Cheviots Challenge, 4 September 2021
Gemma Scott took on the 22 mile Cheviots Challenge on 4 September. A race which raises funds for the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. Gemma completed the challenging route, with over 4,265 feet of ascent, through and over Upper Coquetdale and the Cheviot Hills, in 05:34:53.
40th Great North Run, 12 September 2021
Thousands of runners, fundraisers and supporters returned to the streets of Tyneside on 12 September for the 40th Great North Run. Meant to take place in September 2020, the event had to be ran virtually last year because of Covid, and this year the route had to be significantly altered because of social distancing concerns. For the first time in the race’s history, the finish line moved from South Shields to the Town Moor, definitely an historical race to be part of!
Blaydon athletes were out in force, with plenty of black and amber vests to be spotted amongst the fancy dress.
Matthew Alderson was the first Blaydon athlete over the line in 01:11:28, followed by Sam Hodgson, James Dias, Martin Graham, Philip McGuire, Eleanor Bradbury (first female Blaydon in 01:33:08), Liam Friel, Dan Flint, John Taylor, Hannah McRae, Phillip Hilton-West, Izzi Jackson, Natasha Harris, Alan Dent, Colin Stephenson, Paul Young, Sophie Hamilton, Shereen Douglas, Philip Jobson, Andrew Nagi, Nicola Perry, Emma Lane, Paul Hopkinson, Simon Hudspith, Kat Nicholson, Emma McRoberts, Chris Hartley, Vicky Cochran, and Neil Fellows.
Cronkley Fell Race, 18 September 2021
Hedley Fletcher finished 7th in the Cronkley Fell Race; 17km with over 560m ascent over an out and back route across the scenic fells of Upper Teesdale, running parallel to the River Tees itself, beginning and finishing in the quiet hamlet of Holwick.
NEHL Cross Country, Wrekenton, 25 September 2021
The annual North Eastern Harrier League meet at Wrekenton heralded the return of cross country season, with a very hot and dry course, which brought challenges in itself albeit different to the usual mud.
Thomas Jude and Liam Greener ran in the U11B race and Isla Murray in the U11G.
Jamie Lonergan finished in 8th in the U13B, closely followed by Aaron Jobson in 12th place and Finn Graham in 19th as the three counters for Blaydon, gaining 39 points for the Club and position 4 in the table. Patrick Salmon also ran a good race.
Niamh Lonergan, Ellie Morley, Maya Baggaley, and Eden Burns ran in the U13G race. The first three being counters. Blaydon was ranked 5th with 103 points.
Robert Atkinson finished in 14th place for the U15B, followed by his team mate, Tom Wallace.
Ellie Fellows had a great race and finished in 3rd place for the U15G.
For the U17B, Will Collinson finished 6th, followed by Joseph Lonergan in 15th and Alex Wallace not far behind, achieving 4th place in the table for Blaydon with 53 points.
Abby Lewis ran for Blaydon in the U17G/U20W.
Isaac Dunn finished in 7th place for the Senior Men, with team mates Nicholas Stevenson, Andrew Alderson, James Dias, and Philip McGuire following. Unfortunately they were one runner short of a complete team
Emily Baines ran from the slow pack to finish in 1st place, followed by Emma Cartwright, Izzi Jackson and Steph Ashall as counters, placing Blaydon 4th in Division 2 with 91 points. Joanne Graham, Nicola Perry and Deborah Collins also ran.
RAFBF Spadeadam Half Marathon, 30 September 2021
Gemma Scott laced up her trainers again to take part in this unique half marathon at the historic RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, the historic base that was part of the UK’s missile project during the cold war.
