Articles from the local press - submitted by Keith Willshire
News Post Leader - December 08 – Winter Series 1
In the first race of Blyth Running Club’s Winter Series, there was
an excellent turn-out of 54 runners. The handicapping system gives all the
runners a chance of winning, and the first 50 runners all finished within three
minutes of the winner. The race was won by Steve Bush who was running the race
for the first time. In second place was one of the Junior, with ten year old
Jacob Hall finishing three seconds behind Steve. In third place was Leanne
Heron, who set the fastest time by a Lady. The fastest time on the night was
set by Andrew Henderson. who finished in 21st position despite setting off
last.
Race two of the series saw 50 finishers and 35 of the runners set their best
times for the race, with Garry Jones setting a new course record. The race was
won by Sarah Kaminski and once again it was one of the Juniors in second place,
with Matthew Jackson finishing second in front of third placed Aynsley Herron.
Cath Young set the fastest time by a Lady.
Once again mention must be made of all the helpers who ensure that the races go
ahead smoothly without any problems. The next race in the series is Wednesday
7th January, first runner off at 19:15
News Post Leader - December 08 –
Blyth
Running Club recently organised the annual ‘Sands Race’, which this
year started on the beach at
Fastest
on the day was Andrew Henderson of Blyth, who finished in 8th position overall,
giving up to 12 minutes to most of the field, the fastest time by a lady was
set by Lesley Miller as she won the race. Prizes were awarded in all age
categories and were as follows:
Winner: Lesley Miller - (NSP) Second: Terry O’Gara - (Wallsend) Third: Cath Young - (
Under
18’s Boy: Andrew Wilson - (Blaydon) Senior
Man: Ash Henderson - (
Over 45
Man: George Arthur - (
Over 60
Man: Brian Hume - (Low Fell) Over
65 Man: John Stephenson - Crook)
Over 70 Man: Reg Checkley - (Heaton)
Under 18
Girl: Zoe Armstrong - (Morpeth) Senior
Woman: Leanne Herron - (
Over 40
Woman: Michelle Moran - (NE Vets) Over
45 Woman: Lynne Marr - (Tynedale) Over 55 Woman: Jan Young - (Elvet)
The
second race of the Clubs popular Winter Series will be on Wednesday 17th
December, first runners will be off at 19:15. Further details are on the Clubs
web-site and on the Notice-board at Blyth Sports Centre. Also on the same night
the Club will be holding its Annual general Meeting, all members are invited to
attend. The meeting will start at 20:30 at Blyth Sports Centre. Further details
are on the Club web-site.
News Post Leader - November 08 – Grand Prix and Winter
Series
Every year
The last race in the 2008 League was the
The first race of the Clubs popular Winter Series will
be on Wednesday 26th November, further details are on the Clubs web-site and on
the Notice-board at Blyth Sports Centre.
Sunday the 6th of December sees the Blyth
Sands race, which is unique in the north east for the handicapping system it
uses. Runners receive handicaps according to age/sex ie ladies over 50 years of
age will receive 12 minutes start on the men under 40. Runners and spectators
should be aware that the race now starts on the promenade at
News Post Leader - October 08 – Cumbrian Half Marathon
& Gibside Fruit Bowl
Members of Blyth Running Club have had a busy time lately and been
traveling far and wide to find races in which to compete. 12 members traveled
to
The following week over 30 members competed in the Gibside Fruit Bowl
race, which due to weather conditions was reduced to a distance of just over 6
miles, but was still a very demanding course. Paul Whalley was again the first
The first race of the Club’s popular Winter Series will be on
Wednesday 26th November, further details are on the Club’s web-site and
on the Notice-board at Blyth Sports Centre
Sunday 6th December sees the Blyth Sands race, which is unique in the
north east for the handicapping system it uses. Runners receive handicaps
according to age/sex i.e. ladies over 50 years of age will receive 12 minutes
start on the men under 40. Runners and spectators should be aware that the race
now starts on the promenade at
News Post Leader - September 08 - Tynedale
10 miles - Sunday 14th September
With the GNR just a few weeks away this was the perfect opportunity for
runners to assess their fitness and no doubt attributed to the astonishing
turn-out of 600 runners on the day in this years Tynedale Ten Mile Road Race,
with 19 from Blyth Running Club. On a tough hilly course from Hexham to
Ovingham, Weather conditions were ideal for running, cool, overcast and just a
slight tailwind. The race was won by Nick Swinburn of Morpeth, with Paul
Whalley the first back for
Blyth Running Club will be holding their Annual Autumn Relay races around the
Kitty Brewster trading estate on Wednesday 8th October. There will be 3 members
per team, with the first runners off at 19:15 over a 2.5 mile course. Only paid
up members may run, further details are available on the Club Notice-Board at
Blyth Sports Centre.
