NORTH SHIELDS POLY A.C.

Durham XC Relays 23 January 2011

2012-01-27T23:00:00.001Z

A fine shot of the 60 or so athletes from our Club that made it to the Durham relays - plus Rosa Fojut's dog (called Hector)

Durham - city of religion and science- hosted the popular January cross country relays based down by the river at the Durham Univ cricket pavilion.
A Poly record was broken - as the Club fielded 9 men's vets' teams -with Peter Atkinson running solo - and 7 ladies' plus 3 seniors led off by the Tiger. The event was flooded by red shirts. So many athletes that Peter Gallagher's wide angle lens couldn't fit all on the team on the squad picture. This is a great event for a first timer to try out cross country and a team relay -however many were mainly tempted by the prospect to see in action (or inaction in Ice Man's case in the senior race) some of the Club's top trophy winners - from the Club awards that took place on the preceding Friday 21 January. (More to follow on this - especially about the athletics track and field awards - which were truly excellent this year) .

Iain Twaddle heads off on the last leg to lead the team (including Terry West and Tommy Brannen) to victory.Iain took 9m 39s to complete the 2 laps.

For now it is back to the cross country report.
For many months there's been a wave of excited anticipation amongst the girls about the prospect of the appointment of a ladies' captain .Will it ever happen at our Club ? Other Clubs have a ladies captain in place - but those clubs usually don't have a captain (like our one) who can handle the antics and foibles of the girls' squad as well as the inevitable troublemakers among them.
Captaincy does (whether they admit it, or not ) remain the ultimate dream for a Polygirl - even outranking a pair of Jimmy Choo's. Their fragile hearts and eyelashes flutter - when the Club Captain casts his occasional eye over the girls.squad - as he runs the rule over the possibilities. At Durham, the Club Captain was faced with a huge problem of how to organise 21 females. The Club Capt has been known to delegate (on an ad hoc basis) a ladies captaincy role. Sadly some of the choices have failed to hit the mark - with Karen Loughney having thought humour was a qualification -then totally blotted her already badly botted copybook with a display of bare faced cheek and impertinence towards senior male athletes. Another prospect, Katie Jones - has made a few recent indiscretions - and been confined to domestic/cookery duties.

Fast girls : Louise Hayes (V35 team 1)and Lucy Robinson (senior team) are line astern as they head for the finish.

This time the pink baton was handed to Lucy Robinson. A perfect package ? Well only time will tell . The main qualifications for a ladies' captian are as for a wife - you need someone that can obey the Club Capt's orders without question - and can rustle up a damned good curry.
Another issue would be status . A ladies captain could never have the same status as the Club Capt (nor would she properly cope with such authority). Nor could she ever outrank the VC for that matter. The VC would however provide a diplomatic conduit should a ladies captain have any doubts about the Club Capt's orders . It is most unlikely any of their doubts would ever be justified - but the VC's tact would ensure a diplomatic crisis with the Club Capt would be avoided .

Kath Stewart rarely leaves a race without winning something - this time she combined for gold with Noreen Rees and Lynn Trueman (a winning debut for Lynn)

Back to the races. A fierce westerly wind blasted from round the purple cassocks of the bishop of Durham up on the hill at the cathedral - and bowled downhill and whipped along the river edge. Conditions were too rough even for the embarkation of the Durham rowing club who failed to leave their home boatshed. So at least we were all spared the post race analysis about how Paul Hughes outran the Durham coxed 8 over 200 meteres..

The wild bunch - as the lap 1 lead group heads into the wind with Tommy, Guy (V45 team 1); Gary Moore (V35 team 2) . Mike Moore (V35 team 3)- hangs onto the back . David Appleby of TBH lurks in the eye of the storm.

Exactly at 10.15 the veteran men set off -with a slow run down the main straight and into the teeth of the gale. A lone HH runner took off (poor decision as it happened) - but for the rest it was a case of forming an orderly block in an attempt to create a windbreak - no one wanted to take the brunt of the wind on lap 1 and times were a bit depressed. Things only started to break up after the first lap was over. As things shook down - the Poly's V40 team was vying with Sunderland Harriers V45 for leadership. Terry West handed over the final leg to Iain Twaddle in 2nd place - and with the fastest vet's leg of the day - Iain went away for what was a comfortable win.
Our V45 team (Guy; Norman de Bruin and Vaughan) swept up the bronze medal - falling behind both Sunderland (second overall) and Morpeth.

Crazy hairsyle didn't stop Vicky Stevenson from setting the 3rd fastest time of any of our girls.

An even wilder style from Christine Burns - who takes over the final leg from Vicky. Christine seems to have her name stitched on the back of her shirt - but unfortunately not her telephone number.

Next up were the ladies. The winds had moderated somewhat - although it still created some Bjork style haird-dos among the girls. Some of the better prepared girls had added a hair band to their cosmetics bag - appearance and style remain important in our girls' squad especially as they seek to catch the attention of Peter's sharp eyed lens.

Our teams were led off by Louise Hayes in V35 and Lucy in the seniors. The field was broken up fairly quickly by some strong runners from Morpeth (who eventually won) and Durham Univ.. Last year Louise was part of the gold winning team . This time with Gill Moore and Leah Davison she had to settle with the bronze behind Morpeth and Tynedale . Meantime in the most senior race V55 - the Club picked off the gold medal thanks to Noreen Rees (fastest F55 on the day ); Kath Stewart and Lynn Truman.. So another succesful outcome for our girls. In the overall ranking, the ladies seniors with Lucy, Vicky Stevenson and Christine Burns took their team to 6 th position.This was our top position on the day.

A strong debut from Patrick Hoguhton - saw him clear up our 2nd fastest seniors' time at 10m 46 s-and just behind the Tiger.

Finally we were left with the seniors - 3 teams altogether. The competition is very hot - with some of the leading local athletes in play from New Marske and Morpeth Harriers. Our first team were led off by the rampant Tiger - setting our fastest time for the seniors. In a quality field the team ran in 21st place (joined by Paul Wilkinson and Rob Lewis). The second squad saw Patrick set our second fastest time on the opening leg - to lead the team back in 30th position .
A lot to celebrate both in terms of team prizes and the evidence of a lot of new faces - who we'd all hope to see at some of the upcoming events.A successful day for Lucy (but with a lot of help from the Club Capt).

Michelle Thompson (senior team 2) heads off in hot pursuit of former Poly favourite Claire Bruce of Morpeth - Claire was a fine cross country runner for our Club.

Finally a word on the after event feasting . This time we saw a couple of new - but really handy - cooks with Suzanne Thew (chocolate coated flapjacks and a beetroot and chocolate sponge ) - Suzanne's chocolate had a high cocoa content (note for Katie Jones) and then Michelle Thompson's 'secret' fruit cake and cereal/energy bars - provided the perfect re-fueling. They provide hot competition in the kitchen - as well as on the course - where both also acquitted themselves tastefully.
This is the outline report from Durham City Harriers - plus the results.
http://www.durhamcityharriers.org.uk/index.php?news&nid=165

In the absence of Carla Maley -marathon runner Natalie Thorburn was our only Polyblonde. Natalie ran second leg on V35 (2nd team) from Sue Potter and ran a fine race.

Another new face was a Scot - Lisa Henderson who checks her watch and sets off on leg 3 for the 2nd seniors team. Kay Thompson looks happily on- but her turn is yet to come so things may change.

The long haul into the wind with Rob Foster and David Williams from 2 of our V35 teams as they break away from the pursuers

TOREADOR ! A sharp jab up the backside - propels Dave Johnson to 4 th fastest on the day in V55. The team (with Ian Richardson and John Bretell) just missed out on the bronze placing. The release of Aberdeen Angus heifers is the new coaching tactic devised at the Poly in a final bid to improve DJ's track speed.

Alan Whitley and Neil Dick are underway on their respective final legs.

Handover on V55 - as Ian Richardson's race is run as he leaves John Bretell to finish the task . meantime also out the blocks is Mark Teale in his first relay for the Poly.

Paul Hughes was probably right when he reckoned that he must have run one of the fastest final 200 m of any athlete - unfortunately it seems he did not read the pre race literature which specifically said the course was about 3000m. Paul has yet to explain what speed he completed the other 2 800 metres or so of the course in - as that clearly also had a bearing on Paul's final placing.

Seniors team 2 as Michael Dutton hands over Alex Robinson to tidy up.

Our final seniors team featured Mel Carr - whose team wrapped up things on the day - with Mel getting by in just over 12m

A fine shot of Durham cathedral - home for more than 1000 years to the bishops of Durham. Durham has seen its fair share of eccentric bishops - including one ( David Jenkins ) who defied the world's greatest science textbook (the Bible) by announcing that the Resurrection and virgin birth probably did not happen. He never really exlained how these 2 events could otherwise have happened - other than by witchcraft. The bible is not just a book on science however - it also has a lot to say on governance - so that for centuries the most senior role a female has been permitted in the church is to either polish the pulpit - or (if really trusted) to dish out the tinned prunes at Harvest festival. We knew after all that there must be a good reason why there's never been the need for a permanent ladies' captain

Pudding Run 26 Dec 2011/Run for Bob 8 Jan 2012

2012-01-12T21:14:00.001Z

It's a fun run - so no running and lots of smiles

The Poly's 2 annual charity events took place - unhindered by bad weather this time - over the Christmas and New Year period.
The Pudding Run saw a huge entry in blustery conditions .
This is the report of Bill McGurk from the Chronicle:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2011/12/27/400-turn-out-for-woodlawn-xmas-pudding-run-72703-30016044/

Meantime - a week into the New Year - and things were up and running at the traditional Run for Bob event.
Over 100 runners took part on the 8 mile or so run from the war memorial - along the coast to Seaton Sluice and then back to the Club house via Hollywell Dene.
The event was well supported by runners from many local clubs including groups from Heaton Harriers, Wallsend and a posse led by Rob KIrtley from Tyne Bridge. There was even a runner from the Vegetarian Running & Cycling Club - quite a novelty to base a running club around eating habits. Let's look out for the Marmite Team and Vindaloo Runners.
Back at the Clubhouse a group of our finest Polygirls presented their wares behind the counter - as famished competitors downed cream scones and lashings of gimger beer.The region's best race feast.
The event is a non competitve / non timed fun run - with the emphasis on fun. It was a bright mild day - but the course did present its own challenges with slittery mud on the approach to Collywell Bay and worse to come in the Dene. A downed fractured willow cut the easy path - resulting in a re route up the bank.
Things started with a good deal of friendly banter as the lead pack of 10 trudged north. By Hollywell Dene the group had split with Three Musketeers left at the head with Tommy Brannon, Mark Fenwick (TBH), Chris Morley as they made their leisurely way back to the track. But it's not a race as no official times are kept and no one really cares. Do they ? Tommy and Mark proclaimed they were 'out for an easy run...'

No - it's a race - as Chris Morley blocks out Mark Fenwick - with Tommy maintaining a non stop race commentary

On reaching Churchill an incompetent official directed the lead group (now joined by an Unknown Spaniard) through the wrong gate for the final 600m run on the track to the finish. In the confusion Paul Wilkinson breezed by to take the 'lead' - as he reached the track before the Gang of Four. In absolute desperation, Tommy saw his one chance of track success in 2012 going down the sink. He blazed a course back through the right entrance gate - and then like Dick Dastardly deliberately wedged an equally desperate Mark Fenwick into the gate - to block his run. In a frantic finish , Tommy just got past Paul - with a wounded and winded Mark Fenwick hot on his tail.Tommy crossed to get his first track victory since 1967.

The nearly man - as Paul Wilkinson almost took the race win at the death

Thanks go especially to John Brettel for the double headache of organising both events and for all the Poly people and North of Tyne fell rescue service for their help. These events only go ahead because there are folks out there that stand in the cold and direct the event.
Some impressive photos from Les Thompson - great Dene shots.

Seeing red - as Louise Cooke and Sue Potter work their way uphill through the Dene

One of the special guests at the run was movie director , Rob Kirtley of TBH. Rob wears dark glasses to avoid the attentions of the glitterati and out of work actreses.

Poly stalwart, John Brown has a lot of miles in his legs over many, many years of running - 8 miles is nothing.

David Wright dressed like a marshall - is actually a fun competitor.

Simonside Cairns Race 11 December 2011

2011-12-21T15:15:00.004Z

Your web browser has not hit another site in error - this is the Poly BLOG - featuring Dave Johnson , the author of this fine report on the SS Cairns race. Here is Dave from the same race earlier in the year in his beloved lilac and lime shirt of Northumberland Fell Runners

The BLOG editors are grateful to Dave Johnson for this report on the recent Simonside Cairns Fell race. The BLOG cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this report in which Dave sledges a fellow runner who was clearly innocent - and then reports on the race. The photos are borrowed from various soures on the NFR web site - and we express our thanks. However they relate to the January event - on this occasion NFR unusually had no cameramen there.
Fell races are great entertainment so if anyone wants more details speak to Dave (who is out most weekends on the hills or in pubs) - or check the NFR web. Here goes :

Simonside Cairns Race 11 December 2011

Four Poly people,Matt and Sally Poxon, Dave Johnson and Barry Young took part in the SimonsideCairns race, the premier fell race of the festive season. There are no big climbs in this 10 mile runand the route is quite well marked so it attracts a wide mix of runners of all types and abilities as shown by the presence of the aforementioned.

I must start by saying, if only to try and shut him up on the subject, that only one of this semi-illustrious quartet was flying the flag by wearing the old Red, White and Blue Poly vest. The other three were attired, no less tastefully (although Barry might beg to differ), in the purple and green, banana republic like colours of Northumberland Fell Runners.

I travelled up with Barry and we spent a pleasant three quarters of an hour criticising, in aconstructive manner of course, the running skills and sundry other attributesof various club members. And so, all to soon, at least according to Barry who likes to arrive five minutes after the start of a race, we arrived at Rothbury.It was 10am so we had an hour to spare to warm up before the start of the race.I spent the time chatting to various fell running friends who had made the trip from places as far afield as Edinburgh, Masham and High Heaton. Needless to say, Barry was at rather a loose end during this period as he does not have any friends.

The start of the race is from Rothbury village green - before heading across the Coquet

As we paid our five pounds entry fee at race registration in the Station Hotel, we learned that the route had been altered to avoid Simonside where the paved footpath was iced over. This meant the name was a bit of con as this was where the cairns, in Simonside Cairns were. Not surprisingly this prompted Barry to ask for a refund as he reckoned it was now a trail race.

We started off together and more or less stayed together on the first section of the race.This is a seemingly interminable and interminably awful uphill climb from the river and along the road to Whitton Tower. The gradient eases for a bit along afarm track until Whittondean Farm and then comes the first real climb of the day which takes you onto Garleigh Moor. This doesn't last long and soon you lose some of the painfully gained altitude in a fast descent to Lordenshaw car park. By now Barry was a good distance ahead, followed by me and then by Matt and Sally. From the car park a steeper climb, which has most ordinary mortals doing a bit of walking, takes you onto Spylaw and it's on the descent from herethat you meet the first of the days problems. There are numerous duck-boards that are treacherously slippery when wet, scattered about this part of themoor. There are two ways of surmounting these formidable obstacles, well three if you include the “running flat out, slipping, getting a free trip to casualty and fourteen stitches in your head, technique” as tried by one guy. No, there are only two safe ways to cross and even these both carry considerable risks. You can if you wish adopt a style of running best described as “mincing”, which maybe safe enough if you are female. However, if you are male and seen employing it, you may damage your standing with one section of the community, although it will simultaneously enhance it with another, albeit smaller, section. Alternatively you can adopt Matt's approach and run around them. By doing this you run the risk of discovering just why the duck-boards were put there in the first place. As infact Matt did on the very last one, when he went thigh deep into a bog.Unluckily for Matt he was in the process of overtaking me who may or may not have been mincing over the adjacent duck-board. I may have laughed at him at this point.

The terrain now becomes, quite frankly a nightmare, especially near Selby's Cove. It's not steep, it's just gently undulating, but you have to follow a narrow path full of muddy puddles of unknown depth, which can be partly encroached upon by the surrounding bog. When there's no water,the path is blocked by tree trunks and there are roots and branches scatteredeverywhere to try and trip you up. It was here that I received a surprise whenI saw Matt up ahead. I couldn't actually remember him passing me but there hewas, large as life, albeit a still life as he disconsolately massaged his leg.ITB he said, “Do you need any help” I asked. “No I'm OK” he replied, no doubt detecting the half hearted nature of my offer. “I'll be all right in a minute”he continued, just a bit optimistically I thought. But I was wrong because he passed me again a little later on shortly before we entered the Stygian gloom of a thickly planted forest. This is where tired Simonside Cairns virgins maydoubt their sanity because suddenly the gloom is lifted by a plethora of Christmas tree lights. As if that isn't enough there is also an aural uplift inthe form of traditional Christmas music courtesy of the modern beat combos of Slade and Wizard which gently trickles from the speakers of a nearby CD player.

Once out of this veritable Santa's grotto, alas there were no presents, another miracle awaits,at least for a fell race, in the form of a drinks station! Well it is Christmas,but it is also a trap. This is where the “roadies”, who can't resist stopping for a drink, have their numbers slyly noted by the organisers who make sure they give them the crap prizes at the awards ceremony.

NSP runner fights his way onto Simonside crags and is now hot on the tail of a leading NFR runner (Lawrence Johnson)

Immediately afterthe drinks in the normal race there is a short steep climb onto Simonside.Today on the amended course there was a joyous 4 mile descent on forest tracks,oh, and also Matt who had broken down again. As I reached him he hobbled intomotion and said he would jog down with me. What did he mean by this? Was he saying that I was naturally much slower than him but as he was injured our pacewould be comparable? Or was it that I would show compassion for him, slow down and accompany him to the finish? Anyway,I charitably decided on the latter and we had few hundred yards worth of companionable chat about races past and races yet to come. But when three runners and an arthritic tortoise overtook us, the spirit of races present tookover and charity was told where to get off. I set off in hot pursuit nearlycatching two on an enjoyably steep and muddy descent through the trees, before they increased the gap when we rejoined the gently descending forestry track.Road runners!

On the track byWhitton Farm they pulled further away but I was soon spurred on by the unmistakable sound of two female runners rapidly closing on me. “Hah” I thought, “Will they ever learn not to gossip when running?” Thus forewarned of their approach I speeded up and just managed to finish ahead of them. Matt wasn'ttoo far behind despite his ITB problems. Sally finished in the company of an NFR lady and probably lost a few places owing to the copious amount of chatting that they undoubtedly indulged in.

The long road in - and past a bastle

Barry had finished in a creditable 35th place out of a hundred or so starters and was already headed for the river for a wash when I came in a few minutes later. He modestly explained he could have finished higher had he not chased after and called back a group of runners who'd shot off in completely the wrong direction at Coquet Cairn. So you see ladies and gentlemen, maybe he's not all bad.

Free hot soup and acouple of beers in the Station Hotel rounded off a fine day's racing.

Safety is paramount on a fell race and competitors hve to carry essential safety gear usually in their bumbag. DJ gave us a glimpse of what he carries. Firstly the map - that DJ uses to wrap up his cheese and pickle roll and 2 slicesof Battenburg cake; a whistle - for DJ to summon the barmaid in the Dog and Do'nut - when his glass needs refilled; a compass - which no longer works after DJ learnt it contained alcohol and drained it. Finally it's usual to carry water - and DJ had serious trouble convincing us all that the brown liquid in this bottle was water. Dave favours the small 20cl bottle as its shape fits easier in the bum bag. DJ will carry 2 bottles of 20 cl rum on longer runs - as once the first is drained you can chuck it at a rival competitor .

British and Irish Masters XC at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow 26 November 2011

2011-12-14T21:50:00.001Z

ICE STORMS INTO ENGLAND TEAM .....

Iain in the centre on a downhill sweep at the course on the track of a Welsh runner

Congratulations go to Iain Twaddle , Gary Moore and Guy Bracken - who were all recently selected for England at the annual veteran master's cross country event. For Iain - it was his third selection in a row - now running at M40 ; for Gary his second - but for Guy it was his first and last chance to get a national cap at M45 level (as he upgraded to M50 last night ).Guy had won his vet age group in the 10 mile road race at Tynedale; and was 3rd in the national 5k Bolton event and 3 rd again at 10 k at some place called Exmouth. It is hard enough to get a national selection as you've got to be the best - so it must be pretty rare for any Club to see 3 of its runner selected at a single national event such as this. All credit to our runners.

