On a cool and very blustery day, Birtley was home to some great performances from the younger athletes in the region (some fresh from their inter-counties experience the day before). Although Birtley had the home advantage, that didn't stop some of the other clubs from stealing their thunder in a couple of the races, and special mention has to be made for Allerton Junior AC athletes, who not only came the furthest to compete but bagged an amazing number of medals too! There were some cracking performances, too many to mention - well done to everyone who ran, you are all superstars!
Full results are on the following links:- Boys Results and Girls Results, with some great team photos of the winning teams shown below, taken by Steve Haywood (apologies to the missing athletes, think they were too keen to get home and warm up!).

Our AGM is scheduled for Tuesday 12th April, straight after training finishes (venue TBC). All welcome. Any items you wish to be considered for the agenda can be emailed (must be received by 4th April), and a list will be posted on the noticeboard page shortly asking for nominations for key committee posts. 
Please step up and volunteer if you would like to get involved, either taking on a role on the committee (no experience necessary), or perhaps offering to train as a coach. Our club (like every other) is run entirely by volunteers, almost all of whom also have full time jobs, so any offer of help, however small, is very welcome

Chris Perkins finished the latest league fixture at Alnwick in great style, winning both the race and the Grand Prix. This win now means Chris has won his age group Grand Prix every year since 2016, starting as an U13 in the 2016-17 season, then moving to U15 in 2018-19. Covid threw a spanner in the works in 2020, resulting in no real harrier league season at all, but he was back with a vengeance in 2021 to take the crown in his second season as an U17. Huge congratulations to Chris, an amazing achievement! 

Great running from everyone today at the final NEHL XC Fixture at Alnwick Castle. Apologies from myself for not being able to race - I tweaked my right calf at The Signals Relays and I didn't dare risk it.
Conditions were ideal considering the recent weather and the fabulous "Castle" backdrop was magnificent as ever.
Performance of the day goes to Kirstin finishing 28th and earning promotion to the Medium Pack for next year. Most of you will know that XC isn't Kirstin's favourite surface and she had a unfortunate mishap at Druridge Bay in twisting her ankle resulting in a DNF. Hopefully this performance will boost her confidence for next season. She was admirably backed up by Hannah, Lisa, Lorna, Julie, Kay, Claire M, Sara and Claire B to finish 6th Team in Div 2. Well Done Ladies.
Our Senior Men whilst lacking in numbers more than made up for it in effort and determination. Lewis was first man home with another fantastic run from the Fast Pack leading the team in 38th position. Considering he is ONLY 20 - Lewis has had an amazing XC season and we look forward to monitoring his progress over the next few years. Andrew chased Lewis all the way yet again as has been the case at every Fixture which could result in an individual Grand Prix Vet Medal for Andrew. Craig D ran a cracking race to record his best finishing position of the season - Craig is another who prefers "The Tarmac" but is more than prepared to do his bit for the team when it counts. Next man home was Robbie who as a first year Senior has performed superbly over the winter months and can be suitably proud of his achievements. Making his Birtley AC XC Debut was Steve Brownless who ran a solid race and promises he will be "Back for More" next season. Club Stalwarts Paul Agnew and Dave Francis completed our Team - these two lads 'Never let you Down' and as a Captain I really appreciate their commitment to the cause.
Overall I am delighted with the whole XC Season and as a Club I'm sure we can ALL take pride in our performances and results over the NEHL League season.
Everyone who has 'pulled on' their club vest and represented Birtley AC this season has contributed to the overall success for the club - take a step back, reflect on a Job Well Done and look forward to signing up for the 2022/23 instalment in the summer.
Cheers
PJB
​Match results HERE
League results HERE
Individual Grand Prix results HERE

As you all (hopefully!) know, our very own Birtley Junior XC Relays will be taking place at Lord Lawson on the 13th of March. We are asking you to help by providing the following items:-

1. Yourselves! We need people to act as marshals on the day, doing this will not stop you seeing your child race, as you'll get a great view of them running around the course! Don't have a child running? Doesn't matter - please consider stepping up to help the club run this popular and successful event, which also helps to bring money into the club to help us further develop our athletes. We also need volunteers to help man the refreshments, a very important role which is much appreciated by all involved! A sign up sheet is available on the noticeboard page, please get yourselves signed up as soon as possible.

2. Items to sell for the refreshments mentioned above - homemade or shop bought (we don't mind which!), cakes, biscuits, pies, pizza slices, sweets, scones, whatever you would like to bring us will be very welcome.

3. Maggie Pavlou, who is a member of our Birtley Joggers group, volunteers in the People's Kitchen in Newcastle, and we would like to help out this very worthwhile charity by collecting adult clothing donations at the relays. Please bring any unwanted clothing (bet you have a drawer full of race tops that never see the light of day, like most runners!), and in particular trainers if they are past their running best (but still serviceable), as the charity is always in need of these items. Any outdoor clothing, such as jackets, trousers, or waterproofs, would also be very appreciated. Thank you!

Our popular junior XC relay event returns on Sunday March 13th - entries now open HERE. 