News Post Leader - September 08 - Summer
Cup Race 7
The overall winner of the league was Peter Brown, with 11 year old Charlotte
Ramsay in second place and Terry McCabe in third. The winning team comprised:
Terry McCabe, Joe Frazer, Mal Darbyshire, Steve Richardson, Shaun Dodd and Dave
Logan. Each race winner was presented with a trophy and these went to:
Charlotte Ramsay, Louise Douglas, Julie Lemin, Richard Shillinglaw, Kevin
Westwood, Iain Singer and Craig Birch.
Every year Blyth Running Club organise a 10K race and they
invite runners from other clubs in the region, this year’s race attracted
a record entry of over 220 finishers and the clubs represented included
Morpeth, Alnwick, Blackhill, Blaydon, London , Elswick, Claremont and North Shields Poly. Club official Dave
Kitching had marked out an accurate 10K course which used the path through the
sand dunes, up to
News Post Leader - July 08 - Summer
Cup Race 4 / Coastal Run
The fourth
race in Blyth Running Clubs Summer Cup, saw a record turn-out of 44 finishers
and another course record. Running conditions were obviously very good as over
half the entry set their fastest times so far, while Andrew Henderson improved
on the course record for the 2.5 mile race. Richard Shillinglaw was one of the
early runners off and improved his time by nearly thirty seconds to win the
race by one second from a fast finishing Frazer Will, with Aynlsey Herron a
further five seconds back in third place. Once again the handicapping was
extremely tight as the first 40 finishers all finished within two minutes of
the winner. Cath Young set the fastest time by a lady. The next race in the
series is Wednesday July 30th and is open to all Club members.
Three days later and over 20 runners form
News Post Leader - July 08 - Young
Athletes League / Summer Cup Race 3
In the third fixture in the Young Athletes League, the Blyth/Alnwick
alliance consolidated again for the third match of the Young Athletes League,
at Monkton Stadium. With winds approaching gale force down the home straight,
all hopes of fast times were blown away; however, once more Blyth & Alnwick
rose to the challenge to finish third team. And with only one more match to go,
Blyth & Alnwick currently lie third overall.
On the track Charlotte Ramsay showed her versatility by winning the 1200 meters
and then finishing first in the 70M hurdles ‘B’ race, with Alix
Eastham was first in the ‘B’ race 1200 meters . Bethany Barker was
second in the ‘A’ race 1500 meters, while Stacey Robinson was a
comfortable winner of the ‘B’ race.
Blyth & Alnwick fared better in the field events. Joseph Mallen comfortably
won the Long Jump. Matt Hardy also gained maximum points for Alnwick/Blyth in
the High Jump and he triumphed once more in the Triple Jump, winning the event
with an incredible jump of 12.35 M, while John Lazzari won the ‘B’
Triple Jump and finished first in the Long Jump, Kirsty Johnson won the Long
Jump. Making his debut for
As well as competing on the track, several Juniors took part in the
third race in the Clubs Summer handicap Series, following a 2.5 mile route
using the promenade and the beach path. Running conditions were very good as
over half the entry of 41 runners set their fastest times so far and Gary Jones
improved the course record. Running nearly three minutes faster than her
previous best time, Julie Lemin was a comfortable winner of the race, with
Mandy Hindle in second place, while Trish Goodwin was third. Cath Young was the
fastest lady. The next race in the series is Wednesday July 16th and is open to
all Club members.
News Post Leader - July 08 -
Summer Cup Race 2 / Tynedale 10k
Blyth Running Club recently held the second race in their new Summer Cup
- a series of seven 2.5 mile races following a route using the promenade and
the beach path. On a sunny warm night there was an excellent turn-out of nearly
50 starters and running conditions were obviously ideal as over half the
runners recorded their fastest times so far. Running nearly two minutes faster
than the previous race, Louise Douglas stormed through the field and won by
thirty seconds. In second place was 15 year old Emma Freeman, setting the
fastest time by a Lady on the night, she finished two seconds in front of third
placed Dave Logan. Robbie Barkley set the fastest time on the night. The next
race in the series is Wednesday July 9th and is open to all Club members.
