Well we had a good showing from the club in both athletes and supporters. In the case of some of us, who upset the officials, by showing the correct way to start a relay race? Handicapping the Gateshead team by 10 metres, of which we made up a good number. Birtley athletes shone through again in a good field of athletes on both teams.
I must say that I was over at the other side of the track for some of these races doing my dutiful father role as warm-up coach for Sophie, so if I have not got all of our athlete’s positions I will apologise now. But as it goes these are the ones I could see and have been told about.

In the 400metres Luke Kelly had an excellent run to finish 1st..

In the girls 100 metres Kate was at it again with a win, but a surprise, up and coming for the 100 metres was Hannah piping Paige to a 2nd place. Giving Birtley a 1, 2, 3 in the first girls 100 metres. Well done to all.

Thomas Cunningham gave a good showing in his bid for the 100 metres with a win. Well done.

In the boys 100 metres Robbie stood in at the last minute to help the Gateshead team but coming up to the knees of your competitors is a bit daunting (know that feeling myself). But as usual he gave it his all. Gaining valuable points for the team. Robbie’s main event was the 400 in which he showed his grit coming a very good second.

Big sis was at it again running without much training of late through injury and then with injury came 1st in the 100 metres.

Ellen pushed from the beginning but was unlucky to be pipped at the post for 3rd place giving her a 4th. Well ran Ellen.

One of our little atom bombs was in for the run as well Rosie, qualifying for the 400 metres with Sophie. Again I felt sorry for Rosie after what I thought was going to be a 1, 3 for Birtley. Rosie was just pipped on the line by Laura Clement giving Rosie the 4th place. But we know Rosie, again as with Ellen it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
Sophie came 1st but she knew she was in a race in this one, having to work hard for the 1st place.

Well Steph was at it again clean pair of heels to the rest of the field with a very good and clear 1st. Steph I have to say for not training due to injury that was one heck of a pace. 60 Sec’s for a 400 is nothing to complain about. Sophie was at it again. She was asked to stand in for the next year up, to give them points? For all she was a bit tired she tried, coming in 6th out of 7, a little bruise by the elbows of the 7th place girl from Newcastle trying to stop her passing.

We must not forget our supporters. These few show up to all events even if they are not able to compete (Kayleigh Brown, Paige Gillespie) and give their support to their fellow athletes. This is what makes our club tick.

I must go now as we are off to a celebration for YB’s better half, Linda in her completion of her Degree with a 2-1. Well done!! Well we always new where the lad’s got the brains from.

YB recons the boys got the brains from Linda but their good looks and athleticism from him.

Signing off VT.