I picked Shaun Edwards up at 5.30 am from the Smelters car park in Castleside on Saturday 2nd March and we set off in the dark for Threshfields  in Wharfedale (joined on to Grassington)  A good drive down saw us arriving before 8 am so well in time for the 9 am start.

Registration was simply done in the village school and then we helped ourselves to hot drinks and toast etc before the start.  I met up with a few guys and gals I’m doing  the K2B with in May so had a good bit of banter before the run.

Oh I love the Trollers Trot, why?   well It’s a 25 mile ‘trot’ over some fantastic hilly fells in the north Yorkshire moors.

Don’t get too stressed by that as for all the uphill bits there are some lovely down hill clatters.  Navigation isn’t too much of a problem if you track the runners around you.  This year they had done away with the marshalled clip points and just had self check points (nothing to do other than run through them)    Worked ok for most though a few of the back markers with no one to follow got lost and put in some extra miles in the wild bits.

A bit of indecision before the start, to run in trackers or bare leg shorts?  So I ran in Nora Battys (Sara S will know what I mean)  The weather was actually ideal, hardly any wind, cool to start with and probably got up to 9 or 10 so nowt to complain about.

Well you run up a few giddy big hillsides but you also run down some hillsides with viewpoints to savour so put it all together and it’s a pretty enjoyable way of spending a few hours in the open air.

At one point on the tops with the sun shining I got quite light headed and was looking for the ice cream van……well it was that kind of day.

The last 3 or 4 miles sees you back on the level and you run alongside the river Wharfe into Freshfields, a short climb back up into the village from the river and hey ho you’ve cracked it.

Like all Long Distance Walker events it cost you very little to enter, they look after you on the way round and at the finish in the school hall we had hot grub waiting for us, pie and peas followed up with rice pudding.   Now if that’s not a commercial for next year what is!!!   Come and do it you’ll enjoy.

Shaun did well and finished ahead of me in 4.22  I came in at 4.43 which was 13 mins better than last year so happy with that.

The winner was Richard Pattison of Pudsy and Bramley in 2.50 the first lady was Jo Waites of Calder Valley who was 3^rd overall  in 3.11.   230 runners took part.

Next year I’m hoping that more Bounders will prise the douvet off and make the early start and go ‘Trotting

 

Warm sunshine greeted the Bounders after their latest trek up to Alnwick for the 5th fixture in this seasons North East Harrier League. 20 members represented the club in the U17 Men, Senior Men and Senior Women divisions including a following of supporters of fellow Bounders, friends and family. The course itself was a bit undulating in places with some ankle deep mud at the top end of the course, a nice run through the trees before a clatter downhill section that made for some great pictures all within sight of the magnificent Alnwick Castle.

As per usual this season the teams performed brilliant with some fine performances from Kevin Doolan after being on an early shift with the taxis nothing a quick power nap wouldn`t sort out, Colin Hodgson who gets faster with each fixture this season and Stewy for pushing everyone on. For the woman well look no further than the captain Sarah Lister who got herself promoted to the fast pack she has really kicked on this season now she has some team mates chasing behind her, special mention must go to Sara Sarginson for pushing herself around the course to help out her team mates. The U17 lads continue to perform to their highest ability Isaac ran the fastest time of the day with Jordan running the 3rd fastest and Rob playing is part in scoring for his team mates. Well done lads!

There has been a massive team spirit this season probably the best there has ever been in the Bounders XC teams and that is credit to those who turn out to run in the mud and cold at each fixture no matter their ability. It really is a team game and every single person does matter. We need more runners to come so if you are not busy and you fancy a run out in the final fixture at Prudhoe 23rd March then get yourself there and have a go. We plan to have beer and cakes for after the last races and also a night out in Consett in the evening to celebrate.

