Blyth Running Club

© 2016 Blyth Running Club All Rights Reserved

Club Grand Prix

For those wanting some competition, we run a yearly "Grand Prix" league from January to November, this has a number of  divisions, with promotion and relegation taking place at the end of the season. This competition has the effect of giving people a focus to aim their efforts towards, and is keenly contested right down to the last division. Prizes are awarded to the winners at one of our numerous social functions held during the year.

The Grand Prix comprises of 12 races spread across the region, with points being awarded for finishing position within each individual league. In the last few seasons, the Grand Prix has been contested over an equal spilt of three categories; up to 10k / 10k to 10m / over 10 mile, to ensure that the winners of each division will be the best overall runners and not simply those who excel at one particular distance. There are 4 races in each category; with the scoring calculated from each individuals best six scores from the twelve races, but with a maximum of two scores from each category.

Rules

The format for the 2023 Grand Prix is a 12 race season with four races in each of three categories – up to 10km, up to 10 miles and above 10 miles.  Participants are reminded that only their best two results from each category will count towards points (Maximum of 6 races). (Runners completing less than two races in any category will still be eligible to have their total scores counted in the Grand Prix, with any ‘missing’ races scored as zero points.)  It is NOT expected that runners should aim to compete in all twelve races.

Points are awarded to all participants in each division.

The individual with the highest points total in each division at the end of the season will be deemed the winner and positioned in 1st place. The individual with the next highest score into 2nd place and the next highest score into 3rd place and so on. Trophies are awarded to the first 3 places in each division.

If two individuals in the same division tie on highest points they will be declared joint first and no second place will be awarded, likewise if there is a tie on points for second or third place the same rule would apply.

Due to participant request: for the purpose of Grand Prix scoring, if a race is being ‘chip timed’ it is the chip time not the gun time that is used to determine the Grand Prix order.  However, if two individuals have exactly the same time then official finish positions will be taken into account.

To compete in the 2023 Grand Prix participants must be fully paid up, 1st claim affiliated Members of Blyth Running Club. (second claim or social members are not eligible to participate in the Grand Prix 2023). Any participant who has not paid their subscription fees by 1st April 2023 will not be eligible to participate in the Grand Prix and their name will be removed from the GP table deeming any points claimed from Jan - March null and void. Other participants in the same division will have their points adjusted accordingly.

All participants in the 2023 Grand Prix are required to wear club vests in all Grand Prix races.

All participants are also required to comply with all ‘local rules’ set by the organiser of each event.  (Note that these rules will often include minimum age limits, which may result in some of the younger club members being unable to participate in some races).  Members should also be aware that it is a UKA rule (for very good reasons, e.g. in case of accident or injury) that we must run only in our own name, and this rule also applies to the club Grand Prix.  (It is legitimate to swap names in advance if the organiser approves and changes the name appearing in the results).  For clarity, this rule will continue to be applied on the straightforward basis that for a result to count it has to appear in the official results against the name of the person who actually ran.

Failure to comply with the above requirements will render members subject to disqualification from the particular Grand Prix race and also subject to potential disqualification from the Grand Prix itself, dependent on the discretion of the Grand Prix Working Party (note for guidance: repeat offenders will be viewed in a particularly poor light).  For clarity, if it is necessary to disqualify a member from a Grand Prix event all other competitors in that division will have their points adjusted accordingly.


Members are also expected to comply with good etiquette at all times and specifically must comply with all instructions from race organisers and marshals, must do nothing to adversely affect the good name of Blyth Running Club and should do nothing to either favour or adversely affect the performance of other Grand Prix competitors during races.

Where a participant has entered a GP race via the club entry the race fee must be paid in full prior to the race commencing or any potential points for that race will not count towards the GP.

Season Competition

The races for the 2023 season are shown below. These have been selected by the BRC Grand Prix Working Party and any feedback after events can usefully be given to any member of this group (but preferably by e-mail or in writing if you want it to be remembered).

Where appropriate our club secretary will liaise with race organisers to secure club entries for those races that allow this, however individuals are welcome to enter races themselves.

Further information on race dates will be publicised as and when known.

