Carlisle 02 Sept. 2007

Bit of a delay in the write-up, but better late than never. Well where should we start? Getting there we ended up in a convoy (10/4 rubber ducky). With the easy access route to the stadium known to only those who have been there before, as these sat nav's can get you lost. We arrived there before 11 am, only due to the fact some came for an early 12 start, others because we found the events listing from last year. Kate was off to a fast start, straight out of the car and straight into the race with little warm-up time.

We had a fair turnout of athletes in all, this old person for the seniors. For all we were not at full strength (get better soon Paige) we made a good show of it. In all 16 medals were won, 9 Gold, 3 silvers, and 4 Bronze. The weather was not the best but we pushed on, wet and cold, to PB's for some athletes and initiation into the track scene for others. In the under 9's and 11's we had some promising shows Kieran in his first event of this type and little Laura Kelly, who on the day collect 1 Gold and 2 Bronze, beating her big brothers Lewis and Luke's haul of 2 bronze combined. Well done Laura…

Events went well but trying to keep-up with what was happening got a little chaotic, due to no specific timings for events. Parents were running from one event to the other, ensuring their charges were registered on time and got to the races. I bet you did more miles and events than the athletes that day. A round of applause to you all!! As appears to happen to us at Carlisle, we had the quick shower (torrential) that came horizontally into the stadium stands soaking every thing and every one.

I would like to write about every athlete who took part but I would be on most of the day. But I would like to say well done to Stephanie Bell who travelled all the way over and took part, but had to leave early due to family commitments. i.e. Dad flying out of Newcastle to London. So could not do her cricket ball throw, thank you and well done in the event you did manage.

All of our athletes gave outstanding performances as can be seen from the medal haul and the results sheets on the Birtley web. We had Kayleigh who had a bad day at the shot put by her own standard and was getting a bit upset but showed us how to throw a cricket ball to over 31 meters with a Gold. Kate was up to her usual standards of, 'see if you can catch me?', with 3 Golds, and a PB in the 100meters. Sophie was showing the boys, as well as the girls, how to run the 800. Finishing 1st overall (Gold), a 1st in the hurdle with a PB as well as a Silver behind Kate in the 100 meters. Ade decided to try a high jump and won gold as well as silver for the 800 meters. Last of all me with a Gold in the 100 metres (only senior there) and a Silver (boy could he throw that Javelin).

Well I am signing off now have to do some proper work. If I have missed anything, sorry, but I think the boss would like me to do some work now, and maybe my manager would as well.

V.T.