The conditions for the Northern Cross Country Championships at Pontefract were far from ideal - with gale force winds meaning that no club tents were allowed on the course, and even the main marquee had to be dismantled. Despite this, a contingent of athletes from Birtley AC battled the wind and did their club proud. It was also great to see quite a few Birtley spectators there to cheer the team on, especially a number of coaches who continued to give up their own time to support all of us.
 
Under 13 Boys
Noah Williamson finished an excellent 8th in a time of 10 mins and 51 secs. He was followed by Callum Bailey in 88th position in a time of 12 mins and 38 secs.
 
Under 13 Girls
Niamh Phillipson finished in 40th position in a time of 12 mins and 48 secs.
 
Under 15 Girls
Daisy Graham finished in 97th position in a time of 19 mins and 35 secs.
 
Under 17 Boys
Chris Perkins finished in a fantastic 5th in a time of 21 mins and 13 secs. He was followed by George Beevers who finished in 56th position in a time of 23 mins and 40 secs.
 
Under 17 Girls
Katie Francis finished in 30th position in a time of 19 mins and 48 secs.
 
Junior Women
Tess Graham had a great race to finish in 16th place in a time of 22 mins and 40 secs.
 
Senior Men
Ian Robinson had a cracking race to finish in 99th position out of over 500 men in a time of 48 mins and 34 secs. It was also good to see Jason Williamson running and finishing in 444th position in a time of 1 hour 4 mins and 8 secs.
 
Senior women 
Kirsty Robinson finished in 187th position in a time of 45 mins and 35 secs. She was followed by Kelly Bentley in 218th position in a time of 47 mins and 47 secs.

Some of our athletes in action (photos courtesy of Northern athletics)

Remember the date - Sunday 16th January 2022. The day that Birtley AC not only hosted an event but dominated it as well. Our annual Birtley AC XC Relays were once again held at our club HQ Lord Lawson of Beamish School with a healthy entry from our friends from other NE Athletics Clubs, and bolstered by a fantastic 13 Teams from our very own Birtley ranks. Myself and Kirstin had the unenviable task of picking the teams but fortunately most of the age categories sorted themselves with only a couple of adjustments needed. For once Kirstin wanted Lorna to be a couple of months older but this was solved with Kirstin and Lisa running 'down an age group'. It was especially pleasing to see lots of our newer members getting involved and wanting to take part in a club competition. 

Conditions on the day were ideal for racing and the 2 lap 3K circuit proved popular with all the athletes and spectators alike. First race off was the Vet Mens Relay and our very own Andrew Beevers ran a storming first leg to come home in the lead and setting the Fastest Leg time in the process. Phil Atkinson and myself (PJB) continued the good work to finish in 5th place and more importantly second V45-54 Team. This earned us a NEMAA Silver Team Medal which was my first since joining Birtley AC and very much appreciated. Our other two V45-54 teams both ran well including David Money making his club debut and Nigel Simpson who despite recovering from Covid agreed to run 'A Team Down' to help me out.

Next up were our amazing Birtley Ladies and they certainly didn't disappoint. Katie Francis lead from gun to tape on Leg 1 setting the Fastest Time handing over to Hannah and Chloe who competed the job to comfortably win the race. Our V35-44 Trio of Lisa, Lorna and Kirstin finished a magnificent 4th which resulted in a NEMAA Silver Medal also. Stars of the show were our V55 Ladies who destroyed the opposition to win NEMAA Gold Medals - step forward Julie Turner, Stephanie Young and Maggie Pavlou. This was a fantastic performance from the ladies, and Julie also ran the Fastest Leg time too. All the ladies teams ran well and the support and camaraderie they have within the squad is clear to see and I can only see our Ladies Section going from strength to strength.

The Senior Men brought the curtain down and our A Team were unfortunate to come up against an extremely strong Morpeth Harriers on the day. Chris Perkins ran a brilliant first leg to set the second fastest time of the day. Craig Buchanan gave everything he had (post Covid too) and Adrian did all he could but Morpeth were just too good and our lads finished gallant runners up. B Team saw a welcome return to action for Ross Thraves, ably supported by Juniors George Beevers and Robbie Mumford. George in particular ran an unbelievable race to record 10.16 - ONLY 2 seconds slower than Dad Andrew. 

All in all a fantastic day for our club and one which we can all feel proud of. Huge Thank You to everyone involved with the event - runners, course set up/take down, cake bakers/sellers and supporters. Our next Relay Event will be The Royal Signals Relays at Hetton Lyons Park on Saturday 19th February - let's build on our success from yesterday and have another fantastic Birtley AC Turn Out. 
PJB 

Race 1 Vet Men.
5 Birtley V45-54 A 34.43 Silver Medal NEMAA 
Andrew Beevers 10.14 Fastest Leg
Phil Atkinson 12.20
Paul Brennan 12.09

18 Birtley V45-54 B 37.38
Paul Agnew 13.27
Graeme Swaddle 12.54
Nigel Simpson 11.17

29 Birtley V45-54 C 40.21
Ian Goulding 12.56
David Money 14.23
Jason Williamson 13.02

Race 2 Senior/Vet Ladies
1 Birtley SW A 36.08
Katie Francis 11.16 Fastest Leg
Hannah Linton 13.17
Chloe Price 11.35

