Archive 2006

The following article was posted on: 10th December

The previous week saw the annual Norman Woodcock 6 mile race in Gosforth Park and Geoff Hewitson was first back in a time of 38m 19secs, Jason Allison 39-02, Clive Golledge 41-58 and John Stephenson ran extremely well to be 3rd O`60 in 44-44.

The Harrier League season started on the 26th of November with a race at Blaydon. The weather held out and it ended up being run in relatively good conditions. First back for Crook was Geoff Hewitson who managed to pip Peter Carden to the line in a very close finish, in times of 36.27 and 36.30 respectively. Next home were Graham Bradshaw in 37.32 and then John Kelly in 38.13. 5th counter for the club was David Welsh in 40.33 and Colin Everson made the top 6 with a time of 42.23. The only other club runner in action was John Nightingale who finished the course in a time of 43.16.

The same weekend saw two club members in action at the Leeds 10K Road Race. Jamie Steel achieved a new PB round the course with a time of 39.23. Helene Rusby also did well in a time of 46.20.

The following article was posted on: 15th November

The testing hills on the Gibside 7 mile Trail Race did not hamper Geoff Hewitson from beating all his team-mates to be first member home in 57th place in a time of 49.29, Jamie Steel ran 49.49, Malcolm Ingram 51.48, Stuart Mcnulty 59.44 and Allen Purdham 63.12.

At the Newcastle Town Moor 10km John Stephenson rolled back the years to be first O`65 in a time of 46.07, Stuart McNulty ran 46.35, Helene Rusby 46.45 and Emma Heslop 61 mins.

The previous week saw the Sherman Cup which is the prelude race to the cross-country season. Ian Sumler-Hutchinson was first back in 36.55 mins, Geoff Hewitson 38.20, Colin Everson 42.05 and Allen Purdham 49.09.

The following article was posted on: 18th October

Club members have been participating all over Europe in recent weeks . The most noteworthy was Mike Mallen who came a brilliant 49th place overall in the O`50 category of the World Masters Mountain Race in Switzerland where the event comprised an excruciating 9 km uphill - a race including a breathtaking gorge crossing on a rope bridge. Mike ran 66 mins; also participating were Gerry Hehir 73 mins , Martin Lowrie 78 mins and Karen Partridge whose time was 90 mins.

Gerry Hehir then had a short rest as he does and eased his way round the Reims Marathon in France in a steady time of 3 hrs 34 mins. At the Bristol half-marathon Allen Purdham ran a time of 1.53 which placed him high up in the O`65 category .

The Boro Tees Pride 10K race saw Helene Rusby, Stuart McNulty and John Stephenson all finishing within half a minute of each other with respective times of 46.12, 46.19 and 46.39.

The Billingham 10K road race saw four of the club members in action. Jamie Steel was first back in a time of 40.01. Ian Bainbridge ran the course in 44.31; Helene Rusby and John Stephenson finished in times of 47.25 and 48.25.

At the undulating Richmond 10km road race Jamie Steel was first back in a time of 41.25, closely followed by Geoff Hewitson in 42.01, then Percy Parkin's 45.40 was good enough to win 1st O`60 place, Ian Bainbridge was just behind in a time of 46.06. John Stephenson also ran in a time of 48:44.

At the Great North Run back on October 1st Colin Everson ran 99 mins and Stuart McNulty donned the Crook vest for the first time and ran it in 102 mins.

Peter Carden has been in action on two recent occasions, firstly taking part in the Viking Chase 4 Peaks race where he came in a very respectable 16th position in a time of 1.15.23. He followed that with an entry in the Coniston Trail Race where he finished in a time of 1.12.14, placing him in 56th position from a total of over 350 competitors.

The following article was posted on: 12th September

The Summer Handicap Season came to a dramatic conclusion with three runners all finishing with the same points score of 30. The final positions had to be decided on count back with the eventual outcome showing in favour of Alan Welsh who took 1st prize. David Welsh took second place and Jamie Steel came in with third spot. Many thanks to those who helped organise the series and to those who took part and made it such an interesting/fun event.

Left to right: David Welsh (2nd), Alan Welsh (1st) and Jamie Steel (3rd).

The following article was posted on: 31st August

Crooks Vets again took on the north-east clubs in the annual Track & Field Championship series over the Summer months and for the fourth time in five years won the trophy and had several individual champions. Mike Mallen was overall distance champion for O`45 class , Karen Partridge was ladies O`45 champion at both distance & sprints , Ian Bainbridge was O`55 sprint winner and Chris Foote-Wood was O`65 sprint champion. It was the clubs strength in depth that was the major factor in achieving such a notable run of victories .

