Following the cancellation of Lambton XC on Saturday, it looked like there wasn't much going on for our athletes last weekend...unless your surname is Drummond! Our kit manager Lee, along with wife Kay and their children Amy and Matthew, decided to hit the trails in the Lake District and make it a family affair. On Saturday, Matthew and Amy came in at very respectable 9th and 14th places in the Helvellyn Sport Trail 5k, whilst Lee ran in the 15k Trail Race and Kay did the 15k Helvellyn Trail Challenge, both finishing well.
As this obviously wasn't enough for them, Lee and Kay decided to run in two separate 14k events in Ullswater (nice bit of scheduling this weekend so the kids weren't left alone at any point!)

Also taking place this weekend was the Abbey Dash, with only a couple of Birtley athletes taking part this year - but it's quality not quantity that counts! Tracy Millmore ran well in a race distance (10k) that is well short of her current marathon aims, whilst Noah Williamson came 6th from a field of 131 in the Junior Abbey Dash in an great time of 8:09 for 2k - congratulations to both!

As always, if I've missed your event (or you!) out of the report, please get in touch and I'll get things updated!

Unfortunately, due to the heavy downpour this afternoon and evening, the parking area for Lambton is now severely waterlogged and the event can no longer take place tomorrow. However, it is hoped that an alternative date can be arranged, so watch this space for further updates (and another sign-up call out for volunteers!). 

Important info about Lambton XC on Saturday - please read!
Lambton does not have a post code. If you try to follow a postcode you'll be directed to the wrong place and get lost.
ALL traffic must approach from the A1(M) junction 63 at Picktree. It's a major junction with the A1(M), A167, A693 and A183. You shouldn't need a post code to find it.
All traffic must come from that junction along the A183 and the entrance to the estate is on the left after about 300m.
Traffic coming along the A183 from the opposite direction will not be allowed to turn right into the estate. Instead, that traffic should continue to the A1(M) junction and loop around to come back along the A183 from the west with the other traffic.
Do not delay when driving in as we need to prevent any queue forming along the A183 as it will quickly back up to the A1(M) and block the junction.
After turning into the estate from the A183, cars will drive about 200m before being directed into a field on the left and down that (quite steep) field into 2 queues to park.
Once the car is parked then the £4 fee will be collected.
Follow the directions of the estate staff.
Parking is charged by the estate. It will be £4 per car. Try to share cars if possible.
This money goes directly to Lambton Estate and is their payment for allowing us to stage the event there. Make sure your runners know this and don't grumble when asked to pay the £4.
Don't stop to ask anyone questions, just follow the car in front until you're parked, and have your money ready.

• Dogs are allowed but they MUST be on a lead and under control at all times. There will be no stock in the fields being used for car parking or your start finish area.
• It is fine for pedestrians (and cyclists) to enter and exit via the Chester Gates.

There is a one way system within the estate. All traffic will exit at Bournmoor on the A183.
There are roadworks near this exit so it will be near impossible to turn right and head back for the A1(M).
Instead, ALL traffic should turn left onto the A183 on leaving Lambton estate and those wishing to head back for the A1(M) can loop around the roundabout.
If you don't do this then the queue trying to leave the estate will be an hour long.

Special Info regarding U11 race
This Under 11 race is probably the toughest the U11s will run.
It will start a little up the hill from the main start line in the start/finish field and will be very nearly 1 mile.
There are hills and a long, uneven wooded section with mud.
The woods are off limits to everyone except marshals and those running their race so the U11s will be out of site for much of the race. We are still looking for marshals - why not volunteer and then you'll get a great view of your child(ren) as they go past, and you can give them a shout out.
There will be marshals in the woods and back markers to follow the last runners in.
It's up to the clubs and parents to decide if your U11 runners are up to the job.
I'm sure some keen U11 runners will love it but a first timer who maybe isn't confident might not be so happy.

Further details and any last minute info, plus course maps for all age groups, can be found on the NEHL Blog.

Sunday was a very full day for Birtley athletes, with several events taking place.  A very special mention first of all for Ruth Dadswell with an amazing performance in the York marathon, which also happened to be her first outing in an England vest. Huge congratulations to Ruth on breaking the 3 hour barrier, giving her a "good for age" performance - she came 211th overall, 10th lady, 4th from 294 in her age category, and a fantastic time of 2:59.17 (gun time).  Congratulations also to her fellow Birtley athletes Karl Oakes, Mark Hornsby, Gordon Smith, Paul Agnew, Kirsty Walker and Kelly Bentley, many of whom gained PBs - well done to all! Full results here.

Also taking place on Sunday was Pedro's 10k, an event which is obviously well supported by Birtley athletes due to Pedro's long association with our club. There were an impressive 5 Birtley athletes in the top 20 positions, including Nigel Simpson in 4th place, and Lisa Short coming in as 1st lady in 16th place overall - congratulations to all who ran in what were pretty horrendous conditions! Full results here.

The Minors XC took place at Jarrow, with good support from the younger Birtley athletes in the club (some of whom had also raced on the Saturday at Sheffield). Well done to all who competed, with special mention to the year 4 girls for their 1,2,3 finish (the team consisting entirely of Grahams, twins Kitty and Nell and unrelated Poppy!), and Noah Williamson who won the year 5 boys race. Results to follow when available.

Finally, turning to events on Saturday, well done to the huge club turnout for the Northern XC Relays in Sheffield, where we managed to field a team (sometimes more than one) in almost every age group. Too many names to mention all individually, but another great performance from Chris Perkins with a fastest leg (despite nursing an injured ankle), and an impressive 9th place finish for the men's A team, consisting of Tom Goulding, Adrian Bailes, Lewis McConnell and Zak Scott. Well done to everyone who ran for the club on the day! Full results here.

Minors Cross Country - this Sunday 20th October

The event will still be going ahead but with some route changes. Please make yourself familiar with the route on the day but remember we will have marshals and junior members as hares out on the course.
It will be wet and muddy so please wear appropriate footwear and bring spare clothes.
Please collect your numbers from the clubhouse. It is best one person from schools and clubs collect the numbers so the clubhouse does not become overcrowded! Bring some safety pins but we do have some spare!
There are NO Entries on the day, all entries are now on the computer system.
Team results will be completed as soon as we possibly can and will be posted on Facebook and our website.
Individual medals will be handed out at the end of each race.
School medals will be sent to the schools as soon as we have completed the results.
Please also remember to park with consideration or it will make our jobs harder for future events!
I do wish you all the best of luck and thanks for your support !! - Andrea Fyall on behalf of Jarrow & Hebburn AC.

The bus which has been organised for the Northern XC Relays in Sheffield will be leaving Birtley Leisure Centre on Saturday morning at 7.15am promptly - please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to ensure a timely departure.

Just a quick reminder that Lord Lawson are hosting an Open Evening tonight, so there will be no access to indoor training areas tonight - most coaching groups are meeting outside (check with your coach) so remember to dress appropriately. Parking will also be difficult, give yourself plenty of time to find a space and be aware that you may have to park on the main road.

Athletes in years 4,5 and 6 - today is your last chance to get your name down for the Minors XC taking place at Jarrow on 20th October. This event is traditionally well supported by Birtley, and our athletes always enjoy the experience. Details and link to sign up form HERE