Newcastle Frontrunners LGBT 5K – 19th July 2024
by Andy Turnell
Due to the races on Wednesday and Thursday there was a reduced representation for Crook AC at the Newcastle Frontrunners LGBT 5k this year with 6 participants in the race. A small but perfectly (ahem) formed team.
We had a lot to live up to after Milo’s exceptional run in the Junior 2k. What he didn’t mention was that he was first back of all the runners, beating the U11 boys and girls as well as those in his own U9 category.
From a personal point of view this race was going to be a bit of a challenge. Could I curb my enthusiasm sufficiently to complete the distance in a “reasonable” time without causing a recurrence of the calf strain that had prevented me from training properly since mid-May?
Frankly, with a temperature of 27 degrees, I didn’t expect a fast time even fully fit, so I started well towards the back of the pack and aimed for a slightly sub-30 time.
With over 400 on the start line there was no way I was going off too fast but after about 500 metres the congestion eased and I settled into my target pace, ever wary of the slightest twinge from my calf.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried, after 3k I decided to speed up a fraction to make sure I came in under 30 minutes but it took a lot of self control not to kick on in the last 50 metres.
In the end I clocked 29:38 and I’ve never been happier with such a “slow” time. Once I’d had my ankle tag removed and collected a banana, snood and laces I retraced my steps to find Julie who “doesn’t do” hot weather and had made the strategic decision to powerwalk the course. I met up with her just after the 4k marker and she was chatting to one of 2 women I had passed earlier. The race encourages Fancy Dress with prizes for the best individual and team, but these 2 girls were in full RNLI dry suit kit including yellow wellies!
Julie kept going and ran the final straight to the line and won herself a spot prize, courtesy of Shokz. I think she still has a touch of imposter syndrome but she was determined and that’s what counts.
P.S. For once Amanda didn’t get a PB, 2 in the space of 8 days would have been greedy.
Results
Simon Pickering 00:20:33
Amanda Taylor 00:24:36
Andrew Turnell 00:29:38
Lianne Steed 00:34:51
Ellie Cutter 00:39:04
Julie Turnell 00:51:21
Andy
