Grand Prix Race 6 – Newcastle Half (over 10M Category)
Sunday 13th July, 26 people ran the Newcastle HM in race 6 of this year’s GP series.
The weather was cloudy to start with but very humid and anybody who was around the 1 hour 30 min mark managed to get across the line before the sun came out and it warmed right up. Conditions were tough and for many it was a case of finishing lines over finishing times.
Taking maximum points in division 1 and first home for Blyth was Alex Lewis securing a podium finish and a PB taking 3rd place over all in the race with an amazing time of 1 hour 15 min 46 seconds. He was closely followed by David Bennett, Stuart Smith, Will Brindley and Alex Robertson.
Division 2 saw Matt Lakin take maximum points and go under the 90 minute mark for another PB. Followed home by John Younger and Kevin King.
Division 3 is really heating up returning home first in this division was Shaun Morris closely followed by Steve Dobby, Heather Christopher and Martin Fairbairn, there’s literally nothing in it points wise in this division for the top 3 places. I like many look forward to seeing how this plays out in coming races for the remainder of the year.
Division 4 Mark Rudkin continued his maximum points taking in all 4 races ran so far he was followed home by Katie Donaldson who we are pleased report is okay after having be treated by medical staff at the end. She battled hard in tough conditions like many others and even checked on others coming in on her return to car a true warrior. She was followed home by David Stamp running his first half of the year looking at pics looks like he was enjoying himself even managing to pull some poses for the cameras.
Division 5 victory and maximum points went to Lee Anderson a fantastic run especially when still not 100% after his epic wall completion. He was followed home by Karl Ogilvie then Rob Kelly who although hit the wall at 8 mile battled through pain and heat to cross the line.
Division 6 Stacey Short continued her dominance in the division taken maximum points again with a phenomenal run and only just missed out on a PB she was followed home by Claire Turner, Suzanne Claassen and Michelle Castro.
Division 7 saw Karen Smith take the points as the only runner and jumps her up to 2nd place in the table with this run.
From myself and all the GP committee to everyone who ran this race well done it was certainly a tough little course which weather didn’t help some but others managed set PBs next up is the Gateshead 10k trail run at the end of August.
The full results can be found HERE