Archive 2008

The following article was posted on: 23rd November 2008

John Stephenson cemented his running resurgence in the UK masters rankings by being chosen as reserve for the O`65 England team in the International event at Swansea. Whilst not getting a place in the elite team he did run very well over the 6km cross-country reserve race in a time of 31.53. The previous weekend John had a 3rd in the O`60 class at the Town Moor 10km with a time of 44.42.

At the Brampton - Carlisle 10 mile road race runners were slowed by a head wind on what is a normally quick course; Liam Armstrong was first club runner back in 60.52, Mike Mallen 62.28, Graham Bradshaw 65.10 and Chris Fairless 65.53; the team result was consequently a very creditable 12th.

At the tough Richmond 10km two weeks ago Geoff Hewitson was first back for the club in 26th place with a time of 42.45; Graham Bradshaw 43.04, Jamie Steele 45.53, John Stephenson 47.39, Paul Smith 48.26, Percy Parkin 50.29 and Allen Purdham 58.20 .

The following article was posted on: 31st October 2008

The undulating course for the Richmond 10km saw a resurgent John Stephenson win yet another O'65 category with his time of 45.43 and consequently get the offer of a reserve England place for the Vets cross country challenge against Ireland.

First home for the club, however, was Chris Fairless with 41.04, Geoff Hewitson 41.40, Graham Bradshaw 42.03, Malcolm Ingram 44.18, Keith Langridge 45.25 and Percy Parkin 49.03.

The opening event of the Cross-Country season was the Sherman Cup at South Shields and first back was Geoff Hewitson with a time of 38.19 closely followed by John Dennis with 38.37, Paul Smith 40.48, John Stephenson 43.09, Percy Parkin 43.17 and Allen Purdham 51.33.

Over the ill-fated two day Karrimor Mountain Marathon in the Lake District the elite team of Mike Mallen and Jason Allison had a good first day covering the 26 miles in seven hours.

The second day over 20 miles was cancelled due to bad weather.

The following article was posted on: 16th October 2008

Some fine performances at the Great North Run half-marathon by our runners. Jason Allison 1.20, John Stephenson 1.36, Helene 1.44 (pb time), Elizabeth Oates 1.47, Claire Oates 1.51 (pb time). Also rans include Dennis Brown 1.55 (chaperoning celebrity to a pb) and Clive Golledge 2.19 (getting his partner round).

The following article was posted on: 3rd October 2008

Lord Smythe went down to Littleborough near Rochdale to participate in the Ron Hill 70th Birthday 5km Run. He got to meet the great man and have his picture snapped with him. He beat his target of 21 mins for the 5K course by 18 seconds - beating Ron by around 5 minutes - a fine achievement considering Ron was three times Olympian, former European Marathon Champion, Commonwealth Games Marathon Champion and world record holder at 10 mile, 15 mile and 25k.

Meanwhile Crook runners were out in force at Hamsterly Forest for the Top of the Forest trail race. Jason Allison came 3rd in a time of 51.54, Mike Mallen with 7th and 1st O'50 in 55.19, Owen Weightman 55.55, Liam Armstrong 58.04, Geoff Hewitson 58.50, Martin Harbisher 62.29, Dave Welsh 62.33, Elizabeth Oates 65.56, John Stephenson 68.31and Alan Purdham 80.36.Pictures from the race can be seen here.

The following article was posted on: 2nd August 2008

The 5 -mile Court Inn Clamber around Houghall Woods in Durham City saw Jason Allison lead the Crook team to victory by finishing 3rd in a time of 30.43, Mike Mallen 5th in 32.13, Geoff Hewitson 8th in 33.01, Kevin Allen returned from long term injury with 35.00 , John Dennis 36.37, Elizabeth Oates was 1st senior woman with 36.53, Ian Bainbridge 37.34, John Stephenson 2nd O`60 with 38.32, Graham Laverick 39.26, Helene Rusby 39.48, Colin Everson 41.41, Karen Partridge 42.27, Emma Heslop 47.04 and Stuart McNulty 48.17.

The mid-week Sunderland 5km again allowed Jason Allison to quicken his best time by running 17.16, Mike Simpson pipped Geoff Hewitson to the line with 19.09, Elizabeth Oates ran a terrific personal best with 20.42, Ian Bainbridge 20.52, John Stephenson 22.39 for 1st O`65 and Colin Everson 23.45 .

