The Nationals Penshaw - Sunderland 10.03.07

If you require race results please click here.

This was going to be another long day for the Bailes'. Ades little mate Sophie was running at 12.00, and we weren't going to run until 2.00, that makes it a long day in the wind, and he wasn't prepared to miss Sophie.

When we got to the event, Janet was already half way round the course with Sophie and Kieran, and she had already been and got the numbers. We spotted Richard Hopkins and family first, then the T-shirt and sweatshirt stall. I was reluctant to buy a shirt, because I was convinced that by lunchtime a gust of wind would have them all blowing round the field, and we would all get one free, but Adrian didn't want to chance it. Now it isn't often I get a bargain, because I am not one for going shopping. Anyway, I beat Janet who has o-levels in shopping. She paid £10 for her sweatshirt, and I only paid £14 for a sweatshirt and a hoody (£6 + £8) Obviously it had been left up to the stallholders to arrange their own Easter Bonus scheme! We were grateful to Tommy once again when we found the tent was already up……but for how long.

Sophie and Bethan ran first, why were there only two of them, it was local, and we usually have at least four at the Harrier leagues?? The two girls both ran well, Sophie finishing in the same position she had in the Northerns, and when Bethan came home there were still loads of people stretched out over the field.

When Mark and Adrian lined up with Robbie, again I wondered where is everyone today? National championships, and we had less people here than in the local harrier league. The race finished in the order I expected from the club, but I think I have to give Mark my vote (purely a personal choice) for the best run. Normally a minute and a half behind Adrian, he closed the gap to around twenty seconds. Adrian said he had twisted his knee at the beginning, and couldn't get moving through the crowds, when I found him at the end, he was being carried by Karl (thanks Karl) who looked very relieved to see me and put him down. Robbie was twenty seconds ahead of Ade, but Adrian did say that the people they both normally beat had beaten them this time. I think Mark just didn't let the event worry him. The younguns will learn from it, and come back better next year.

Steph was next to run. We were all in the tent preparing ourselves when Steph announced her race was an hour earlier than she had been told. So Adrian and I pinned on her number while she did her spikes, and off she went to the start. It was a big field with some excellent runners and if anyone drops out you have beaten them!! Well Steph I won't name anyone but, you beat a very good local runner.

Richard Hopkins, a lone runner for the club in his age group, likewise Zak, mind you that maybe because they are the only ones in their age group, I am not sure, but soon they will be seniors.

Maggie was our lone lady runner, but wasn't there another lady runner at the North Easterns, when it was the club championship???? Well-done Maggie. Tommy, who is our hero, a legend, and held in very high esteem in the club by those who know him, competed this week just so the seniors could manage a full team. Knowing Tommy as I do, I thought he would have completed the course with a geet big grin, but not so. When Tommy finished the race he looked in agony, but managed to finish and give us a complete team. I hope your surgeon didn't see you out there Tommy, or you will never get that other hip replaced, but thanks for giving us a team.

Lee ran a strong race for the club, first finisher, and then Karl was next. Karl hadn't enjoyed his race, as he had been unable to get through the crowds, Dave Ransen continued his run of beating me after Gateshead Harrier League. Didn't seem to have read the script, and forgot that it was my turn to win. Later that night Dave did excuse me pointing out that when I was running round the course supporting, he had been lying down in a darkened room listening to "whale music"…or something like that. He had just arrived and prepared for the run, I think I had been there from the night before. Tommy and Pat made up the team, and we all had a team photo at the start. Despite Dave beating me I was happier this time than after the North Easterns, I was five and a half minutes quicker.

Saturday night continued for the main team. The night was spent drinking loads of alcohol, and eating some of the best Chinese food in the area. Rather than just the tired men who ran, the wives were allowed to come along in an effort to brighten up the appearance on the table…..and some of them showed us lads how to drink!! A great night following the great event now, we just have to rest our weary legs and look forward to the hardest harrier league course in the world at Prudhoe next week, and Redcar half marathon the next day for some of us!!

Our Trace, Birtleys' favourite non-Birtley runner also had a good run, (but sorry I missed it). She graced our table at the Chinese soiree, sitting between Zak and Vince like a rose between two thorns! I enjoyed the day so much, I even wasn't offended when I told Tracy that I had done much better this time and she said "yeah I think it was a short course this time" Oh Trace, you know how to hurt me!!

Flipping' eck, that was a long write, I wonder how many of you gave up and switched off half way through.

YB PS: I wonder how many people made it out for a run on Sunday morning.