Tynedale 10 mile - Sunday 4th Sept. 2011

The profile of the 23rd running of the Wylam Garage-supported Hexham-to-Ovingham event was boosted this year by the inclusion of the British Masters Athletics Federation (BMAF) championships.

It was the second time the BMAF paraded their championships in the Tynedale race and, once again, they were thrilled with the whole organisation with BMAF road race secretary, Walter Hill, expressing his delight with all aspects of the event.

Despite athletes from all over the UK swelling the starting line, many of the region’s athletes repelled the challenge and came out on top in their particular age group.

Among those who lifted a gold medal was Tynedale’s Joanne Lee who was released from marshalling duties to take her place on the start line and she was rewarded with the over-35 title.

Other North East female athletes who won gold medals were Caroline Acaster (Blaydon) who came out on top in the over-40 section; Susanne Hunter (Blyth), over-45; Heather Robinson (Chester-le-Street), over-50; and Janette Kilgour (Claremont) who won the over-60 section.

Preston’s Marian Hesketh won the over-55 age group, pipping Gateshead’s Maggie Lorain, while Brenda Jones, from Welsh club Bro Dysynni, came out on top in the over-70 section, finishing ahead of Tynedale’s Eileen Armstrong.

The gold medals were harder to come by among the region’s men but they still produced some eye-catching performances.

Iain Twaddle (North Shields Poly), who finished in fourth place overall in the race, lifted the over-40 title; team-mate Guy Bracken won the over-45 section; Sedgefield’s Gary Hetherington came out on top at over-50; Lennie Christopher (Sunderland) won the over-60 age group while Bill McNeil lifted the over-80 section finishing in a remarkable time of 1hr 31min 50 secs.

Visiting athletes Michael Aldridge (Wootton) won the over-35 section; John Shapland (North Devon) lifted the over-55 gold medal ahead of Morpeth’s Gavin Bayne; Geoff Newton (Tamworth) was successful in the over-65 age group; Bingley’s Fred Gibbs was the fastest over-70 on view while Edinburgh’s Walter McCaskey defended his over-75 title ahead of Jarrow and Hebburn’s Joe Prudham

Many thanks to the race committee for their hard work in making this event such an outstanding success. Thanks also to the many Club members who contributed on the day, either marshalling around the course or at the finish. Special mention to Hugh and Steph who coped admirably with the pressure of producing results quickly and accurately under the scrutiny of the BMAF!

2011 Results (Exel)

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