On a drizzly Sunday morning 5 brave JJ’s set out on a challenging and hilly course with one loop for the 10k and two for the half marathon.
The course started alongside Gateshead stadium, running down through an industrial estate until hitting the quayside. The route wiggled along the quayside towards Dunston, looping back and across the swing bridge and back again before heading back up some killer hills towards the stadium. The routes parted with the 10k route running into the stadium where Rachel Dee finished strong with an impressive finish. The remaining JJ’s carried on back down the hill for a second loop.
Kate W and I were positioned strategically in the middle of the Swing Bridge and the runners had to run past us six times. We thoroughly enjoyed cheering everyone on, and gave out many a high 5 and a clapped on every running club. Some clubs were more difficult than others and we found cheering “well done, no club running club” particularly challenging.
However our challenge was no mean feat for the 5 JJ’s who had some impressive runs from Rachel, Rhys, Matty, Anthony and Martyn who tolerated our overly enthusiastic cheers six times.
Well done for all runners finishing today on a particularly hilly course in very wet conditions.
10k
191st Rachel Dee 50:29. 21st SnrW. PB
Half marathon
143rd Matty Down 1:37:52. 9th M55
196th Rhys Minchin 1:41:33. 86th SnrM
474th Anthony Harland 1:53:52. 195th SnrM
690th Martin Collingwood 2:08:02 41st M50
Sophie Reynolds
1/5/23