The Hartlepool Marina 5 attracted a good turnout from the club. This race incorporated the Northeast Masters 5 Miles Road Race Championships.
Notable performances were Judith Porter 1st F/60 in the time of 43:09 and Dave Mackenzie 2nd M/70 in 41:38.
In the NE Masters Championships Alan Wilks was placed 3rd in the M/65 category finishing in 36:55.
Leading the way home was John Surtees, 23rd in 29:14 and a PB, followed by Graham Atkinson, 77th in 32:07, PB and Tracey Surtees 113th in 34:00, PB. Next was Dave Blewitt, 116th in 33:58, followed by John Burnside, 121st in 34:16 and Steve Smith, 134th in 34:34. Sandra Collins was the 2nd lady home for the club, 171st in 36:22, followed by Jodie McMasters, 181st in 36:58 and Rob Nicholson who also got a PB, 191st in 37:16.
Gary Minns was the next finisher, 220th in 38:34, followed by Mike Brunskill, 227th in 38:47 and Geoff Miles, 241st in 39:26. Viviane Pow, recovering from a recent marathon, still managed a good race finishing 253rd in 39:44. Paul Stretton finished 300th in 42:05 and Yvonne Williams was 461st in 51:47.
Eight ladies from the club travelled north to compete in the Northumberland Half Marathon. This race started and finished in the grounds of Kirkley Hall near Ponteland. Cold weather with short sunny spells and heavy showers made it quite challenging at times, but the route itself was pleasant enough.
Relative newcomer Christine Mudd was first home for the club in 1:43:07, followed by Shelley McCormack, 1:47:14, Wendy Bake, 1:47:37, Susan Cranswick, 1:48:02, Trish Kay, 1:48:12, Carla Morton, 2:18:01 and Susan Clark, 2:18:12.
Cowpen Bewley was the venue for the last race in the Winter Stockton Trail series and probably because of races elsewhere attracted a much smaller field of runners than usual. Susan Milburn battled the muddy conditions to finish 35th in 26:34 and not far behind was Kevin Greenall, 40th in 27:17. Series winners were Graham Atkins V/50, Peter Milburn V/55 and Alan Wilks V65.
