Due to a school event, we do not have access to the inside areas of the school tonight. However, Ed and Fiona's group should meet outside the PE block for training as usual, and Gary's group will meet in the car park - all welcome.

Saturday saw around 20 Birtley athletes competing in the prestigious Northern XC Championships at Bedale, a new location for this competition.  Reliable sources inform me that this was a tough course, with leg sapping mud, so kudos goes to everyone who took part, let alone finished well! However, we had a couple of athletes who performed brilliantly despite the heavy going - Katie Francis, finishing just outside the top ten against some very stiff competition, and Chris Perkins, snatching the gold from his rivals in a nailbiting close finish to become Northern U15 Champion. Congratulations to them, and to all the athletes who competed. Full results can be seen here.

​The information on parking, facilities, course maps etc. can be downloaded in pdf form here (apologies, that's all that's been sent to me so I can't reproduce all the info here.)

Remember, this is a stand-alone competition, with new bib numbers (which will be collected by one of the coaches first thing in the morning, I'd take a guess at Gary Curtis!) - please don't wear your Harrier league numbers or you'll be disqualified! 

If anyone is happy to car-share, please comment with your name and how many seats you can offer on this post (rather than FB, which not all of our members are on)

Good luck to all our athletes, and just in case you've forgotten whether you entered or not, here's the list of entrants:-

David Francis   Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Katie Francis     U15 Girls - 4.3k - 12.55
Kelly Bentley    Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Kirsty Walker    Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Paul Agnew     Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Shannel Curtis  Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Lee Drummond  Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Kay Drummond  Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Amy Drummond  U17 Women - 4.9k - 11.00
Matthew Drummond  U13 Boys - 3.08k -12.40
Darren M Purvis  Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
George Beevers  U15 Boys - 4.6k - 13.20
Ben Brownless  U13 Boys - 3.08k -12.40
Christopher Perkins  U15 Boys - 4.6k - 13.20
Eve Southern  Junior Women - 6.2k - 11.25
Robbie Mumford  U15 Boys - 4.6k - 13.20
Abigail Thwaites  U15 Girls - 4.3k - 12.55
Scarlett Newby  U17 Women - 4.9k - 11.00
Lewis Watson  U13 Boys - 3.08k -12.40
Rebecca Pottinger  Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Olivia Callaghan  U15 Girls - 4.3k - 12.55
Lorna Graham  Senior Women - 8.0k - 14.15
Tess Graham  U17 Women - 4.9k - 11.00
Maggie Graham  U13 Girls - 3.08k - 11.55
Daisy Graham  U13 Girls - 3.08k - 11.55
Adrian Bailes  Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Greg Poulton  Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Nigel Simpson Senior Men - 12.3k - 15.05
Ami-Leigh Dodds  U13 Girls - 3.08k - 11.55
Chloe Fairclough  U17 Women - 4.9k - 11.00

The male masters athlete who unfortunately took ill during the race this morning is now in hospital - many thanks for your concerns over his welfare, as soon as we have news of his recovery we will let you know. Huge thanks to the people involved in administering CPR  which undoubtedly saved his life before the air ambulance arrived. Update - the gentleman is now sitting up in bed in hospital, dazed and a little confused but hopefully on the mend.

In other news, provisional results will be on this website very soon - check this link and email [email protected] with corrections please (there will be lots!).

Photos from the day, taken by Stuart Whitman, can be seen on the following links Senior Men,  Women and Masters Men
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Huge thanks to all the Birtley members who volunteered today (as well as running in many cases!), and of course thank you to all the officials who kept calm and carried on this morning. Thanks also to the runners who competed today - we hope you enjoyed the course and we look forward to seeing you again next year! Don't forget, the Junior Relays will take place on Sunday 8th March.

Due to waterlogged fields at Barnard Castle School, the Schools XC Championships have been cancelled and will not be rearranged. Selection details for the Inter-counties will be announced on the website ASAP.

We'd like to help new members to get started with our club by providing a group aimed at novice runners - those who have possibly completed a couch to 5k course, or who have recently come to running and don't have the confidence or skill set (yet) to get involved with the main coaching groups. To do this, we need more qualified run leaders - this involves a one day course (very local at Hebburn) which would be financed by the club, in return for you helping out with the group mentioned above every couple of weeks or so.  You wouldn't need to do it every week as the workload would be shared, and you needn't miss out completely on your own training, as it would only be the odd Tuesday night session you'd be missing. 
If you think you could do this, further info on the course can be found here - please email me if interested (as soon as possible, as the next course takes place in March).

Are you at least 35? Are you members of NEMAA (North East Masters Athletics Association)? If not, why not? Our XC Relays this Sunday incorporate the Masters XC Relay Champs, and the Masters Cross Country Champs take place on 1st February at Cramlington - with individual medals available in 5 year age groups, here's your chance to add to your silverware!
There are loads of races throughout the year that incorporate Masters Champs in them (e.g. the Heaton Memorial incorporated the Masters 10k champs last year), and let's not forget the Track and Field League, with six matches over the season at the bargain price of £5 per match (for up to 3 events), which is only available to NEMAA members.
Membership of NEMAA is only £15 for the year, and this also gives you access to any BMAF events as well as international competition.  If you are already a member, make sure you renew before the end of January this year - here's the renewal link (it'll cost you £25 after the 31st January so don't miss out!)

