It’s great to see “Ponteland Runners” competing in events all over the UK. Now that the race season is starting we have competitors in all types of events.  Last weekend we had runners in Park Runs, 10k’s and full marathons,  plus 4 entrants in a local duathon.  The club is growing well.  Jason Old was participating in the Brighton Marathon and had this to say about the event “I completed the Brighton Marathon last Sunday in a personal best time of 3 hrs 9 minutes. Although it was a long journey and the course wasn’t as flat or picturesque as I had imagined the crowds were fantastic even in the poor weather – I would definitely recommend it due to the fantastic atmosphere and entertainment along the route.”  Jason Old – Ponteland Runners

Well done Jason,  fantastic time for the Marathon.

In strong winds we had a good field out from Ponteland Runners in the Kirkley half marathon yesterday.  Great results from some of our strong runners.  Well done to all who took part.

This years event saw almost tropical conditions compared to last year.  Start was around 8 degrees,  compared with -7 last year.  Three Ponteland Tri members were at the Duathlon, (which is run under British Triathlon Federation rules)  all looking forward to the run-bike-run combination.  Nick Winslow, Geoff Turner and Chris Heppell listened to a race briefing telling us to “expect to get wet” when we turn of the trails on deadwater fell,  and they were right……

Geoff had a mechanical on the bike leg and had to limp back to transition where the marshalls talked him into going back out for the second run leg “to experience” the route. In Geoff’s own words “That 6k felt more like 6miles….. ”

Nick literally fell during the fell run and returned with very minor injuries but enjoyed the experience.  All are looking forward to next year to have another go.  The bike photo is from last years event.  There were 156 taking part with the winner home in 1:58.  The two Ponteland Tri members who finished came in with Chris Heppell on 2:32, and Nick Winslow on 2:59,  both doing well in the MV40 and MV50 categories respectively.  Full results are on High Terrain Events Website.  If you enjoy off-road events this is one worth considering, great views and well ran event.

Not to be overshadowed by the Harrier League 3 Ponteland Runners were also out racing at the Run Northumberland BIG 10 from Kirkley Hall on the same day.

Results are available here

Well done to Claire, Sarah and Joe who enjoyed a small local race with a few hills………  Hopefully next year it won’t clash with the Harrier League fixtues.

Well done to the 13 Ponteland Runners who took part today on a muddy but cracking course. The cake and coffee afterwards was much appreciated by all so thank you to everyone who contributed on that front! There are too many individual runners to name but the men again fielded a team and were led home by Jason Olds to finish 11th out of the 19 teams in division 3. The ladies continued their good start to the season by finishing 11th out of 30 teams in division 2, being led home by Joanne Brown running from the medium pack. It’s such fun doing XC, if only another race was coming up soon.

North East Harrier League website and results here… Jon.