athletes a hard race. Although, with this being said, each of the runners were determined to keep going and all achieved a time to be proud of.
It’s 10.15am and time for the Under 11s race (3 x 1.25K). With all the races being a mixture of girls and boys teams, there was lots of competition (however, they did split the results into gender groups).
Leg 1 for the boys was Jack McManus who gave the team a fabulous start, finishing 6th overall with a time of 5.29. He handed over to Dylan Desborough who kept the pace, with a time of 7.45. James Warren came home for the boys with an awesome third leg and a time of 5.30. They finished 11th overall with a total time of 18.44.
For the U11 girls, Ellie Maxwell went first with a time of 5.53, in 9th place overall. Mabyn Goffe took over confidently finishing in 7th place overall, with 6.32 and Eliza Palmer took it all the way to the line in 5.53, giving them an overall position of 7th (18.18).
On to the U13s (3 x 1.65K) and first up were Freddie Palmer (5.33); Aalim Arif (7.08) Melina Bourgenot-Lewis (6.53) and Anna Carr (6.39) who all gave their teams a great start in the race. Next, we had Aidan Whitfield (6.34), Charlie Kilgour (6.45) Florence Snaith (6.38) and Lucy Nichol (8.25) who held their teams together. And last, but not least, the leg three runners: Liam Whitelaw (5.40); Jack Whitelaw (6.00); Kate Whitehouse (6.40) and Ruby Ditchburn (7.21) who brought glory back with fantastic results. The boys finished 6th (17.47) and 12th (19.53) overall and the girls finished 7th (20.11) and 9th (22.25).
I’ll hand over to Dave Moir now to fill you in on the results for the over 15s races.
Zak Kettle ran leg 1 for the boys in a very respectable 10:36 to bring their team in at 4th place handing over to Jake Moir who maintained the position in a time of 11:39 with Fraser Bigg finishing off in 11:09 unable to close the minute deficit to the team ahead.
Luis Nichol ran first leg in the other team in 12:24 handing onto Jake Parker who was allowed to move up an age category to close a second team in 14:51 handing onto Harry Snaith who brought the team home in 8th place in a time of 13:50
The only complete team for the 15+ girls was led out by Adeline Bourgenot-Lewis in a time of 15:22 handing onto Caitlin Attley for a time of 15:10 with Sophie Younger bringing the team home in 5th place in a time of 14:07
Laura Whitman ran the first leg of an incomplete team in 16:44 and Sana Arif was able to complete a Birtley / TBH composite team running last leg in 17:09 for 8th place.
Just when we thought the sandwich debate was over for another year, Anna Carr decided to enter a Red Leicester and Cucumber “thin” into the mix. Not something I’ve previously experienced, always favouring a more substantial sandwich, but at this point in time, it’s the only entry and winner by default.
Back to Liam to finish off with a review of the many sweet treats on offer.
The day was made even more enjoyable by the promise of the quality bakes waiting for us at the finish. Morag’s yummy Mars Bar tray bake – one for each runner – went down a treat. And Jack, my brother, went to buy cake and hot chocolate at the school gym, which was also really nice and warmed us all up. On the way out, we were given free Greggs sausage sandwiches by one of the other teams, who had bought two too many so we were well and truly re-fuelled! I know Dave will approve.
Overall, another brilliant race with all of my TBH friends.
Liam
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