Left to right: Allen, Willie, Mike, Karen, Colin, Percy, Ian, Geoff, Chris.
Front: Club President - Gordon Hope - holding the trophy.

Jamie Steel continued his build-up to this weekend's Budapest half marathon by running 39.48 at the Darlington 10km and then 41.11 at a very windy Nissan 10km. Also at Darlington Percy Parkin missed out on first O`60 place by 4 secs. with a time of 43.01 , Ian Bainbridge ran 43.55 to continue his good form .

The following article was posted on: 12th July

A busy time for runners with the latest being the Northumberland Coastal Run over 14 miles. Despite a strong headwind Peter Shuttleworth performed very well to finish 46th in a time of 1.35.18, Geoff Hewitson 1.42.11, Jamie Steel 1.45.23, Colin Everson 1.50.49 and Dennis Brown 1.59.10.

The Lyke Wake Run took place over 40+ miles and Martin Harbisher & Martin Lowrie completed it in 8 hrs 36 with Gerry Hehir & Jane Henderson close behind in 8 hrs 52 mins

For Martin Harbisher this represented a tough two weeks having finished 11th in the 29 mile Durham Dales Challenge in 5hrs 59mins where Julia Steele had an exceptional run to finish equal 4th in the 17 mile route in a time of 2hrs 51mins.

At the mid-week Tynedale 10km Geoff Hewitson ran 39.49, Willie Bell 40.53 and John Dennis 41.02.

The ladies team of Julia Steele & Helen Witham took on the arduous Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon which comprised a 2 day navigation event where you carry all your equipment. With the weather hot & the total distance of 40miles the ladies performed amazingly well finishing in a time of 19 hrs 2 mins.

The following article was posted on: 9th July

The 3M Netwon Aycliffe 10k Race was run in hot conditions. There was a good entry and first home was Malcolm Ingram in 40.16. He was closely followed by Geoff Hewitson 40.47, Mike Simpson 41.26, Phil Carter 42:45, Ian Bainbridge 44:04, Helene Rusby 48.35, John Stephenson 48.46 and Emma Heslop 57.32.

The following article was posted on: 14th June

The ever popular Blaydon Race over 5.7 miles attracted a good entry and first home was Malcolm Ingram in 35.32, Geoff Hewitson 35.44, John Dennis 35.58, Jamie Steel 36.34, Helene Rusby 45.20 , John Stephenson 48.35 and Paul Smith 49.10.

The clubs veteran athletes competed brilliantly once again at the North-East track & field league gathering a total of 79 points which puts them in a strong position to retain the overall title. Ian Bainbridge was the star performer gaining three age group first places in the 200 mts , 800 mts & 3000 mts . Other valuable points winners were Karen Partridge, Chris Foote-Wood, Willie Bell, Mike Mallen, Colin Everson, Geoff Hewitson and Allen Purdham.

The Bowderdale "Wild Race" event took place in hot conditions over a 20km course and Peter Carden had a terrific run to finish 11th in 1 hr 30 mins with Julia Steele being equally successful in the womens section being 4th overall in a time of 1 hr 52 mins.

The following article was posted on: 31st May

The previous weekend saw Mike Mallen risking life & limb on the notorious Hellvelynn Race finishing 15th in a quality mountain racing entry over 12 miles.

Jamie Steel improved his best 10km time to 40.45 at the midweek Whitley Bay event.

The clubs annual 10km road race was a triumph for World vet. O`35 1500 mts. silver medallist John Nunn in a time of 36.30, followed by Mike Mallen 38.23, Malcolm Ingram 39.42 and first lady was Julia Steele in 44.52.

The following article was posted on: 14th May

The Killhope Wild Race over 10km of demanding terrain saw Peter Carden finish an excellent tenth overall in a time 51.21 and Julia Steele was fourth lady in a time of 61.06.

The club's May handicap Alan Welsh continued his improvement by winning in 24.27 over a tough 3.25 mile route; fastest on the day was Mike Mallen in 20.07. Joint leaders in the series are Helene Rusby and Alan Welsh.

The following article was posted on: 4th May

The ever more popular Pier-to-Pier race starting at South Shields attracted over 500 runners and John Dennis was the clubs best runner on the day finishing in 39th position and taking 3rd O`50 prize with a time of 45.23 for the 7½ miles. Geoff Hewitson was next in 46.35, Jamie Steel ran a pb of 47.09, Malcolm Ingram 47.47, Phil Carter 48.00 and Percy Parkin just missed out on 3rd O`60 prize to his running partner Mel Relton by a couple of seconds in 49.22.

Over at Kirbymoorside Peter Carden ran a good time of 40.21 for the undulating 10km course.