Yes it is Guy Bracken on a xc course - and you'd get 150 points on the Poly I-Spy for witnessing it (in comparison you'd only get 3 points for Mike Moore at a xc event).

It was never going to be an easy course in a city famed for having the hardest men in the world . It was a dreich day in Glasgow for the race - with driving rain and wind - and a course (the BLOG's told) that was well slicked with mud and sprinkled with hills. ..The runners also enjoyed the extra bonus of about 2 hours of daylight - so it was just as well the race was restricted to the fastest vets around.
On the day, sadly Gary was missing with an injury. Iain however finished in a strong 25 th place overall in the M30-60 race) and third Englishman back in his age group.Iain is a superb off road runner - and has many top finishes both at cross country and in fell races. Guy had a bit more bother - this was his first xc in a few years -on the last coccasion at South Shields the Club Capt had ordered the Mud man to sacrifice his race and hold back to support the Ice Man over the hills. (A scene captured for posterity in one of Peter Gallagher's superb photos at the time ).. Roads are more to Guy's liking as you can keep your feet dry and run under the trees if it rains.

Iain heading for the line - for a mud slide finish.

The BLOG does not feature athletes from other Clubs other than occasional females who rate a mention for their stunning good looks if not their running ability - Susie Stephen , Jo Zoppi and Helen Morris all crop up from time to time. However mention needs to be given to 2 other very local athletes who were also selected (and we hasten to add the team selectors did not select either just on their looks). Firstly , Terry O'Gara from Wallsend - Terry's amazing feat was not that he got selected but that he managed to convince the English selectors that he was M70 , given that he looks about 20 years younger. Terry had a good race in the over 65 s race.

Secondly, it has been a whilrwind season for Tynemouth based Kenny Macpherson - as not only was he a member of the successful Scottish veterans team recently at the national xc relay champs , but was then called up to represent the glorious dark blues of Scotland at M 40. The selection was well justified as Kenny put in a thumping run.Kenny is quite a regular at the track and is secretary for Tyne Bridge Harriers.

Well done to all of them - and a great show from the area and especially our fellas.
Thanks go to Clare Manser for the photos - snapped in the very gloomy Scottish gloaming.
This is Bill McGurk's report in the Chronicle :
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2011/11/28/memorable-debut-for-70-year-old-terry-o-gara-72703-29853703/
Also this was Bill's pre race report on 20 October :
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2011/10/20/north-east-top-veterans-rewarded-for-their-patience-72703-29627702/
This is a report also from Kenny Macpherson that appeared on the TBH web:
http://www.tynebridgeharriers.com/2011/11/27/british-irish-masters-cross-country-international-race-report/

Ice Storm - classic 1990s film from director Ang Lee. This featured a dinner party scene- where at the end of the evening all the car keys are put into a lucky bag. The girls then select their night time partner by picking out a set of keys . Good news if you get Sigourney Weaver.But rather like Trivil Pursuit - these days this game is now only played in middle class households in Tynemouth after dinner parties. It's most unlikely that Guy's England selection could have been done on this basis - as the keys for his 1994 Vauxhall Nova with the plastic Donald Duck on the key fob wouldn't have stood a chance against those chunky BM and Merc keys of those southern athelets.

Start Fitness - NEHL - Round 3 - Shibdon Park, Blaydon November 26, 2011

2011-11-27T18:52:00.008Z

The start of the U 15s - as Andrew Mather and William Robson set off at a rapid pace with the pack.

The annual xc lite event took place at Blaydon on a blustery November day. XC doesn't get any less exciting than this unless Brendan Foster is involved in the commentary. On a course that's flat and firm - the only feature of any interest is a weeping willow (salix chrysocoma) pitched in at the corner of a bank that forms part of the zig zag hill. (Latin names included for Gary Robson's benefit).The willow is the only section of course requiring tactical planning to skirt round it - from those like Gary Robson that will crash run through the foliage - to the girls , many of whose angle of sweep round the willow is narrow or wide depending it seems on how recently they'd been to the hairdressers.
The race was memorable for quite a few reasons. The Tiger this time failed to burn his way to the sharp end of the field on a course that was well suited to his Longleat Park stride; there were over 400 runners in the men's race (first time I've ever known this); but most of all the day was brightened up by Katie Jones's and Kay Thompson's presence and secondly because they put on pinnies and set up a Poly picnic. (Second time I've known a run brunch - first time at last year's northerns with super Susie Stephen's fine rock bun and muffin camp). There has never, ever been a picnic like it (or any picnic for that matter) in Blaydon before. The tucker was high energy stuff like the banana and choc chip muffins; millionaire's shortbread (the Aberdeen version using low cocoa content chocolate ?) and a fine almond and lemon loaf. All that was missing were the lashings of ginger beer . Who says that our girls have no talent ? A future curry and beer cross event would see a huge turnout of men .
.

Danger man John Baty - gets cover from the pack before striking out with a surprise attack on fellow Polyman Dave Gilmore

Back to the running - and we were a bit thin on juniors - although Isaac Wilkinson at U 11 and the consistent Jake Morley at U 13 were again our first runners home in the tent - followed in by Jake and Wil Robson at U15.Seniors had a tough day in the field - despite a 15 strong team . Mike Moore at the sharp end seemed short of his usual power but kept his first place. Accident prone runner John Baty succeeded in a second place finish for the team having angled his final sprint to cut out several team mates on the run in . Tiger, Gary and Chris Morley pulled in the rest of the points. Well done to Steve Locker - not far back on debut run - as well as some good steady running from our midfield.Points wise we were down on our luck - finishing' it seems, 10 th on the day. Now for the real events in 2012 where with some good blasts from the fell runners (including hopefully Crocodile DunDeeJay) should see us pull clear of any relegation danger.

A pacey run from Alison Dixon as she clears the 'summit' on lap 1

No juniors turning out for the girls - so it was over to seniors. As usual the weather improved for the ladies' race with the sun drying the course quickly - so they didn't have to get mucky traipsing through the mud as the guys had done. As always the course got easier as the day progressed - and someone's really going to decide whether it's fair that the girls should always run last. Carla didn't disappoint again as first blonde back as well as first NSP but this time she was harried to the line by Alison Dixon. Another fresher was Clare Swift (good name for a runner ) - making a very good start with 3 rd slot . Katie Jones after organising the picnic place settings managed to stumble home 4 th. It was good to welcome Karen Roche and Mel George - Mel has been missing from out teams for a while. Girls cooked up a good result to - with 5 th place overall. Now sited in 3 rd place in the league and Katie as 10 th quickest vet.
Great also to have support from chief coach Ron Stewart - his first visit of the year- and a great supporter of xc running. Ron's presence is probably worth an extra 15 seconds off any performance.
Now for the winter gap in the harrier league season until February . But the off road events roll on.as Blyth RC host the Sands race this weeked (added bonus of a swim) ; the NEXC champs the week after at Cramlington - and then in the New Year the Durham XC relays. So plenty still to look forward to. The BLOG's Ice Man special is well in hand - with new recruit to the editorial staff, cub reporter (Karen Loughney) lined up to pose the Ice Man a few of the more searching questions.

Mike Moore makes it a double as our first counter home again ...

...but Carla Maley goes one better with a clean sweep of 1st places over the first 3 races.

Thanks for several of the photos go to movie mogul Rob Kirtley of TBH (not sure how he got the photos - when he was supposed to be running ); Alister Robson (again ) of Elvet and top one from Phil Green of HH/NFR.Thanks to Blaydon Harriers for the organisation. Here's some more photos.

Downhill blast as Mel Carr and Paul Dodds are now on the back of Dave Gilmore

Mark Small an ever present so far this season - presses on through the Autumn leaves

Always worth including a shot of 400 m runner Paul Hughes struggling round a xc course - but there's no truth to the rumour that he only turned up thinking it would be easier than Terry West's Saturday track training session.

Rob Foster - only Poly runner to wear a hat so far this season - ribbons and headbands don't count (at least not on the men).

Steve Locker as debutant completes lap 2 and our 7 th man on the day.

Another first time outing - this time for Joseph Jeffrey as he sweeps downhill

Line ahead and clubbing together are Sue Potter; Emma Payne ; Louise Turnbull and Victoria Gilroy - and some way back Clare Swift and Gill Moore. All in brilliant sunshine.

A very slow run on lap 1 at the back of the field for Leah Davison and Katie Jones. Katie would've run quite a bit faster had she not spent most of the first lap arguing with a bemused spectator - who only came to watch.

Gillian Moore has joined the Pink Panthers -she takes medium track round the willow while keeping her footwear clean for the finish

A study in concentration for Sue Potter as she ducks under the willow and lines up the final hill

Clare Swift sweeps widely round the willow - as she's now well set for 3rd spot counter

Start Fitness- NEHL Round 2 Farringdon 29 October 2011

2011-11-09T22:40:00.001Z

Anti capitalist rally - or harrier league tented village ?

Those brave anti caps fighting against those grubby capitalists have a lot in common with our harrier leaguers. Both set up tented villages - but neither sleep in their tents over night; both are big supporters of top sports brands like Nike and Adidas. But there are a few differences. The harriers make do with coffee from a Thermos (from Ian's flask in the Poly's case) - while the anti caps prefer Starbucks; when it rains the harriers stay outdside and face the elements - while the anticaps rush off to the dry and warm interior of Tesco's ; the anticraps make use of the toilets in McDonalds whereas the harriers have to use ..... well best not go there
Despite their brilliance at blogging and tweeting (invaluable skills in the post capitalist utopia) there is nevertheless a lack of initiative on the part of the anticaps. Despite having set up their tents weeks ago - they have still not managed to organise a single cross country or road race.
Farringdon began cold and cloudy with a biting south east wind - but got better and ended washed up in Autumn sun with open blue skies. The light was beautiful and our new snapper (Lucy Robinson) got some terrific shots.
But what a stooshie ! The men's results still have not been finalised with the Polymen swinging between 7th and 8 th spot. Trouble rumbled through the day - with a glitch in the medium pack start - which saw a select band including John Baty being moved into a medium rare group forced to start about a minute later than their colleagues. Things then got much worse - as the scheduled 3 1/3 laps ended in a complete kerfuffle - as the field merged at the finish with a steady number of runners' radar misfiring as they hauled themselves over the line after just 3 laps.
The team started the day leaderless - with the Club Capt committed to another marathon and with his loyal deputy - the VC - yet to show up this year. The VC's quiet but steely assurance provided a huge contrast to the Club Capt style of leadership involving blood, fire and thunder.The Cap may need to make a fresh appointment of a deputy if the VC is not back soon.He's unlikely though to appoint a female - or anyone else for that matter that wears pink. Captaincy is a serious matter.

Mike Moore after a blazing start has a clear run

Maybe the armband should go to Mike Moore - who took the honours as he blasted from the gun and reeled away the laps to complete a first ever top finish for the Poly. Andrew Loughney followed in - proving again he is still easily the best runner in his family (which now includes a dog (Dougall)).The Tiger having launched an unprovoked attack on a couple of innocent runners - cooled down to pad home 3rd - (or was it JB after his time adjustment - God knows). Then BY and Martin Spiers.Chris Morley again just ran out of track from fast.
New runners included Paul Dodds, Matt Poxon with Alex Robinson back for his occasional outing.
Greg Penn and Dave Gilmore have made all events so far - and are in serious danger of getting an invite to join the Poly's most exclusive and secret club - the Dirty Dozen (under the VC's presidency) - if they can get themselves through the winter. The initiation ceremony takes place at Prudhoe - where a guy or effigy of the Ice Man (including pink gloves) is rolled in the mud before being tossed into the stream at the bottom of the hill.
Anthony Wallett at U17 yet again was our best performer.on the day. The juniors Will Robson and Jake Morley again combined well in U 15.

Grace and pace as Carla makes it home with a double first place in the team

What about the girls ? The good news is that the stepping stones that in place at the stream crossing for the men , were helpfully removed by the organisers to ensure a wet feet experience. The audience at the crossing was as usual large and boisterous - with helpful comments being offered to the ladies as they delicately tip toed their way through mud and water.No pushing and shoving here.
The team put in a stirring performance - 4 th place is some achievement - as they pipped Durham (which has some of the best girls in the area) by just one point. So those final surging runs that Ron hammers on about and has the squad practising - may well have made the difference.Carla Maley was again pretty much inspired to lead home . She was followed back by a close order trio of Katherine Davis, Suzanne Thew and Alsion Dixon - which sealed off the points. Karen Loughney had made an effort to link up with the trio - but luckily they held the troublemaker at bay . She would just have disrupted the good cohesion of the group. She finished about a mile behind the group - as the crow flies. Jane Gerono made her occasional appearance - and must have been pleased with the run from U15 Jenny Parvin. Gillian Moore was also back after the Liverpool marathon sojourn and Louise Turnbull is getting to be a regular.
We are lucky in having 2 of the very best junior middle distance runners with Gemma Wallett (U20) and Alex Haig (U17) - in action on the xc for the first time - and both finishing high up in the rankings.
So as the harriers pack up their tents and go - those hardy anticaps fight on. 'I can fell their pain ,' says Ed Milliband. Sure Ed - you'd have felt a lot more pain had you completed 3 or 3 1/3 laps.
Blaydon next - and the dullest of the xc courses. The BLOG expects to return soon with an Ice Man special which it's hoped will cover the tempo run

Jane Gerono is welcomed back by Malcolm the meekat (a strong candidate as a deputy capt?)

Gemma Wallett runs in as 3rd fastest at U 20 heads for the finish

Alex Haig carves a path through the field on her way to 6th quickest at U 17

In brilliant sunshine, Suzanne Thew and Alison Dixon thread their way to the finish

Anthony Wallett finishes as 3rd fastest at U 17.

They might be happy now - but they won't be happy long as Alex Robinson (pressganged into the race by his sister) and Dave Gilmore relax and share a joke before the 'off'.

Typically gutsy run from Gary Robson as he presses on through the field

Take to the waters - with Alex (hidden);Paul Dodds and Mark Small get ready to test the temperature

A Poly great -experienced Dave Morris - still putting in a strong run as he leads a group through the course

Debut for Matt Poxon on the shoulder of a Gos Harrier

A helping hand ? As the Tiger's claws bite into the back of an Alnwick harrier.at the water

Dirty Dozen - how 12 all American heroes routed the Third Reich in 2 hours - and all without a single piece of intelligible dialogue

Amsterdam Marathon , 16 October 2011

2011-10-31T22:43:00.000Z

Poly poets, Katie Jones and Leah Davison , fired up and ready for the marathon

A first for the BLOG ! Poetry!.

Poets are useless runners as they drink and smoke too much. Romantic Lord Byron did swim the Hellespont (and wrote about the adventure). His clubbed foot however made running a chore - so a triathlon was definitely beyond him. Nation's favourite poet, Rudyard Kipling couldn't run either but was able to find even greater fame in the kitchen because he knew (like our own Katie Jones) how to bake exceedingly good cakes. However unlike most poets - 2 of our multi talented runners , Katie Jones and Leah Davison, can cover both 26 miles and then report on it in verse. It is eagerly hoped that the girls will recite their poetry at the Poly awards. Here is the unabridged poem :

Ode to the Amsterdam Marathon 2011

By Leah Davison and Katie Jones

Wrong side of forty and needing some fun,

Wanting a challenge and loving to run,

Leah and Katie hit on a plan,

The time was right for………Amsterdam.

Family and friends thought we must be insane,

Why would we look for exhaustion and pain?

We started off badly, both with hamstrings paining

Not a good omen for marathon training.

Ron gave us our schedules– not for the fainthearted,

We felt ready to give up before we had started.

The training was hard, some days harder than others,

Those track sessions cruel for two middle-aged mothers.

The long runs got longer; as the distance unfurled

We loved to escape to our parallel world,

Where no-one could bother us, no jobs to be done,

For more than three hours our sole task was to RUN.

We planned out our runs along routes old and new,

Checking Katie was never too far from a loo.

Then to add insult to injury Leah would say,

‘Let’s stand in the water in Cullercoat’s Bay,

It’s going to be good for you – don’t be a wimp.

A full 15 minutes will help with that limp’

And now for the taper – a sense of relief,

But with longstanding injuries causing us grief.

Those pesky old hamstrings had been a right pain,

All through the training they drove us insane.

We loved carbo-loading – cake again and again.

Ron said we should feel just like Michelin men.

(and we did – maybe overdidit a bit!)

We hooked up with Leah B, Rosa and Mel,

Who were feeling the need for a challenge as well.

But sensibly realised that less can be more

And the Amsterdam half would be less of a chore.

Pre-race night was boring: the pasta was hearty

But we just didn’t dare to do anything tarty.

We had to be good – oh what a pity,

In bed by ten in this action-packed city.

Poor Jo was injured and so couldn’t run

But instead she and Matt went to look for some fun (!!)

At last the day dawned with a clear blue sky,

The lightest of winds and set to stay dry.

We pedalled our bikes at a ladylike pace,

Not wanting to peak before the start of the race.

Got to the stadium, legs were like jelly,

Last trip to the portaloos which were already smelly.

And the race itself, well what can we say?

Twenty six miles is a bloody long way!

But the crowds were supportive, the course is a good’un,

And that kept us going when legs became wooden.

Leah said ‘This is hard, but tired as I am,

I promise I won’t hitch a ride on a tram’

We did it, we got there, we finished in style,

And both even managed a ghost of a smile.

‘Never again’ gasped a pain-ridden Leah, (injury strikes!)

But she’s already planning another next year.

Katie found the start hard but then picked up the pace,

And ended up really enjoying the race.

So when Barry commanded us ‘Write for the blog!’

Compared to the race it’s been more of a slog.

Maybe the rhyming was our biggest mistake,

In future we’ll just stick to baking a cake.

Well done Poly girls, what a great crowd,

A full set of PBs – we all should feel proud.

Much photographed Flying Scot - Rosa Fojut - is back on track in Amsterdam.

Cool Katie on the home straight in Amsterdam

Holland is famous for only a handful of things such as tulips (originating from Turkey) , clogs and the boy with his finger in the dyke. That great feature of the Dutch landscape - the windmill - is a rare sight these days.Windpower gave way to steam 200 years ago even in Holland - thanks to the inventions of brilliant Scottish engineer James Watt - who found his new engines provided a far more reliable and efficient way to generate energy even in the windiest country in Europe. These days, windmills to generate power are confined to the most backward countries.