In the event of any of the announced races being either cancelled or clashing with another race on the list, the Working Party reserves the right to select an alternative race where practical and both time and the calendar allowing.

Entries and Leagues

Entries for the 2023 season will close on 30th November 2022. The GPWP will then meet and confirm divisions.

Members should note that after the 30th November 2022 absolutely no late entries will be accepted from existing members, as doing so in the past has caused leagues to become skewed with consequent adverse feedback from some competitors.  

The only circumstance in which late entries will be considered is for new members joining the club between November 2022 and April 2023 although no guarantee is given that such entries will definitely be accepted.  After the third race has taken place no further entries from new members will be able to be considered.

Note: In the case of clear error, the organisers reserve the right to change any athlete UP or DOWN from the league they start in up until the time between the 3rd and 4th races of the season.

Grand Prix Working Party


The 2023 Grand Prix consists of the following events.

Event

Date

Location

Category

Derwent Reservoir 10M

Sun 26th Feb

Consett

10k to 10 Miles

Coniston 14M

Sat 25th Mar

Coniston, Cumbria

Above 10 Mile

Pie & Pea 5k Trail

Wed 5th Apr

Trimdon, County Durham

Up to 10k

 Terry O'Gara 5k

Sun 23rd Apr

Cobalt business park

Up to 10k

Pier to Pier

Sun 21st May

South Shields

10k to 10 Miles

Newbiggin Parkrun 5k

Sat 3rd Jun

Newbiggin

Up to 10k

Fell 'Em Doon Woodland 10k

July

Ashington

Up to 10k

Jelly Tea 10M

August

Ovingham

10k to 10 Miles

RAF Spadeadam Half

September

Matfen

Above 10 Mile

Kielder Half

Sun 8th Oct

Kielder

Above 10 Mile

Castles Half

Sun 22nd Oct

East Cumbria

Above 10 Mile

Brampton to Carlisle 10M

Sun 19th Nov

Brampton, Cumbria

10k to 10 Miles

 Division 1


 Division 2


 Division 3


 Division 4


 Division 5


 Division 6

Robbie Barkley


Simon Clough


Richard Bickerton


Lee Anderson


Paul Blackett


Colin Brown

Richard Bateson


Ian Davison


Dave Bradley


Michael Ashby


Anita Brabazon


Michelle Castro

Ian Baxter


Steve Dobby


Nikki Courtney


Susan Browning


 Chris Claassen


Glen Maxwell

David Bennett


Steven French


Luke Dickinson


Danielle Cooper


Anne Craddock


Rachel Rutherford

Ellis Hetherington


Allen McPherson


Katie Donaldson


Stephen Forster


Ralph Dickinson


Joanne Stobbart

Tony Horsley


Nick Pearson


Martin Fairbairn


Lewis Freeman


Ron Forster


Ian Windsor

Gary Jones


Rob Rhodes


Eliot Harrigan


Leanne Herron


Alison French



Henry Madden


David Shields


Steve Leggett


Tom Moffett


John Mallon



Rob Morris


Dayle Stafford


Shaun Morris


Billy Shaw


Claire Mason



Michael Stott


Craig Tonkin


Mark Rudkin


Jade Southworth


David McGarry



 Gary Weir


John Younger


Alan Stewart


David Stamp


Louise McNeil







Kandis Watson


Janice Stewart


Amy Tyler









Sandra Watson




























































Note: In the case of clear error, the organisers reserve the right to change any athlete UP or DOWN from the league they start in up until the time between the 4th and 5th races of the season.

 



Runners are reminded that each entrant to the Grand Prix will count only their best two results from each category.  It is not expected that runners should aim to compete in all twelve races.  

The Leagues for 2023 are:-  

 2023 Grand Prix

Details and list of races for the 2023 Grand Prix are available HERE.

Any new members who wish to take part in the 2023 Grand Prix please inform Ralph in writing or by e-mail by the end of March 2023.  

Richard Bickerton

Chair





Michael Ashby

Ralph Dickinson

Katie Donaldson

Sandra Watson

Steve Dobby


Alison Warnes

David Shields