The Quayside 5K and Junior 3K took place on Wednesday 24 April 2024 on a sunny evening, with the North East running clubs out in force. The event was hosted in partnership between Gateshead Harriers, Wallsend Harriers and RunThrough, with the 5K A race acting as the Terry O’Gara Memorial 5K Road Race, an historic race that otherwise would have been cancelled.
A picturesque and mostly flat out and back route, runners pass under the Tyne and High Level Bridges, past the Guildhall, and back over the Millennium Bridge. The 3K takes runners to the Redheugh Bridge, and the 5K further along to where Monarch Road meets Water Street.
The evening's racing began with the Junior 3K, for U13, U15 and U17 athletes only. Noah and Lois Richards represented Blaydon, with Noah finishing in a chip time of 11:48, achieving a new PB and coming eighth in his age category, and Lois shortly behind him in 13:59. Excellent running from both young athletes.
The Quayside 5k Terry O’Gara A-Race started at 7:00 pm. With a sub 20 minute entry standard, fast times are to be expected and our athletes didn't disappoint.
Alex Muir was the first Blaydon athlete over the line in a PB of 15:52 and finishing third in his age category, swiftly followed by Peter Hodgson in 16:41 (fourth in his age category), Martin Graham in 17:11 and Luke Wrigley in 18:42.
The final race of the evening, the Quayside 5k B-Race, was arguably the most exciting, with Blaydon athletes taking four out of the first six places and leading the race from the outset. The race was won by Ellie Fellows (U17 ladies) in a fantastic personal best of 18:49, beating her Dad and numerous other senior men and women to take first place.
Neil Fellows finished second and first in his age category with a PB of 19:01, followed by Cameron Fairlamb, who was leading the race for a significant time, finishing fifth in 19:15, achieving a new PB and second in his age category. Team mate Tim Nichol, who was also part of the leading group, finished in sixth place in 19:26, also achieving a PB and coming first in his age category.
The Bees were out in force and aside from the leading group, Eden Ratcliffe finished in 21:12 (new PB), Rachael Turnbull in 23:06 (PB and fifth in her age group), Aidan MacDermott in 24:29 (PB and eighth in his age category), Joanne Graham in 25:00 (fifth in her age categpry) and Simon Turnbull in 29:10.
Quayside 5K and Junior 3K is back on 7 August 2024 - get signed up!
