Anita Nott 5K, 24th June 2024

The Anita Nott 5K is a women’s only race, held in Jesmond Dene. This is Tara Hipwood’s take on this year’s race:

” It took me a while to get round to signing up for the Women’s only Anita Nott Memorial race this year – more due to my lack of organisation than anything else. However, with the start line just ten minutes from home and with it being a beautiful 5k route through Jesmond Dene, Armstrong Park, and Heaton Park I really didn’t have any excuses! 

On first arriving at the bridge, on a hot and humid evening, I thought I might be the only Claremonter in attendance. However, after a few minutes Cate appeared, followed by Julie and Sophie, and at last we were a small but perfectly formed team!

After a minute of silence on the bridge, we were off. I found it difficult to curb my enthusiasm for the first kilometre, with much of the route heading downhill. I began to pay for this in kilometres 3 and 4, as the climbs back up towards the bridge, and then through Heaton Park began to take their toll in their heat. However, I spotted former Claremonters Marie Slack and Lucy (running and cheering respectively) which spurred me on to finish a little faster than last year despite the heat, and returned to the bridge to collect my squash and chocolate bar! 

A wonderful atmosphere and beautiful evening all round!”

Cate Walker added “I really enjoyed running this race for the second time this year, although I had forgotten how long the incline in Heaton Park goes on for! Quite a bit of jostling at the start, and the first time I’d been elbowed in a race, but that shouldn’t put anyone off: just lots of women getting passionate about running! I was delighted to take more than 3 minutes off my time from last year. And the leafy, shady route was perfect for the midsummer temperature.”

Position	Runner	Time
90	Julie Cross	24:07
114	Cate Walker	24:29
179	Tara Hipwood	26:38
197	Sophie Richardson	27:06