Max Pearson’s victory in the under 13 event was the highlight among a series of good performances from our athletes in the Junior Great North Run races held in front of huge crowds on Newcastle’s Quayside on Saturday September 16th. The Tynedale Harrier has been building a growing reputation on the track this summer and is currently ranked 22nd in the country. Inspired by his idol Mo Farrah, who had earlier won an international race over the same circuit, Max made his customary fast start to lead a field of several hundred runners over the Swing Bridge and out onto the 4 km long circuit. It was a lead he was never to lose and he was eventually a runaway winner by a margin of 20 seconds in a time of 13 minutes and 58 seconds. Max’s training partner Christopher Jackson also ran well to finish in 14th place.
Tynedale Harriers were well represented across the series of age group races with 18 junior members competing. First off were the under 17 women where Mia Richardson finished 25th closely followed by Tess Hartland in 28th, but the outstanding run in the girls’ events came later when 10 year old Keely French finished 8th in the under 11 race.
Aside from Max’s superb victory the highest placed Tynedale Harrier in the men’s events was Jonny Currie in 13th place in the under 17 race with Toby Routledge 31 seconds behind in 18th. Dominic Morley was 24th in the under 15 event and Jack Donaldson 17th in the under 11s.
A total of 18 senior members of the club took part in the Great North Run on Sunday. Ivan Newton was the first to finish for the club in 310th position overall in a time of 1:24.01 – only 2½ minutes behind James Cracknell!! Jennifer Lapping was Tynedale’s first woman home in 1:39.59. Well done all!
Kim Bluck
