Northern 6 and 4 Stage Road Relays - Silksworth

A pleasant surprise when the venue was announced for this one that we didn't have to travel to Manchester Liverpool or name any far flung reach of the North here. 

the close proximity was rewarded with 1 full men's team and 2 full women's team, the best showing of recent memory in terms of participation . 

The course presented was very similar course to those familiar to the silksworth 5k with one major difference. you have to run up back up the hill to the ski slope at the start/finish. so a lovely last very uphill final kilometre for all in store. to back this up we had a hot weather, strong winds and an exposed course when on the flat. So everything to make an innocent looking course at first impression be quite a challenge. 

The women featuring the nice touch of one team being exclusively those who had come through the junior section of the club. Also  the majority of those running this was a new experience of racing the northern relays either this or the longer women's 6 stage companion in the spring. Also this was the first race for the club for Emma who had the delight of a the proverbial sink or swim experience of 2nd leg following on from Zarah and ran a well measured leg in the relative madness of it all  

The men had the mixture of the "well travelled" Gary, Luke and Jordan compliamenting George, Eamonn and Graham for their first taste of the Northern relays. 

However the main take aways from everyone were it was hot, the hill back to the finish was long and brutal, The wind was merciless and the ground was a suitable resting place for anyone after finishing their leg with a variety of photos of sprawled out bodies across the day which have been spared the grace of the internet... well nearly all of them. 

Senior Women

Senior Men 

Keswick Half Marathon

The next event on the Club GP was the Keswick half unfortunately falling on the same day as the northern relays however a healthy contingent tackled the undulating course around the picturesque surrounding areas of Keswick. Owen picking full points in the men's category and no women running meaning that category remains as before the weekend with one less race remaining. 

North Eastern 10,000m Championship - Jarrow  

To double up on races, and torture presumably, Jordan, on the Saturday, tackled the Northern Eastern 10k championships on the track. A race described as "entertaining even for shot putters watching" and  described tactically as "two drunks fighting in a pub car park". Jordan ended up on the wrong side of a "thriller" with: big leads, constant attacks and serious headwinds being tackled and exchanged throughout the 25 lap slog on Steve Crams home track. All for calf cramp evaporating Jordan's large lead with 5 laps to go and to come home 20 seconds behind the eventual winner, claiming second and a silver medal in the championships 

Copenhagen Half Marathon 

Neil laced up to and joined in with the world half marathon championships (sort of) with the mass race being incorporated with the world championship race around the beautifully pan flat Danish capital 

unfortunately as the name "Neil Uren" doesn't translate well in Danish or I have been unable to use the internet properly I am relaying on Strava for a time.

Of course as ever if my searching skills have let me down and you have raced anywhere not featured let us know and we will add you in as soon as possible