The latest event in the Durham Dales fell running handicap series in Hamsterley Forest resulted in the athletes battling not only tough terrain but ferocious midgies but that did not prevent Elizabeth Oates from continuing her remarkable improvement by winning with 2 mins to spare in a time of 59.43, Jason Allison was 4th with 49.03 which was the fastest time overall, Dave Welsh 5th with 59.20, Martin Harbisher 7th in 60.53, John Stephenson 13th in 64.53, Geoff Hewitson 15th with 55.38 and Allen Purdham 21st with 86.09. More pictures from the event can be seen at the DFR gallery page.

The following article was posted on: 27th July 2008

The clubs youngest members continue to set new records in various disciplines at the Gateshead young athletes grand-prix meetings. 9 year old Markhim Lonsdale secured the champion position with one event to go by winning the 60 mts in 9.2 secs, 400 mts in 70.5 (record), long jump in 1.82 mts and javelin 21.35 mts (record) . Elder sister Alona Mae Lonsdale, aged 11, also has a very good chance of securing her age group championship at the final event after winning the 60 mts in 8.6 secs (record) 600 mts in 2min 1 sec, long jump 3.98 mts and javelin 16.87 mts (record).

At the other end of the spectrum veteran runners Martin Harbisher and Gerry Hehir ran the 42 mile Lyke Wake route around North Yorkshire with Martin running a personal best time of 8 hrs 37 mins and Gerry coming home in 9 hrs 22 mins.

At the 14 mile Northumberland Coastal run, voted the "the best race in the country " by Runners World magazine, Jason Allison again set a personal best by finishing 17th in a time of 1hr 22 mins, Geoff Hewitson next home in 1 hr. 29 mins, Elizabeth Oates had a cracking run also with 1 hr 42 mins, Malcolm Ingram 1 hr 48 mins, Helene Rusby paced round by Jamie Steele ran a personal best of 1 hr 48 mins, Dennis Brown paced SKY weather presenter Isobel Lang round in 1 hr 59 mins and Clive Colledge ran 2hrs 17 mins.

The following article was posted on: 11th July 2008

With the athletics season in full swing, results vary from long distance to track sprinting.

At the extreme distance Martin Harbisher knocked 30 minutes off his best to finish 2nd in the gruelling Durham Dales Challenge over 28 miles in a time fo 5hrs 24 mins.

At the other end of the scale 11 year old Alona Mae Lonsdale continued her startling track career by winning the SW Durham District 60m championship.

On the roads Jason Allison continues his meteoric rise by finishing 4th in the hilly Burn Valley half-marathon in a time of 1hr 24 mins and Elizabeth Oates ran her pesonal best with 1hr 42 mins.

The the mid-week Tynedale 10K race Jason ran 37.47, Geoff Hewitson 39.19, Jamie Steele 40.56, John Dennis 43.41, Percy Parkin 45.25, John Stephenson 46.06, John Howells 47.17 and Elizabeth Oates 47.32.

At Beamish Museum, the annual Race the Tram 10K trail race saw Paul Smith finish 24th in a time of 43.19 and John Dennis continued his most welcome return to competition after two years of injury to record a time of 45.03.

And on Monday night the ladies teamed up for the jesmond Dene women's race and Elizabeth Oates ran a fine first leg of 23.16 followed by Claire Oates 25.37 and Karen Partridge 27.30.

The following article was posted on: 22nd June 2008

The summer racing saeon is now in full flow and it is the club's youngest members who are setting the pace with quite stunning performances at the Gateshead open grand prix. Nine-year-old Markhim Lonsdale leads his age group with four gold medals and event records in the javelin, long-jump, 60m and 400m. Elder sister Alona Mae, 11, picked up one gold in the long jump and two silver medals in the 60m and 600m including an event record for the long jump.

At the Gateshead Watergate off-road 10K Jason Allison finished an excellent 7th in a time of 38.39, Liam Armstrong 41.07, Elizabeth Oates 48.48 and Graham Laverick 49.17.

