Race Diary

There are a number of races coming up and Ponteland Runners may want to try out racing for the first time or extend themselves with new and different races.  All of the following are fairly local.  I have included contact details where I have found them.  Many races now take online entries either on the host club website or via a specialist entries website.

David Buffham, Chariman Ponteland Runners.

Tynedale 10K                                                                      Wednesday 4th July
RACE FULL.  Starts at 7.30pm in Ovington and ends about half a mile away in Ovingham.  But a bit more complicated than it sounds.  Pie and peas supper after the race. A number of PRunners taking part. www.tynedaleharriers.com/-10k   Cheaper entry if you enter the 10 mile race on Sunday 2nd September at the same time. Don’t forget – cheaper to enter these races anyway if a member of a UKA affiliated club such as, for instance, Ponteland Runners.

Anita Nott Women Only Jesmond DeneRun              Monday 9th July
5.4km.  7.30pm start so you will have to be quick if you are going to get back to Pont for the club run.  The clue is in the title – women only. www.heatonharriers.org.uk go to Our Events.

Bridges of the Tyne 5 miles                                            Tuesday 10th July
RACE FULL. Starts at 7.15pm and limited to 300 runners so likely to sell out I would think (see, I told you). www.tynebridgeharriers.com

Prudhoe Miners’ Race 5 miles                                        Sunday 15th July
Starts at 9.30am. Steep.  And then a steep bit and then it gets really steep. www.trackandfieldsports.com

BUPA Great North 10k                                                      Sunday 22nd July
Same day as the Coastal Run (which is sold out). Based in Gateshead and described as ‘a picturesque course’.  Must be a different Gateshead. www.greatrun.org

2012 Olympics Various distances                                 July-August
You are not good enough.

Morpeth 10K                                                                       Tuesday 31st July
7.30 pm start. Two lap circuit around Tranwell Woods. Organised by Morpeth Harriers. www.morpethharriers.freeservers.com

Northumberland Coastal Marathon                              Sunday 19th August
9.30am start and limited to just 80 runners. For those who think that the 13.5mile Coastal Run in July just isn’t far enough. www.northeastmarathonclub.co.uk   That’s a club I want nothing to do with.

Watergate 5k                                                                     Thursday 30th August
No, not that Watergate. Watergate on Lobley Hill in Gateshead. Starts at 6.50pm. Includes a 2K junior runners event beforehand.  www.lowfellrunningclub.co.uk

Tynedale 10 mile ‘Jelly Tea’ road race                         Sunday 2nd September
Starts at 11am.  Great prep race if you are doing the Great North Run two weeks after this but also just a good race if you want to extend your distances.  Starts in Hexham and finishes in Ovingham where you get your jelly (if you can face it after 10 miles on the road) www.tynedaleharriers.com

Run Northumberland Wallington 10K                          Sunday 9th September
Starts 9.45 am. Based at Wallington National Trust property. www.runnorthumberland.org

Great North Run                                                                 Sunday 16th September
You know all about this.  If you aren’t already entered the only route open to you is a charity place.  www.greatrun.org

Kielder 10K                                                                          Saturday 6th October
www.kieldermarathon.com  which is a bit suspicious as a website for a 10k

Kielder Marathon                                                                Sunday 7th October
www.kieldermarathon.com  for runners  www.stagecoachbus.co.uk for bus times.

Great Cumbrian Run                                                         Sunday 7th October
Starts 10am. Half Marathon starting and finishing in Carlisle.  A number of Pont Runners (well, at least two that I know of) will be doing this.
http://www.carlisleleisure.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187&Itemid=214  is the modest web link I have found.  But it works.

Run Northumberland Matfen 5K and 10K                   Sunday 14th October
Starts 9.45am.  Entries close on 30th September (may be possible to enter after this but not guaranteed and more expensive)

Gibside Fruit Bowl Trail Race                                         Sunday 21st October
Starts at 10am.  ‘Only’ 6 miles but for a circular race it does manage to fit in a lot more up hills than down ones (at least, that is how it seems to me). You always get some clever clogs who has finished the race in double quick time and is ‘warming down’ by running back down the course and passes me at about the 3 mile marker.  Very annoying. www.blackhillbounders.com