Only me taking part in this one for Ponteland Tri so just a quick report.

There were three distance available to race:- 1 mile, 2.4 miles (“Iron” distance) and a massive 10 kilometres with feed stations. Presumably the feed stations are a bit like how they feed a seal at the zoo so sensibly I opted for the 2.4 mile option. I also wanted to gauge how I would feel afterwards if I then had to then immediately cycle 112 miles (as I will next year).

The weather was perfect, the event was well marshalled and the race was nowhere near as boisterous as an open water swim is when part of a full triathlon. The water was a refreshing 13.5 degrees but the chance to swim in the clear calm waters more than made up for the numb feet and fingers despite wearing shoes and gloves. Mrs L probably had a tougher time watching as she had to fend off the entire midge population of Northumberland on the shoreline!

Definitely recommended to other members for next year. Although I wouldn’t go for the non-wetsuit approach of some competitors!

Here is the latest on the Club Championship (points table and spreadsheet) . There has been a great effort by many members in taking part in the qualifying races which is helping to promote the club around the region – well done! The table now has 55 entrants in the Club Championship which is more than half the membership. At the moment John McGargill has a good lead but with several events coming up there is still time for a late surge. The Coastal Run and Jelly 10 were popular long runs but were both tough courses so scores were on the low side; this weekend’s Great North Run is likely to be the best long run for many so I will update the results next week to see how thing change.

Any queries please email clubchampionship@pontelandrunners.org.uk

The weekend saw a good turnout for Ponteland Tri at Bamburgh Castles Triathlon with at least twelve adults and three junior participants across all three events. The sun came out for fantastic conditions and a great atmosphere right under the castle for what must be one of the best event venues and courses anywhere in GB.

First up on Saturday was the children’s race and facing perhaps the biggest waves were Emily Allison, William Butterworth and Lauren Stroud. As family members of the club, all three excelled in their first year of entering triathlons and a first race for William and Lauren. Like the adult version they had a sprint start into some pretty tough sea conditions followed by bike and run round the field below the castle. This was really well organised for the children and it would be great to see if we can get more along next year – all three have insisted they will be doing it again next year!

The afternoon saw four waves (extended entry due to numbers) and approx. 400 people starting the sprint triathlon. It was a run start from the beach and the hardest part seemed to be getting to the buoys but by all accounts it didn’t get any easier and a full 750m later it was a long 300m slog up the beach to transition and onto a fairly hilly bike ride. Transition was back under the spectacular backdrop of the castle and to emphasise the fact the run was straight off the cricket pitch and up to the castle forecourt before a steep descent and a run along a mixture of road and off road with the coastal path. The weather held pretty much all day meaning plenty of support for all the competitors which was great and created a really nice atmosphere. Really good performances from all – just six seconds separating Pont’s first and second but all voicing the same thoughts – great event but hard swim!

Sunday saw the middle distance with a fairly relaxed start time of 10am – given the sea conditions the start was moved to a sea start rather than the proposed run start and two lap Australian Exit route. Water temperatures were actually quite pleasant and I suspect conditions were a lot better than Saturday without the run entry. We still had to endure the run up the beach to transition before setting off into a nice southerly for the ride down to Craster. Perfect weather again as with Saturday for the bike with two 28m laps down to Craster – a fairly flat ride and well worth a trip up North for anyone looking for an alternative training ride. The run followed a similar route to the sprint with the cursed jog/walk up into the castle (only three times) and out along the coastal path where the turn around point of 100m on soft sand was as energy sapping as anything I’ve run on. Good support on the run route and once again a great atmosphere back at the castle – great first “half ironman” race from Steve Allison coming in at 5.06 and the interview afterwards shows you the buzz that these events can give you – check out facebook for castles triathlon.

Congrats to all for some great efforts at a tough event – certainly an event for the diary next year.

Another good turn out for the region’s best half marathon (IMHO). Weather was mostly cloudy (though I still managed to get sun burnt!) with quite a stiff headwind. The terrain was the usual mix of sand, rocks, grass and tarmac. Joanne led the club home closely followed by John McCargill running as Paul H – that should have boosted his Run Britain handicap!

Late Report for Saturday gone’s cross-country at Aykley Heads, Durham City. A great turnout with the undoubted highlight being our first junior runner – well done to Finlay Ward who finished creditably in the middle of a competitive junior pack; his time for the one lap was faster than any of the average lap times for our senior men over their three laps. Both the men’s and ladies teams were oversubscribed and all enjoyed a challenging but fair course in good running weather. Coffee and cake were well earned and the malteser cake was especially enjoyed despite Kelly Hymer’s vain attempt to take it home by bluffing that it wasn’t nice. See you all on Saturday at Wallington. Cheers Bart.

Our next Go Tri Ponteland event on Wednesday 2nd July is full. Demand has been very high and we’ve had a huge response for places within the past week.

We have a waiting list just in case we have any cancellations. Please let me know if you can no longer take part so that those on the waiting list can take your place.

MARSHALS REQUIRED – we could always do with more marshals to direct participants on the night so If you’re available, please come along and help out. We would need you there from 6.30 until the event finishes, approx 8.30. Please get in touch if you’d like to help out.