4 Birtley WV35-44 A 38.42 Silver Medal NEMAA 
Lisa Short 12.31
Lorna Graham 12.32
Kirstin Farquhar 13.39

14 Birtley SW B 41.21
Amy Drummond 13.30
Eve Southern 13.43
Scarlett Newby 14.08

17 Birtley SW C 42.22
Kirsty Robinson 14.46
Charlotte Coffield 15.53
Tess Graham 11.43

27 Birtley WV55 46.47 Gold Medal NEMAA 
Julie Turner 13.55 Fastest Leg
Steph Young 14.51
Maggie Pavlou 18.01

32 Birtley WV45-54 A 47.31
Kay Drummond 15.08
Alyson McTeer 17.13
Zoe Towers 15.10

51 Birtley WV45-54 B 55.11
Kay Elliott 17.27
Elaine Brownless 17.02
Claire Braban 20.42

52 Birtley WV35-44 B 56.46
Leanne Adair 16.57
Natalia Jordan 19.14
Sara Francis 20.35
​
Race 3 Senior Men 
2 Birtley A 29.31
Chris Perkins 9.10
Craig Buchanan 10.48
Adrian Bailes 9.33

7 Birtley B 34.53
Ross Thraves 12.38
George Beevers 10.16
Robbie Mumford 11.59

Happy New year, can you believe we are in to 2022!
 
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting Heel & Toe over the past few years, it is greatly appreciated especially with the current pandemic we are facing, thank you very much.
 
The fundraising team are currently finalising events and we are excited to announce, we have some new events to try throughout 2022!!!
 
Although we are finalising most events, I just wanted to let you know the closing date to register your child/children interest in the mini/junior GNR is Friday 4th Feb 2022. You can register your child NOW at https://heelandtoe.org.uk/events/mini-junior-gnr-2022/, registration fee is £5 per child.
 
I would appreciate it if you are able to pass on this information to any child/children who attend your club.
 
I wish you all the best for 2022, and hopefully I will see you at a Heel & Toe event this year J

Following a lovely Christmas and New Year break, we return to our normal training routine on Tuesday 4th January, meeting as usual at Lord Lawson School. Parents, if you are coming indoors at the academy, please wear a mask if at all possible to comply with current regulations. Thank you, hope to see lots of you there!

Gary Curtis
Christmas sessions for my group and anyone else who would like to join us, as follows
Sun 19th Elba park 10am
Tue 21st Cong Burn 10am
Thurs 23rd Beamish woods 10am, meet behind Shepherd & Shepherdess
Sun 26th Boxing Day Beamish Run 10.30am Eden picnic area
Tues 28th Cocken woods 10am
Thurs 30th Cong Burn 10am
Sun 2nd Elba park 10am
Anyone who can't make it due to transport reasons as the sessions are during the day, just let me know and I will sort something out so you don't miss out on what will be a good block of endurance training ready for the championships next year.

Tom Millmore
Thursday 23rd December - Meet at Birtley Baths car park for 7pm start.
Sunday 26th December - The Annual Boxing Day Run / The Beamish Blow Eden car park 10:30 for 10:45 start, see the FB post for further information. 
Tuesday 28th December - Wicker man session 10am. Meet Lower Burnhall Car Park DH1 3TX. Trail/off road shoes needed 
Thursday 30th December - Watergate Forest Park 10am. Off road gravel paths
Friday 31st December - South Shields Beach session 10am. Meet on the beach behind the Sandhaven Beach Chalets. Towel and change of clothes and shoes 
Sunday 2nd January - Beamish long easy run 9:30 at Eden Place car park. Mainly off road 
Monday 3rd January - Chester le Street Riverside Park 10am meet in car park next to where the Park Run starts. Mainly off road and grass, spikes ok.
Tuesday 4th January -  Return to normal training at Lord Lawson


Other coaches' sessions will be posted as they are announced, keep checking this page!

To comply with current Covid regulations, please wear a face mask at all times whilst indoors at Lord Lawson (i.e. gym/sports hall and throughout all hallways). As Thursday 16th is games night for the younger athletes, please come to club for approx 6.40pm if at all possible, to allow for team organisation etc. Thank you, and best wishes to everyone for the festive season!

Training will not be taking place at Lord Lawson over the Christmas and New Year holidays - the last session at the school this year will be held on Thursday 16th December, when the younger groups will be having a fun games night instead of normal training. However, most of the coaches will be putting on special sessions at varying locations over the holidays, so please keep an eye on our website and/or our social media pages for further details. 

The club also traditionally takes part in a social run around Beamish Woods on Boxing Day, organised by Aurora Harriers, meeting at 10.30 in Eden picnic area carpark for a 10.45 start, approx 5.5 miles at a relaxed pace (walkers welcome!). Bring refreshments for afterwards if the weather is kind!
​
Birtley AC would like to wish all their athletes, parents, coaches, friends and supporters the very best for Christmas and the upcoming new year - let's hope 2022 is a better one!