Jason followed up this performance with an 11th place at the Newton Aycliffe 10K, Liam Armstrong smashed his personal best with a time of 37.07, Geoff Hewitson ran 39.25, Jamie Steele 39.47, Ian Bainbridge 44.30. Percy Parkin returned to competitive racing witha time of 45.08 giving him a top three finish in the O'60 catergory. Elizabeth Oates was 5th in age group with 45.47 and Karen Partridge 52.01.

At the demanding Tan Hill Duathlon Julia Steel was 5th female with a combined time of 3 hrs 37 mins.

At the Veterans Track and Field meeting at Jarrow, the team pulled back the deficit from the previous meeting to be again vying for top place overall.

The following article was posted on: 30th May 2008

The ever popular Raby Castle 10km saw a good contingent of runners complete the testing event. Jason Allison was an impressive 21st in a time of 37.44 and Geoff Hewitson continues his good form with 40.25 and 3rd O'50 position. Jamie Steel ran 42.18, Ian Bainbridge 45.23, Graham Laverick 46.18, John Stephenson 46.37 and 1st O'65 position. John Howells continued his comeback with 48.44 and Chris Foote-Wood was timed at 65.23.

Meanwhile up on the Lakeland mountains Mike Mallen performed heroics to finish 34th overall in the gruelling 12 miles Hellvelyn summit race in a time of 2hrs 6mins.

The following article was posted on: 23rd May 2008

The Pier-to-Pier coast race from South Shields to Seaburn produced a good entry from the club with Jason Allison having a cracking run to finish 17th in a time of 41.54.

Geoff Hewitson continued his good for being 6th over 50 in 37th place with a time of 43.47. Liam Armstrong ran 45.27, Jamie Steel 46.40, Graham Laverick 50.01, Paul Smith 50.42, Ian Bainbridge 52.13, Helene Rusby 54.53 and Stuart McNulty 62.38.

Helene Rusby also competed in the Clive Cookson (Whitley Bay) 10km race on Wednesday night and finished in a time of 47.17.

The following article was posted on: 20th May 2008

Both Alona Mae & Markhim competed in the Young Athletes at Gatehead Sunday 18th May. Results as Follows:

Under 12 Girls / Alona

• 600 mtrs 2nd position
• 60 mtrs 3rd position
• Javelin 2nd position
• Long Jump 3rd position

Under 10 Boys / MarKhim

• 400 mtrs 1st position
• 60 mtrs 1st position
• Javelin 1st position
• Long Jump 1st position

As MarKhim was only awarded 3rd position in the Javelin at the last meeting (with a throw of 9.62 mtrs) he has focused on this event during his training. He's made an excellent improvement with a competition best of 17.10 mtrs for his group. MarKhim is also be the leader for the overall events Grand-Prix

The club had a number of runners at the Tees Barrage 10K race recently.

Racing were Paul Smith 42.27, John Stephenson 44.18 ( 2nd O`60 ), Graham Laverick 47.05, John Howells 47.49 and Chris Foote-Wood 63.11.

The following article was posted on: 24th April 2008

Jason Allison warmed up for his first serious attempt at the London Marathon by coming home 6th in the South Shields 10km trail race in a time of 35.45; Ian Bainbridge ran 44.48 and an injured Eilizabeth Oates 55.00. Jason then went on to perform heroics in the London Marathon a week later with a tremendous time of 2 hrs 54 mins despite having a stitch for the last 6 miles. Clive Golledge`s work commitments played havoc with his training but still got round in 4hrs 0 mins 46 secs.

The clubs youngest member, Markhim Lonsdale, aged 9, went to the Gateshead open athletics meeting and beat many older boys in the U`12 category to win gold medals in the 60 mts, 400 mts & long jump plus a silver medal in the javelin. A name to watch out for in the clubs opinion .

The following article was posted on: 6th March 2008

After yet another gruelling North East Harrier League season the club retained its Division One status with a fine 5th place at the toughest but most enjoyable 5 mile route at Prudhoe. After battling a gale on the hill tops the course provided shelter down amongst the trees .

