It was my first time on this race, I had watched it a few times, but never actually run it. It always seems to be hot for this race; a good sign if you ever want to take a day off work to go fishing, this day is now officially guaranteed to be nice.

The first race, one lap around the hill, had a canny turn out from the club, I can’t remember all the kids, nor do I know all their names, but, Kieran Taylor stood there proudly wearing the Birtley colours, for the first time that I have seen him, and Kayleigh Brown was at last allowed to run. I did see someone who was a tad too old for the race at the back, Jackie McConnell running round with her little Lewis to complete the course. Apologies to the other runners present.

The next race (the two lapper) was missing a true character. Adrian was banned from running after having raced twice the previous day. I always harp on about non-competitors, but I think it is just as important for the individuals to not race too often. Recovery is just as important. So Robbie was second, ran a good race, but I have a feeling he may have been in the wrong age group race, which will have certainly cost him a first place. At least this way he was pushed harder. Mark had a good run finishing fourth, not bad for a footballer concentrating on sprints. Our Sophe continued her successes with another first girlie home. I have to try to think who else I saw now. Sophie Forster I think was second girl, Bethan chased Paige home passing her on the last 100m then dashed off with her mum and dad to do a 24 hour sponsored sports at school, or something like that, stick me down for a quid Bethan!!

No under 15s for us, Steph was at school with mum for presentation day.

Main event the big boys race. I was magnificent if I say so myself!! A big fella I hadn’t seen for a while, Marc Lown turned up and his first words were where did you get the big belly from Brian??? I told him it came free when I got the big backside!!! Anyway, he has obviously been secret training cos he had a great run; hope to see him more often. We had six runners, but only 5 finishers and so once again my team was incomplete. Karl ran well, Marc, already mentioned, Richard Hopkins narrowly beating Lee, but Lee stopped to let me past, and gave me a head start up the hill, but passed me on the way up and still had time for a shower before I finished.

It was generally a nice night, I think once Adrian got over the upset of not running he was happy to run round with his mate, and then we made it up to him with a pint on the way home and a Chinese meal (for me that is he had to go to bed by the time we got home!!) Anyway I had worked for my meal.

Point of note: My pre race preparation a bag of steak and onion crisps, a brunch bar and topped off with a curly wurly. The stuff that makes champions!!!

Tracy Laws kept popping up here and there. (that is the Tracy who just got her degree with Linda of course)