Heaton Memorial 10k, 13th November 2022
Heaton Harriers annual memorial 10k took place on the Town Moor this Remembrance Sunday. Overcast, dry and cool conditions were pretty good for running, aside from the wind blowing in from the south, though it wasn’t particularly extreme for those familiar with the gales that are often found sweeping across the Moor. An interesting, topical fact for todays run: in Elizabeth O’Mahony, we had a runner whose father fought in both world wars. Obviously a very young soldier in WW1 and older in WW2, where he was at Dunkirk.
Improving on last years turnout, 15 runners took to the tarmac in Claremont colours, with Anthony Liddle and Jonathan Gilroy showing up for their parent clubs as usual. Particularly impressive was the performance of Sarah Kerr, still working her way back from injury. After a pensive wait for the official results, Sarah was able to celebrate her second-ever sub-40 minute clocking, despite initially fearing that her Strava time of 40:01 might be reflective of the true result. She also finished as 10th lady, capping a great morning’s work.
Liz Denyer and Rachel Hurdman both made sterling efforts also, posting very good times after only recently shaking off bouts of Covid. After a strong first two-thirds of the race, I suffered a repeat of my Great North Run experience, having to slow to a walk for a time due to a stubborn, brutal stitch. Similarly afflicted were Paul Robinson, who despite the hindrance manage to just hold off Sarah, and María Dueñas, who amazingly continued the great recent form with a PB, despite her own period of enforced walking. A pleasant surprise for all to see Gill and Tom by the gate onto Grandstand Road, cheering us on and snapping photos.
Medals in hand, several of us repaired to As You Like It in Jesmond, for a delicious meal that certainly helped dispel any post-race blues.
Please note that the table below shows chip times, but positions in order of crossing the finish line
Position | Runner | Time |
113 | Paul Robinson | 39:51 |
114 | Sarah Kerr | 39:55 |
143 | Catherine Young | 40:57 |
182 | Heather Steel | 42:56 |
191 | Laurie Johnson | 43:04 |
218 | María Dueñas | 44:30 |
244 | David Lydall | 45:54 |
280 | Lynne Cornell | 48:39 |
297 | Alan Dunning | 49:46 |
304 | Liz Denyer | 50:31 |
305 | Allie Wilson Craw | 50:38 |
335 | Rachel Hurdman | 53:46 |
365 | Shilpa Iyanna | 59:42 |
370 | Ken McCormick | 65:23 |
372 | Elizabeth O’Mahony | 66:17 |