August 2023

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by Alex Hird What a cracking day it was on Sunday at our very own Shildon Stadium. Despite the heavens opening just as the meeting got underway, the weather soon turned, and it became a fantastic summers day. Summer, remember that? Overall, it was a really well attended meeting, which can only work in favour of Shildon being used more next year. People (Athletes, Officials, and spectators) could not believe how good the facility is compared to the more regularly used facilities,

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by Alex Hird Last Wednesday was the 6th and final NEGP fixture of the season at Monkton Stadium. Its been an incredibly popular series this year, with most events for each fixture selling out within an hour of entries opening. Despite this, I've managed to do all six. I was entered in the 800m for the final fixture. When the heats were announced 48 hours before, I was shocked, and a little bit worried, to find myself in the 'A race' with

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by Joanne Hope This event had never really been on my radar until I was talking to Emma a little while ago who mentioned that she was entered and that it was a nice race. I had a look and it sounded good so I signed up. There were four of us from Crook, Patricia was also entered, both she and Emma had done the race several times previous, and myself and Ken who were first timers. It seems to be a

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by Geoff Hewitson History This fairly long-established local race has undergone a number of changes over the years. Club members of a certain vintage will no doubt remember it by its original name of the “Rose Tree 5”, after the pub in Shincliffe where the post race buffet and presentation was held. The latter was moved to a new venue (the Court Inn) some years ago and the race renamed the “Court Inn Clamber”, though still using the original ‘two and a

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  Meeting 5 The penultimate NEMAA Track & Field League took place on Monday 31st July. As was the case with most of July (or so it seemed) it had rained quite a bit during the day, and a particularly heavy deluge in the vicinity of Monkton Stadium at about 5pm resulted in the cancellation of all field events. Here’s the post that appeared on the NEMAA website: “It’s a washout!” "Huge apologies to those athletes who turned up tonight to find that all

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by Brad Wight I'm back up in the Highlands on our annual summer holiday to see the in-laws. Last year I chickened out of the Ben Rinnes 5 Tops race and regretted it, so decided to give it a shot this year. The race is an out and back from the Dufftown Highland Games. Straight up and over two very big hills, then up to the top of a mountain, turn round and come back the way you came. To say I

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by Laura Newby Jake and Jack ran their little socks off and completed the Darlington fun run in super hero style. They both completed it with big smiles on their faces and were encouraged throughout by other Juniors/Seniors showing great team spirit and support. Well done boys you both did amazing, keep up the great work! Maisy, Alex and Charlie took part in the 3K. Alex nabbed a PB (16:19) which shows how his hard work in training has paid off. Alex

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by Alex Hird On Wednesday I was back at Monkton Stadium for the penultimate NEGP fixture of the season. Only me there again, but this time I'd signed up to two events; 1500m and 400m. My 400m race was up first, I had a good draw in lane 3, and I had a good battle down the home straight to finish 2nd in a time of 55.20s, which was a PB by nearly 2 seconds. That doesn't sound like much, but it's