Three Pont. Runners made the trip across to Carlisle for this Half Marathon. This meant a 7.30am departure and a temperature at the start of just +3 degrees. The course is undulating (that means hilly throughout) and times are probably a couple of minutes slower than the Great North Run. First Pont. Runner home was Jon Parkin in 1 hour 35 minutes and 13 seconds, placed 190th overall (out of 1,221 finishers) and 54th in his category. Next was David Buffham, 304th in a time of 1.41.18, good enough for 19th of 76th over 50s. Third was Elliott Ward (running as Nigel Mills) who sufferd a calf strain at 3 miles, decided the quickest way home was to finish the run and got there in a creditable 1.54.37 in the circumstances. Anyway, he was back early enough to get to the Newcastle v Man United game where some of the Newcastle defenders were a little less dedicated.

It was the 140th Park Run held in Exhibition Park Newcastle but the first that Ponteland Runners had identified as a suitable gathering for us and our friends. First home was Jon ‘Boy’ Parkin, 40th position overall  in 20.32 for the 5k distance, eight seconds outside his PB. Second was Dave Legg in 22.54 (87th overall), followed by Adam Graham in 23.20 (99th), both in their first outings over the course. Fourth was Elliott Ward, who came home next in 23.51 beaten by 109 others, including his two sons.  Elliott is the Pont. Runner with the most appearances at Exhibition Park with 14. Then came Stella Higham in 126th on her Park Run.  Stella finished a very creditable 17th of the 106 women in the run. David Buffham completed the Pont Runners finishers, in 24.54 in his second Park Run alonsgide (actually just behind) his son, Daniel.  Both recorded significant improvements in their PBs. So, a good turnout for our first attempt and definitely worth keeping going.  Details of next target Park Run to follow but don’t let that stop you going for any of the runs, always at 9.00am each Saturday.