Start Fitness - Sherman Cup/Davison Shield at Temple Park , South Shields 22 October 2011

2011-10-26T22:35:00.000+01:00

Charge of the Light Brigade - as the head of the field stretches out across the paddock in the initial dash - with our own Greg Penn in Empire red centre stage

A strong southerly breeze provided the only real test at Temple Park. Too early in the season for the muscle grinding mud to thicken up - Saturday saw a hard and fast course - well suited to the slick trackmen/roadrunners who were happy to exploit the conditions .
The course had been sanitised from previous years. Cross country courses should have water on them - and lots of it .The narrow stream has now been culverted and grassed over. This meant the pleasure of seeing runners baulk at the stream - like the wildebeest deciding whether to commit to crossing the Mara as the alligators circled - was all now history.
At the same time a railway sleeper (with ,strangely, a beat up orienteering control fixed on it ) had been dumped across the fairway. A South Shields marshall issued a warning about it. If this gets any worse we'll soon have (like the roads) signs warning of ice or ice men , floods, delays ahead, steep gradient and speed cameras. The sleeper could have been raised 3 feet and used as a steeplechase barrier just to freshen things up. Organisers ,South Shields having a few nifty hurdlers themselves would surely have backed it.Maybe next time...
To win the Sherman Cup ( bearing the same name as a renowned but inept tank from WW2 which was no match for the German Tiger ) - you need to filll teams across all age groups.We didn't do this - and only 3 teams did.
It was 4 years ago that we only had 3 runners entered at senior level for the Sherman Cup. However it was a strong half team (or at least 2 were) - with Mike Dawson and Martin Frost both making the top 20 ( my own run was not quite as fast).On Saturday - we had over 17 men out and maybe the biggest squad of any outfit - a fine turn out for the second week running. Chris Morley took the honours at 33rd. The Tiger's fine early season form saw him claw his way to 41st . More testing challenges face the Big Cat - when we shall then find out whether he is a Siberian Tiger or just another tame trophy cat hunted down by runners from other Clubs. Then either turned into a tiger mat for them to run across and wipe their feet on or with his head fixed to the wall with other endangered species.Time will tell.
Greg Penn emerged as 3 rd runner home - hotly pursued to the line by Gary Robson one of the Club's great winter brigade. Another winter warrior - Mike Moore was back for 6th.
What on earth was the Club Capt up to? He finally decided to roll up between Gary and Mike -having traipsed round with nonchalant insouciance-while offering some pretty unhelpful advice to each Poly runner who was too slow to keep out of earshot of him . Dave Daniels of TBH seemed to be performing much the same task for their team.These 2 Club commisars then spent half a lap trailing round together swapping notes.
Track chick, Karen Loughney, is well known for her capability to run a 5 mile race while maintaining a regular supply of idle chit chat . While there are a few good points to Karen that the Capt may want to take note of - this particular trait is not one of them.He's got to stick to get back to basics with his pre race orders barked out before the start and not for 36 minutes.
Our team also welcomed Simon Jamison- as a debut and returns for that fellrunner Dave Johnson (so overhwelmed by the severity of the ascents - that he was forced to give up after 1 1/2laps ),Alan Turnbull, Martin Haddon and Dave Quinn (underwhelmed that the couse didn't include a sand pit). Overall the NSP seniors finished in 12th place - Morpeth Harriers were the winners.
We did not quite have enough youngsters on this occasion but regulars Jake and Matthew Morley and Andrew Mather putting in strong performances in the very windy conditions.We also had a very good run at U 11 by Isaac Wilkinson finishing in 14 th place.
Girls compete for a shield - the Davison Shield - rather than a cup. That's because a shield is more useful to girls than a cup is.
Our girls were a bit thinner on the ground this time round . However Suzanne Thew (another debutant) seized the chance and with a steady run was our first runner back in 46th place.Pink Panther, Emma Payne (400m/800m) put in a very powerful run to finish as second runner in 53rd. We then saw double troublemakers Karen Loughney and Nina Henry at 61 and 62 taking up the last 2 points places.. First timers included Sarah Welsh and at U13 Jenny Parvin .
Another Sarah (Woods) was back to put in a good stint on a vacation return from university.
Our girls finished overall in 12 th place - eventual winners were Wallsend - well clear on this occasion from Durham.
It has been an encouraging start for our teams - with some big performances already. Let's keep the momentum going as we head into the dark and dirty days of winter and the races come thick and fast.We've got some good winter warriors to get back to full throttle - so we've a lot to build with.
Now for Sunderland / Farringdon - where fresh hazards await and what is a really excellent if tight course.
Thanks to Alister Robson (Elvet Str) and Dave Kitching (Blyth RC) for some of the better shots..

Karen Nielsen leads a troupe that includes Louise Turnbull - and some way back a couple of Pink Panthers

Emma Payne powers up the hill on her way to an impressive finish

Out in open country is Sarah Welsh pursuing a Low Fell runner

Kay Thompson - kitted out with sun visor (there's optimism) heads across the football field

2 xc races on the run for Nina Henry - and still cold enough for gloves.

Our first runner home was Suzanne Thew as she leads a group comprising 3 Blaydon runners over the hill

Take 5 - as Martin Spiers stretches his legs after taking the summit

Michael Moore bearing down on the finish - with Kevin Lister in his gun sights.

Andrew Craig clears the rise - with Mark Small just about to complete the climb

Liverpool Marathon - 8 October 2011

2011-10-18T21:26:00.001+01:00

Gillian and Michael Moore at the start of the Liverpool marathon

We're used to seeing the paparazzi hounding the Club Captain for an opinion after a Poly win ; his team tactics or even a recommendation for a curry house. Even the German press were hammering on his hotel room door at midnight to carry out an interrogation (see Berlin report). Not to be outdone however , Michael Moore - having completed the Liverpool marathon in 3h 36 m - was then approached by the Liverpool Echo . See the report below at :
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/10/10/liverpool-marathon-2011-thousands-take-to-the-streets-for-charity-run-gallery-100252-29566762/

Michael and Gillian Moore(3h 56m) -who have been great supporters of our Poly teams over the last couple of years - were our representives in the race. Michael described the course as tough - with plenty of inclines - including a climb out of the Mersey Tunnel (although there must have been some downhills as well !).
Michael was also raising money for charity - so please also check the link for that.
The Poly has had a good number of runners entered for marathons this year with Ron Stewart and Vaughan providing plenty of advice and support. There have been some great performances from our runners this season.

Start Fitness - NE Harrier League round 1 at East Cramlington, 8 October 2011

2011-10-13T21:58:00.000+01:00

The season is underway ! The colourful start of the senior girls' race as the runners stream towards the first corner.Many of our red shirts seem to be adrift towards the back at this stage ! Get a grip - girls!

The Harrier League is back ! A premature October start saw East Cramlington sub for a January event that was 'lost' on the Town Moor. Not a great loss.
The early start meant that the EC course was a bit tame. In previous years - the course has seen biting winds; sub zero temperatures and the usual skating event across plains of mud at the north end followed by the holiday on ice (actually one of Guy Bracken's favourite TV shows) in the shade of the pines on the route back. The course had also been eased by cutting out the long climb out of the bottom of the east end bowl - with a steadier drag instead.
We got off to a flying start this season - different from the usual sluggish start.Poly juniors were especially strong as we had full teams across U 13 where Dillon Young, Matthew Morley and Robbie Loughney took 8th place. And U15 where the team of Andrew Mather, William Robson, Jake Wilkinson and Jake Morley dashed round to an 8 th place team finish.Quite a few familiar surnames there and a solid start to the season - and hopefully we can maintain full squads over these age groups. Solo runner Anthony Wallett was second placed runner in U 17.
The girls were less well represented with Kirsty Jones - with the best number of the team featuring 999 - turning out for the U 17s.
Ron Stewart's inspirational speech clearly worked.There was a big turnout in the men's event - not only did we welcome back some great faces from the past with Poly stalwarts Frosty, Andrew Webb, Paul Hughes and Dave Morris (and a strong quartet that could cover all distances from sprints through to marathon) - but we saw a flood of new faces. Last year we were down to a threadbare 9 or so regulars who maintained an under pressure engine room for the bulk of the season and just about kept the pressure up. There were (by my reckoning ) 10 new runners including Mark Teale, Dave Gilmore, Richard Myles and Michael Dutton. On the day it was left to John Baty (a fine fell runner) to cruise at the front of the team- as he led 3 team mates through and into the top 30 placings. John was followed in by a rampant Tiger who found his claws on the firm surface and then Vaughan and Greg Penn. It was Greg's debut. Often we see good road runners flop on the xc - but GP is made of sterner stuff. Just what we needed. Chris Whitehead and Chris Morley (starting from fast pack) finished the places. Chris Morley took the vets blue riband as fastest vet of any runner on the day. But with so many runners in the field we enjoyed a rare comfort zone - as we had 3 others tracking in shortly after Chris - to make our team placing at 4th overall , safe.
For the girls the day had also generated promising turnout - although some of our regulars were missing. Again some of the faces from the past were back such as Karen Nielsen and Louise Turnbull supplementing fresh talent with Lucy Gibbison, Kay Thompson and Sarah Worsley.Versatile girl, Wendy Pawsey - a runner, hurdler and thrower for the Club - was back after missing all last year.
Out on the course, Carla Maley had a really fine run as she crossed the line in 14 th place. Fell runner Katherine Davis, Karen Loughney and Emma Payne were some distance back from Carla. as nos 2 to 4. The team started where they left off last year - in 5 th place. A very good opening day for the Club .All were truly impressed with the new Poly pennant - proudly flapping in the breeze . In the past our base was marked out by a tent lying in bits in the field. Now at least we have a pennant that has a better chance of staying up than the tent.
Sadly Katie Jones's promise of cream teas with scones for all finishers did not materialise at this event - but there's still time and hope for that , I suppose.Thanks also to Blyth RC for hosting this fine event and to Peter for most of these photos

Disco dancing queen , Nina Reveley -waltzes her way round the course in her stylish pink shoes.

Fell runner , Katherine Davis - on a rare outing at the harrier league - and our second scorer.

Wendy wends her way - with Sarah Worsley close behind -but let's hope our girls don't get swiped by Jo Zoppi's fast swinging pony tail. (A tactic employed a few years back to good effect by our Jayne Goble)

Welcome back Karen Nielsen - Karen seems to have joined an exclusive club - the red shorts brigade - a club comprising Guy Bracken , the Captain and Mike Heap. Mike Heap probably doesn't count though - as his shorts have a Liverpool FC club badge and a number 7.Photo also features a rather cheerful runner from Blaydon.

Carla Maley - outstanding perfomer of the day - being pursued by a Heaton Harrier. Yet more pink shoes.

Over to the guys : the long line as Mark Teale passes inside the yellow flag - with Chris Little a short distance behind. A 5 1/2 mile xc course is just a warm up for Chris - following his recent Lakeland 100 mile adventure. Steve Pearson a hurdler from Houghton Harriers is tucked in behind Chris.

George Adamson has done the xc races for probably longer than anyone else in the current team - and he's back for the new season. George was an excellent steeplechaser - and is currently one of the juniors'coaches.

Another new runner - Andrew Clark - seen here with Dave Moir of TBH on his shoulder

Greg Penn stylishly eases his way round to finish in 28th place- and an upgrade next time to medium.

The fast pack breaks out - with Chris Morley tucked in just behind former Polyman - Mike Dawson now running for Morpeth. Mike was second fastest on the day . Chris worked his way through the field to a placing just outside 100- but the metres just ran out at the end for a higher finish.

John Baty - our first runner home - is stalked by the Tiger.But not for long as John avoided the Tiger hunt- this time .

Exercise in concentration- Alan Whitey on his second xc race is in good company with Malcolm Gibson of HH and Kevin Ayres of South Shields Harriers

Andrew Webb and Richard Tiley in a show of determintion - they know what's coming.

Martin Frost is finally back in action - as the former fast pack regular strides on forcefully up the incline.

Just like buses - you wait all day and 5 then come by at once . The coach party comprises Alan Whitly, Chris Little ,Paul Hughes ,Mark Teale and Dave Gilmore (I think).Someone had better get the tactics sorted out pretty quickly and inject some pace to get rid of any sprinters before the finish otherwise it's going to end one way.

It was always going to end this way - as 400 m runner , Paul Hughes finally (after a long day in the field) gets sight of the finish line - and finally breaks a sweat .

East Camlington is described as a nature reserve -reclaimed from a former open cast mining area. However the more interesting section lies south of the B road - where there are a few ponds and home to dragon and damsel flies. The supporters of the reserve have recently found the bee orchid Ophrys apifera on the reserve -an attractive plant - rarer in the north but in fact quite a common species in the UK. More interesting would have been the spider orchid Ophrys fuciflora- a protected species in the UK as it is extremely rare. Latin names have been included for the benefit of Gary Robson.

Berlin Marathon 26 Sept 2011

2011-10-02T21:49:00.000+01:00

Der Poly ist in Berlin gelaufen !!
And a report from the Berliner Zeitung for Monday 27 Sept :'Berlin:Makaus Siegerzeit:2:03:38 Stunden ; Weltrekord -insgesamt der achte der auf der Berliner Marathonstrecke erziehlt wurde...'Then there were a few paras about Paula Radcliffe and her daughter (described as das blonde Madchen), Isla - and then a great piece (a few paras later ) for all Poly fans :'...und auch von Grossbritanien , der Kapitan von dem North Shields Poly Club - der Sieger in dem hartem Marathon in Northumberland- Vaughan Hemy...'
Berlin is one of the finest city in northern Europe. Its marathon course has now hosted 8 world records - and takes in all the districts of Berlin as it winds around the city . It is almost entirely flat - and is fast . For this reason it attracts a huge entry from overseas as runners seek out Olympic qualifying times.A route map of the course is set out below (and can be expanded in the frame). It winds through and past many of Berlin's fine features and is a tourist trip in itself. The route celebrates Berlin's history as well as giving recognition to some famous Germans - from a land that has produced more than its fair share of great artists, writers, musicians and scientistsSunday 26 September was a fine day - and it was a 9 am start.Things start on the Strasse des 13 Juni - flanked on either side by one of Berlin's many parks , the Tiergarten (reportedly hosting some sunny glades of male nudists). Str des 17 Juni, lying in the west zone - was renamed in 1953 to mark the deaths of industrial workers in that year after an uprising against the Communist authorities in Berlin. The start has to be seen to be believed - as the elite cover the first 400 m ( pacemakers and all) almost as quickly as Paul Hughes. The runners then divide round one of the fine monuments to Prussian military might - the Siegessaule (or Victory Star ) - see photo below.At Ernst Reuter Platz (for one of west Berlin's Cold War mayors) - the route heads north towards Moabit. This is the government district - as you race past the Reichstag and Finanzamt.Heading out of Moabit at 8k it's out over von Bismarck Allee and over the river Spree bridges. Bismarck was the 19th century's foremost European politician - masterminding as Chancellor a united Germany - as well as swapping Heligoland (famous as a frequency on old radios) for Zanzibar with GB. At 8 k Vaughan was lying in the top 100 - in fact had he been female - he would have been third on the course ! Just in front of German (Ukrainian) hero Irina Mikitenko.The course then heads east through the Mitte district and past the Fernsehtrum - the TV tower - visible from most parts of Berlin - and providing a fine viewpoint across the city and into the Brandenburg countryside.East Europeans were big on TV broadcast towers. You knew there was a problem if TV broadcasts stopped or worse still if programmes were swapped for military music.At 12k you reach the wide avenues - named after Communism's favourite sons of Otto- Braun (a military adviser to China) and Karl-Marx Allee (named after the work-shy philosopher - with his screeds on labour but unusully for a German he was bone idle). The race was led at this stage jointly by Makaus and Gebre with the supporting act of stripey shirt pacemen. A few Brits were handily placed. However in the ladies race Kiplagat had split from Paula.At 16 k - it's time for the dead poets - with Heinrich-Heine Str.You're now into Kreuzberg - a working class area with a strong Turkish element and some good places to eat.Also hosting Berlin's worst tourist attraction : Checkpoint Charlie.By half distance, we are into religious freedom fighters - in the form of Martin Luther Str. Berlin lies in the Protestant heartland of Germany, where Luther in neighbouring Saxony found some refuge from the pursuit of the Pope's rabid assassins - as the Pope pursued his own vision of a single European religion.Mackau and Gebr were still side by side at this point - before Mackau began to run in spurts as he aimed to break Gebr.Vaughan was knocking out a steady pace of 21m for each 5k.It's then onto Schoeneberg - where at the Rathaus (appropriate name)- President Kennedy made in 1962 speech of 'Ich bin ein Berliner' - which of course he wasn't.. Schoeneberg is notable for some fine restaurants, leatherware for men - and having once housed David Bowie.It was through this patch that Paula Ratcliffe slipped further back - and dropped to third behind Irina Mikitenko.Meantime Gebrselasse had his first stop with apparent stomach pain - leaving Mackau a minute clear once he resumed.At three quarter distance you press on through Steglitz - a fine wealthy suburb in the south west hosting Berlin's botanical gardens and the Bier Pinsel (or Beer Brush) uniquely bubble designed alcohol house. Then the serious issue of finishing kicks in at 35 k - as you rattle past the shops on Berlin's Kurfurstendamm - and past the Gedachtniskirche (or Memory Church) maintained as a monument ruin following the church's shattering during RAF bombing raids during the war.By this stage , Vaughan had lost a few places - as the hard task of maintaining pace came into play. It was just before this point also that Gebrselasse halted for good due to an asthma problem leaving Patrick Mackau unthreatened for the long run home.You then trot on east and then north past Kleiststr (another poet) and Bulowstr (for the revered Prussian General responsible for driving Napoleon back from Berlin in 1814).Finally you get into modern Berlin as you sweep past the office blocks, company HQs and trendy bars at Potsdamer Platz.You're now just about there - as you take stroll along Unter den Linden (under the the lime trees) - and the name of a famous German poem/love song. Then you see the finish - or you think you do - as the fine Brandenburger Tor looms into you view . The monument built in about 1790 was meant to commemorate peace - despite the bronze Quadriga on its roof - with a chariot of 4 wild horses being driven by the Roman goddess of Victory. Napoleon removed the Quadriga to Paris after he defeated the Prussians at the battle of Jena in 1805. Napoleon's defeat in 1814 saw the Quadriga returned - but the Prussians then added the famous Iron Cross - as a trophy for the Roman Godess. The Tor is only open one day a year for marathon runners.But the finish line on Str des 17 Juni - is still 600 m away. For the new world record holder, Patrick Mackau it was 2 h 3 m 38s. and a Euro 40 000 cheque. For our Poly runner it was about 2 hours 57 - a fine run in all the circumstances - especially as he was deprived of his pacemaker (the undersigned ) who was sadly forced to pull out with a chest infection.Failing that - the Cap's time would have been a good deal quicker.A great place for a weekend and a good deal to do and see at one of the world's biggest and greatest marathons - and costing much less than the North Run.

The Berlin course

40000 runners head down the Str des 13 Juni

The traditional release of the red balloons signals the start of the race

Runners flood past the famous Siegessaule - a monument to the Prussian military . It was first commissioned in 1864 to commemorate the annexation of Schleswig Holstein(where the dairy cattle ome from) in a war lasting 8 months with Denmark. However before its completion, the Prussians had defeated the Austrians in 1866 - and a year later (after the French invaded the Rhineland) the Prussians then overran Paris - and had reached the beaches of Normandy after a war lasting about than 6 months.After France became an occupying power in Berlin in 1945 - they removed references from the Siegessaule to their defeat in 1868 - a French re-writing of history !You can climb to the top of the Siegessaule.

The front runers are through Moabit with Gebre and Mackau surrounded by pacers in striped shirts.

World's greatest marathon runner pulls up .

Kenya's Joyce Kiplagat celebrates victory in front of the Brandenburgr Tor

Our own Paula Radcliffe on the comeback trail arrives 4 mins after Kiplagat in 3rd place.

The new world record !

Jelly Tea Race -Tynedale -Sept 4 ,2011

2011-09-27T21:58:00.000+01:00

This is a report taken from the News Guardian - published on 22 September 2011:
http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/sport/local/poly_take_the_team_title_at_jelly_tea_race_1_3791802

Well done to all those who took part - as usual it was a very popular race for Poly runners.
The next 'local' 10 miler will be the Brampton to Carlisle in November.

Sunderland XC Relays - Farringdon course 10 Sept 2011

2011-09-12T22:04:00.000+01:00

Traditionally this is a gentle but competitive intro for the up and coming xc season - and in previous years we've put out 3 or 4 teams.
Sadly on this occasion, we couldn't even put out a single team - this saw us field only 3 vets in the seniors' (as opposed to vets) race. Despite that the trio of Tommy, Frosty and Barry was just one runner short (Vaughan) of the vets' championship winning team of 3 years ago.So there was quality - if not quantity ! It was also a really welcome return to competition for Martin Frost one of the Club's finest ever cross country runners (and an ex fast pack runner from the harrier league). Martin has been missing for a long time with a serious injury and is slowly making his way back to full fitness.
The course was in good condition despite the rains and was pretty firm underfoot. The main issues were heat (20 deg C and unexpected) and a fierce south west wind which cut down the pace on the final 400 metre run in.There were also the usual narrow pathways - with the nettles still pumping out venom and providing a tricky hazard for overtaking.
Tommy was under the weather with a bug but led off - and (for him) took it gently to pull us round in 19th place - running about 2 min slower than he usually does. Martin took over and picked off 4 more at a steady run - and on finishing leg 3 we'd movd up to 13th before running out of team runners. Total time was 33m 22s.Had we had the luck to run as a vets team then a final runner would have comfortably seen us into 5 th place.
The strong winners of the seniors were Tyne Bridge Harriers (outpacing Sunderland) - led out by Marc Fenwick in 9m 5 sec (a Poly friend who has previously run 1500 m for NSP in the athletics).Sunderland Harriers took the vets title - pushed to the line by another TBH team.
Anthony Wallett - now an U 17 - came home in 6th and was our fastest overall runner on the day in 9 m 53 s. We had a good turn out in the open ladies' race - with Sarah Woods (our winning 400 m hurdler for the summer) - first back in 12 th place and in a time of 12m 40 s . She was followed back in quick order by our short distance track specialists of Karen Loughney and Emma Payne. Sue Potter was sandwiched between Karen and Emma. Rosie Smith of Durham Harriers won by a large margin in 9 m 46 s.
Farringdon is one of the traditional xc courses with a bit of everything - but sadly lacking this year in red shirts.Let's hope when the season kicks off proper we shall be able to field a bigger contingent.