The following article was posted on: 24th February 2008

The penultimate event in the Harrier League series at Wrekenton saw Crook athletes pull out all the stops over the 5.7 mile route to try & preserve the clubs Division One status . They were rewarded with a 6th team place which almost guarantees safety barring a major upset. Mike Mallen and Owen Weightman were 34th & 35th in a time a time of 38.32 followed closely by Jason Allison having his best ever run in a time of 36.12 from the medium pack , Geoff Hewitson next in 39.07 , Liam Armstrong 39.33 and the final team counter was Ian Sumler in 38.00 . Valuable supporting roles were Willie Bell 40.37 , Jamie Steel 40.47 . Chris Fairless 41.06 , Dave Welsh 42.37 , John Dennis 42.56 , Paul Smith 43.44 and Allen Purdham 56.17.

Pictures from the day can be see on Jason's photo website.

The AGM and Presentation Night were held on Tuesday 12th of February and the nominees for the following categories included:

• Athlete - Jason Allison , Graham Bradshaw & John Stephenson ( close result )
• Performance - Jason Allison , Peter Shuttleworth , Karen Partridge & John Stephenson ( close result )
• Marathon - Jason Allison , Clive Golledge , Julia Steele & John Kelly
• Member - had many nominees
• Presidents Cup - decided solely by the Club President .
  

And the winners are...

Paul Smith reports on the action: Archie (the greyhound) successfully accompanied me on The Durham 5km Charity Run. Chomping at the muzzle (the dog not me) Archie and I set off at a cracking pace and with a greyhounds preference to sprinting as opposed to endurance of kilometres, he did remarkably well to keep on going to complete the Maiden Castle course in a time of 23:46. Not only did we pass many Durham University Students, (okay some were carrying a kayak above their heads) Archie was first dog across the finish line, not difficult really, seeing as he is a greyhound after all, but he was actually the only dog taking part. It's also offical, not only do I race greyhounds but I also can beat them, as I made sure to dip at thefinish line and win by a 'whisker'.

The event was great fun and a huge success as there was 1100 competitors raising moneyfor their chosen charities, including the £5 entry fee of all entrants going towards Sport In Action Zambia.

My chosen charity as you will recall is Stray Action For Dogs at Deerness Kennels, Langley Moor,and they will be in the region of £350 better off, when I present them with a cheque after having collected in the full amount of sponsorship money.

The following article was posted on: 31st January 2008

The ever popular Durham Cathedral Relays took place last weekend at the riverside with teams of 3 competing over a 3000 metres course. With the advent of O`35 men in the newly classified veteran men classification Jason Allison was able to give the clubs "A" team a great first leg in 9th place in an excellent time of 9-58 followed by Geoff Hewitson 10-41 and Owen Weightman 10-38 to bring them in 8th overall . The "B" team in 15th place ran well with Malcolm Ingram 11-14 , Mike Mallen 10-55 and Willie Bell 11-16 meaning they were the first O`50 team. The team consisting of Paul Smith 11-53 , Dave Welsh 11-36 and Ian Bainbridge 12-13 were 22nd . John Dennis & Percy Parkin made welcome returns to competion after many injuries to record a time of 11-56 & 12-58 respectively with John Stephenson running a very creditable 13-41 at the tender age of 66 .

The ladies were able to produce two teams for the first time ever which is an encouraging sign. Helene Rusby ran a very good time of 12-46 , Julia Steele an even better 12-41 and Elizabeth Oates first race for the club in a time of 12-48 brought the team home in a creditable 16th place . The team of Emma Heslop 14-42 , Karen Partridge 14-16 and Clare Oates 18-34 resulted in 20th position .

Pictures from the day can be see on Jason's photo website.

The following article was posted on: 15th January 2008

Two consecutive weekends of cross country harrier league races over 6 miles (approx.) resulted in an 8th & 5th team place respectively at South Shields and Sunderland. Whilst the results elevated the clubs overall position in Division One there are still two crucial events to focus on to avoid relegation.

At South Shields Ian Sumler-Hutchinson was first home in 26th place in a time of 36.57, Liam Armstrong 37.17, Geoff Hewitson 37.18, Jason Allison was quickest from the medium pack handicap in 35.44, Owen Weightman 38.41, John Kelly 41.10, Paul Archie Smith 41.30 and Allen Purdham 51.32.

At the Newcastle Town Moor 10km Helene Rusby got back into racing with a commendable time of 47.46 .

Errors or omissions can be reported by email to the .

Page last updated on January 7, 2009 .