NEYDL #3 Monkton, Sunday 26 June.
By Liam Whitelaw
It was a good day for Tyne Bridge Harriers Juniors. The weather turned out just right: not too cold or hot and enough clouds to keep the sun out of our eyes.
I decided to ask various members why they enjoy these athletics events and why it’s important to keep TBH Juniors involved.
Let’s hear first from our coach, Dave Moir, who’s been running for 20 years and doing track and field events for about 15 years. These events are entirely run by volunteers and Dave was one of a team of timekeepers.
He said: “I love seeing how the kids progress over the course of the year and see them setting PBs and club records.
“I would always recommend people come along, give it a go and try different things. These days are fun days out and it’s all part of what we are training for.”
So, do my fellow athletes agree? Over to them…
Charlie Kilgour (U13 Boys): “I really enjoy it and love competing. I’ve got lots of friends here.”
Henry Pickett (U13 Boys): “I don’t mind where I come but I like seeing improvement in myself over time. Today I got a PB in the 800m and I was pleased about that.”
Adeline Bourgenot-Lewis (U15 Girls): “It’s great fun and everybody’s really friendly and supportive. Anybody thinking about getting involved should just go for it.”
Alanah Perowne (U15 Girls): “You get fitter, you get new friends and it’s exciting. I really like the running and the long jump.”
Freddie Palmer (U15 Boys): “I think it’s way better than cross country. In cross country you get muddy and in athletics you don’t. I just go with the flow.”
Ruby Colver (U15 Girls): “Everybody does it for the fun but there is a competitive side to it too. Everybody’s really friendly and nice to each other.”
Jake Moir (U 17 Men): “I like the competitive aspect. Everyone who comes really enjoys it. It’s worth the crack.”
One of the highlights of a hungry athlete’s day is our lunch. How do TBH athletes keep up their energy when they’re putting in peak performances?
Charlie: “I think I’m getting a tuna sandwich.”
Freddie: “Five scrumptious oranges, a banana, two packets of crisps, two sandwiches, a hot cross bun.” (apparently this impressive feast included his Mum, too).
Jake: “The lunchbreak and food are definitely the best bit. I had a vegetarian ham and pickle sandwich with Kettle crisps and a Sprite.”
Dave: “A Quorn spiced vegetable Moroccan pasty and a bag of salt and vinegar Kettle crisps.”
As for my lunchbox, I wolfed down my cheese and salami roll and last night’s leftover pizza. Running is hungry work!
I’d definitely encourage TBH juniors to come along and be part of our team. The next fixture is 17th July at Churchill Playing Fields, Whitley Bay.
And finally: a running joke, just for Dave. Why don’t athletes ever get hot? They have a lot of fans! Groan…
Results
The combined team of Tyne Bridge – Birtley came in third place overall with 420 points with an impressive turn out across the board.
Under 13 Girls
Florence Snaith and Melina Bourgenot-Lewis both entered a spread of events. Florence gained a club record for her first-ever javelin (6.36m) as well as good results in 800m (3m 6.3s) and 100m (17.2s). Melina, entering 100m and 200m for the first time, gained 16.9s and 36.3s respectively, as well as 6m.24.4s for her 1500m.
Under 13 Boys
Charlie Kilgour and Henry Pickett came away with a clutch of PBs. Thanks to the tuna sandwich, Charlie’s first ever 800m and 1500m saw him pick up times of 3m 3.8s and 6m 30.7s and a PB for his determined 200m run (33.9s). Henry’s hat-trick of PBs also saw him break a club record for his javelin, (17.4m), with excellent results for long jump (2.85m) and 800m (2m 50.9s).
Under 15 Girls
The four girls put in sterling performances. Ruby Colver took away 4.15m for her long jump and ran a strong 800m (2m 44.9s) and 100m (14.7s). Lucy Nichol came away with a PB for the long jump (1.87m). Also in the long jump, Adeline Bourgenot-Lewis achieved a 3.53m result, followed by a PB in her 200m (31.5s), and 14.9s for her 100m.
Alanah Perowne’s race results for 200m (32.7s) and 100m (16s) showed a consistent performance, with her times exactly matching those she achieved at the last NEYDL at Whitley Bay.
All four girls competed in the 4x100m relay, racing through the finish line at 64s.
Under 15 Boys
Liam Whitelaw, determined to claim some vacant club records, entered his first high jump, achieving his goal with a club record for his age group of 1.20m. He also leapt into the club record books with his 4.12m long jump (breaking his own record), finishing off with 1500 (5m 25.8s).
Freddie Palmer smashed his own 200m PB and club record by just 0.4s, with a time of 29.4s. He missed breaking his 800m club record by almost the same time margin (0.3s), coming away with 2m 23.7s.
U17 Men
The club was well represented with four athletes in this category across a range of track and field events, with a number of club records achieved. Luis Nichol ran 14s in the 100m and 28.5s in the 200m. Jake Moir picked up two PBs for the 1500m (4m 48.1s) and discus (17m – beating his own club record) and also came away with 8.74m in the triple jump. Zak Kettle beat his own club records for 1500m (4m 26.2s, taking off 7 seconds from his old record) and triple jump (9.8m). Isaac Pickett threw an impressive 20.35m in the javelin, a new club record.
All four boys took part in the 4 x 100m relay which they ran in 55.8s, taking the vacant club record.
2 Responses
Liam, that’s a great race report. I love your writing style.
Fantastic race report, better than some of the tabloid attempts. Well done everyone, hoping to encourage Ruby to do her first in July.