Senior Men Results

104	44:07	Kevin Doolan (Slow Pack)
135	44:54	Ian Young (Slow Pack)
157	40:35	Stewy Bell (Fast Pack)
162	45:40	Rich Scott (Slow Pack)
191	46:47	Colin Hodgson (Slow Pack)
197	46:56	Derren Sarginson (Slow Pack)
275	50:20	Ant Williamson (Slow Pack)
285	50:48	Mike Powell (Slow Pack)
286	50:52	Mark Fish (Slow Pack)
328	53:44	Kevin Lee (Slow Pack)

Divison 3 Table

1. Jarrow & Hebburn AC 81 points

2. Jesmond Joggers 104 points

3. Blyth RC 106 points

4. Blackhill Bounders 110 points

5. Derwentside AC 154 points

U17 Men Results

116	00:23:12	Isaac Dunn (Fast Pack)
122	00:23:23	Jordan Bell (Fast Pack)
219	00:27:53	Rob Savage (Slow Pack)

 Table

1. Blyth RC 32 points

2. Blackhill Bounders 35 points

3. Tynedale Harriers 35 points

4. Alnwick Harriers 41 points

5. Morpeth Harriers 43 points

6. Gosforth Harriers 47 points

Senior Women Results

6	26:43	Sarah Lister (Medium Pack)
18	30:21	Leanne Robertson (Medium Pack)
41	31:28	Becky Morningg (Medium Pack)
50	33:57	Louise Preistley (Slow Pack)
84	35:32	Maresa Bell (Slow Pack)
159	42:56	Sara Sarginson (Slow Pack)

 Div 1 Table

1. Heaton Harriers 14 points

2. Tynedale Harriers 19 points

3. Gateshead Harriers 22 points

4. Blackhill Bounders 23 points

5. Tyne Bridge Harriers 24 points

6. North Shields Poly 27 points

7. Sunderland Strollers 28 points

8. Elvet Striders 37 points

9. Wallsend Harriers 39 points

10. Durham City Harriers 42 points

[flagallery gid=36 skin=default name=Gallery]

Pictures thanks to Sara Sarginson and Sportypix.
Video thanks to Paul West.

 

This Saturday 2nd March is fixture No 5 in this seasons Harrier League up in the glorious settings of Alnwick Castle Estate. As always we will be meeting at Belle Vue from 11:00am on Saturday morning to car share to the event. If you haven`t taken part in the previous fixtures don`t worry as you can still register before the races and best of all its FREE. If you fancy a run out in the mud with a team of Bounders then get yourself along on Saturday and join in the fun.

Timetable of events

12.15 Combined Boys & Girls under 11

12.30 Boys under 13

12.35 Girls under 13

12.50 Boys under 15

12.55 Girls under 15

13.15 Senior Men

14.00 Junior men under 17

14:25 Under 17/20 Women & Senior/Veteran Women

Location

The Pastures Alnwick Castle Estates

Directions

FROM A1 South.

When travelling to the race DO NOT take the A1 turnoff signposted “ALNWICK”. Instead take the second signpost marked DENWICK/ALNWICK GARDEN

Turn left at junction onto Denwick Road.

Within 500m you will pass Race Pastures entry on your right.

Continue down hill over bridge to Alnwick Garden Car Park on your left.

Parking

Alnwick Gardens have allowed clubs to use their parking facilities. The overflow car park will be used as long as its not too muddy. The cost is £2. If this car park is out of action it’ll be the normal Alnwick Gardens car park…..£3.50! Please note that all money goes to Alnwick Gardens. Note that the police will be about on the day and will ticket any cars parked on the grass verges near to the Gardens.

Registration

Any runners who have yet to register for the Harrier League please note that registration is at the Baillifgate site of the Duchess High School (NE66 1LX). This is approx 1 mile from the race start so arrive here in plenty of time.

The course

2013 NEHL Alnwick Course Map

Last years report

http://www.blackhillbounders.com/index.php/2012/03/06/north-east-harrier-league-alnwick-race-report-and-results/

 

 

 

Last Saturday saw the club take part for the 1^st time in its 26 year existence at the National XC Championships hosted at Herrington County Park. After waking up to a significant snow fall the Bounders were in their cars and making the short journey down to a cold and snowy Herrington Park just outside Sunderland to showcase our talent to the nation. We were greeted on entry to the club tent area to a bog of mud…. this would be the last time we would be clean for the rest of the day!

