Month: April 2015

Runners from across the North East turn out for Terry’s Memorial Race

Terry2

Terry O’Gara representing England

More than 300 runners paid a fitting tribute to the inspirational former Wallsend Harrier Chairman Terry O’Gara at his third memorial run on Sunday (April 26th).

Held at Segedunum, Wallsend, along the Hadrian’s Way Cycle Path, 240 senior runners took on the 5k challenge.

Leeds City (but Newcastle-based) athlete Carl Smith fought off a strong cohort of Morpeth Harriers to win in a time of 15:16.

Bill McGuirk has done a cracking race report which you can read in full on the Chronicle website here.

Our very own Green and Golds turned out in force, with Phil Aiston the first Wallsend Harrier home in a time of 17:20. And no surprise to see Brian Hetherington taking first Wallsend vet in 17:52! Great running by Bex Lambson, who was our first lady across the line in 19:41.

The Green and Gold juniors dominated the fun run, which had almost 100 entries! Great running by all but particular mention to Thomas Rumney (1st), Matt Summers (2nd), Sam Charlton (3rd) and Ellen Williams (4th). It was fantastic to see some tiny tots giving it their all too – the next generation of Harrier champions no doubt!

Full results are here.

To see some great photos from the day, visit our photo gallery. If you have any pics you would like to add to our Flickr page please do message me for our account details so you can upload them.

A massive thank-you to all those who organised, marshalled, sorted race numbers on the day. And a special thank-you to Terry’s son Steve and his family for starting the races and giving your support as always.

It was such an emotional day and I know Terry would be so proud.

Emily James

Marathon Heroes

marathonA huge congratulations to all our Green and Golds who took part in the London Marathon on Sunday. To Gary Lewis, John Dodds, Kris Stobbs, Kenny Chambers and Danielle Watts.

All put in an amazing effort, with some fantastic times produced!

On Your Marks…

1939771_10152493222202578_8772570282845328633_nCalling all athletes! Don’t forget the first of this season’s Track and Field meetings takes place at Churchill Playing Fields track (where we meet on a Friday) in Whitley Bay on Sunday (May 3rd) at 11am.

We need more men – runners, jumpers, hurdlers etc. Even if you’ve never done it before come along and give it a go. It’s all about taking part and if the weather holds up it’s a great day out for all the family, so bring them and a picnic along. There’s a fab park right next to the track too.

If you’re interested please let the Club know either on Facebook or at the Club on Thursday.

For more info see here.

The Toby 2015 – It’s back!

The annual Toby is now part of Wallsend Harriers legend. Will you be part of this year’s story?

As club members we are all fortunate to be able to run and the Toby gives us the opportunity to do something extraordinary for a great cause. Since 2008 the annual Toby has raised money for St Oswald’s Hospice, which has cared for the loved ones of some of our club members. This year we are likely to break the £25,000 barrier in total money raised for St Oswald’s over the years!

The Toby involves a weekend of running which is a chance get to know new people you wouldn’t normally run with and have a laugh. There is a strong possibility that you will run more miles than you thought possible and might accidentally get lost somewhere along the route! (Hopefully not!)

This year we will be running in 6 mile ‘relay’ stages along the well signposted Sustrans Coast and Castles cycle route which starts in Edinburgh and finishes nearly 200 miles later in Tynemouth via Melrose, Berwick and Bamburgh, through beautiful scenic countryside. The Toby will take place between Friday 21 and Sunday 23 August 2015.

Contributions for accommodation and some meals will be £60. We have a limited number of 25 spaces this year and it will be on a first come, first served basis but names will only be added to the list once you have paid your £60. The deadline for signing up and paying your money is 5 May 2015.

Once we reach our limit we will have a reserve list of runners.

Although this is a fun weekend the main reason for taking part in the Toby is to raise money for St

Oswald’s so we ask that each runner raises a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. We will be setting up a group justgiving page as in previous years to make raising and collecting sponsor money easier and quicker.

If you have any questions, please ask Kevin Payne or any of the previous Toby runners.

Sign up and pay your money quick! This is a weekend that you don’t want to miss!!

Elaine

Here is a video from the last Coast & Castles Toby:

Information and photos of the Toby from previous years can be found here:

http://www.wallsendharriers.com/home/-the-toby-2014-there-are-five-types-of-people