Thank you to Anna Sugden for her round-up of events on Saturday 10th February …..

An  outstanding day at Thornley on Saturday, where our fearless runners heroically took part in one of the hardest courses in the league – in extraordinarily harsh conditions.

Blackhill Bounders, for one day only, became The Terrific Titans in their big hearted, giants’ response to marshalling as well as running. Not only did the men come first after a superb turnout, but the ladies’ team skipped into 6th place, with an excellent all round performance from all.

All the seniors fought a persistent combat through calf-deep mud, knee-deep puddles and bitter cold conditions.

Marshalls also endured a long shift; directing, encouraging and even gallantly rescuing stranded athletes from the slippery sludge. There was never a dull moment on the field, even quiet moments were used wisely in creative pursuit, with the Bounders’ banter heard far and wide across Thornley and beyond.

The kids’ teams also flourished again: it was calculated that one fifth of the U13 Boys’ Fast Pack line-up was made up of Blackhill vests. An impressive repeat performance from the U13 boys’ team, this time with Slane, White and Thompson leading the pack  towards a secure second place.

The U13 girls had a brave barefoot bolt through mud, wood and stones with three members losing shoes in the quagmire. Hughes continued resolutely, without retrieval. Anderson ran her best race yet, and made the promotion to Fast Pack in the U13 girls’ race.

But it wasn’t all about the glory of coming in first; our Bounders ( senior and junior) are honoured to hold the coveted last position in races also.

“Someone has to run gracefully in that mess! Consequently, you earn last place, but I represented the Blackhill vest with a touch of elegance” said Elizabeth Sugden defiantly, a proud holder of the last position in the U15 girls’ race.

We move to the final race next month, where we ask all members to consider running, jogging or crawling in an attempt to hold our position in the league.

Whether you take advice from Elizabeth or Patrick, Blackhill Bounders welcomes you to race next month, and indeed next season.

Stop believing you’re not good enough or you couldn’t manage the course! You can, and should,  and we welcome anyone and everyone aboard!

Sport Commentator

B.Strange

Blackhill Bounders

The Blackhill Bounders anniversary run will take place on Sunday 18th February 2018. The plan is to run the reservoir route (approximately 9.5 miles), meeting in the Pow Hill (overflow) car park (DH8 9NU) at 10.00am, it has been suggested that a staggered start be adopted where the faster runners can leave later with a view to most arriving at the finish at similar times.  The run will cater for all abilities, with the option of joining in for the last 3.5 miles from Millshield picnic site (leaving approximately 11.15am), some of the Juniors will also be joining in at this point.

Afterwards please join us at Derwent View where a chilli for the adults and hot dogs will be provided for the kids, the Club will subsidise this so a cost of £3 per person, payable on the day is required. We will have full use of the Derwent View site as they are closed for the season.  The bar will also be open which will serve alcohol, tea / coffee and soft drinks.  We are not permitted to take our own food.

There will also be a raffle on the day.

This is a great way to meet members so please if you are available come along and join us.

The social pub runs are suitable for all abilities. The routes incorporate well used woodland trails, riverside paths, and quiet lanes. An ideal introduction to trail running. The scenery and the pubs and the people make up for the sometimes muddy terrain. The routes are usually around 5 to 7 miles and though shortish, anyone training for longer distance road races such as half marathon and full, will find them an excellent training tool.  Even better all routes end with a pub ……

12^th April  2018 – Lanchester, Malton and beyond (lanes, woodland. couple of fields and cycle paths). Meet at Kings Head, Lanchester for a 6.30pm start

10^th May 2018 – “Ray’s Run” – A favourite of many members – the old Snods 6 route.  Mainly country lanes but a couple of fields which can get quite muddy, so wear old trainers.   Meet at Snods Village Hall at 6.30pm.  Pub to be arranged nearer to the date

21^st June 2018 – Ebchester / Broadoak Wood.  Riverside paths and woodland.   Meet at the Chelmsford Pub 6.30pm

19^th July 2018 – Edmundbyers. moorland tracks, beautiful scenery. Meet at Punchbowl Edmundbyers 6.30pm

9^th August 2018 – Blanchland, mix of woodland, moorland and country lanes. Meet at Blanchland village carpark at 6.30pm

Further details will follow on each run nearer to the time. Any queries please contact Tricia Collins.

Saturday 3^rd February – Social Afternoon – There has been a change to the arrangement for the afternoon / night out for all members and friends that Mick McDonald is organising. Due to quite a few change of plans we are now just going to meet in Wetherspoons from 2.00pm onwards and staying in Consett for ease.  We hope to see you there.

Saturday 10^th February 2018 – Thornley XC – We are hosting this event this year so need to provide some volunteers, a free bus will be provided to get volunteers to the event.  If you are available could you please contact Dave Anderson davidandgilliananderson@hotmail.co.uk – if you also wish to run arrangements can be made for you to be relieved of your volunteer position to run your race.  Please help support out Club at the event.

The 2018 Blaydon Race OPENS on Feb 12th/13^th –  “Entries for the 2018 race will open on Mon Feb 12th at 1900 for affiliated runners and on Tue Feb 13th at 1900 for all runners.” Last year the queue opened about 20 minutes before entry began at 1900 and last year it was important to join the queue before 1900. If you do not already have a resultsbase profile, create a profile at resultsbase NOW. If you already have a profile, login to check to see it has the correct information. As resultsbase was used for entries into the Northumberland Coastal Run and the Brass Monkey, you may have already done this. “When you enter, you will need to indicate a T-shirt size and you will need to give your affiliation number if you are an affiliated runner.” Entries for the 2016 Blaydon Race opened for affiliated runners on Feb 3rd and the allocation of about 1800 places were taken in about 2 hours – entries for everyone opened on Feb 4th and about 2400 places were taken in about an hour. Although runbritain has a start time of 1500hrs, the organisers say “it is unknown but it will be announced prior to entries opening, hopefully by Feb 6th”. Here’s a link to more details about the race.

Saturday 17^th February 2018 – Hetton Road Relays – You still have time to put your name down for this team event.  For those that may not have participated in this event before each leg is 2.2 miles (which equates to 2 laps) on tarmac paths of Hetton Lyons Country Park.  This is a very friendly and well supported event, it is also open to all abilities, so please give it a go if you are available.  The first race commences at 12 noon and the second race is at 1.15pm.  If you wish to enter please contact Stewy Bell nufcstewy@hotmail.com before Friday 2^nd February 2018.

Sunday 18^th February 2018 – Bounders Social Anniversary Run – We will be in our 31^st year of the Club this year and to celebrate we will be holding a run around the Derwent Reservoir, the route is approximately 9 miles, with an option to join in at a couple of points en-route for those not wanting to run the whole distance, which also enables our Juniors to join in, with the option to have a catch up afterwards.  Further  information will follow with regard to this event so please pencil it into your diaries.

We have been asked to provide Marshalls for the next NEHL XC event taking place on Saturday 10th February 2018 at Thornley.  We need approximately 20 marshalls to manage the course, a free bus will be provided to transport you to and from the venue.

Measures can be put in place to allow people to marshall but be freed up to run their race.

http://www.harrierleague.com/index.php

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dave Anderson / Stewy Bell