The following article was posted on: 5th April 2006

The Harrier League season came to an end at Blaydon last Saturday with Crook athletes being placed 6th team on the day in Division One and as Morpeth Harriers were below them it resulted in Crook finishing 3rd overall which is a position beaten only once before in the clubs history.

Many thanks to John Howells for taking pictures on the day. You can see his Photo Gallery of the Blaydon Event here.

The next day at the Doctors Gate 5 mile fell race in Hamsterley Forest Mike Mallen again ran very well in dreadful conditions to finish 4th in 34.05 , Willie Bell was 1st O`50 , Geoff Hewitson and Martin Harbisher finished close together in just over 46 mins and Allen Purdham ran 58 mins.

The following article was posted on: 22nd March

Crook athletes continue to demonstate that being in a relatively small club does not hinder success so long a hard training schedule is followed. The club now lies 4th overall in Division One of the Harrier League after a great 2nd team placing at Consett thanks to Mike Mallen 11th placing in 38.40 , John Nunn 26th ( running from the medium pack ) in 36.53 , Peter Shuttleworth 39.58 , Willie Bell 40.19 , John Dennis 40.23 & Graham Bradshaw 40.52 . Ably supporting were Peter Carden 42.02 , Geoff Hewitson 42.21 , John Kelly 43.00 , Phil Carter 43.22 , George Boyek 43.55 , Ian Bainbridge 46.07 , Colin Everson 46.43 and John Nightingale 49.57.

Gerry Hehir continued his marathon preparations with a time of 2 hrs. 37 mins for the Hull 20 miler whilst Paul Smith returned to competition with a time of 1 hr. 51 mins for the Liverpool half-marathon.

The following article was posted on: 9th February

The fourth Harrier League event of the season at a new venue in Wrekenton the team to 4th place in Division One on the day and equal 4th overall with two events remaining .

Junior member David Orr finished an excellent 7th in the inter-boys "Barny Run" cross country in a time of 19.29 while Cameron Boyek performed heroics at the schools North of England inter-counties cross country in the Year 7 category. Cameron had ran very little prior to the event and despite setting off too quickly his scottish blood gave him the strength to finish 2nd , beaten only by the North of England champion.

The following article was posted on: 27th January

The O`60s team were the stars of the show for Crook winning their team race category at the Durham Cathedral Relays. Percy Parkin got them off to a flying start with an impressive 11.52 for the 3000 mts. lap and John Stephenson and Allen Purdham kept the lead with times of 13.49 and 13.53 respectively with Allen being fastest O`65.

First team home for the club in 19th place in the Vets category consisted of Geoff Hewitson 10.55 , Graham Bradshaw 10.35 and Phil Carter 11.52 . Next team in soon after was Malcolm Ingram 11.39 , John Dennis 11.03 and Willie Bell 10.54. A close tussle a few places further down saw the combination of Dennis Brown 11.40 , Mike Mallen 10.56 and Dave Welsh 11.39 just beat Peter Carden 10.35 Martin Harbisher 11.38 and Ian Bainbridge 12.10.

The ladies team achieved a creditable 12th place thanks to Julia Steele 12.30 , Karen Partridge 13.22 and Helene Rusby 12.44 .

The AGM and Presentation Night was held on January 17th 2006 and all the present incumbents were re-elected for the forthcoming year. They are:-

• Dennis Brown ( Honorary Secretary & Captain )
• Leo Noble ( Chairman )
• Harry Binyon ( Treasurer )
• Colin Everson ( Vice Captain )
• Allen Purdham ( Vice Chairman )

Gordon Hope continues to perform his duties as Club President. This year he presented the awards on the night.

The 2005 awards went to the following members:-

The annual presentation night saw John Nunn win both "Athlete and Performance of the Year" trophies thanks to his silver medal in the world 1500 mts. final in the O`35 category . John Nightingale received the "Member of the Year" award and Marathon performance went to Julia Steele who automatically qualifies for this years London Marathon as a result of her 2005 time.

The following article was posted on: 12th January

It continues to be a David versus Goliath for Crook athletes in Division One of the Harrier League as not only is the club one of the smallest in the North-East but also the majority of members are classed as veterans so it is quite an achievement that they are now fifth overall at the half way stage of the season.

The Sunderland venue saw a 4th team place thanks to the efforts of Ian Sumler-Hutchinson 36.18 , John Nunn 36.45 , Graham Bradshaw 37.02 , Mike Mallen 37.07 , Peter Carden 37.16 and John Dennis 37.29 . Ably supporting were Willie Bell 38.09 , George Boyek 38.59 , Geoff Hewitson 39.35 , Ian Bainbridge 42.45 , Graham Laverick 44.55 , John Nightingale 47.10 and Paul Smith 50.24.

Errors or omissions can be reported by email to the .

Page last updated on January 7, 2009 .