The school is holding another parent's evening on Tuesday 14th January so unfortunately we don't have our usual access to the indoor areas. Each coach will be making their own arrangements so keep an eye on FB and this website for updates. 
Gary Curtis's and Tommy's groups are to meet in the car park for a 7pm start. Ed's group will not be training due to the inclement weather.

The Couch to 5k Course will still be going ahead as planned - please allow a little extra time to find a parking space as it may be busy. 

Firstly, thank you for showing an interest in our first C25k group and for choosing this great friendly club.
The club is full of nice, friendly and helpful people who will be wishing you well on this running journey.
You are probably feeling a little apprehensive and nervous, but honestly you really have nothing to fear, we have all "been there", and we are all striving to be better than we used to be. It is a proven programme, that works!! We understand that people will go faster and slower than others, but we will all get the same out of it and no one will feel out of place.
Advice we can give:

• Wear something that is high visibility ie (bright clothing, we will have some hi viz vests available).
• Keep hydrated, bring a drink.
• Wear some comfortable trainers.
• Remember the programme works! There will be times when you will 'feel' you are struggling, holding the group back, 'just cant do it' or a million other negative thoughts that we 'all' still get. But don't give in as you will succeed if you stick to it. It does get easier as you get naturally stronger.
• Remember that the only person you are trying to beat is yourself.
• Most importantly enjoy it!! We will have a relaxed and fun group, where we all look after and encourage each other.
• Please speak up if you are having any difficulties or concerns, there is nothing we cannot work around and put right.

Here is a registration form, if you can complete it and bring it on Tuesday it will save a bit of time. If not you can fill one in on the night.

Each session is 30 minutes, plus a brief warm up and cool down stretch. It is also expected that you try and complete the same session in your own time twice within the week. Your homework!! 
Lee Drummond and Stephanie Young will be your Runleaders throughout the 10 week course, we usually finish with an extra, totally voluntary Riverside Parkrun on the following Saturday.
Really looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 6pm in the main foyer of LLOB school. NOTE:- There is a school parent's evening this Tuesday, so the car park will be busier than usual - please allow extra time to find a parking space.
​Any questions or concerns please get in touch.
Thanks
Lee Drummond
Stephanie Young

Despite the conditions being atrocious on Saturday, the Cross Challange at Stirling saw victory for Birtley athlete Chris Perkins with another great win in the u15 race. Katie Perkins finished in a very respectable 9th place, and young Noah Williamson braved the elements to finish 5th as the sole u11 representative for Birtley. 

Sunday saw another windy day, and several Birtley athletes competing in the Brass Monkey half marathon.  Darren Purvis was first past the post for Birtley with a fantastic time of 1:13.42 and 2nd V40 male. Next over the line was Greg Poulton in 1:14.56, followed by Tracy Millmore who finished first in the V35 women's category in a time of 1:19.52, with Keith Robertshaw completing the Birtley lineup with 1:27.25.  Full results here. Well done to all!

Today saw South Shields hosting the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield XC, a special race that is held in association with the harrier league but isn't part of the league tables, with each race being a scratch race (i.e. there are no slow/fast packs). Although there weren't many complete male teams out today, there were still some great results, with a 5th place for Noah Williamson and a fantastic first place for Chris Perkins, with an 17 second lead over his nearest rival. 
The ladies did really well, with a full team in each age group, leading to a second place in the Davison Shield (only being beaten by a much bigger club, Gateshead). Notable performances included Nell Graham (4th place), Katie Francis (2nd by a mere 7 seconds), Tess Graham (another 4th place for the talented family), and Sophie Burnett with a very respectable 6th place finish. Well done to all who competed!
​

Photos courtesy of Stuart Whitman photography

A few points about this Saturday's race :)

• Although runners will wear the same race number as for other Harrier League races, this is not a League race, it's the Sherman Cup (male)/Davison Shield (female).
• There are no handicap packs and no pack promotions for this event.
• All races are scratch races with all runners in a race setting off at the same time.
• This is a one off annual competition across all age groups.
• Cup/Shield points are awarded to clubs in all 5 age groups (U13, U15, U17/20, Senior and Vet) and the best club across all age groups wins the trophy.
• You don't earn League points for this event but if you have a Harrier League race number for this year then you can still race and run off some Christmas calories.
• There's no additional cost, it's included in your £3 paid for the race number for the season.
• Just turn up at the start line in time for your race. There's no need to register again.
• The timetable is the same order as usual for a Harrier League meeting BUT, because the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield have no packs, things will progress a little quicker than usual so keep an eye on events so you aren't late for the start of your race
• ​

The info below about parking has been provided by the host club South Shields - please read carefully:-
Parking in Temple Park is 70p, please have the correct change. Please bear in mind that there will be other events going on at the same time like football, gymnastics etc so the car park will be busy. There is an over spill but it is grass with many potholes and God know what else with our weather, so if you value the underneath of your car it may not be suitable. If you can car share, please do and if not, please try and park in the surround streets, namely Nevinson Avenue as that has a few roadside laybys.
Have a great Christmas and see you on the 4th!!