Tommy Brannon heads for the finish of leg 1 in 11m 10 s- overlooked by one of the famous Farringdon skyscrapers. Of the towers, one of them is called Amalfi , another Aden - and a third Aberdeen. You can even read the names if you run slowly enough.
Martin Frost sets off on his leg pursued by a posse of runners - that he was quickly to shrug off.
The Conga weaves its way along the course - as Karen wends her own way to take over at the front.
Emma Payne looks troubled - and there's still the hill to come.Emaa finished in 13m 43s
Sue Potter pursues a South Shields Harier across the open grassland - beating a path to finish in a time of 13m 42 s
The Poly's Pink Panthers - as the latest chic footwear is sported by our trio . But there's no truth to Tommy's rumour that the girls removed their shoes before crossing the muddy stream at halfway (but that could explain the times...)- although there's still no real answer as to how they finished the race with shoes as clean as they first started. Apparently the good news is also that you can co ordinate by getting a matching lipstick.Start Fitness had better get more boxes in - as there could be a run on these shoes!

North East Veterans' Athletics' Relays - at Whiltey Bay 10 August 2011

2011-08-22T21:03:00.008+01:00

The local Whitley Bay News Guardian of 18 August published a fine report of the recent Vets' Relays.
This is set out in full below - there is no link to a web report.
The report has the main facts. However the BLOG gives its readers the story behind the story.' To report without fear or favour' is the BLOG's motto.
The vets relays posed a selection dilemna for our Club Capt - with 15 athletes eager to run - but only 5 slots available.The Capt has never, ever divulged his selection criteria for relays - it is some kind of black art requirng years of captaincy to acquire - but he hotly dismissed reports (while chomping on a chapati) - that the offer of discount vouchers from a local curry house had swayed his decision in favour of one candidate.
The preceding training session on Tuesday was a nervy affair- as athletes did a few backward sprints balancing balls on their noses and flip somersaults in a last minute bid to catch the Cap's eye as decision time loomed. All that is except one - who cockily rolledup training wearing a costume, bearing a grin as wide as a Cheshire cat's. Clearly been told he didn't have to worry about his 'place'.
If that wasn't enough, he then had the cheek to request a first leg run. Now it is scientifically proven that the fastest time is almost always done on the first leg . You get a big advantage if you're running against the clock. The Club Capt wasn't going to fall for that old one - was he ? The best justifying argument from this troublemaker was that he needed to get back quick to catch his favourite fashion show on TV called Top Gear.
Despite all the pressure thrown on the Club Capt - it was a great evening and result for the men at the relays. First place at M35 and M45. The Capt again picking up another team prize to hang on his fireplace wall alongside the flying porcelain ducks .
But where were all our girls' teams. Surely there can't be that much ironing to do or that many lingerie catalogues to flick through midweek in the summer - to miss an fine local event like this ? We only had our Golden Girl, Karen Loughney, available ! Instead it was left to DHAC to drive 40 miles up the A1 to scoop the prizes.
Well done Ron Stewart for getting this underway. Fortunately for our guys, Ron was not wearing his coach's cap on the night - otherwise they may all have been turfed into the North Sea to finish with some sea strides to cool their heels -regardless of whether or not they won or there was a fashion show on the telly.
Here's the official Guardian report:

QUOTE

POLY ENJOY 2 WINS AT NEW LINKS RACE

The inaugural veterans' athletics' relay event was staged on 10 August on the Links at Whitley Bay on a warm but windy evening .A course of about 2km stretched out from the start/ finish at the Rendezvous cafe with a loop out onto the Links, sweeping round the war memorial and back down to the promenade.
The event was open to all local athletics clubs with both male and female races across ages ranging from 35 to 65 in this 3 leg relay. It brought together 7 female teams and 14 male teams.
A fine team from Darlington Harriers comfortably out paced their rivals in the ladies' event - with the fastest lap time also being set by one of their runners , Bernadette Caygill in 8 min and 1 second. They were followed home by a local team from Blyth Running Club led by the ever youthful Helen Morris.
It was an extremely successful night for local coastal athletics club , North Shields Poly in the men's event. Both their M35 and M45 teams produced strong performances - which saw off the competition with some margin to spare.
The 2 Poly teams were in front from the gun and never lost their grip on the race. Guy Bracken with ice coolness in the M45 side set the quickest time on the night on leg 1 in 6min 39 seconds. However it fell to the Poly's legendary Club Captain, Vaughan Hemy - taking a breather from his Marathon des Sables training - to bring the team home on the final leg.
The M35 team was first to cross the line however - guided home by Iain Twaddle - one of the region's top distance runners.
The M55 prize went to Morpeth Harriers and M65 to South Shields Harriers.
This was a fine competition for a first time race and was well organised by the Poly's senior coach ,Ron Stewart, and his team of marshalls.
This should prove to be a great annual summer event -set against the fine setting of the beach, sea and lighthouse .As picturesque a relay course as anywhere in the north east. It is sure to inrease in popularity.
North Shields Poly train at the track at Churchill Playing Fields Monkseaton on Tuesday and Thursday evenings - so get along if you are interested in track and field , road running and cross country.
UNQUOTE

Gary Moore edges to the front - as the relay heads to the first corner - as Guy seeks shelter from the wind.
A crimson faced Guy Bracken hands over leg 2 to Chris Morley in 1st place on the course . Chris maintained position 1 for our M45 team on the course in a quick time of 6m 55 s
M eantime , just behind Chris - we've Rob Walker on M35 leg . Rob set the exact same time as Chris.
Finally Iain Twaddle - eventual winner for M35 - surges away from the start - after taking the baton from Rob. Iain was to lead the team home and was first to cross the line on the night.

Track & Field League Div 2E - Round 4 Churchill Playing Fields 14 August 2011

2011-08-16T21:30:00.013+01:00

Well , on the day it was not quite enough.
After round 3 , there was 1 point and 1 place separating the Poly and Durham City Harriers. We needed to finish ahead of Durham by about 10 points - to avoid the relegation trapdoor into Division 3 E. Just to add to the complications - City of York in 3rd place before the start of the day - were also in danger if they turned out the same result as at Jarrow.
So the day was set up as a red versus orange fight to the finish. It proved to be a superb day of competition with the positions swinging back and forth like a pendulum - between the 2 teams . It was within a few points to the final relays - but Durham finally eased ahead to safety . The day ended with Durham in 2nd place on the day with 325 points and NSP with 310 and 3rd spot. Our best accumulation of points all season by some margin.
Holidays and injury forced Athletics Capt, Richard Baker to make some further changes to the squad used at Jarrow in July. Alex Haig made her debut as the youngest athlete fielded so far at 16. Alex took part in 5 events - excelling at the 400 m with a personal best of 66.1 sec - 2nd in the race. At the other extreme - our aging but vintage 800 m duo of hotshots - Tommy Brannon and Norman de Bruin were away. Tommy's and Norman's combined age of 80 something was exceeded by new debutants Greg Penn and Mike Jarman at 98. The 800m is a big shock to the system for distance runners like Greg and Mike.
It was also the day to call on all coaches - to add to regulars Vicky Stevenson and Victoria Spence - the SOS went out to Neil Ellerby for the hammer, discus and shot - and Terry West in the 400 m relays. It almost looked at one stage as if Alan Watt may have been needed in the sprints - which would have surely terrorised the opposition. It was great to have so many coaches attending on the day to get last minute tips and suggestions.
This track season has been one of the best - and most competitive. For sure, we should be back in 2E after next year - ready to resume the fight with the regional elite teams.
Well done to all our great athletes who took part !
Results for the season are here : http://www.northernathletics.org.uk/Pages/Article.aspx?id=258

Neck and neck on the handover in the 100 m relays with Durham - as Richard transfers the baton to Mitchell Renney.
Now for the girls 4 x 100m - with Grace Johnson on leg 2 to handover to Alex Haig - as Alex sets off on the bend run. The team (also including Laura Mole and Gina Rutherford ) finished 2nd to Gateshead in a time of 54.6 seconds.
Up in the air again - as Dave Quinn takes to the sand - this time in the triple jump where Dave cleared 10.25 m
Paul Jabs on the back straight in the 400 m - which Paul completed in 58.3 s
The final lap of the 1500 m as Lucy Robinson picks up speed to finish the race in 5 m 2 sec - and repeating the 2nd place from her earlier run in the 800m Gemma Wallett is a few paces back - and Gemma was to finish 4th in just over 5 m 14 s
Rob Walker leads the 5000m - Rob was to finish 2nd in 16 m 47 s - but sadly had to limp the final 100 m with a pulled hamstring.The race was won by James Askew of Durham.
After an early season injury - Gina Rutherford was back to comfortably win the individual 400 m in 57 .2 s. In the background in the yellow shirt is Paul Hughes - another fine 400m runner but out injured. Fortunately for Gina - she moves fast enough not to pick up Paul's running commentary - not so easy to ignore when plodding round in the steeplechase !
Finally a shot of one of the Club's top middle distance coaches - Terry West - heading out on lap 3 of the 4 x 400 m relay.

Track & Field League Division 2 - Round 3 at Jarrow 3rd July 2011

2011-08-08T21:55:00.010+01:00

A scorching day at Jarrow for round 3 - so hot that the water carriers were out for the distance runners for the first time this season.
The day saw some fine performances as well as debuts for Gemma (800m/3k)and Anthony Wallett (1500m) (both juniors) and Clare McManus in the 3k (Clare was also the recent female winner at Allendale run and age group winner at Blaydon).
Ryan Brooke logged a personal best in the 400 m in 52.5 secs as did Anthony Wallett in the 1500m. A reappearance for Dave Quinn was rewarded also with a best in the long jump at 5.05m.
The event was hotly contested - especially for overall positions 2, 3 and 4 between Middlesbrough, Durham and the Poly - with the positions shifting during the afternoon. However at the end of the day, we had slipped to 4 th - just behind Durham. This leaves us with it all to do at Churchill on 14 August - if we are to avoid relegation. Just 1 point separates ourselves from Durham in the fight to make the escape hatch . So it's a final showdown on Sunday . We need all the troops out for Sunday ( as well as a few officers) - and as much support as we can muster. There's a better than even chance we can succeed after a toughly fought season.
And it is Dave Quinn that we thank for these fine photos.
Airborne Dave Quinn hopes his feet don't touch the ground any time soon.
Richard Baker seeks to close the gap on a determined Neil Yorston of South Shields -with a leap across the steeplechase barriers
Caught in the net is Peter Gallagher - but fortunately the discus flies clear and long
The penultimate lap of the 1500 metres with Lucy Robinson lining up for a 2 nd place finish in just over 5 mins. Meantime Karen Loughney is plotting something from the final bend
The traffic jam on the final handover in the ladies 4 x 100m relay with Karen Loughney handing over to Emma Payne.

July 2011 5 k races at Sunderland and Town Moor

2011-07-31T21:27:00.014+01:00

July was the month for 2 of the region's top 5 k road races to take place.
First of all was the Sunderland 5 k set at Silksworth Park on 20 July at the site of the north's leading winter sports centre -and a course regarded as one of the fastest 5 k courses in the region. A very strong field saw fell runner Nick Swinburn emerge as the winner for Morpeth. The Poly had some strong performances - notably Iain Twaddle (another great cross country runner) who was the first vet home in 10 th place in well under 15 minutes. He was followed ( though some way down the piste at over 16 mins ) by Guy Bracken as 3rd placed vet and 13 th overall. In the sub 19 time bracket we had a run of good performances from new names Mike Jarman -another fast 50 - (2nd in age group- at 18 m ) and Paul Wilkinson.
Phil Rees on a rare outing had a good run in a shade over 21 m nd was 2nd V55. For the ladies well done to Noreen Rees and Allison Cummings - who both finished in the top 3 in their groups in just over 21 minutes.
Guy's performance meant he crept into the top 4 in the UK rankings at M45 for 5 k on the road. That's a great achievement . He was also doubly pleased -as a long time fan of Ski Sunday - to have put in such a strong run at the north's leading ski resort of Sunderland. Although a bit piste'd off about missing out on a sub 16 m time by 2 seconds.
Then over to the Newcastle Town Moor for Elswick Harriers' Exhibition Park 5k on 27 July - where the race takes place on the cattle plains - making it more like a run across the high grass coutry of Kansas.
Elswick Harriers (with the second reddest shirts in the north east after the Poly) incentivise their runners by setting a course containing dozens of frisky young bullocks looking for red targets to hit. The bulls received further arousement on the day by the presence of our own Club Capt in his ow blood red jacket -promoting Peter's Pies - as a possible career choice for the bovines.
Back to the other herd and the race was won by Yated Hagos (unatt) - described by many as a 'Kenyan' because he 'looked and ran' like one. My money's on Ethiopian judging by the colours in his shirt - but I guess if you applied the same logic you'd assume all Alnwick Harriers were Germans (instead of just some of them). So who knows. Had he been Masai, he'd have worn red (just like Elswick and ourselves) .
Anyway on a refreshingly warm night with no winds - he bolted away to win in 14 m 49 s after an initial gentle graze around the lake in the first 400 metres. Then came the stampede - with a fine run by Guy which saw him pitched early on into 2nd place - only to be edged out by Conrad Franks of Gateshead at the finish. Once again a sub 16 time eluded him - but is he doing just enough to feature in the Poly awards this year ?? Only time will tell - there's a lot of competition.
Gary Moore in 7 th place and John Baty saw our vets team home by position 23. Then we had a string of good runs from Paul Wilkinson and Phil Rees (twice in a week !). Alison and Noreen went even better this time round to win their age categories.
The fine evening was topped off by the presence of our own Club Capt - who was on hand to generously offer free post race analysis to all those who competed. Though for some unfortunates the analysis went on for longer than the race.
So 2 big 5 k races over and done with - and the third and toughest to come at Low Fell RC's Watergate Park 5 k in September - offering a different test for those still up for it.
Some photos from Exhibition Park :
Guy and Gary Moore muscle their way to the front in the first few hundred metres. Eventual winner Yated Hagos is in the centre.
Phil Rees powers through the final few hundred metres - Phil was to finish as 3rd place M55 in 20m 9 s
A steady evening run in the sun for Alan Turnbull as he edges his way round the lake.
Paul Wilkinson closing in on a time of 18 m 30 s
Out on the prairie with John Baty - even the cattle turn their backs on John. John was to finish in 18 m 2 s
The race for second spot as Guy keeps Conrad Franks an elbow away with over 1000m still to go.

Vaughan Hemy - Marathon des Sables

2011-07-28T20:47:00.010+01:00

First there was the Foreign Legion - with Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey - led (in this episode) by a runner remarkably like our own Phil Rees!

.... then there was Lawrence of Arabia - who led the Arabs to independence - before writing off his Brough Superior motorcycle.

... finally there was the Poly Club Captain - who sets out to conquer the sands - as Vaughan Des Sables - (movie to follow).

Poly Club Captain , Vaughan Hemy , has been making the news on the beach rather than the track as he gears up for the Marathon Des Sables next year. Here is the link below to the Journal's Page 3 of 28 July 2011 which was given over entirely to our Capt's desert expedition. This was the Journal's lead sports story of the day notwithstanding the efforts of the runners in last night's 5k on the Town Moor. (So we'll report on that separately). Well - the des Sables is gonna take a bit longer than 16 m to finish, isn't it - even if last night was a tad warm according to some!

The desert has always attracted the great British eccentric from Lawrence of Arabia to Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey in Carry on Follow that Camel. Now to that list we can add Vaughan.

This is a great cause and so hopefully you may be able to support Vaughan in this endeavour :

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/07/28/whitley-bay-man-to-run-sahara-desert-in-aid-of-st-oswald-s-hospice-61634-29132829/

This is the link to Vaughan's charity page :

http://www.justgiving.com/vh-mds

More reports will follow !

Veterans Athletics - North East Championships at Monkton Stadium , Jarrow 9 July 2011

2011-07-11T21:48:00.006+01:00

Another fine day for our veteran athletes at Monkton on Saturday - with many of our team members collecting a clutch of medals.
The Poly has a strength in depth with our veterans - many of whom also compete for us sucessfully in the North East athletics league. A number are also amongst the top ranked athletes in their categories for their events nationwide.
Saturday saw outright wins for Karen Loughney (400m /800m) ; Emma Payne (400m and 200m); Fraser Gill (100m); Norman de Bruin (800m) - while a 'new' veteran was our athletics captain, Richard Baker who made a clean sweep of the jumps plus a 400m title.
With thanks to George Routledge for these photos.
The 100 m - with Steve Borlos on the inside lane. Sadly, this was to be Steve's only event of the day as he pulled up with a hamstring problem.He did enough to limp over the line for a silver medal.
Paul Adams joined in at the Open Mile race - but a fast finish could not see Paul closing the gap on Sparrow Morley of TBH - leaving Paul with a runners' up placing with a timeof 5 min 13.8 sec.
A clear track ahead - and the competition in his wake as Richard Baker finishes off the 400 m with gold and a 61.7 sec time.
You really don't want to see Norman de Bruin on your shoulder with 150 m left in a 800 m race. Norman's usual fast finish saw him complete the race with a time of 2min 10.7 sec

North East Track & Field Championships at Gateshead 14/15 May 2011

2011-06-16T21:50:00.002+01:00

The Poly enjoyed a highly successful day at the annual championships.
Most notably, the 'throw' athletes coached by Neil Ellerby virtually completed a clean sweep of the gold medals in the hammer. Graeme Level took the seniors with a 59 m throw (Peter Gallagher took 3rd place); Reece Straker won the U17s with a throw of 43.56m - while for the girls Rebecca Simpson outclassed the U20s with 40.32m.
Graeme went on to win the discus with a throw of over 46 m - while Rebecca took seond place in her event.
Our young sprinters guided by Alan Watt - who have featured atrongly in this year's track and field league - also performed well with Neal Yeoman 3rd in the U20 100 m ; Laura Mole was 4th in the U17 girls' event and then followed up with 4th place in the triple jump.
Middle distance runner, Anthony Wallett took 4 th place in the U17 3000m. Gemma won the gold in the U20 girls 1500m with time of 5m 21.35 sec.

Track & Field League Div 2 - Round 2 York 3 June 2011

2011-06-15T22:19:00.016+01:00

For the second year running , the trip down the A19 to York - proved something of an Achilles' heel for the Club. Again we were left well short of girls - this year with a marginal improvement of 6 pairs of legs (including those of Louise Hall -who ran while still hampered from a tree accident sustained last year). The net result was that we finished 5 th overall - about 23 points adrift of Middlesbrough Mandale AC in 4 th spot. We could have overshot them had we retained more than a single entrant runner in the ladies' middle distance events ( excepting Lucy Robinson's solo sortie in the 800m).
Conditions once again were tricky with a strong headwind blowing down the finishing lane - creating difficulties for the sprinters - but when did they never complain?
Rosa Fojut for the second time ran, jumped and hurdled her way through 6 events.Impressive Laura Mole managed a further 4. Tired legs for the multi performers.
We again enjoyed a steady accumulation of points in the throws thanks to John Renney, Peter Gallagher, Victoria Spence and Rebecca Simpson.
We are now flirting with the threat of relegation as we head closer to home for the July meeting at Jarrow - it will require some steady nerve and strong resolution, which the squad have definitely got. But we just need some fresh legs to boost the result. Let's get it right !