On the following Wednesday a group from Blyth ran in the popular Tynedale 10K
race, in a field of over 600 finishers Gary Jones was the first Blyth finisher
in 15th position, while Paul Whalley also had a top thirty finish. The first
Blyth Lady finisher was Jacqui Miller. The men finished as 7th team while the
women finished 6th team. On the Sunday Gary Jones travelled to Middlesborough
and won the Albert Park 5K race.
News Post Leader -
June 08 -
Blyth Running Club recently held their annual beach races and nearly 100
children too part, with the ages ranging from 2 years old to 14 years old.
All the races were on the beach and the Under 6’s ran 400 meters, with
Eleanor Gray of Croftway winning the girls race and George Wilkes of Warkworth
winning the boys race. The under 9’s ran a distance of 800 metres and
Kirsty Palmer-Kay was the first girl, while Harry Davey of Blyth Running Club
improved from fourth position last year to win the boys race. In the under 11
categories the youngsters had to run 1 mile and Florence Mcpate of Gosforth
Harriers was the first girl, while Jacob Hall of Blyth Running Club was the
first boy. The under 13’s also ran a distance of one mile, with Yasmin
Shatiq of Alnwick Harriers winning the girls race, while Robbie Lorraine
travelled up from Birtley to take the boys prize. The Under 15’s ran a
distance of 1.5 miles and the Girls race was won by Sophie Taylor of Birtley
who had won the Under 13’s race last year. Ellis Hetherington of
organising Club Blyth won the boys race and he had also won the Under 13 race
last year. Everybody who ran the race was given a medal and the race winners
were presented with trophies.
Full results are available at www.blythrunningclub.co.uk
News Post Leader - June 08 - Summer Cup Race 1
Blyth Running Club recently held the first race in their new Summers Cup
- a series of seven 2.5 mile races following a route using the promenade and
the beach path. The handicapping system allows all ages from the Club to
compete and in a tight finish it was one of the Junior section who won the
race, with Charlotte Ramsay pulling away from Ron Ingram in the final 200
metres. The handicapping was extremely close with the next thirty runners all
within 2 minutes of the winner. Gary Jones set the fastest time on the night,
while Cath Young was the fastest lady. The next race in the series is Wednesday
June 25 and is open to all Club members.
News Post Leader - June 08 - Young
Athletes League
Blyth Running Club have combined forces with Alnwick Harriers to compete
in the Young Athletes League. Entering in the second division, this is the
first year that either club have been represented at this national competition
and despite being several athletes ‘down’, the Alnwick/Blyth
coalition showed much potential, finishing third out of seven clubs, hinting at
better things to come.
There were a number of notable performances from both
In the field events, Kieran Foy of Alnwick won the Shot Putt and there was a
double for the team as Matt Hardy won the ‘A’ triple jump and John
Lazzari won the ‘B’ competition.
For the second match at Gateshead Stadium, the weather conditions were
atrocious with persistent rain all day. Once again, however there were a number
of notable performances from the
Of the Alnwick/Blyth alliance, junior coach keith Willshire said ‘Blyth
Running Club and Alnwick Harriers have always enjoyed good relations, so it
made good sense to unite for the purpose of the Young Athletes League. In
forming a combined team, we were able to produce the numbers needed to compete
and also maximise the strengths and minimise the weaknesses of each club. This
competition has also been a useful exercise in demonstrating that whilst there
can still be a healthy rivalry between local clubs; at the end of the day,
we’re all out to promote, develop and enjoy athletics in the
region.’
As well as competing on the track, several Juniors took part in the Clubs very
first Summer handicap Series, following a 2.5 mile route using the promenade
and the beach path. And it was a Junior who won the race, with Charlotte Ramsay
pulling away from Ron Ingram in the final 200 metres. The handicapping was
extremely close with the next thirty runners all within 2 minutes of the
winner. Gary Jones set the fastest time on the night, while Cath Young was the
fastest lady. The next race in the series is Wednesday June 25 and is open to
all Club members.