The snow stopped falling just before the senior women’s race began, but the already sodden ground, plus a few inches of snow trodden down by the many juniors’ races from earlier in the day created a mud-bath of a course. Over 5000 athletes made the trip from all over the UK with the climax of the day being the 1,500 strong senior men’s race with its spectacular start from a 100 metre wide starting area.

Well done to all of the Bounders who ran the challenging course in such difficult conditions I am sure we will be back next year for another go at these championships.

Thanks must go to those that have provided support for this event a lot of planning went into it and everyone appreciates the efforts made whether it is entries, photos, transport, standing on the side lines trying to keeping warm or just having a sense of humour you all played you part!

 Junior Woman Results

69

00:27:28

Becky Morningg

Becky ran as the solo entry for the club and did herself and the club proud.

Senior Woman Results

119	00:37:34	Sarah Lister
139	00:38:20	Leanne Robertson
225	00:41:39	Louise Priestley
264	00:43:26	Maresa Bell

Ladies finished 23rd out of 46 teams a fantastic achievment

U17 Men Results

116	00:23:12	Isaac Dunn
122	00:23:23	Jordan Bell
219	00:27:53	Rob Savage

The lads put on a great show but sadly did not count as a team due to being one short on the day.

 Senior Men Results

279	00:51:05	Stewy Bell
548	00:56:49	Ian Walton
647	00:59:01	Ian Young
754	01:01:40	Derren Sarginson
945	01:07:58	Mark Fish
977	01:10:29	Kevin Lee

The men finshed 70th out of 79 teams a big well done to you all. Injuries to Graham Burns and Colin Hodgson cut their own races short we hope they recover soon to be back out with us.

 

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When the Championships were last held at Herrington Park, Sunderland in 2007 parking for cars, minibuses and coaches was allowed on site. However due to the very wet weather during the Autumn of 2012 that has continued into 2013, a decision has been taken that parking on site could not happen this time as there was a likelihood of lots of vehicles being stuck on the ground and the damage done to the surface would cost a lot to repair. So a free Park and Ride system has been setup with details as follows.

A free Park and Ride scheme will operate for all competitor and spectator cars. This is located at Sunderland Enterprise Park. Please allow extra time to use the Park & Ride facility. It is around 3 miles from the course, and the bus transfer time is about 10 mins, but you will need to park your car and locate / walk to the nearest bus stop to board one of the shuttle buses.

Those taking part in the event for the club won`t have to use the park and ride thanks to Colin Hodgson who has friends that live nearby in Penshaw and are allowing us to park up to 5 cars near their property.

Blackhill Bounders will be represented in the following age catergories.

 

Under 17 Men:- Pen 50

J Bell

D Caine

I Dunn

R Savage

 

Under 20 Women:- Pen 132

B Morningg

 

Senior Women:- Pen 142

M Bell

S Lister

L Priestley

L Robertson

 

Senior Men:- Pen 14

S Bell

G Burns

K Doolan

M Fish

C Hodgson

K Lee

D Sarginson

D Smith

I Walton

I Young

 

Timetable

11:45 am Under 20 Women 6K

12:35 pm Under 17 Men 6K

2:20 pm Senior Women 8K

3:00 pm Senior Men 12K

 

Course

1. Entry is only in advance via the club and there are no entries on the day.

2. You must wear your club vest in the race or you will be disqualified.

3. The race will have chip timing.

4. Numbers and timing chips will be collected by Joy on the day.

5. Can everyone meet at Belle Vue just before 10am on Saturday morning so we can sort out who is taking cars. If you are making your own way there you will have to find your own car parking space.

6. Best of luck to everyone go out and do your best and enjoy it!