Rebecca Simpson, one of our star performers from 2010 and this 2011 season , hurls the discus skyward on the way to victory in the 'B' event.
Rebecca's team mate , Victoria Spence, has enjoyed a great opening season for the Poly. It looks like Lucy Robinson has also been caught lurking in the background
Athletics captain , Richard Baker strides for the finish in the 110 m hurdles - with backing from the Co-operative.
No rest for Scott Ellis - as having just finished the 5 000m - he is drafted in as 2nd leg on the 4 x 400 m as he hands the baton to Neal Yeoman.
Leg 4 of the 4 x400 m - as Kevin Watt is launched out on the final leg - and a chance for a win.
Athletics has always been associated with clean living , healthy diets and no alcohol beer. So it came as a shock to learn at York that the Club Capt had tied down a secret sponsorship deal with 'Peter's Pies'- Yorkshire's lardiest pies . The secret deal became all to obvious - during the 5000m - as the Capt deliberately ran slowly down the back straigt while rubbing his tummy and making a 'finger lickin' good gesture at the Peter's Pies sign. The Cap's conduct has caused a hullabaloo at the Club - where the Club Capt has ridden roughshod over Steve Atwell VC ,who as Pie Man holds the exclusive rights to issue seals of approval on all pies consumed by Poly athletes. Reports are now emerging of further deals for product placement on the Capt's forthcoming 'Desert Marathon'.More news to follow on that subject about the Poly's new Mister Sand Man!

Galashiels 10 k 8 May 2011

2011-05-21T22:51:00.009+01:00

ICE ON THE ROAD AT GALA 10K
A short report of Guy Bracken's recent success over the Border at Galashiels.
In an unfamiliar field on an odd 3 lap course - apparently altered from 2 laps last year because a train was expected - Guy came home as the 1st veteran in 4 th place. Time 34m 07 sec. A great run.
Unfortunately, he could not find any team mates willing to join him for a shot at the team prize (or, more particularly, for the long car journey). Nevertheless, it seems from reports by Edinburgh AC - the buffet was best in the Borders - so presumably he had more food to scoff for himself.
Guy is now 4th fastest V45 in the country at the time of writing at road 10ks so far this year - it's not been possible so far to establish the top 3 so far. Rumours are swirling at the Club that the Club Capt is the top one - as he's remaining tight lipped on the subject and has failed to discount the rumour.
Here's some shots to prove Guy was there (and thank you to the Gala Harriers' website for this):
Local Gala girls are amused by a small revealation from our hero..... presumably GB's performances in last year's Harrier League
The start line - the Borderers are shocked at the luminous hi-viz yellow shoes sported by GB - raising immediate suspicion that he's an undercover cop from Lothian and Borders Constabulary - who are the only folks who wear this colour in the Borders.
The race is underway - and as usual GB finds a big fella to shelter behind into the wind.

Les Allcorn - Alnwick Harriers 10 k - 10 May 2011

2011-05-20T21:41:00.006+01:00

V - FOR VICTORY AS POLY TEAM TAKE GLORY IN DUKE'S GARDEN!
Alnwick Harriers organise some of the best races anywhere. They are renowned for the excellent Beadnell to Alnmouth race - over subscribed within hours of opening. Less well known (and supported) is the brillianbt Les Allcorn 10 k that takes place each May.
The event is held in one of the Duke of Northumberland's back gardens at Hulne Park. Hulne Park is the site of a Carmelite Priory now ruined. I'd guess the Carmelite were some kind of low alcohol religious order from the Middle Ages - probably driven insane by the Scots, Henry VIII, the new science of Darwinism - or a combination of all these.
The course which is centred around the river Aln with some glimpses of the crumbling,historical buildings on the way .
There's a sharp uphill start with a tracktwisting through deciduous woodland - which summits after about 2 miles . The course then breaks into open countryside with fine views off to the north across field and pasture. The route then spins down to the riverside for the half way drink station. Then it's a run on the grass ( which is easier than the path) out and across fields flanking the river. Two river crossings and you're into the final run into the finish at the gatehouse.
Such a course required a skilful team selection and some posers for the Club Capt. He needed to weigh up speed against strength , skill against grit , track against trail. As usual the Capt was up to the task - selecting Andrew Cairns (2nd ) ; the Capt himself (4th - plus best vet) and Barry Young (14th and almost a category winner) to carry the flag into the north.
The eventual winner was Ian Harding of Morpeth - out of sight from the start even from Andrew Cairns. This left Andy with no one to chase - but in the knowledge that there was a full blooded charge from the Club Capt just back down the trail. The team got quickly to grips with a course that would have shattered many weaker spirits. In the end it was a close run thing - with the Poly pressing past Morpeth and local heroes from Alnwick - to get the gold.
At the presentation the Club Capt as team leader was graciously summoned to accept the prizes on the team's behalf - but overcome with emotion, the Capt was unable to give his customary speech on these occasions. But he did talk a lot about it - on the car journey back!
This is a truly great race and deserves a lot more support (102 entries on night). It is not that far away. The Capt as a rule never drives to a race that takes any longer to reach by road - than he can run the event . (Race time for Capt was 37 m 19 sec ). So while (just as an example) , he wouldn't want to bother making a trip to say Galashiels to run a 10 k since that would only take him 33 mins to run ; Alnwick is easily within reach in 37 mins.
By applying the Capt's logic some of our athletes could easily run some further flung 10ks across the Scottish Borders and into Cumbria .
Alnwick also put on a 5k race - enjoyed by a flood of Alnwick Harriers' juniors - with about 100 entries in the 5 k.
Give this race a try next year - you won't be disappointed !
Sorry we have no photos of our heroes - but here are some shots of the route - or the empty route as Andrew Cairns would have seen it..... after Ian Harding had fled.
The trail through the woods - and a couple of stream crossings.

A Bridge over the River Aln - but not a bridge too far for our glorious heroes !
The finish at the Gatehouse - and centre for the prize giving

Clive Cookson , NSP 10 k 11th May 2011

2011-05-19T21:18:00.018+01:00

North Tyneside's finest food festival (hosted by our Poly bakers) again coincided with the Clive Cookson 10 k.
Forget those pastry faced TV chefs like Delia , Sophie Dahl , Nigella and Mary Poppins - it's all just special effects and marzipan mock ups as they knock up a few tarts. Our girls can blend (if they get their colours right) , whisk,whip, beat and batter while at the same time putting in a stirring lap of the track !
Katie's Catering Corps were again gold medal winners for their table of tasty delights heaped with (among other treats) KJ's quiches ; spinach and cheese muffins ; Vicky's ginger biscuits; Jane Gerono's fabulous flapjacks and Kay Thompson's carbo energy chocolate cake and fresh fruit muffins. Karen's cupcakes as usual, gained many admirers.
As an army marches on its stomach so an athlete runs on his/her stomach - quite literally in the case of some at the finish. At a recent track and field a couple of the athlete-esses were even wearing T shirts with the slogan 'I run so I can eat cupcakes ' (see :http://www.cafepress.com/+i-run-so-i-can-eat-cupcakes+t-shirts). Just the energy kick you need !
Sadly, this year we were missing one of the all-time favourites - with Paula's top tasting speciality banana cake - we will need that recipe, George!
Out on the course (as the BBC's golf bore commentators would say) , the athletes faced a stiff south easterly blast of wind across the open field (little or no shelter here - unless you can find a tractor or a big fat bloke to run behind). This resulted in the times being well down from last year. It was a hard journey out until reaching Mick Golightly's control back onto the Murton road . Then from Richard Baker's point at Rake Lane - it was wind in the sails and a slight downhill gradient over the final 2 k to the finish. Time to step on the gas - with the finish in sight. The 5 k event was dominated by the Wallett family,who pocketed the prizes. Anthony had opened up a lead of over 200 m by half way - which he then increased substantially by the finish.(In fact it was hard work keeping ahead of him on the lead cycle). Gemma then cruised to victory in the ladies' race - with Alex Haig (U17) racing in - in second place.
For the 10 k event, we had an impressive number of Poly runners - and fielded in the end 4 male teams. Both our male and female teams won their respective team events . Elswick were 2nd overall in the men's - while the green/whites from Blyth grabbed 2nd and 3rd places in the ladies' event . Good turnout from our neighbouring friends ! Overall winner was Paul Besford of Sunderland Harriers who narrowly edged out Guy Bracken on the run in.
Alison Dargie from Elswick took the main prize in the ladies - while our best runner was Christine Burns, who was 4th placed overall.
A great event - well organised by John Bretell and his team - which seemed to be enjoyed by all the athletes.

A very fine and tasty selection here - but that's enough of our beautiful Poly girls ..... the cakes were splendid and the athletes had gobbled up most of them up by this stage.
A regular for the Club - is Martin Haddon - who puts in a good effort (at least for the camera).
Trackman, Steve Borlos leans into the final bend as he sweeps round to win the M55 category
Alan Turnbull out paces the bike - let's hope it's not one he's just sold at Start Cycles
A blurry shot of Michael Moore - showing off a clean pair of heels - for a change.
Tiger feet ! As Arthur Pringle pads towards a finish at 38 min.
The congregation gather for the start of the race - with a wide selection of coloured shirts on display- from no fewer than 27 teams with good support from our close local neighbours from Blyth, Tyne Bridge and Wallsend.

Heading down the finishing straight is Gemma Wallett to take first place in the ladies' 5k.

Lambton 10 k, 8th May 2011

2011-05-16T14:39:00.005+01:00

GARY MOORE WINS LAMBTON 10K

Gary wins the very first Lambton 10 k held in the private grounds of Lord Durham's estate. The race was over subscribed (286 finished on the day) - and is set to become a very popular annual race .This is a report from Mr Bill McGurk in May 9 th's Chronicle:

Q
NORTH Shields Poly's Gary Moore won the inaugural Lambton 10k multi-terrain run at the Lambton Estate yesterday.

Moore, competing as an over-40, won in 34min 59secs, 32 seconds of Wales’ Mark Smith.Sunderland’s Michelle Holt won the women’s race ahead of Durham City’s Avine Fox.In the 5k race, Chester-le-Street duo Matty Tomlinson and Angela Hunter won the men’s and women’s races respectively.

RESULT (10k): 1 G Moore (V40, NSP) 34:59; 2 M Smith (Aberys) 35:31; 3 P Duffy (Crook) 36:06; 4 M Jones (V45, SthSh) 36:51; 5 P Roper (V50, SundStr) 37:08; 6 P Farnie (Birt) 37:16; 7 T Campton (V50, Sund) 37:41; 8 J Skilling (V40, LowF) 38:06; 9 K Lister (NEVets) 38:29; 10 D Best (BhillBndrs)

Round 1 - North East Track & Field Division 2 at Middlesbrough 7 May 2011

2011-05-15T08:25:00.008+01:00

Paul Baker clears the final barrier in the 110m hurdles

Upside Down Rosa Fojut (believe me)- springs over the high jump barrier - as she completes one stage of her 5 stage epic at Middlesbrough.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The opener to the new track and field season from a warmish Middlesbrough.

Thanks to last season's promotion, we now joined Gateshead, York, Middlesbrough Mandale, Durham as well as our friends from South Shields Harriers ( promoted with us).

It was a steady start with the team finishing overall in 4 th place ( John Renney will publish the full results on the web). This was despite having a thin turn out for the ladies' running events (although the throws were well covered).

The last couple of years has seen the Club improve considerably in the throwing events under the excellent guidance of Neil Ellerby who has one of the strongest squads in the north of England. We've largely managed to cover all events with dedicated specialists as opposed to 'fillers'. The day's best performance (again) went to Rebecca Simpson who won the discus outright in a hotly contested event. Rebecca then went on to throw a personal best of 41.76m in the hammer - an event that the Poly have a long and distinguished history in. The men's shot, meantime, also saw Peter Gallagher set a personal best of 8.2 m - as part of his 3 event day. The men's javelin for the second year has fallen into the hands of the Renney family.

A great accumulation of points overall for us again in the throws.

It was also a fine turnout from our coaches - with no fewer than 6 present on the day. They could all probably have produced some handy performances - and in the case of Junior coaches John Renney, Vicki Stevenson and Victoria Spence did just that ! Alan Watt says he's finally retired - but his races were over in the blink of an eye anyway.

Sorry only managed just a few photos before the battery went flat ......a bit like the final 2 laps of the sc.

So it's off on the long journey to York in June - so let's see if we can accumulate even more points and make our place in division 2 safe.

Gordon Smith Relays, Wallsend 4 May 2011

2011-05-09T20:29:00.017+01:00

Segedunum ! Wallsend !The final Roman fortification on the great wall.
In their own odd Latin way the Romans did have a sports pedigree. The camp followers would smother their bodies in olive oil and partake of naked wrestling; lions were trained to go on Christian hunts - with the red cloaked Romans in hot pursuit blowing trumpets ; the centurions ran chariot races - sponsored by the Gods . Meantime a few wild outcasts incomprehensibly dressed up in purple togas (with a lime stripe) and headed north into the barrenlands to run around the hills. Thankfully, these eccentrics were never again to be seen defiling the straight,flat roads of this fine land.
Enough about the men. What did the Roman women do ? Well according to contemporary chronicler, William Shakespeare - they were active mainly as witches or fortune tellers - and when they weren't they were busy administering poison.
In all Of Romankind they never built a twisty road with either gradient or camber - until (out of sight of the Roman Highways and Municipal Baths Dept) on the dark side of the Empire a crazed engineer created - what 2 Millenia later became the course for the Wallsend relays.
So on to May 2011 - and modern day sport - but with a bizarre spin that even the Romans would approve of. Wallsend Harriers (our good hosts for the night) have devised a cunning scheme to confuse the best of planners : a winding and hilly course - but with each of the teams of 3 compelled to field at least one veteran runner. A plan that should play nicely into the hands of the modern red shirts at NSP - with their abundance of grey talent.
Again a fine Poly turnout on this fine race - with the men fielding 5 teams . The girls (where have they all gone ?) were well down on numbers this time round with only 9 pulling on their race shoes. Team A ( Guy, Andrew Cairns and Gary Moore) led the event for a lap and a half until being hauled back in by Morpeth . The team ended in a creditable 3rd place .Guy and Gary were the 2 fastest vets (of all present) on the night. Andy Cairns was our fastest senior followed by Scott Ellis and Michael Hindmarsh.
For the ladies - our top team was 4th overall (with regulars Leah Davison, Katie Jones and Karen Loughney). Well done also to Jen Rees for her first appearance for our team and also to Mark Duffy.
Thank you finally to Wallsend Harriers for this fine event - it gets ever more popular (as it should) and a record number of teams featured this time round. Check their website for the full results - and some more photos.
http://www.wallsendharriers.com/1/post/2011/05/gordon-smith-relays-the-photos.html

Here's some we got -

Lap 1 and we're looking good with the Flying Scott mentoring Guy through that first difficult mile and hill. Scott is definitely leading at this point - and all set for the win !
GLADIATOR ! As the Clubus Captainus (Hemy V) fights off the opposition and now has the 'Tiger' Pringle by his tail.
Pressing on up the long hill to the summit is Emma Payne
Super sub, Chris Rowe, and a stroll in the park after completing the marathon Three Peaks at the weekend.
Pink shoe'd, Katie Jones, rounds the first corner from the start
Gary Moore strides out on the final leg after Andrew Cairns hands overresponsibility .
A rare outing these days for the legendary Ian Richardson - as Chris Rowe (eventually) hands over the final leg
Mark Duffy sets off on his first lap in his first team race for the Poly - after first checking his watch
Gillian Moore in the clear and on the run in to the finish.
Sunset on Richard Baker - as RB shakes off Kevin Lister (NE Vets) and Mark Duffy before the final bend .

North Tyneside 10 k 24 April 2011

2011-04-26T21:18:00.013+01:00

The annual Easter Sunday run along the coast continues to attract a big entry and crowds. This year saw 55 Poly runners (is this a record for an event?)- out of about 1700 finishers complete the race. The race has one of the finest scenic race routes in the north east as it heads down to the Fish Quay, along to the Priory and then out along the sea front to the light house. The self proclaimed big events like the Great North Run and Blaydon Race can't compete with the superb views we enjoy at the coast - unless that is you're a fan of 60s concrete and breeze block.
It has even become an interntational event - with Mongolia's Serod Batochir winning for the men - and the Caledonian Clan providing the top runners in the ladies with canny Scots Rosie Smith winning the seniors and our own Aberdonian Katie Jones winning F45.
The road racing season is now in full swing after the recent sad end to the cross country races. All the top coaches recommend a strong cross country season provides the strength to take on these 10 k road races -to reach optimum performance and the proof was there to see. Iain Twaddle (a great off road runner) was easily the best veteran runner and 5 th overall - with Phil Sanderson (Elvet Striders) and a top fellrunner taking 2 nd place in the vets. The mud and hills really make the difference.
The Poly's Guy Bracken was 3rd veteran overall - and joined with Iain, Gary Moore and Tommy Brannen as second team overall on the day behind Morpeth
Louise Hayes was our fastest lady and the second fastest veteran overall.
Well done to all our runners.
The 10k road season is now well underway and there's a lot of good ones to try in our region. So let's hope we get good turnouts for our red shirts at the other races - improve your times and compete for the team!
This is a superb film of the start of the race made by Rob Kirtly of Tyne Bridge Harriers
http://www.youtube.com/user/robkrocks#p/u/0/IFnemzyDai8

Huge numbers stretch out along the breakwater - but no one so far has taken up the offer of the wooden seat.
Alison Hudson leads a pack across the breakwater and on to the Priory climb
Another Alison (Cummings) sets the tempo before hitting the climb
This is Super Katie -looking cool in sunglasses - not something they can sell in Aberdeen.
Sub 40 man Chris Whitehead starts to stretch out the pursuers .
The field begins to thin out as we get nearer the front - with No 1 Scott Ellis our fastest senior on the day.
Get Carter ! As Tony Carter from the region's newest Club , Tyne Bridge Harriers - is chased down by a group containing Guy and Gary Moore - with a terrier a short distance behind. It's not clear where the terrier finished but Guy was 13th and Gary 15th overall.
The leading pack - with Iain Twaddle in the centre of a group led by former Poly star , Mike Dawson. Mike was 4th with Iain one place behind.
At the very front - and well clear at this early stage is eventual winner , Serod Batochir - the region's best distance runner . Serod had just finished 9th in the London marathon the week before is a time of under 2 hours 10 m - but was still strong enough to win the race with some comfort and a course record. Good luck Serod for the Asian Games.

Good Friday Road Relays at Newburn 22 April 2011

2011-04-24T22:12:00.011+01:00

April sunshine and no breeze - a big change from last year's flooded course and re routing. It was back to the regular route - out and across the roundabout onto the bike track and then the fling along the river bank. Great if you like short, flat and hard surfaced courses.
This event boasts the best toilets in the north east - lots of polished chrome and Staffordshire porcelain and inset spotlights to enhance your cheekbones - a real passion for latrines at the One North East HQ. You need really good toilets if you generate lots of waste.
Well we were well down on our usual numbers - fielding only 2 teams - 1 vet/1 senior. However, we fielded many juniors which was impressive to see.
The Club Capt came up with a canny new scheme to pick his team - this time adopting rhyming couplets which saw the vets line up as Vaughan (Pronounced Vorn) / Sean (pronounced Shorn) /Gary/Barry. The result was , for example, if you were dished out a strange name like ,say, Guy - then you didn't stand a chance of meeting the selection criteria as that name only rhymes with girls' names . The poetic ploy almost worked as we ran in to 7 th place overall - the Cap as fastest .
Michael Moore was handed the lead for the seniors - in an experienced team featuring Phil 'The Track' Rees; Ian Richardson and Dave Gilmore. It was a tough day with the team running in 21 st despite all efforts. The VC featured in his one man team - but proved incapable of completing more than a single lap thanks to the Capt's highly stressed marathon training schedule.
Fastest time for any of our athletes came from Anthony Wallett (again) in the U 15 race - where the team (with Elliott Kelly and William Robson) produced a 3 rd place result .
In the under 13s - Jacob Hall (7th) and Andrew Mather (12) put in strong runs.
In the combined U17/seniors/vets girls race - we were again left shorthanded but had a very young team. The swift Gemma (6th) and Alex Haig (7th) finished well placed in the U17. Sarah Woods took 2nd place in the U 20 s. Karen Loughney managed to substantially increase the average age of the team as our lone ranger in the senior/ vets. Karen added her usual touch of class to the race and was able to supervise the efforts of the juniors ahead from the back seat.
Lots of thanks go to Jo Zoppi (HH) for some of the photos and Gary Robson for spotting a chiff chaff (Phylloscopus collybit) among the willows and osiers.

