A good showing by Lancashire WC at last Sunday’s combined Soup & Roll / Northern Winter League race, with their Masters too strong for Redcar and Yorkshire clubs in the overall team race.

The rolling country lanes around Kirkby Fleetham had large areas of mud and puddles to negotiate on the race circuit  following recent storms. We were delighted to see Jo Atkinson powering through halfway in 23:34 after a heavy training week and winter niggles to come home a clear winner. This is a big year for our experienced International and all are supportive of her Rio ambitions.

Natalie Myers showed great commitment and also walked completely on her own to a welcome PB.  Bill McFadden travelled all the way from Scotland with Andrew Fraser and had his usual strong race. All 23 walkers performed creditably on a blustery day with welcome blue sky. Races were held from 1km to 10km.

Competitor feedback for this Xmas event was very positive. It was great to host the Jackson and Myers clans besides our usual regulars for the Soup & Roll lunch, followed by wrapped gifts presented by Jo, including an official’s spot prize won by Chief Judge Cath McGrath who had travelled from Wales.

Many thanks to everyone  involved for their participation. We wish all a very Happy Christmas and prosperous 2016. 

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V I D E O

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From an original entry of forty there were 29 starters on the sea front promenade course that will be used next August for the 100 Miles. The weather was overcast which probably kept the numbers of general public down.

 Martin Fisher made a welcome return to the area to lead proceedings from the usual stalwarts before a slow-starting Ben Wears eventually assumed control. It was good to see Halesowen’s Julie and Lynn Bellfield make the journey up, besides Colin Vesty, and indeed Ed Shillabeer all the way from Devon on his 76^th birthday to take the first Southern walker award. Novice races for the associated Northern Soup & Roll League were also held at 2.5 and 5km for all age groups with the latter won by the host club’s improving Paul Roberts.

Redcar RWC won the team event from Lancashire WC and then York CIU, for whom Graham Jackson took the Handicap award. Indeed there was a very decent prize list on offer thanks to popular Mark Byrne’s generous sponsorship, with most winning something and all involved enjoyed the free hospitality after. Well done to Redcar RWC for this promotion.

A special mention must be made regarding  John Paddick who, having organised this event, is now stepping down from club duties. John has made an enormous impact in Cleveland over the years at the helm of local affairs, achieved a great deal in the service of Race Walking and we wish him every success in the future as he returns to the road.   

A small but select attendance for our first league visit to South Yorkshire, unfortunately Snake Pass was closed which meant the late withdrawal of some Lancs entrants. The rain held off and the reservoir circuit was well surfaced.

RESULTS

City of Sheffield AC youngsters led the field home with:

Ana Garcia 28.05 and Alana Zeidler 29.52 in the 5km (both U15)

Over one lap (2.5km) Molly Meleady-Hanley (U13) 15.55

Well done to the respective Mums, Dads & family members for giving it a go.

Looking forward to the next event of 2mile & 10km at Culgaith (Nr Penrith) March 29th

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Soup & Roll League 8  -  Kirkby Fleetham  -  December 7th  2014

Very foggy early morning cleared up for the racing.

Over 60 participents (including a group of hikers who joined).

2mile and 10km walk/run events brought out families, friends & neighbours with youngsters from age 3 upwards (Isabella age 3 pictured) who all helped in making this event yet another Culgaith success. 

Results here

Thank you to our lovely regulars for supporting this morning's event. The 5 /10km circuits were most scenic, with wide and well-surfaced roads, a babbling Cheviots stream alongside and virtually no traffic. Judges and officials supplied by Northern Area RWA. We are now halfway through our programme of Monthly events and following are the top 50 overall Race Walking positions :- Name/Category/Village/Club/ . . . .Points Overall

1 Marion Fawkes F Ingram Redcar R W C 76
2 Dave Evans M Culgaith Lancashire W C 75
3 Pat Evans F Culgaith Lancashire W C 71
4 Paul Atkinson U15B Dalton NOVICE 52
5 Mark Byrne M t b a Redcar R W C 47
6 John Grayson M Thornton-le-Clay York C I U 42
7 Michelle Atkinson U15G Dalton NOVICE 32
8 Michelle Connor F Dalton NOVICE 31
9 Keith French M t b a Yorkshire R W C 30
10 Trevor Taylor M Marske Redcar R W C 29
11 Jonathan Hobbs M SOUTH Ashford A C 25
12 Arthur Wilson M Dalton NOVICE 24
13 Adrian Edwards M t b a Lancashire W C 23
14 Andrew Fraser M SCOTLAND Scotia Race Walkers 23
15 Steve Allen M SOUTH Barnet + Dist AC 23
16 Greg Smith M t b a Lancashire W C 22
17 Dave Crompton M t b a Lancashire W C 22
18 Bill McFadden M SCOTLAND Scotia Race Walkers 22
19 Edwin Grocock M t b a ex-Sheffield U H 22
20 Joan Taylor F Marske Redcar R W C 21
21 Sean Pender M SOUTH Enfield + H AC 21
22 Tony Taylor M INTERNATIONAL Lancashire W C 20
23 John Softley M SCOTLAND Scotia Race Walkers 20
24 Dale Manson M Dalton NOVICE 20
25 Graham Jackson M t b a York C I U 18
26 Laurayne Readman F Marske Redcar R W C 17
27 Brandon Connor M Dalton NOVICE 17
28 Rachel Parker F Dalton NOVICE 15
29 Dudrun Ravetz F Culgaith NOVICE 15
30 Graham Readman M Marske Redcar R W C 15
31 Sharon Gayter F t b a North York Moors AC 15
32 Max Parker M Dalton NOVICE 14
33 Paul Parker M Dalton NOVICE 14
34 John Paddick M Marske Redcar R W C 14
35 Dillon Connor U15B Dalton NOVICE 14
36 Ashley Connor F Dalton NOVICE 14
37 Martha Richards U15G Culgaith NOVICE 13
38 Roy Thorpe M Thornton-le-Clay ex-Sheffield UH 13
39 Ian Donaldson M SCOTLAND Scotia Race Walkers 13
40 Pauline Elliott F Culgaith NOVICE 11
41 Shaun McNicholl M Culgaith NOVICE 11
42 Peter Curry M Culgaith NOVICE 11
43 Alison Naylor F Culgaith NOVICE 11
44 Lynette Hall F Culgaith NOVICE 11
45 Christine Ravetz F Culgaith NOVICE 11
46 Caleb Render U15B Dalton NOVICE 11
47 Patrick Hall M Culgaith NOVICE 10
48 Steven Winter M Marske Redcar R W C 10
49 Eric Crompton M t b a Lancashire W C 10
50 Fiona Parker F Dalton NOVICE 10

