Saturday saw the last fixture in the 2022/23 North East Harrier League in the surroundings of Alnwick Castle. Talk before the weekend was all about inevitable relegation for the men’s team into Division 2 but the rallying call for runners was met and some to try and stay in the top division for another year.
Men’s race
27 men completed the course on Saturday which was by far the biggest turnout of the season. Unfortunately, we needed Birtley to finish 10th and Heaton to finish in the top 3 which was a big ask on the day. In the end Birtley finished 10th but Heaton finished 7th which was not enough to avoid relegation to Division 2. This has not dampened spirits among the team. We know we have had a lot of injuries this season which has made it difficult for the men to finish in the Top 50 finishers so it was always going to be difficult to remain in the top division. However, we know we have the quality and quantity in the team and we will be back competing for promotion next season.
Women’s race
In the women’s league it was very tight coming into the last fixture and the women could have also been relegated along with the men’s team. Like the men’s team, the women also turned up in big numbers with 19 runners completing the race and them finishing in 7th place on the day. This ensured the women stayed in Division 1 for another year by 1 point which turned out to be about 20-25 seconds over two Elvet runners in the end so it was very close.
As this is the end of the season we should give thanks to those who have gone above and beyond for the club over the last 6 months. Thanks to our captains Scott, Debbie, Calum and Laura for encouraging us runners to compete for the club and explaining the rules and personal benefits to cross country. Huge thanks to Lee Daglish for managing the club tent and ensuring we have a space to keep dry and store our bags for each fixture. He has always been the first to arrive and the last to leave.
Special mention should also go to the below members who have ran every fixture this season:
Alex Cook
Alexander Parkin (U13 Boys)
Ellie Reed
Emily Daglish (U13 Girls)
Freya McKinnon (U13 Girls)
John Sturman
Lauren Morgan
Lee Daglish
Mary Parkin (U15 Girls)
Olivia Daglish (U13 Girls)
Cross Country is a team event but there is also an individual Grand Prix attached to it:
Mary Parkin (U15 girls) finished in 1st place in the individual Grand Prix over the course of the season, Alexander Smith finished 3rd (U13 boys) and Ellie Reed finished in 4th place (Women’s Vet)
Lastly, thanks to everyone who turned up to run, even it was just for 1 fixture, you made a difference. Big thanks also to all the supporters, parents, cake bakers and partners for us runners. Cross Country is a big commitment taking a lot of time out of a day. We will see you all in September to do it all over again.