It's agony, missing out on the seniors A team - as Steve Atwell's face shows.
Crusing to the finish is Gary Robson on the 3rd leg- having taken out 3 opponents on the way.
Michael Moore - lurking in the shadows - as he lines up for the final attack.Who says you can't run a relay 2 days before the North Tyneside10 k ....(see next report)
A strong run from Phil Rees on leg 2 - on a surface as flat as the track.
Sean Maley beats a rapid path to the finish on leg 2 for the vets.
William Robson in the U 15 race with 800 metres left to go.
Elliott Kelly hurtles rounds the corner en route to the finish

Durham XC Relays - 23 January 2011at Durham Riverside

2011-02-02T20:41:00.014Z

Durham is a fine city.With its Norman cathedral; river meander with sharply wooded slopes; mad bishops ; posh students and miners' gala.It's a hilly place so it should be possible to find a really tough cross country course.
This however is a relay based around a cricket pavilion . Cricketers don't like to run very fast or get their sharply creased trousers dirty . Only the wicketkeeper is allowed to wear gloves to hold balls and they all go indoors when there's a hint of rain or a cloud passes in front of the sun. They don't get up early and spend most of the day eating and drinking while they play.
Serious cross country runners do/have none of this - and really like hills , mud , rain and they never wear gloves. and they don't snack during a race.
The annual January pilgrimage to the Durham xc relays was as popular as ever -with the Poly fielding 16 teams across the various categories.We've always enjoyed success at Durham - and this was no exception. Lucy (under close supervision) was entrusted with organisation of the ladies' teams. Beginners luck !The M40 (Louise Hayes; Leah Davison and cheeky Karen Loughney) established a big win in their group. Louise was fastest overall in class - as was hamstrung Katie Jones in W45 and Kath Stewart. Well done girls.
The Club Capt masterminded the men's division - where both M35 and M45 ended the day with second places overall. M45 (Vaughan, Norman de Bruin and Guy) were beaten by a strong Sunderland team - which even managed to beat their own M35 by a margin. Not to be outdone the Capt also made sure his M45 unit finished ahead of the M 35 Sunderland team on the sprint in. Our M35 team (Iain Twaddle, Gary Moore and Gary Robson) finished second to Morpeth.
Iain Twaddle was our fastest runner covering the course in 9 min 8 sec. Steve Borlos was fastest M60 overall.
The Poly had the most runners of any team on the day - and we turned the course red.
Lucy has posted results on our web page.
Thank you to Durham Harriers for the great organisation.
The peloton in the ladies' race - with Louise Hayes gliding on to the wing for the final run in.
Our second runner in the successful M40 team, Leah Davison, ascends the only incline on the course - with Alison Dixon yet to summit.
Carla Maley paces runners round the boundary with Gillian Moore in close pursuit.
A rare sortie for Kath Stewart on a cross country course-as our record breaking 800m/1500m runner stylishly presses on along the river bank.
It's a good idea to wear gloves if there's any risk your fingerprints could prove your guilt on any pushing and shoving. But you don't need to push or shove when you're at the front.
400 metre man Kevin Watt has finally warmed up - so it's now time to get moving with the finish in sight. Fast finishing Alex Robinson is a few yards back.
Another track man is Mitchell Renney at 800m - Mitchell posted fastest time of our seniors. There's however a lot more pressure on you when your coach is also running - and out there somewhere .
The senior team is led off by Scott Ellis as he aims to put some daylight between his stalkers.
John Baty with an impressive run succeeded in finishing this race with his footwear still on. John led the M45 B Team on the day.
The start of the veteran men's race - as they head for the first corner - with Gary Moore leading out our M35 team - and Guy Bracken just a few metres back - and directly under the church steeple.

North East XC Championships - 8 January 2011 at Temple Park South Shields

2011-01-11T21:07:00.013Z

The postponed NEXC finally took place on a bitingly cold day at South Shields. So cold that some of the softer lads took to wearing gloves - but that was bound to just slow them down.
We had a great day! Despite having so few athletes - individually Gemma Wallett took 3rd place in the U17 girls - with our other juniors also putting in strong performances.
In the team events with just 4 senior girls - we took an impressive 4 th place. For the senior men, with 7 runners (The Magnificent Seven)-we saw our best team result for many years with 5 th place.
The winter had taken its toll on the team. The ever dependable VC was bed ridden with flu. But while he spent the afternoon blowing his red nose on his bedsheets - normal service was resumd with the Club Capt back at the helm for his first xc run of the season. Club Chairman, Ian Woodward pulled off a masterstroke by not erecting the Club tent - which had been a source of distraction for the Capt at last year's events. Ian's ploy worked with the Capt putting in a brilliant run - finishing within the top 30 for the first time ever in the champs. In fact finishing so fast he was within shouting distance of Guy - our 2nd counter - as usual looking at his best in the mud. Both were eclipsed by England xc runner, Iain Twaddle - who also had his best finish ever in the north easterns - with a 7th place.
But you've got to get the team home - and it fell to Michael Moore in his first championship to put in a fine run to finish as final counter .
For the ladies, Lucy gets faster and led the line. She had great support from 10 k / marathon specialist Claire McManus - on a rare xc outing. Then once again our final counters came in in quick succession with both Leah Davison and Gillian Moore - both well up the field. Ron Stewart keeps on producing good and strong cross country runners.
Finally thanks to Peter Gallagher and Claire Manser for the photos. Lucy's posted results to the web.
The Northern XC champs are imminent - and it looks like the Club Capt and Guy will be missing - so we may well see the Club tent and VC back very soon.

Iain Twaddle powers up the hill at South Shields to lead the team to the line.

Guy tracks across the mud - as he comes to grips with his favourite surface.

The Club Capt rushes on - after an eager fan had unsuccessfully tried to rip the number from his shirt.

Our best performing xc runner of the season , so far, Scott Ellis - had a quiet run on the day.

Looking cool on the final lap - as Michael Moore finishes the job for us.

One of the Club's great loyalists at xc championships- Dave Morris battles his way across the field towards the finish.

Lucy Robinson heads for home as our first counter.

Claire McManus presses on through the field as she attacks the hill.

Leah Davison, closely shadowed by Gillian Moore - as they close on to the hill summit.

Run for Bob 9 January 2011

2011-01-09T17:51:00.012Z

It was a beautiful but chilly day for the Poly's annual charity Run for Bob event - in memory of late member Bob Peart.
The Club welcomed over 70 Poly members and friends to the event - who all helped support - through their contributions - the local charity North East Promenaders Against Cancer.
This is a fine run along the coastline and then through Hollywell Dene and back to the Club - where Katie Jones (with support from the famous Poly bakers) had laid on a fine array of cakes and refreshments.
With great thanks to all who supported this annual event at the Poly - and we look forward to welcoming you all back to our Clubhouse again.
Thanks also to John Brettell and his team for the organisation and North of Tyne Search and Rescue - whose skills were fortunately not required
Here's a few shots :

The start at the War Memorial - as John Brettell issues his guidance. And he didn't mention Everton Football Club once.
Fell runner Dave Johnson takes the second summit of the day - with a mob in hot pursuit.
The lighthouse is always worth a second shot.
Through the Hollywell Dene - as Poly runners Christine and Gillian slow down to support the novice runner in the blue suit. Let's hope the run was not too tough for him.
Our former Chairman , Trevor Went , can still make a quick pace through the Dene.
A View from the Bridge - as Micky Baker makes his way along the Wagonway - while North of Tyne Search and Rescue look on.

Poly put the kettle on - we'll all have tea !
As Kay Thompson does the honours back at the Clubhouse with the Red Poly Teapot.

Start Fitness - Harrier League Round 2 - Farringdon 30 October 2010

2010-11-02T21:00:00.011Z

Another week - another race - and quite a change in the weather.Farringdon is bathed in sunshine with a warm south westerly breezing in off the council estates.It was muddy but not as sticky as it had been in September for the relays.
There were huge turnouts in all the events - and the Poly competed across almost all the groups. The accident prone Club Captain again delegated the captaincy to the VC - who produced a sparkling run . The Ice Man joined the Capt on the bench proudly sporting his Eskimo style parka (apparently made from 3 walrus skins - with a nice fur trim round the hood). He enjoyed himself acting out a role as an extra from Shackleton's last Antarctic camp.
Both should be back next time - now that the courses get easier!
Both men's and ladies' teams improved on Round 1. Chris Morley led the men's team back with a strong 5th place on the day. The Morley family had 3 runners out for the Club - with 2 of Chris's sons competing well in the under 13s.
For the ladies, there was a 4 way race at the end - but with Katie eventually pipping debutant Laura Davies.Gemma was 3rd fastest in the Under 17s.
Now for some photos :
Chris Morley striking a fast pace on his way to 5 th place.

A strong run from Martin Spiers as he presses on through the field on only his second outing

Tommy Brannen is back - for the first time in 2 years - attacking out of the stream. (Ladies take note - see below).

A quick start in the boys under 15s with Anthony Wallett and Elliott Kelly
William Robson dashes towards the finish line in the U 15s in double quick time.
Pre race banter for the senior girls with Martin Spiers dispensing free advice for any takers - but Ron and Ian, in the background , are a lot more popular. It's a curious thing that females spend 2/3rd of their waking time in the bathroom splashing around and things - but have an aversion to any water out of doors. See below,
Leah leaves the stream to Alison Dixon who attempts to waltz across. Katie Jones wears tinted glasses so the water is at least made more appealing - turning the same colour as her favourite lavender bubble bath
Karen adopts her usual mid race tactic of deliberately blocking a team mate (Sue Potter) as Sue struggles up the bank
Riverdance from Gillian Moore

Start Fitness - Harrier League - Round 1 at East Cramlington 23 Oct 2010

2010-10-31T17:16:00.009Z

The first race of the new season and back to one of the best cross country courses in the Harrier League at east Cramlington.
Conditions were muddy and treacherous - with a biting north wind sweeping off the North Sea and making for a tough start.
The Club had a fine turn out - especially among the juniors - and for some it was the first taste of this great winter tradition. I am sure we can maintain the momentum and enthusiasm as we go through the season. There were some great individual performances - especially from Gemma Wallett and Alex Haigh. The U 14 boys (Anthony Wallett, Elliott Kelly and William Robson) rapidly established themselves with a strong 4 th place in their team event.
In the absence of the injury prone Club Captain - the team was led again by Steve Atwell VC - who gave a stirring speech to the troops as they set off on their mission. Scott Ellis led the team back.
Results will soon appear on the Poly web site. Here are some photos ( regrettably we have none of our male athletes - as regular snapper and thrower, Peter Gallagher, was away - and the camera crew had to run!).

Another great performance from Gemma Wallett as she sets off in the U 17 race
Early stages of the senior ladies' race with Alison Dixon (on her debut) off to a quick start
A fine run from Alex Haig - who finishes 4th in the U 17 girls
Celebrity chef (and runner) , Katie Jones presses on towards the finish in the senior ladies race
Karen Loughney is chased by the pack- for details of her new Christmas cake recipe.

Rob Lewis Report

2010-10-23T11:32:00.004+01:00

Here are a couple of reports received from Rob Lewis. Having trained with the Poly and ran a few quick 10 k races locally, Rob decided to run away to sea and join the Royal Navy. Well good news is that Rob is still running - but it seems the races he's press ganged into for RN are not normal...............

Q

Keswick to Barrow 40 Mile Walk
As the title suggests this event is promoted as a walk but for some daft reason I decided to try & run it! Whilst based at HMS Sultan nearPortsmouth I volunteered to join a team that was assembled to take on this challenge & raise money for two local charities in the process. We started early, around 6am, from the outskirts of Keswick. My pace was very leisurely given how far I had to go! I enjoyed the first half of the race running the first 20 miles in 3 hours 3 minutes & enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Lake District as I plodded along with my music to keep me company. However, having run the equivelant of a marathon plus a little bit more things began to go a little bit pear shaped! I was faced with a 4 mile climb up a twisting road. The climb broke my spirit & almost my body too.I had to slow to a walk & as I did I began to realise just how much pain I was in! My ankles were in agony & I had a sharp shooting pain in my right leg. As much as I tried I just couldn't start running again. When I finally reached the top I could see my destination, Barrow, but it looked an awfully long way away! I knew at this point I wouldn't achieve my target time of 6 hours. The 10 mile walk into Barrow was the longest & most painful 10 miles I had ever covered. I eventually crossed the line in 6hours 55 minutes where I was presented with a medal by the Mayoress ofBarrow & two tokens I could exchange for food or beer. I exchanged them both for beer!

Haslar 10K
It was promoted as the Haslar 10K road race, Haslar being a parish ofGosport where I was working at the time. However, it turned out to be the strangest 10K I'd ever ran in! Again I was running as part of a small teamdrawn together from Officers and Ratings from HMS Sultan. We had somedifficulty actually finding the starting point of the race and there was avery good reason for that. The race was to take part inside a maximum security detention centre for illegal immigrants waiting to be deported out of the UK! Having finally established where we were to be running we made the slightly intimidating walk through the detention centre as our guide unlocked and opened numerous secure doors, eventually leading us to the gym where the other competitors had already gathered. Turns out the race had been organised by the head of Physical Training at the detention centre.The race organiser walked us round one lap of the route, we would complete seven in total to make it up to 10K. The route mainly comprised of running round the inside of the perimeter fence, the wrong side of the fence asfar as I was concerned! Most of the other runners were local club runners but some of the inmates were encouraged to join in. Too add an extra twistof surrealism to the proceedings the organiser of my team thought the race was fancy dress and turned up in a Julius Caesar costume! Nobody else made this mistake but the sight of his red cape flapping in his slipstream was impressive nonetheless! After a somewhat quick and chaotic start I settled into fourth position and soon began to gain on the man in front. It wasn't long before I picked him off but try as I might I couldn't close the gap onthe leading two. My pace was steady and I felt fairly comfortable but after a month out through injury I had nothing in the tank to close the gap on the man ahead. I ended finishing in a creditable third in a time a fractionover forty minutes. Not too bad for a comeback race. Not all the detainees finished the race but those who took part seemed to enjoy themselves as did everyone else.
UNQ

Poly Vets - British Masters 10 k Champions

2010-09-23T20:53:00.003+01:00

This is a report from Mr Bill McGurk in the Evening Chronicle on 23 Sept 2010 on the recent success of our M40 vets at the national 10 k road championships at Wolverhampton :
Q
THE North Shields Poly club have built up a strong vets section over recent years.
Those efforts paid off last weekend when a quartet of ‘oldies’ travelled to the Midlands for the British Masters 10km Road Race Championships.
The North Tyneside outfit came out on top in the Goodrich race near Wolverhampton to lift the coverted team title – and the gold medals which go with it – after the foursome of Iain Twaddle, Guy Bracken, Gary Moore and Vaughan Hemy saw off the opposition in fine style.
Twaddle, who recently moved up into the over-40 age group, was the Poly’s first counter in seventh, finishing with a time of 32min 54secs.
Bracken, an inspiration since returning to the sport after a long absence, was next Poly runner across the line – even though he was competing in the over-45 section.
Bracken finished 19th overall – fifth over-45 – in 34:39 on a testing, undulating course.
A time just outside his best-ever for 10km has put him in contention for a place in the England team for the Masters Cross-Country International in Dublin in November.
Third counter for the Poly was Moore, three places behind Bracken in 22nd in a time of 34:45.
Hemy, also o-45, closed in the winning team’s scorers in 38th in 26:09, a time just 13 seconds slower than his lifetime best.
The Midlands test was an ideal workout for one of the gold medalists who, less than 24 hours after his efforts, decided to take his place on the starting line for the Bupa Great North Run!
Despite the travelling to and from the Midlands coupled with a race, Twaddle took his place among the likes of Haile Gebrselassie on the elite starting line and managed to produce the half-marathon of a lifetime.
Going into the race, Twaddle’s best was 72:14 which he ran in the 2008 event.
However, last Sunday he finished 42nd in 71:44.
Runs like that could also influence the selectors when they sit down in the coming weeks to pick their squad for the trip to Ireland.UNQ

Sunderland Harriers XC Relays at Farringdon 10 Sept 2010

2010-09-12T22:22:00.017+01:00

The warm up session for the Harrier league - on a fine day over the Farringdon course.
The course was sticky in parts and for some unexplained reason the small burn crossing was out of bounds . A detour took runners out onto the road for about 50 metres. True the water was running a bit dirty and deeper than usual - but Sunderland Harriers aren't exactly a soft bunch. So the culprit was probably the relevant Health and Safety Extreme Sports executive's depth of imagination - which the burn exceeded.
For more on water - see the feature below.
Numbers were a bit slack at the event compared to the usual turn out - or had word got out that the course had been sanitised ?
The conditions well suited our juniors however. Fastest Poly runner on the day was Anthony Wallett - with a shade over 1o minutes in the under 15s. Anthony took the bronze medal and was followed home closely by Elliot Kelly -who was our second fastest overall. However best individual perfomance went to Gemma Wallett - a comfortable winner in the girls under 17s.
Over to the seniors and Steve Atwell VC was again skippering the team. Gary was main strike runner for the A team and set up the team for 12th spot overall- with backing from Steve , Barry and Richard Baker. Paul Hughes and Alex Robinson made up the curtailed B team.
The ladies had a strong showing - but sadly no team prizes were awarded - as otherwise our 4 girl team would have featured. Stephanie Dann was 6 th overall in a sub 11 minute time.
It's back to Farringdon next month in the harrier league - where let's hope its not been overlaid with astro turf.
Here's some shots:

Elliot Kelly leads off from the start of the boys under 15 s
Anthony Wallett breezes to the finish for 3rd overall
Gary Robson leads out our A team and is set for the first hill of the day.
....and a few paces behind ......but it's too early in the race for Paul Hughes to press the accelerator .
Stephanie Dann - sandwiched between Morpeth and Gateshead - red , white and blue.
Leah Davison cuts a swathe through the long grass on the descent to the burn
Picking her way through the brambles is Lucy Robinson - but fortunately the blackberries aren't chocolate coated so no distractions there.
Karen Loughney is back and on a mission !
Feature : Ryhope Engine House - within a John Renney javelin throw of Farringdon lies the Ryhope Engine House. It was contructed to pump water from the aquifer lying 250 feet below the Magnesian Limestone to provide fresh - but hard ( it would be, wouldn't it ?) water to the citizens of Sunderland. The engine is to a design of the brilliant Scottish engineer , James Watt - and is still running after 140 years. Obviously his invention was not much use for supplying water to Scotland - where 2/3 rds of the land is permanently under water.In the foreground is a duck house on the cooling pond - commemorating the last time Sunderland sent a Conservative MP to Westminster.

Round 4 North East Athletics League at York 31 July 2010

2010-08-23T19:25:00.007+01:00

The final round and the long weary trip down to York . Conditions were again tricky with a coldish breeze and some light drizzle. Of greater difficulty however was the shortage of our athletes. Athletics Capt Richard Baker was down to 8 of each male and female - the Magnificent 8 times 2 ! It was almost self selection in a few of the events as Richard shuffled the few in a bid to cover as much as he could. Thankfully - we still turned out full relays teams and there were also some notable wins from Gina Rutherford (200m and 400 m), Laura Mole ( 200m ) , Paul Baker ( 110 m hurdles) as well as the ladies 4 x 400 m relay squad. Best performances though arguably came from our throwers - as Peter Gallagher and John Renney turned out in the 800 metres.
Final results are still awaited - but what we can say for sure is that our team secured promotion as runners up to Birtley and South Shields.
Next year we'll be joining Division 2 East with teams from fine centres of culture such as Durham and err Middlesbrough and sophistication like Leeds.
Two promotions in 2 years ! Not many teams can boast that - so congratulations to all the athletes that represented our Club this season. Let's see if we can make it 3 on the run.

Mitchell Renney takes the first bend in the 400 metres.

Vicky Stevenson is in a Border sandwich as Lucy Robinson closes in during the 1500 m.

The 4 x 100 metre relay as Chelsey Chhina hands over to Gina Rutherford for the final leg

The final act of the season for our athletics captain , Richard Baker as he passes the baton to Ryan Brooke in the 4 x 100 m relay.

