Hambleton Athletics and Running Club were very proud to have seven runners taking part in the Great North Run at the weekend.
This event was extra special, not only because last year’s run did not take place due to Covid, but also because this was the 40th birthday of the GNR. Celebrations included a spectacular flyover by the Red Arrows who left their trademark red, white and blue smoke trails along the 1km long finishing straight.
The event has a reputation for attracting top athletes from around the world, and this year’s race was no different. Local runner, Marc Scott, who recently represented GB at the Tokyo Olympics, won the elite men’s race and fellow GB Olympian Eilish McColgan came second in the elite women’s category. Meanwhile, GB Paralympian Jade Hall stormed to victory in the wheelchair event.
Team HARC, although not represented in the elite class (yet!), did themselves and the club extremely proud. Our members finished with the following times:
Katy Bamber (02:31:47), Lee Donachie (01:57:26), Claire Gray-Walker (02:48:10), Annette Harper (02:41:15), Phill Heward (01:47:24) and Chris Lees (01:44:57)
Chris was our fastest finisher; he completed the course with a sprint finish to ensure he surpassed his target time of 01:45:00 to 02:00:00. He said, “Absolutely awesome event! The new route was challenging, especially the uphill finish through town, but it was fantastic to see the elite runners passing on their way back to the finish as I was heading out.”
Alasdair added, “It was great that the organisers managed to make this event happen with waves and a revised route. Fantastic support from the crowd, as always.”
Massive congratulations to all our HARC athletes – fabulous achievements!
