Author: carlliver

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by Andy Turnell This was my second time at the Gateshead Half. Up until last year I limited myself to one Half Marathon a year at Redcar but decided to see how an early season race would feel so opted for Gateshead. This year I decided to park at Heworth and then jog to the International Stadium for my warm-up. On the way I passed the Dolans (Andrew and Anthony) who looked to be "in the mood for running". The forecast in

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by Colin Everson Fifteen Crook Juniors took part in the Spring Festival of Athletics with our club being represented in 4 of the 5 age categories – Under 9’s; U11’s; U13’s and Under 15’s. The Festival is a ‘Quadkids’ type event with our young athletes doing 4 events - Howler Throw, Long Jump, Longer Runs and Sprints. It was held at Stadium 2000 at Shildon, so very familiar surroundings. A big thank you to Aycliffe Running Club for hosting the Festival. The event was well supported

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by Paul Wragg A day in the life of a King & Queen After being informed by King Ken about the race starting at 11 instead of 10:30 I thought I would check my emails against his better judgement. Lo and behold every email said 10:30. Arriving at Queen Jill's castle for 8:30 we swiftly departed and arrived at the Kings quarters shortly afterwards. The man himself was stood waiting sceptre in hand (empty milk carton) I’ll let your imagination do the

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by Kieron Day The Wheelbirks Farm in Stocksfield set the stage for an unforgettable weekend at the Cowshed Backyard Ultra. In this unique race format, each runner had to complete a 4.16-mile loop every hour until only one was left standing. Any leftover time between completing a 'backyard' and the start of the next one could be used for rest, refuelling, or a quick visit to the portaloo! This event was my first introduction to endurance running and was completely uncharted territory

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by Andy Turnell Races don't come more local for me than this one. I can see a lot of the course from my bedroom window. It's described as a "Beginner's Fell Race" and I did it for the first time last year. It's always held in April as that's the only month of the year that there is no livestock on Cockfield Fell. It's a fairly unique race in my opinion. Firstly because the organisers aren't allowed to mark out the course (apart

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by Paul Smith Seven days on from Boston Marathon UK the Saturn Running roadshow trundled into town with their "Nearly Not Quite London Marathon" Event at Durham City. Whilst thousands assembled on Blackheath Common along with exclusive and excessive media coverage to run the classic distance in England's Capital, England's Patron Saint once again donned the chain mail and waved the flag along with his sword whilst completing the course's 6 laps to notch his 60th marathon in his 60th year

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by Paul Smith My last marathon, having being stuck on 58 completed marathons, since June 2022, was a North East Marathon Club event at Herrington Country Park and since then through several reasons, not excluding loss of marathon mojo, I haven’t ran the classic distance, and longer distance training runs have also been minimal. Suddenly, on Sunday 16th April 2023 I find myself lined up on the start line of The Boston Marathon …… Boston, Lincolnshire, UK, not, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. On

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Lisa Donaldson: Well, where do I begin…? I can say I have completed the London Marathon, woohoo, and what an achievement that is considering I never thought I would run a marathon at all, to running my first one back in 2022 to nab a good for age which got me my place in the London, I was already buzzing. All the thoughts you get before a race, how should I start quicker, slower, pick it, just go with it? Edging closer

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I was back on the track on Sunday, this time at Middlesbrough Sports Village in the Charles Stuart Memorial Open meet. I entered in the 1500m, and was placed in heat 1. It was a warm and windy morning, which made this a little harder. I won't complain too much considering what some of our members we're up to at the same time elsewhere! Once the gun went I hit the front, and a small group sat just on my shoulder. I

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Wednesday saw the return of the North East Grand Prix at Monkton Stadium I entered the 1500m, and I was placed in heat 2 of 8. Looking at the start list, I was in for a tough night, my PB was one of the slowest of the 16 in my heat. Nevertheless, as soon as the gun went I hit the front(would you expect anything less?). I had a pretty decent first 400m, but the wheels started to fall off after that.