Coastal Run 18 July 2010

2010-07-19T20:26:00.016+01:00

Forget any Brendan Big run in Sunderland . This is the news of the really great run that took place at the weekend - over the sands and grassy tops on the 30 th Beadnell to Alnmouth Coastal run!
The Poly took a big party of raiders under the leadership of newly appointed Club Vice Capt. Steve Atwell - with support by the St John Brettell Choristers and
technical back up from hydration expert Chris Walker. Chris dished out his free advice to anyone prepared to listen to it. (Including last year's winner, David Kirkland, who after consulting Chris came in third).
Conditions were blustery across the open sands - with a fast running tide but conditions were otherwise good.
Despite the race results with no Poly winners , Steve was still proudly able to announce that the Poly had cleaned up the prize for last club left standing at the Red Lion Bar (Wallsend having given up in extra time). So a repeat of last year and a successful event after all !
The Polybus was a touch quieter on the return as the Choristers failed to launch their usual high decibel screech - in the absence of the Club Capt. No one can match the finale of the Capt's rendition of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run'. The Capt is one of the few who can definitely sing as well as Bruce Springsteen ......can run.
Here are some shots. I've got quite a lot more so let me know if you want them (including some interesting botanical ones).
Thanks to Alnwick Harriers for another great day out !
Here are the full results : http://www.alnwickharriers.co.uk/Results/2010/Alnwick_Coastal_Run_Prov_Result_Overall.pdf
The Polybus and Choristers will be back in action at the Jelly Tea Run - even if the runners aren't.

All so Happy ! The Poly front line -with cherubic smiles on the faces of Atwell's Angels - Peter Atkinson, Alan Turnbull, Steve, John Baty and Michael Hindmarsh.
Chris Walker had advised that you've got to start the race standing in the sea -as it shortens the distance. Our guys thought they knew better and kept to the dune side - so don't be fooled by the apparent front running of Peter and Co. The really smart teams on the seaward side were 200m up by this stage!

Here comes the peloton - with one of our fell runners - Ian Holland - having to cope with the increased oxygen at sea level.

Bandana headed Sven Schierig races across Beadnell sands - with Claire Bruce tucked in just at the front of 2 Claremont Runners (and understandably not wishing to sport her Morpeth shirt !).

Onto dry land - for the first time and through the cut to Embleton as John Sutcliffe hopes to get his land legs going

This is Dunstanburgh Castle - where in days of olde only knights and damsons were allowed to enter the castle. Peasants were rightly refused access. Thankfully, that rule has not changed today as Ian Holland leads a band that is forced to detour round the walls.

Mark Small flees from the castle towards Craster - where Chris recommends a bacon sandwich and a pint of beer at half distance - just to take your mind off the race .

Harold Fern looking strong as he runs uphill and out of Howick Bay . Howick has England's finest Arboretum - well worth a detour on this trip.

Jane Henderson and Emma Payne press on towards Boulmer - it's tough work on the climb.

The Walter Raleigh Bridge at Boulmer - only girls are allowed to cross at the bridge which is exactly what Emma Robinson is doing. The real men take the corner out and flash across the stream - saving thereby saving 3 to4 seconds .

As good as it gets ! John Brettell clears the finish line in extra time on Alnmouth Sands.

A great place to finish and better than Everton winning the cup final!

Round 3 North East Athletics League at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow 5 July 2010

2010-07-14T21:07:00.008+01:00

In very blustery conditions, the Poly finally overcame local rivals SouthShields/Birtley to win round 3 - but by a narrow margin of 4 points.
The result left our Club just 1 point behind South Shields /Birtley in the league - with the remaining round at York. Thanks to great performances over the season - barring some catastrophe - the Club are promoted to division 2 for next season (as predicted as realistic by John Renney on the Club athletics page at the season's outset!).
It was a tough day on the track and in the field with a fierce headwind gusting down the home straight - to the benefit of no one and providing great excuse for some slower times. Despite that Ryan Brooke ran the fastest time of any Poly athlete this season in the 400 metres (on leg 4 of the relay).
Both Ryan and Jonna Chisholm (800m , long jump and triple jump) were debutants and picked up many points for us. Outright wins were more limited - with Paul Baker taking the 110 m hurdles ( a clean sweep for the season) ; Lucy Robinson in the 1500 metres and the ladies 4 x400 m relay team.
So now to York and the final showdown with South Shields/Birtley!
Full results have been filed by John on the athletics page. http://www.nspoly.co.uk/NSP_Track_Field.html

Final leg on the 4 x 100 m relay as Neal Yeoman hands the baton to Ryan Brooke.
Rebecca Simpson launches the hammer in a very competitive event with Rebecca's 35 m throw earning a second place finish.
Sprinter, Laura Mole, features in the triple jump - her 4 th event of the day.
Georgia Thompson takes 2nd place with 1.4m in the high jump.
Mitchell Renney launches the javelin - with a throw of over 31 metres that was to give Mitchell first place in the second string event (and 4th overall).

British Masters Road Relays - Sutton Park, Birmingham

2010-07-04T22:09:00.015+01:00

or the Harry-Hawaii - 5 - 0 tour ....

In May a number of our senior athletes went for a weekend away to, err Honolulu, to do some running - but mainly to celebrate the milestone of Harry's birthday .
This is the inside report from Ian Richardson (with thanks To Helen Morris and Ian for the 'evidence')

Q

Well, we had a great weekend at Sutton Park Masters' Relays.. The tent stood up all day. Everyone had a good run. You can't help it, the race just drags you along.

I interviewed several of our team and the consensus feeling was, "I'm going to run my best ever so we can get into Brum and the pubs/curry house as quick as possible. And you never know, we might even get a race placing". We didn't get a race placing due to a lack of numbers supporting the teams. But we got to the pub/curry house/pubs and had a great time.

Every member of our teams ran 110 per cent effort and all should be really proud of what they did. I am proud of all of them and really appreciate their effort and dedication.

The highlight was Harry Norman's "Harry 5-0" birthday theme. We all wore Hawaiian shirts with the Hawaii 5-0 theme tune on our mobile ring tones. Fantastic meal courtesy of Harry finding the restaurant "Around the World in 80 Dishes"- a super multi-culturally themed restuarant.

We did have a few drinks before and after the meal just to be sociable. Some of us stayed up after 11.00 pm in order to discuss the finer points of running.

I'd like to thank Vaughan Hemy, Dave Hall and Harry Norman for their help arranging the weekend. Also driver Paul and his mate - reliable as ever.

I would also like to thank each runner personally but that would take too long so you lot, you know who you are, - thanks - you've all done really well!

Next year we're going for medals.

UNQ

BEFORE :

The ladies' team with Helen and Suzanne Hunter (of Blyth RC) and Louise and Karen from the Poly

Half of the men's team - the other half were apparently warming up (not usually necessary in Hawaii where average May temps in Honolulu are 32 deg C)

The birthday boy - with a paddle .......so at least he's prepared for the creek.

DURING.....

Karen Gunn in beautiful Hawaiian weather

Helen - in the red of NSP - takes the shaded route through the palm trees
....AND AFTER.....

A night of Hawaiian dancing with local hula-hula girls from Edgbaston - and Pauline definitely did not buy that shirt

In Hawaiian restaurants - it seems - you've got to dance to get a meal - or pay in beads. Here's the list of ingredients for the vegetarian option (which I'm sure was a big seller with the Poly) with the dancers .

The big Hawaiian pow-wow at the dinner table. On this rare occasion - Paul Hughes was not the oldest runner....or diner.

VAANEE- Track & Field Championships at Monkton, Jarrow 25 June 2010

2010-06-29T22:48:00.009+01:00

Blazing June at one of the top tracks in the north east at Monkton Stadium - for the veterans track and field champs.
The Club were well represented - particularly on the track - with many of our veterans leaving with gold medals in their class. There were many top performances but special mention to hurdler, Andrew Webb who took gold in 200 m , 400 m and 800m (without crossing a single hurdle) and Kath Stewart with double golds in 800m and 1500m.
Full results are here:
http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/veteransathleticsnortheast/page54.phtml

The opposition melts away as Guy Bracken takes gold in 5000m - with the potted plant to the left as first prize.

Steve Borlos - in trade mark orange footwear - in his fifth event of the day - 800m

The dash for the line in the 200m - with Andrew Webb flying down the finishing straight

Another impressive run from Kath Stewart as she clears up gold in the 3000m

Bruce Robertson - inching over the barrier in the high jump - signalling the jump as a 5 .

Bruce took the gold.

Round 2 North East Athletics League - June 5, 2010 at Churchill Playing Fields, Whitley Bay

2010-06-17T22:17:00.012+01:00

Round 2 of the league was held on a hot summer's day at our home track at Churchill Playing Fields ( but hosted by our friends from Heaton Harriers).
The day at the coast saw a number of debuts handed out to Sabir Islam (200 m /relays); Dave Quinn (steeplechase); Rosa Fojut (110/400 hurdles); Laura Mole (100m , 200m and relays); Craig Hall (5000m); Alison Dixon (1500m).
There were outright wins by Paul Baker (400m/110m hurdles) - repeating his effort in Carlisle; a storming run by the men's 4 x 100m relays (featuring Neal Yeoman,Sabir Islam, Mitchell Renney and Kevin Watt) . For the girls it was another win for Gina Rutherford in the 400 m - but who then pulled out of the 200 m and relays due to injury - and Grace Johnson in the high jump.
We enjoyed a highly successsful day - but were squeezed out of first place by only 3 points by our neighbours over the river from South Shields/Birtley.
Check out the Poly web for the full results filed by John Renney.

Rosa Fojut - another Scottish hurdler at the Club - heads for the line in the 400 m hurdles.

Dave Quinn enjoys his monthly bath this time in the steeplechase - setting up a tsunami for Michael Bunn of Jarrow & Hebburn .

Athletics capt , Richard Baker is about to find he can't walk on water on either.

Louise Hall strides round the track in the 3000 m

Paul Baker glides over the 100 m hurdles on his way to another win.

The line up for the ladies hammer (Lucy Robinson/Emma Payne for the Club) - and for obvious reasons all males have taken cover behind the clubhouse.

Clive Cookson 10 k - The Great Poly 10k ! - 18 May 2010

2010-05-24T22:06:00.009+01:00

An unusually warm May evening for the Clive Cookson - and about 10 deg C warmer than last year. Over 250 runners competed in the Fun Run 5 k and the 10 k. The event was extremely well supported by our neighbouring friends from Wallsend Harriers, Morpeth, Heaton Harriers and Blyth RC as well as many others. It was an impressive sight to see the front row of the grid - with the green and gold of Wallsend sandwiching the Morpeth's blue - with Vaughan as a solitary testosterone red shirton on row 1 .
Ex Red , Mike Dawson of Morpeth , was a comfortable winner - Mike claimed he ran a slow time despite having the advantage of a Poly pacemaker on a bike. Morpeth also took the team prize.
Vaughan was our fastest and the team was 4 th overall.
For the ladies it was better news in the results as Clare McManus was 2nd quickest female. the girls clinched 2 nd team place behind Heaton Harriers . In fact the team barely squeezed out Wallsend by only 1 point. It could have been a lot easier had Alison Dixon registered herself as NSP rather than 'unattached'.
Bill McGurk did the starting honours with a loud blast of his whistle. The race set off quick time and out across the fields - where the insects had decided that this was the night for their reproduction - timed to perfection for the run. Who needs protein ?
The silken skills of our permanently tanned compere Phil Lancaster closed the evening as the awards were presented.
A big thank you to John Brettell for his excellent organisation; Start Fitness for their sponsorship - as well as to all those who helped on the night. It was a great effort.

Lucy Robinson - our second girl home on the run in - and with a smile for the camera.

Steve Borlos - the first M55 back - in a time of just over 40 mins probably a bit slower than the Steve would have expected

Clare McManus was the second fastest girl on the night - in a shade under 40 minutes

Chris Whitehead - the Poly number 1 - acting out a dual role as runner and temporary marshall.

Phil Linsey takes an early lead to the delight and amazement of all the Poly loyalists

This is mission control - and the heartbeat of the event. Registration - where numbers are issued and advice dispensed to our many friends who made it for the event. Sometimes a great deal of patience is needed - especially when our organisers had to deal with this shy, young man who was clearly no runner. Apparently he was looking for the evening class in Development of Self Confidence and Assertiveness. Let's hope Ron and Wendy gave him tips on both !

Clive Cookson 10 k - The Great Poly Cake Stall - 18 May 2010

2010-05-23T06:53:00.004+01:00

Any decent running Club has great bakers ! At the Poly - you may think we've only got 2 (Paul and Richard). That's not right - we've got lots more !
The Poly as usual excelled in presenting a mouth watering display of cakes - and for some it can be the best part of the 10 k race! For many runners it was the thought of tucking into these goodies that kept them going through the final few kilometres.
The stall was run - tick tock - like clockwork by some of our talented junior members. They worked like bees in setting up the tables (with helpful signs) and then serving the hungry and tired athletes. Look out for them when you are next on the track - as not only can they serve up a mean slice of fruit cake - but also have a good turn of speed . Maybe there's even the next Club captain lurking here ?
Thankfully the baking of the cakes was not left to either Richard or Paul Baker .
Instead, we have to thank the following (all of whom swapped the certainty of a medal at the race - for an evening with a wooden spoon - as they stirred, beat and pounded their way through various mixtures):
Vicky Gilroy's lemon drizzle and chocolate cake - good combination that ;
Paula Adamson's banana and walnut and mincemeat slices,( Paula makes the county's best banana cake to a recipe even more secret than Coca Cola's)
Jane Gerono's famous flapjacks - the nutritionist's choice;
Karen Loughney's multi coloured cupcakes - to cheer up the spirit;
Katie Jones's tasty cranberry and chocolate muffins as well as a selection of pizza slices for any Italian visitors;
Plus Weetabix cake and some Polyesque booby buns
A great job by all !
Take a look :

Robbie Loughney (lifting Katie's huge basket of muffins), Hannah Gilroy and Kirstie Jones give a presentation of part of our stall

...and here's the rest with Robbie, Hannah and Kirstie joined by Katherine Loughney (who was hiding under the table on the previous shot ) - plus 2 older juniors ! The juniors made up some great signs for our cakes ! But who do the hands in the bottom right hand corner belong to ?

Round 1 Track & Field League North East Div 3 - Carlisle 1 May 2010

2010-05-11T21:28:00.011+01:00

The first track meeting of the year - and we started with a great result. Second place on 301 points - 49 points behind the eventual winners from South Shields.
Richard Baker, as team captain , had put together an impressive squad for the trip over the Pennines. Excellent support particularly from many of the girls - with many 'debuts'.
We had some great individual results - with outright wins by Rebecca Simpson (hammer) ; Gina Rutherford (200 metres/400 metres); Paul Baker ( 110m hurdles and 400 m hurdles); Neal Yeoman (200 metres); girls 4 x 400 m (StephanieDann, Karen Loughney,Chelsey Chhina; Gina Rutherford).
There were many highlights - but the day was brought to a close by a superb win by the girls 4 x 400 m relay event against strong opposition from Border Harriers. On the final leg it was reckoned by experts (namely Paul Hughes - no stranger to chasing down big distances on final legs) there was about 90m to close down. Gina took the baton and with a 54 second final leg blazed by the Border runner.
A great way to finish the day - and set the Club up for the next event on June 5 at Churchill Fields, Whitley Bay.
Further details on NSP web : http://www.nspoly.co.uk/NSP_Track_Field.html
Gina takes the baton from Chelsey on the final leg of the 4 x 400 m relay. At this point - Border had cleared the bend and onto the back straight.

Paul Hughes (hidden) to Kevin Watt leg 3 to 4 on 4 x 100m

Peter Gallagher launches the shot.

Neal Yeoman (U17) races down the straight to his win in the 200 metres.

A lesson in high hurdling ! Richard Baker demonstrates great technique - while Paul Bainbridge (of South Shields Harriers) shows off an unorthodox method.

After round1 of the ladies' javelin - this notice was hastily erected. Stephanie Dann launches the javelin towards a worried athlete from Jarrow and Hebburn!

Gordon Smith Memorial Relays - Wallsend 5 May 2010

2010-05-09T17:38:00.016+01:00

One of the best annual local relay events - and always well supported by the Club. This time with 6 men's and 3 women's teams.

The course is run on tarmac over about 2 miles ( no one seems sure exactly how far) and is an 'up and downer' cutting through the crumbling Swan Hunter yard- with the treat of an uphill finish.

The route takes you past 2000 years of Wallsend's history - dating from the Romans - with many ancient relics on display. But that's enough about the Poly men's vets team.

Now to the races.

The Poly A team was inched out of 3 rd place on the line - with Gary Robson beaten by the length of a Roman nose by Elswick . Guy took fastest time on the night on the A team lead out with the only sub 11 min run for the Club.

For the girls, Karen Loughney was made ladies' captain for the night - and quickly found that the qualifications for command required more than a cheeky grin and some chirpy chatter. Despite Stephanie Dann taking third fastest time overall on the night - the A team ended 5th. There was a great performance from the B ladies ( A.Dixon,G.Moore and N.Thorburn) - on a first run out in a Poly team. These flyers came in 6th overall - not far off the A - and squeezing out Gateshead.

Thanks finally to Wallsend for putting on a great event (in their usual unfussed way) and sacrificing a number of their useful runners as marshalls.

Full results here : http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/gordonsmith.pdf

A flying start - with Guy , in his glow in the dark radioactive shoes, starting from the front row of the grid.

In the dark? Were these 3 just so slow that it was sundown by this stage- or did the flash fail to go off ? Probably the former - as it's line astern for Paul, Richard and Dave. .

Leah Davison clears the final corner and heads up the bank to finish off for A team.

Back from the 3 Peaks mountain challenge, Chris Rowe finds things a bit easier here.

Steve Atwell is left gasping for breath at Karen Loughney's astonishing acceleration on the inside.

Graeme Level - 47 metre plus discus throws

2010-05-05T21:59:00.003+01:00

Graeme Level , who trains at the Poly all year round in all weathers with coach Neil Ellerby, has started the new season in fine form. This is another report from Mr McGurk in the Chronicle of 15 April on Graeme's recent personal best performance . The report is now out of date ,for personal bests for Graeme, as he just beat this distance while competing at Leeds on 1st May.
As the report states, Graeme is one of the country's top young athletes at the discus.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2010/04/15/top-throw-for-gateshead-harrier-graeme-level-72703-26242829/

Kath Stewart breaks 2 British records in a Weekend!

2010-04-22T21:58:00.004+01:00

Report from Mr B McGurk - Evening Chronicle 15 APR 2010

SUPER vet Kath Stewart was lost for words after chalking up two British age group records at the British Masters Indoor Championships in Lee Valley.

However, it was not the fact she had just set new British best figures for 800m and 1,500m for over-70s that left her speechless – it was because she was hit by a virus in the week prior to the two-day London championships.

After eventually finding her voice the North Shields Poly athlete said: “I thought there was no chance of even travelling to London because I was really under the weather with laryngitis.

“However, even though I could not speak and my throat was badly swollen, Ron (her husband and coach) and I decided to travel and give it a go.

“Things did not really improve when it was time to run, but Ron said I should run and see how it went and if I was not feeling well I could drop out.

“It is about five years since I last raced indoors and I really wanted to do well, but under the circumstances was not expecting too much.

“I started off very cautiously and was finding it hard to swallow, but as the race unfolded I began to relax and eventually found myself at the front.

“I had no idea what sort of time I was running. Prior to heading south I knew what the record was, but that was the furthest thing from my mind as I entered the last lap.

“When I heard my time after crossing the line at the finish I could not believe it.

“The record was 6min 50.6sec and it had stood since 1993, so for me to knock three seconds off and run 6:47.59 is unbelievable – really all I wanted was to get round!”

Stewart who also holds the championship record for over-65s at 400m, 800m and 1,500m, was feeling a little better 24 hours later when it was time to take to the boards for the 800m.

She added: “My throat was still sore but my legs felt fine, so there was no way I was not going to run.

“I knew the 800 metres record was within my reach, with or without a sore throat.

“The record I was chasing was 3:34.87 so, after my success the previous day, I was pretty confident of dipping under that.

“I set off more positively this time and was at the front from the start and eventually came home to win in 3:20.8.

“I must have been the happiest woman at the championships. I could not have asked for anything more.

“Ron was even more pleased than I was, simply because I could not express my delight at having to overcome everything when it was touch and go whether I should have run or not.”

Stewart has now fully recovered from her illness, although, after a visit to her GP, it was suggested she takes a rest before contemplating racing in the near future.

She said: “I have to listen to what the doctor says, but I am hopeful of turning out in the Blyth 10km at the end of April.

