NS Poly GP, 7th November 2023

Due to illness and other factors, 20 from 24 of Claremont’s grand prix competitors lined up for November’s handicap, which was still a very strong turnout. Strong in more ways than one as it transpired.

On a reasonably chilly, but otherwise calm and dry evening, our runners put in some thunderous performances along the Whitley Bay seafront, with several achieving unofficial 5k ‘PRs’ on Strava (the course is around 500m longer than 5k), and some high-placed finishes in a field of almost 200.

Holly Porter was the first across the line, coming in a fantastic 19^th, with Jack Shawcross the fastest Claremonter on the night, and second fastest overall behind a brain-melting new course record of 17:37! From a handicap spread of just over 17 minutes, we all finished within 3 minutes of each other. Paul Robinson was unfortunate not to complete the course, due to some familiar ‘mild discomfort’.

Such sterling efforts impacted on the standings significantly. Kimberley Metson and Rachel Hurdman surged up to 2^nd and 5^th respectively in the individual table, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that their team Rock’s Stars leapfrogged last month’s leaders, and now sit top of the team competition! Not only that, The 3^rd Wheelers and The Full Claremonty both climbed significantly, nominative determinism seeing the former reach 3^rd, while the latter has entered the top 10 in 9^th.

The majority then headed back to Tom and Gill’s, where we were treated to a seemingly endless array of hot and cold homemade food (with Gill having also found time to come out and cheer us on!), a lovely and delicious way to wind down after the race, rather than just jumping in cars and heading home. Mark was even serenaded with a round of ‘Happy Birthday’, complete with Colin the Caterpillar cake. It would obviously be unfair to expect such amazing hospitality on a monthly basis, thanks to you both for going above and beyond!

Position	Runner	Team	Race Time	Actual Time
19	Holly Porter	The 3rd Wheelers	39:37	25:47
24	Kimberley Metson	Rock’s Stars	39:45	22:35
32	Rose Hawkswood	The Full Claremonty	39:55	26:45
42	Laurie Johnson	Rock’s Stars	40:09	20:39
44	Roberto Marzo	The 3rd Wheelers	40:10	21:00
48	Rachel Hurdman	Rock’s Stars	40:13	27:43
50	Tom Tinsley	The Full Claremonty	40:14	22:24
64	Anneliza Andreadi	The Full Claremonty	40:25	30:55
66	Izzy Neatrour	The 3rd Wheelers	40:27	22:57
67	Janet Palmer	The 3rd Wheelers	40:28	31:58
70	Jack Shawcross	Rock’s Stars	40:29	18:59
71	Nicki O’Brien	The Full Claremonty	40:30	24:20
117	Julie Cross	The Full Claremonty	40:55	25:25
130	Alex Harding	The 3rd Wheelers	41:02	25:12
131	Mark Anderson	Rock’s Stars	41:03	20:13
142	Tara Hipwood	The Full Claremonty	41:14	28:04
169	Lena Webster-Costella	The Full Claremonty	41:40	37:30
170	Aaron Mansell	The 3rd Wheelers	41:41	25:11
179	Luke Woodend	Rock’s Stars	42:13	30:23
DNF	Paul Robinson