On Saturday June 21st,
There will be separate races for both boys and girls in each category, with
trophies for the first placed runners in each race while all runners will
receive a medal.. All ages will be as on the day of the races. It is hoped that
as many children as possible will turn up and they just need to turn up at the
Beach Car-Park to register and receive their numbers before the start of the
race. There will be a charge of £1.00 to enter. This years race is being generously
supported by Herrons the Jewellers of Blyth. Anybody requiring further
information can ring Keith on 01670-362668
News Post Leader May 08 - Annual Presentation Evening
Blyth Running Club recently held their Annual Presentation Night at
Blyth Golf Club. Nearly 100 members and guests turned up to show their
appreciation to the trophy winners. Every year the club organise their own
Grand Prix Leagues which consist of twelve races with the runners divided into
leagues according to ability and the runners best six scores counting towards
their league position.. In 2007, the races spread from the
Division One was remarkably tight with both Paul Whalley and Leo Talbot winning
six races each but Paul came out on top and won the league by one point. In
third place was Robbie Barkley while the Vets award went to Martin Gaughan.
Division Two was won by Iain Singer who was the first runner home in his league
in eight out of the eleven races that he did. Once again, competition was tight
in this group and Joe Frazer and Ralph Dickinson tied for second place, with
Dave Roberts winning the Vets award. In Division Three only two points
separated the first two, with Shaun Dodds having the advantage over Dave Cox,
while Terry McCabe was third and Dave Bradley took the Vets award. Division
Four was won by Julie Lemin, with Dave Kitching second and Angie Brown third.
The Vets prize was won by Jocelyn Smith.
The trophies for the Club’s Annual Handicaps were also presented and the
Seniors was won by a Junior, Kirstie Johnson with Helen Bruce in second place
and Paul Whalley third. Danile Tait won the Junior Handicap, with Harry Davey
second and Drew Herrington third. The winners of the Winter Series also
received their prizes, with the seven individual race winners all receiving a
Yellow T-shirt, these were: Stephanie Ramsay, Chris Lillico, James Young,
Verity Brady, Kalvin Hurst and Sarah Balmer.
The overall Winter Series winner was Jocelyn Smith. With the Junior section
expanding, the coaches voted for the inaugural Junior Personality of 2007 and
this was won by 15 year old Stephanie Ramsay.
Finally, the members also voted for their Sports Personalities of 2007. Members
used different criteria for their votes: which athlete had improved most during
2005, which athlete had contributed the most to the club during 2004 or who was
the best runner during 2005. The Men’s Award was won by Junior
Coordinator Keith Willshire, while the Ladies Trophy was won by Cath Young.
On Monday June 9th
News Post Leader - May 08 - Club Handicap
Blyth Running Club recently held their Annual handicap on a 6.5 mile
route which started at the Beach Car Park, along the beach path, up
On a warm, sunny night running conditions were ideal as starter Dave Kitching
set the first runner, junior Kirstie Johnson, off and from then on it was a
steady procession of runners until Paul Whalley was the last runner off.
Running steadily Kirstie managed to hold onto her lead for the whole race and
was never challenged or passed by any of the runners and came home a convincing
winner. In second place was one of the Clubs newer members, Helen Bruce who had
a commanding lead over the third place runner Paul Whalley. Despite setting off
last Paul managed to pass the majority of runners and set the fastest time on
the night, passing Cath Young in the last one hundred yards, with Cath setting
the fastest time by a lady.
The full set of results are available on the Blyth Running Club web-site: www.blythrunningclub.co.uk
News Post Leader - March 08 - Winter
Series 5
Blyth Running Club recently held the fifth race in their popular Winter
Series and there was an excellent turnout of 50 runners. Running conditions
were obviously ideal as 28 of the finishers set their best times so far.
Newcomer Verity Brady was the first runner set off and then proceeded to show
the other runners the way home and was never passed in the 2.5 mile course.
Once again there was a strong contingent of Junior runners and they took the
next three places with Ellis Hetherington finishing in second place, Adam Smith
in third and Chris Lillico in fourth. Gary Jones set the fastest time on the
night while Kirsty Mason set the fastest time for the Ladies. The date of the
next race in the series is Wednesday 26th March. The handicapping system once
again worked well with the first 40 runners finishing within 90 seconds of the
winner. Once again the runners would like to thank all the marshals and
officials who ensured that the race took part.