“That will be the start of building up my mileage for an outing in the Amsterdam Marathon in October.

“For the past two years or so I have not raced as much as I would have liked as most of my pleasurable time has been spent baby-sitting, but I kept on running at every opportunity.

“Ron sets out my training programme and I just follow what he says, so I owe all my success to him really.

“Running is so enjoyable and you do not have to be a youngster to get the benefits.

“I am 70 and still having lots and lots of fun – although I have never ever been left speechless before!”

Easter Races 2010

2010-04-22T20:43:00.006+01:00

Elswick Good Friday Road Relays
There was a late re routing of the 1 lap Newburn course - due to flooding - on this annual event.

In the relays, the Poly fielded one senior team and 3 vets teams. The seniors led by 800 metre runner Scott Ellis took the team to 17th place.

The vets A team finished in a comfortable 5 th place with Terry West setting the Club's fastest time in 12m 45 s. The B team set a strong pace with Gary Robson and Andrew Loughney as our lead runners - setting the team up for 8th position. Team C - led out by Mark Johnson - was just one place lower in 9th.

The juniors saw Anthony Wallett pick up the bronze medal in the U 15 s - and to cap it was our second fastest runner after Terry West on the course in 13 m 01 sec!

Our U13 boys finished in 5th place led by Elliot Kelly ; Will Robson and C Moore.

For the girls , Gemma was our best runner - taking 4th overall in the U17s - and helping to bring the team home in 9th place.

North Tyneside 10 k 4 April 2010

A big field of almost 1700 on a fine and bright day. Our Club fielded over 50 runners -the best turn out for any Club !Ian Twaddle was the fastest for the Poly with 6 th place - and Clare McManus was best as 5th overall in the ladies.

Norman de Bruin ascends the summit at Tynemouth Priory

Claire McManus - our top female runner on the day.

Start Fitness Harrier League - Prudhoe 28 March 2010

2010-03-28T16:54:00.008+01:00

The end of the 2009-10 cross country season - and a great way to finish for our Club. The Poly men race ahead to promotion to Division 1 - a fine effort and big thank you to all those who ran for our Club. For the girls , it was a third place finish on the day - on the tough course - and a big turn out .
A sad end for the Poly tent - which lay bent, broken and crumpled - even before the wild celebrations after the race. The girls would have probably kicked it in anyway- as they always wanted one with a mirror and heated towel rail.

The start of the men's race with Ian Twaddle striking out for the lead across the skyline- a lead he was to hold comfortably to the end.John Baty - pictured in 6 th place was soon to be heading backwards to 17th place on the day!

1199 -and a bargain at half that price, as Mike Heap aims to shake off the man in black gloves and matching tights - the legendary Club Capt

A rarity - this one - as John Brown plies his trade off road - and a first appearance for many years in the Harrier League.

Another colourful start to the ladies' race with Rosa near side , Emma and Karen Loughney (hidden) on the wing as they seek to out manouevre the opposition

Karen Loughney surpisingly avoids the puddle to the left as she threatens to trip Katie Jones on the final run in.

The finish ! A fine shot of our great ladies team as they bask in the sun - the lack of mud means they either 'scrubbed up' before this photo was taken or avoided any dirty bits on the course (see previous photo as proof) . The girls celebrated in the only way that girls can - by scoffing all of Louise Hall's chocolate cake and not sharing any of it with the guys. At least they left happy !Karen Loughney far right - has even 'accessorised' with a natty head scarf and nonmatching black gloves.

North East Veterans XC Championship - Branksome School Darlington - 20 March 2010

2010-03-22T11:31:00.002Z

A dreich day - back at Darlington - and a chance for the vets to run unhindered by the region's seniors. Conditions were slittery mud and constant rainfall. Our best performers were Guy Bracken (3rd in M40) and Ian Richardson 3 rd in M60 (Ian is pictured below on a brighter day- but not from Branksome - where bad light stopped cameras). Sadly, we could not repeat last year's success when Club legends Tommy and Frosty led the team to a storming victory.Results should follow on our web. Thanks to Darlington Harriers for putting on a great event.

Signals Relays - Hetton Lyons - 5 March 2010

2010-03-08T20:56:00.014Z

A new venue for this annual event - now at Hetton Lyons country park with a 2 lap course round the lake. A few undulations but otherwise a flattish course. It was a great day for the Club with a 1st place for the veteran girls and 2nd place for the vet men. Photos from Peter and Mr R Rutherford of DHAC. The full results should feature on the web site any day soon.

VETERAN LADIES A TEAM - 1ST POSITION
Cool Katie Jones , checks the time as she crosses the line to hand over leg 3 to Leah Davison. It was a great day for the girls - with first place in the category and with Stephanie Dann setting the fastest overall time. The last leg was run by Louise Hayes - with another fast time following from last year's great effort.Well done for the best team performance of the day.

SENIOR GIRLS A TEAM - 8TH PLACE

Lucy Robinson strides out on lap 2 - having taken over the baton from 400 metre sprinter Gina Rutherford. The team was completed with Amy Carroll and Holly Jackson. Last year saw Karen Johns break the course record at Watergate Park - a feat that will go unbeaten - now that the venue has moved to Hetton Lyons.

VETERAN LADIES B TEAM - 12 TH PLACE

Marathon runner, Louise Vickers , sets off on the last leg - taking over from Victoria Gilroy. It was a steady run for the ladies' B team - with Alison Cummins heading out followed by Karen Gunn, Louise and Victoria.

VETERAN MEN'S A TEAM - 2ND POSITION

Gary Robson dashes across the line to leave the final outcome in the legs of 400 metre runner, Paul Hughes, on the last leg. It was a great performance by the team of Guy Bracken, Keith Robson, Terry West, Vaughan Hemy , Gary and Paul. The team improved on its 3 rd place last year to 2nd in 2010. Not only that, but in a strong veterans' field Guy, Terry and Vaughan set the 2nd, 5th and 9th fastest times,respectively, on the day.

SENIOR MEN'S TEAM - POSITION 25

Our athletics captain, Richard Baker , takes the flag - with Mark Small heading off on the anchor leg. 1500 metre runner Dave Watt set a fast time on the first leg - backed with some guty performances from the following sprinters and hurdlers which made up the heart of the team. Legs 2 and 3 were run by our 400 metre runners Kevin Watt and JohnTuton. The team was closed out by Barry, Richard and Mark.

VETERAN MEN'S B TEAM

Chris Whitehead on lap 2 for the B vets team. This was a handy team but was 2 short of a full complement. Dave Morris led the team out, followed by Chris , and the experienced Ian Richardson and Phil Rees.

National Cross Country Championships - Roundhay Park , Leeds 27 February 2010

2010-03-07T17:32:00.003Z

A small band of our runners made it to Leeds for this great event. The course was heavy going with a few short, sharp climbs thrown in for good measure - and some attractive landscapes and pagodas to take the mind off the pain. A report will be filed on our web in due course - meantime enjoy the photos.

Dave Morris starts the last lap across the slippery mud - with the next runner in his sights.

Start Fitness Harrier League - South Shields 20 Feb 2010

2010-02-21T18:09:00.009Z

South Shields - Temple Park - snow, sun and mud. Here are the paparazzi shots - with a full selection filed on the facebook site by Lucy Check this link for results/report:
http://www.nspoly.co.uk/X-country%20results/NEHL%20South%20Shields%2020-02-10.html

The red huddle at the start - but what are Vicky Stevenson's views on all this ? Caption competition time.
The sprint for the line - with Lucy escorted in by Lousie Hall

Good to see Vicky Gilroy back again - as she heads for the finish

The Club's most positive 10 k runner, Michael Heap, is shadowed by Mick Baker - from the great Wallsend pack.

Stride for stride to the summit as the Ice Man is edged out by the Mud Man .......

Chris Whitehead pulls out to overtake on the climb- flanked by fell runner Dave Johnson

The End of the Affair - or The Remains of the Day ? Whose shoes ? Or is it the only part of Chris Whitehead to cross the line - explaining why his number failed to feature in the results ?

Sainsbury's - Collect Vouchers for the Poly !

2010-02-19T19:17:00.002Z

Chubby chef Jamie Oliver's favourite store, Sainsbury's, will relaunch its 2010 Active Kids initative shortly.

For us , this means collecting vouchers every time you shop at Sainsbury's - and then handing them in to Ian at the Club. The Club can then use them towards buying sports equipment to make our youngsters even fitter and faster !

Look out for the poster at the Club house - and more details in-store at Sainsbury's.

Check this link for more information.
http://www2.sainsburys.co.uk/ACTIVEKIDS/

Start Fitness Harrier League - Wrekenton 13 February 2010

2010-02-14T11:31:00.008Z

Round 3 and Wrekenton - a truly fine course. Shots by Peter giving a taste of the experience - more should be uploaded on the Facebook site by Lucy Robinson. The event is report is at :
http://www.nspoly.co.uk/X-country%20results/NEHL%20Wrekenton%2013-2-%2010.html

Lap 1 of the girls' race and the line to the first summit - with Louise Hall looking good as our second counter on the day.Karen Nielsen and Rosa are just round (sorry) on the bend.

Emma Hepple , clears the summit just ahead of Louise Vickers and Emma Robinson.

Our Captain (centre in black tights) gets to grips with this hill withhelp from 2 of his team colleagues.

One of our new runners, John Baty, in the clear and heading for home as our third counter.

George Adamson - one of our greatest steeplechasers and now a juniors' coach - powers up the hill

Running Print

2010-02-07T10:25:00.008Z

A couple of features from the 'weekends' on running techniques , styles and so on. First the trendy Observer looks into barefoot running :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/07/the-challenge-barefoot-running

Secondly from the FT on the 'Art of Running' at

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4b408d98-dee4-11de-adff-00144feab49a.html

The papers skim things a lot with masses of experience and research condensed into a few lines. So you need to be a bit careful with all this.

There do seem almost as many techniques as there are runners - but it is always worth getting the views of people like Terry West, Ron Stewart and the coaches.

There is a strong emphasis on core stability in much of the research - and the pilates course run at the Club by Leah Davison is excellent in this regard and well worth getting to on Monday nights. I believe the second 6 week stint starts soon. For sure this is likely to prove a better way to fitness than reading articles on running in the papers !

Harrier League - Town Moor 30 Jan 2010

2010-02-02T21:11:00.008Z

Some great winter shots of the recent cross country event - which saw an impressive turnout for the Club. Lucy Robinson has put a lot more photos on facebook at this link : http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=9974713828
A full reliable report of the shenanigans on the day will follow on the Poly web - don't miss it !

The colourful start of the senior girls' race with some natty headgear on show.

A final downhill fling for the girls ........

Amy Carroll takes the final ascent of the day with Emma Robinson close behind

Rosa Fojut crossing the bleak hillside before the downhill finish.

Steve Atwell (our 5 th finisher) tries to get the edge on Peter Atkinson (4th) on the run in by cutting inside the exclusion zone. The ploy didn't work.....

Yellow hatted Steve Marks targets Dave Quinn in the early stages of the race.

GB3 . The Ice Man.

Northern Cross Country Champs : Witton Park, Blackburn, 23 January 2010

2010-01-27T22:13:00.009Z

A few shots from the recent Northern XC champs - with thanks to Blyth Running club for them.

Dave Morris leads a group across what was the easiest part of the course - flat and with only a touch of mud underfoot. It was just about to get a whole lot worse moments later....

Dave Morris and Barry Young - the Poly 2 - 'thumbs up' and ready to fire up the cylinders.

A shot of the Blackburn Harriers AC track at Witton - taken in sunnier times.

It has the same pleasant olde English feel to it as Churchill Playing fields - with the track open to the public and surrounded by vegetation. So much warmer than the breeze block alley stadium types. The building at the back is poshly called the Pavilion - with a tourist info centre and a tuck shop selling Lancs favourites : lard sandwiches and onion and dripping crisps.

The tough part of the course is hidden behind the treeline - with the 'Cup and Spoon' hill section - with I'd reckon about 150 m of climb each lap.

'Keep off the track!' - was the regular announcement over the Tannoy all day.Always had the suspicion that track athletes dislike cross country runners - it's all about class !

VIDEO POLY !!

2010-01-22T21:44:00.004Z

Check out this link - for a video shot at our track at Churchill Playing Fields !

It features Tommy Brannon hosting a coaching session for the juniors - with support from some familiar faces ! The juniors are put through their paces as Tommy highlights the need to get more coaches to support the squad.

Well done to all those who took part - a great advertisement for our Club !

http://tonyblairoffice.org/sports/pages/athletics/

North East Cross Country Champs - Branksome School , Darlington 12 Dec 09

2009-12-13T15:41:00.013Z

Some photos from the event..............( The full report appears on the Poly web at www.nspoly.co.uk)

Ian Twaddle - our first runner home at 14th and in sunshine - on a course that was rather flattish for the great hill runner.

The Club's first ever Coloradan , Jesse Stephen, looks at home on the range . Jesse was the first American to finish on the day .

The rivalry with Tom McGrath from our friends at Middlesbrough & Cleveland AC - shifts from the steeplechase to the mud - as Barry battles with Tom to the line - with an eventual dead heat finish ( something they were incapable of in more than 6 races on the track)

Scottish exile ( and international 400 m hurdler) Andrew Webb, at home in wet , muddy , miserable conditions - so reminscent of his home)........................ at Cullercoats Bay

Emma Robinson presses on through the mud - as our 3 rd counter on the day.

One of our juniors' coaches, Vicky Stevenson - proving she can not only talk the talk - but run the talk. Vicky was our second female finisher on the day

A trio of Poly girls ( Holly, Louise and Emma ) hunt down the opposition

Farringdon - Start Fitness Harrier League - 28 Nov -09

2009-12-03T21:45:00.017Z

Just a few photos from the recent cross country at Farringdon - to give a touch of colour ( and in the case of the girls - some glamour) to the BLOG

Gary Robson (782) , with a typical storming run through the field - and pictured here on the tail of Mark Johnson (772).

A happy Lucy Robinson basking in the late afternoon sun - and also doing some running

Holly Jackson pressing on through the field .

Stephanie Dann cruising towards the best position on the day for the Club - 4 th in the senior girls' event . A very fine run !

One of our sprint squad- Alan Watt - having to endure the pain of a race that lasts longer than 56 seconds...

Another happy runner, Alex Robinson - first xc for the Poly . It must have been early in the race

Dave Morris - one of the Club's great servants of cross country - ends up with the prize for muddiest runner !

No photos, sadly , of Steve Atwell - the hero in the mens' race - as he moved too fast to be caught on camera and made sure he was first back to tuck into the Club's pie mountain at the finish.

NSP Junior Handicap Race Report - News Guardian 26 Nov 2009

2009-12-01T10:31:00.001Z

NSP JUNIOR YACHT HANDICAP EVENT HELD 17 NOV 2009

Despite the cold, wet conditions 30 young people from the Poly competed in the first junior handicap race of the winter held at Churchill Playing fields in Whitley Bay.
The 1.25mile course, ran as a 2 lap course, saw youngsters from the ages of 8 up to 18 competing in this yacht handicap event.
The first to finish was 12 year old Bethany Hall, followed by 8 year old Jack Cruz and the fastest female of the evening, 15 year old Gemma Wallett. These 3 now lead the grand prix rankings going into the second race on Thursday 17th December 2009.
Anthony Wallett, at only 13 years of age, recorded the fastest time of the evening, with Gemma recording the second fastest. Third fastest runner was 18 year old Dean Scobie.
Dean, along with 16 year old Ashley Chhina, and 17 year old Chelsey Chhina also assist with the coaching of younger children at the athletics club, before then joining the older youngsters for their own training sessions.
Fastest Times:
Boys
1st: Anthony Wallett 7mins 2 secs
2nd: Dean Scobie 7mins 53 secs
3rd: Joel Miller 8mins 13 secs
Girls
1st: Gemma Wallett 7 mins 51 secs
2nd Bethany Hall 8 mins 35 secs
3rd Vicki Tanner 8 mins 38 secs
Several of the young people are due to represent the athletics club in the opening fixture of the North Eastern Harrier cross country league, held at Farringdon School in Sunderland, on Saturday 28th November.
Training sessions are held at Churchill playing fields at Whitley Bay on Tuesday and Thursday evenings throughout the year. If your child is interested in joining ‘The Poly’ please

John Renney's web design - News Guardian Report 26 November

2009-12-01T10:27:00.001Z

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETE HELPS WITH POLY WEB DESIGN

A former Junior International athlete from the ranks of North Shields Poly has been invited by its Club Committee to help re-design the Club’s web-site.

42 year old John Renney, who represented Great Britain as a Junior International at Swansea against Switzerland, Australia and Oceania in 1986 over 2000m steeplechase, now an web developer with Nonlinear Dynamics, based on Newcastle Quayside, is being asked to help the Club invigorate its current site.

John has 12 years of experience in web design was initially approached by John Tuton, club member and founder of Whitley Bay based ‘Mammoth Sport Ltd’ who highlighted the need to up-grade the Club’s format.

Initial conversations between the two parties have looked into re-designing the whole site and creating new areas that will enable browsers to get an up-date on current events, race results, newsletters, and making the site more user friendly and interactive for people wishing to know about the Whitley Bay based Club. John Renney stated that although he will be consulted on the re-formatting his main role will be to maintain and manage sections of the site once the re-design and consultation phases have been completed.

Club Chairman Ian Woodward, hopes that the project will increase the profile of the North East Club and attract new members. “In today’s modern times we have to use all mediums of communication as much as we can and the internet is part of that. People can find out who we are, what we do and if it’s for them without even visiting the Club”, said Ian. “It’s also a great way to save on the environment. In the past we’ve sent out newsletters or printed promotional material whereas it costs nothing to send an e-mail”.

It is hoped that the new project will also increase partnership interests from local voluntary agencies, businesses and the public sector, who will help pay for its design. Although the scheme is in its infancy the Club are confident that there is enough enthusiasm surrounding the project that it will become a reality by mid-April, 2010.

Gibside Fruit Bowl 1 NOV 09 - News Guardian Report

2009-11-17T09:23:00.001Z

TWADDLE WINS AHEAD OF ENGLAND DEBUT

Iain Twaddle of North Shields Polytechnic & A.C. scored an impressive win at the weather beaten course at Gibside Estate on Sunday 1st November 2009, and led home other Poly athletes on an otherwise miserable day.

Two weeks before his debut in an England vest the Durham based athlete cruised to a comfortable victory at the former Queen Mother estate near Rowlands Gill. His winning time of 41 minutes and 31 seconds was more than a minute ahead of closest rival Gary Grounds of Billingham Marsh House Harriers (42.39), and sets him up nicely for the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country event in Perry Barr, Birmingham this weekend.

Ever the cross-country specialist, Twaddle went into an early lead on the first of the many hills scattered around the Bowes-Lyon’s manor resulting in a demanding off-road course, and never looked like losing his advantage. The 2008, winner of the renowned Chevy Chase fell race must have felt at home despite the atrocious weather conditions, which had some of the 382 competitors scampering for the shade. After the race Iain said “Once I got going I didn’t notice the weather so much, plus it’s fairly well shaded in some areas”. His winning time was close to the course record and must give him a boost ahead of this weekend’s Midlands fixture. “I’ve set personal bests in training so I’m really up for this weekend”.

Other notable Poly performances came from Louise Hayes who finished third in the over 35’s women race, and Harold Fern in the over 60’s age group. His time of 71.53 gave him a finishing position of 336th on the day, but 4th in his age category. Karen Loughney smashed her previous time by an incredible seven minutes, despite admitting that she was forced to walk some parts of the course because of the conditions. “I had no choice”, said the forty-three year old. “It was just so tough going up the hills”.

A full list of the Poly results includes: Senior Men: Iain Twaddle 1st (41.31), Simon Dunn 63rd (50.31), John Sutcliffe 175th (57.57), Andrew McIntosh 227th (61.17), and Mark Small 271st (64.33). Women 0/35: Louise Hayes 3rd (50.01), Katie Jones 10th (55.30), Karen Loughney 12th (57.32), Sarah Welsh 42nd (72.26). Men 0/40: Vaughan Hemy, 9th (46.30), Thomas Hitchen 64th (63.33), Andrew Loughney 71st (64.56). Men O/60: Harold Fern 4th (71.53).

End