Winter Series

NAMES to Ralph or Tony Dunn if you wish to take part.

(Anyone who ran at least one race in the Summer Cup this year will be automatically entered)

All races start 7:15 prompt in Blyth Riverside Business Park

PLEASE NOTE – FORMAT IS 5 RACES WITH BEST 4 TO COUNT

Historically the Winter Series has been a series of seven 2.5 mile handicap races for members of Blyth Running Club only, and is the winter version of the Summer Cup. The main event is for individuals, with the overall winner being decided on their best 5 results. (In recent years this has changed to a 5 race series with the best 4 results counting.) There is also a team event in order to provide a bit more competition. The course starts and finishes in Blyth Riverside Business Park and follows an out and back route through the business park. The handicapping system allows all ages from the Club to compete and so seniors and juniors can both take part, with everyone having an equal chance of victory. Competition is fierce as everyone strives to be first back in order to obtain a coveted ‘Yellow Ganzie’, which is awarded to the winner of each race.

The races are held on Wednesday evenings through November to March.

The first Winter Series was held over the winter of 1992/93, although on-line records only go as far back as 1995/96. Up until 2007 the course measured just under 2.5 miles but was lengthened to exactly 2.5 mile for the 2007/08 series.

WS 2022/23
WS 2023/24
RULES
PAST WINNERS
COURSE RECORDS
RESULTS ARCHIVE

Rules

  1. The Winter Series consists of a series of 5 races.
  2. All races start 7:15 prompt on Cowley Road, Blyth Riverside Business Park.
  3. The series is open to paid-up club members only.
  4. Individuals best race positions from four races will count.
  5. Points will be awarded thus:- winner 1pt; second 2pts; third 3pts etc. Any individual not running in a race will be given 150 points.
  6. The overall winner will be the athlete with the least points from 4 races.
  7. Each race winner, plus the overall winner, second and third place in the series will receive an award.
  8. Teams to consist of a maximum of 6 runners, the first 4 finishers in each race to count.
  9. All team members of the winning team will receive an award.
  10. Anyone accompanying a runner must run behind the runner and not hinder others.
  11. The use of earphones of any description is strongly discouraged by Blyth Running Club. Runners who use them during club events do so at their own risk.
  12. The minimum age for participation in this year’s Winter Series is 14 years old on race day. However, underage runners will be admitted at the discretion of the organisers and with parental approval. The organisers decision in this is final.
  13. Organisers need at least 3 days notice of new entrants to allocate a race number and start time.
  14. Runners are advised to wear items of reflective clothing for all winter series races.
  15. Anyone who wishes to run on the night without a race number can do so. However they will not be eligible for any prizes on the night and will not score any points.
  16. Anyone running without a number will be classified as a “Guest”, and their result will not count.

PAST WINNERS

Course Records

New Course (2.5 Mile; from 2007/08)

Male: Paul Whalley 12:52 2009/10 Race 2

Male vet: Richard Bateson 13:30 2021/22 Race 2 ( was Paul Whalley 13:56 2017/18 Race 4)

Female: Rachelle Falloon 14:18 2022/23 Race 2 (Charlie Hedley 15:07 2012/13 Race 6)

Female vet: Judith Nutt 15:20 2012/13 Race 4