Two days later,
Conditions were far from ideal with a strong, blustery wind and wintry cold
showers. In the under 13 boys, Kalvin Hurst finished in fourth place. one
second in front of team mate Ellis Hetherington, Matthew Jackson had a top
twenty finish to ensure that
For the Senior Men
Currently Blyth Running Club are preparing to hold the “Spirit Of The
Staithes” 10 kilometre run, sponsored by TRANSPED, on Sunday 27th April.
The race will start at Blyth Quayside at 10:00am. All finishers will receive a
T-shirt. Walkers and cyclists using the beach path should be aware that the
runners will be running along the path from about 10:10 but hopefully they will
not be too inconvenienced. Entry forms and further details are available at
Blyth Sports Centre or online at www.blythrunningclub.org.uk.
Entry costs £8.00 for Club runners while unattached runners pay £10.00
News Post Leader - February 08 - Winter
Series 4
For the fourth running of Blyth Running Clubs Annual Winter Series there
was once again a strong westerly wind which the 40 runners had to run into for
the first part of the race, which obviously affected the times on the 2.5 mile
handicap race. Newcomer Verity Brady was in the lead for a long time although
she was passed in the final few hundred yards, first by Junior member James
Young and then by Alan Kenny. James and Alan then proceeded to swap positions
over the final 100 yards, with James eventually winning the race, although they
were both given the same time. Verity did have the satisfaction of holding onto
third place. Although times were generally down, Robbie Barkley set the fastest
time on the night while 14 year old Kirstie Johnson the fastest time for the
Ladies. The date of the next race in the series is Wednesday 20th February. The
handicapping system once again worked well with all 40 runners finishing within
90 seconds of the winner.
Once again the runners would like to thank all the marshals and officials who
ensured that the race took part.
Blyth Running Club are well established as one of the leading clubs in the area
and as well as the running they also arrange various social nights/activities.
Blyth welcome any new runners of any age/ability, so if anyone is interested in
coming along to training nights, or learning more about the club, then leave
your name and contact number at Blyth Sports Centre and a member of the Club
will contact you to discuss, or Blyth Running Club can be contacted by e-mail
at
Blyth Running Club Junior section are always looking for new members, so if
anybody between the ages of 9 and 17 are keen then they can either turn up at
Blyth Sports Centre on Monday nights at 18:45, e-mail the following address
News Post Leader - January 08 - NE
Harrier League 4
There were good performances all round from Blyth Running Club Juniors
at the fourth fixture of the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League held at
In the Under 13 girls, running form the fast pack Stacey Robinson was the first
For the Senior Men Robbie Barkley was the first Blyth Runner home, while Helen
Morris was the first
News Post Leader - January 08 - Winter
Series 2
For the second race in Blyth Running Club’s Winter Series, there
was another excellent turn-out of 40 runners. The weather conditions were ideal
as proved by the majority of runners setting a faster time than the previous
race. Once again the race was won by 14 year old Stephanie Ramsay who had won
the first race. Despite having her handicap adjusted, Stephanie managed to run
the race over a minute faster than the previous time to and passed the long
time leader Jocelyn Smith in the last 600 metres. Jocelyn had the satisfaction
of finishing in second position in front of Dave Roberts. As usual the
handicapping was extremely close as all fourty runners finished within two
minutes of the winner. Robbie Barkley set the fastest time of the night and
managed to finish in 17th position despite setting off last, while Helen Morris
set the fastest time by a Lady.
Once again mention must be made of all the helpers who ensure that the
races go ahead smoothly without any problems. The next race in the series is
Wednesday 16th January, first runner off at 19:15.
Blyth Running Club are well established as one of the leading clubs in
the area and as well as the running they also arrange various social
nights/activities. Blyth welcome any new runners of any age/ability, so if
anyone is interested in coming along to training nights, or learning more about
the club, then leave your name and contact number at Blyth Sports Centre and a
member of the Club will contact you to discuss. We also have an expanding
Junior section and are looking for new members, so if anybody between the ages
of 9 and 17 are keen then they can either turn up at Blyth Sports Centre on
Monday nights at 18:45 or e-mail the following address enquiries@blythrunningclub.org.uk
.