Weekend roundup

So, another busy weekend for Birtley athletes. Saturday saw the return of XC, albeit in a small, Covid secure fashion, with Birtley youngsters showing us how it's done, getting out teams in almost every age group of the NECAA XC Relay Championships. These tough youngsters braved some pretty wet and miserable conditions to plough through the mud and hills of Thornley, with a well deserved second place finish for the U17 women (Katie Francis, Abi Thwaites and Tess Graham, and a third for the U17 lads (Robbie Mumford, Chris Perkins and George Beevers) - huge congrats to all who got themselves out there, well done to all! 

There are some brilliant pics taken by Stuart Whitman on the following links if you haven't seen them (or aren't on) FB 
https://bit.ly/NECAA_XC_Relays_2020_U13_Girls  
https://bit.ly/NECAA_XC_Relays_U15_Girls 
https://bit.ly/NECAA_XC_Relays_2020_U13_Boys
https://bit.ly/NECAA_XC_Relays_U15_Boys  
https://bit.ly/NECAA_XC_Relays_U17s 

Photos clockwise from top left courtesy of Lyndsey Perkins, Stuart Whitman, David Young and Jason Williamson

Sunday saw some competition further afield at Kirkharle and Slaley Hall. Birtley did the double with newcomer David Young coming first in the 10k trail race at Kirkharle, whilst the youngsters braved the cold December weather to take part in the Kirkharle 2km Race, resulting in a 1,2,3 for Birtley AC, and 4th was a potential Birtley star of the future. They all got a nice mug and some hot chocolate to warm them up afterwards. Well done Noah, Poppy, Izzy and Donny - race report courtesy of Jason Williamson. Our Couch to 5k graduate Claire took part in the Slaley Hall trail race, and she must really be getting into her running these days because she bought trail shoes specially for the event! See, running is sneaky like that...one day you hate every second of it, the next you're flashing your credit card in Start Fitness and that's it - hooked for life! 

Wet wet wet!