NS Poly Grand Prix, 1st April 2025
The 8th and final race of the 2024/25 season of the North Shields Poly Grand Prix took place on a bright, sunny evening – though the sunshine was deceptive as a bitterly cold wind was blowing along the North Sea coast!
Despite the cold, the mood was positive as, with one of our teams, the True Blood Blues, having a seemingly unassailable lead, it was set to be a night of celebration. Indeed, the committee had sanctioned the hire of an open top bus so that the team could show off the Cup to their adoring public – route to be agreed, but probably Kenton Cow. Plans were in place for the post tour party to take place in Leazes Park, where our team captains would be on the bandstand to entertain the crowds and welcome home the conquering heroes.
With a lead of 251 points, never having scored more than 216 in any of the previous 6 events (low is good), and a full complement of runners on the start line, it looked as though clinching the title was a mere formality.
The race itself was run on the same course as Grand Prix number 7, i.e. it was not extended to the lighthouse as for previous season finales. So two laps – along the road to the Spanish City and back along the prom. It was definitely easier running along the prom when the wind was behind you. We all finished without any drama, with a number of the True Bloods finishing fairly high up. So, team photo taken in daylight for a change, it was off to Cullercoats Social Club where the Poly lay on an enormous quantity of food and excellent prizes for the winners in various categories (1st 3 in each event, fastest male and female, the star marshals and overall winning team – there is also a raffle).
The individual prizes were awarded before the buffet – congratulations to Lena, Rose, Dean and Jim who all won a training top for podium finishes (though Jim did seem a bit upset that his top was red and not black and white). Then we were told that there would be a delay due to “technical gremlins”.
It has always impressed me how the Poly team sort out the results with so many runners finishing in such a short space of time. So they have my utmost sympathy when things go wrong, and they must have been under real pressure to get the results out on the night – and announce the results they did. But wait – what is this? The True Blue Bloods came 2nd? How can that be? The results have still not been published, so I suspect that the gremlins were in a particularly bad mood!
Whatever the outcome, and however disappointing the end result, it has been an excellent series of races. So thanks to the Poly for allowing us to enter 4 teams in their event. Special thanks to all the marshals and officials who stand out in the freezing cold on dark winter’s nights, the handicappers and the results team who do such a good job – we appreciate it, honest!
Results to follow?