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Results

A brand new venue for our fifth event this year, and one that has great potential for the future. The original plan was for this fixture to be held in Cleveland but difficulty in finding a suitable location meant that we chose another as close as possible. This circuit gives almost an exact and flat 5km with a lap of the spacious village green included at the end. 

Thanks are due to our diehard supporters for their continued support on a pleasant day and to Mike Nicholson in particular who travelled up from Hull.

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Results and General Score Table

Village Walks League Dalton 6th July 2014

Village Walks League number 4 saw a very encouraging 19 entrants including 7 novices. 

The winners of the race, novice walker (and his first race) Brandon Connor (pictured) completed the course in an excellent 33mins 19 secs. and was dead heat with Pat Evans from Lancs WC. 

The  Parker family from Dalton were a credit to their Village and all 4 members turned out to complete the course. Rachel, Max and Paul in particular had some very good times and we would love to see the whole family again at our next Dalton event in October.

Certificates were awarded to all novices on the day by our very own staunch supporter of the Village Walks League, and World Record Champion, Marion Fawkes. 

All in all a great day for walking.

Northern Area 35km  Championship and Open was also held on the same day.

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Results

Village Walks League Hamsterley, Durham 25th May 2014

Event Number Two of the NARWA sponsored 5km Village Walks League .. . . . . Over FORTY attended , enjoyed free entry with soup/buttered rolls as a thank you from us . . . . . A DOZEN new outside supporters to our events . . . . . . . EIGHTEEN NEW WALKERS . . . . . . .+ eleven runners who will all be personally invited back to try race/power/saluzzzo/fitness walking next time . . . . . . . . . . call it what you will. . . . . . . . . . .but it's extremely healthy and we have our eye on you guys ! . . . . .We also had MARION FAWKES . . .; . . . . . . . . . . .- WORLD CUP CHAMPION - Eschborn 1979 - - + husband PETER our official TIMEKEEPER on hand to give extremely knowledgeable advice about Race Walking to the newcomers. Both could be caught sweeping up in the Village Hall Hours later . . . . . . . - Class Acts - . . . . . . . . . .we had a former 14.30 5km man / Centurion in Dave Evans (Lancs WC) , who masterminded the local promotional brief, plus Pat who also raced and then took control of the kitchen . it wasn't China by all means . . . . . .but we're back here in early November to try again / / / / . . . . step-son Mark for such practical help c/w photographic expertise and Grandson ( walker ) Paul age 11 - for helping to mark the course out beforehand. . . . . . . . .erm . . . . . . .phew 

Pauline Elliott (pictured) won 1st Prize for coming first in the novice event with a time of 46.09.......... !!

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Results

A very foggy Mothers Day morning oversaw humble beginnings for our new Village Walks League.

Sunday's  initial event comprised a Category B 5km Race with an associated Fun Walk in aid of the Huckins Family Appeal, and took place in picturesque and practically traffic-free country lanes around the village of Dalton in scenic Teesdale. The one-lap undulating circuit had a minimum of turns, was well marshalled and signed, and all entrants were very appreciative of it as a course to race on.

With a finish line right outside the village hall, this circuit would, used solely,  prove very amenable for  5km, 10km and 10 Mile races. There is also a shorter lap that gives testing 1 Mile and 3km routes, and combined with the large lap would give even further distance options for Race Walking. The home-made soup and rolls after the event were also popular ! 

We were very honoured to have Adelle Huckins as our special guest; the great support from her, Mum Carol and family, ably backed up by a number of Couplands, meant that we achieved a total of 23 participants for the Fun Walk, (including one entrant with four legs and a tail). We were also most impressed with Dexter Huckins, all of three years old,  who completed the whole lap with a radiant smile (see photos), and certainly enjoyed his chocolate cake afterwards.

Even better was the sum of £232 raised for the Huckins Appeal !

Very Well Done by all, and news of the next promotion will be announced shortly . . . . .. 

See photos of the event in our gallery