THE JUNIOR NORTH RUN.

If you want to know what our favourite non-Birtley runner did this weekend, scroll straight to the bottom to hear about the lovely Tracy Laws' race.

This was a stressful day for me. I always say, "as long as the kids are enjoying it, and there isn't too much pressure on them." Nowhere in the quote does it say that the parents have to enjoy it, and not worry!!! I was at college in the morning so that was the start of my problems, I had to be able to get there, get parked, and then find them before the race, and I didn't finish until 1:00pm.

I managed to park the car free at work, so that was a bonus, and then when I arrived, I had completely missed the mini run. The mini run featured some of our most junior runners, and a couple of the senior runners and their children. Tommy Millmore our seniors coach, had his granddaughter running (yes that is right granddaughter) Karl had Erin running, Sophie was warming up by doing a lap with Kieran, and Luke Kelly was running as well. I hope I haven't missed anyone out there, but have to say that Luke Kelly was the man of the day when he completed the course very successfully finishing strongly and earning a place on the winner's podium for second place. Well-done Luke. Well done all the other athletes who took part.

I found Linda and the lads near the start line, they were standing with Tommy, soaking up the atmosphere. They were loving it, but I was wanting a sandwich and a cup of coffee. So Tommy took me along to Greggsys after the elite 1-mile, and 3000metre races. Robbie and Steph appeared, and then we saw Barry Maskell, and Jack Hepple, all the people they run against all season. I started to get nervous for Adrian, and he just started to smile more as his friends turned up. He actually walked to the start with Jack Hepple, one of his archrivals…and yet his mate.

I went to my vantage point on the island Newcastle side of the Swing Bridge. The announcer was obviously a southerner, cos he kept calling it the Low Level Bridge. Jacks dad was as nervous as me, strange that, when we aren't the one doing it yet we worry? The race must have started at a blistering pace, because Ade said he was flat out at the beginning, and after 300metres he was about 15th, that surprised me. There were some different clubs up at the front to who we usually see (turned out to be Stockport and Welsh, and Scottish.) Simon Little was up in amongst them as well (The lad Robbie beat at Carlisle the other week) but on the way back round, they had spread out and settled down, ……and Ade was first Birtley runner. It was an exciting run, as Ade, Barry Maskell, Jack Hepple and Robbie (all friends) finished with only two other runners among their group. With those four all in the top ten, we really need a 4 x 2mile relay race, cos they would be a formidable team.

Adrian was 6th in the race, and about a minute behind the winner. Sophie Taylor ran a good race, nearly 2 minutes faster than last year, and the hardest position of all to accept. Sophie was 4th girl in, narrowly missing a place on the podium. To her credit, it has to be said that she was 4th, but only 12 seconds behind 1st.

I saw Jackie McConnell so Claire must have been there and Bethan Oakes was walking round smiling pleasantly at everyone, and dad Karl (who featured in tomorrows race and the next report) said she had done very well. I am going to have to get a photographer to do my pictures for me though because I didn't get a single one!!

The next age group was run by Mark and Steph, Sam and brother Adam. That was nice to see, Mark said he didn't know where to go so Steph led him by the hand ….straight to the front!!! I don't think that was where he wanted to be Steph, but thanks for looking after my big lad for me. Steph appeared to have a very good run, and was definitely top10 girlie if not top 5. Sam seemed to be well up the field also. It was Marks first time for this race, same as Adrian, and he said it was "mint" I like to hear that they have enjoyed it, it means I haven't made them do it. I actually didn't see Adam, or any other Birtley runners, but I must admit I was getting tired by then.

The day went well, considering the rushing around that one has to do when one is a father, and it was made marginally better when I was returning to the car and picked up a £20 note that was floating across the car park.

mmmMMmmm I wonder how many of you couldn't wait to se what she did. Tracy Laws, running for Chester le Street in the four stage relay at Warrington ran the final glory leg and crossed the line waving her fingers in the air (politely) as she crossed the line in first place. Tracy completed the 2 x 2.5km circuit in a time of 20:42. Well done our Trace! (She was too old to do the junior run)

Sorry for anyone I missed, but it was a big field and I was rushing round all over the place.