Anita Nott 5k, 23rd June 2025
Julie Cross descended on the Dene with a good Claremont turnout, for this key fixture in the women’s running calendar:
“I wouldn’t normally pay to do a 5k. In my earlier running days, I didn’t even do 5k’s – apart from this one. I never came across Anita Nott back then, but one read of the profile on Heaton Harriers’ site is enough to spur you to enter this: it’s local, up and down (a positive for me but not for everyone), well supported and a rare women only event.
As female runners, we take it as read that even the best of our gender will very rarely lead the field, which leaves the rest of us who knows how far back, and, I’m not sure why, but this lightens the tone of the race – or maybe it doesn’t for the actual leaders. Now this comes with reservations: the utter cacophony in the registration room is unbearable, and the cheerful, high volume banter at the start line is unlike any other I experience – the Harrier League does not tend to come with such high spirits.
It seems there is emerging a small group of Anita Nott Memorial Race regulars from Claremont: Tara, Cate, myself, this year joined by Anna, Lucy and Ann. At the start line on the far end of Armstrong Bridge, the race organiser announced a 1 minute silence; how fitting it is to stand quietly at the start, and how moving on this occasion, really moving.
Suddenly, we were off, if there was a gun, I missed it, then tried to rev up to weaving in and out of people over the bridge, down the dene, where it eventually thinned out a little. All shady, thank goodness, and Jesmond Dene is a nice cool start on a warm, but not too warm, evening. However, it is hilly, significantly hilly, and there are little bumps you would normally not notice in Armstrong Park, but which leave no respite after climbing to the entrance to the Dene, out again, over the bridge and towards Heaton Park.
This year, the winner passed ridiculously early from the opposite direction, but it was a while before the 2nd place runner passed, from where a steady stream of proper athletes whizz by while the rest of us slog up the hill. Lots of support and cheer on the hill, and here is a note: I overheard a nice chat on the part of a man not feeling wholly at ease going alone to support a women’s race: get yourself there I say! Any shout helps going back through the lumpy Armstrong Park, which on the way back was never ending.
The finish line back on Armstrong Bridge makes for a super atmospheric ending – if you are supporting; giving my all and trying not to get overtaken by the woman behind who, everyone seems to be shouting for, blocked everything out for a time.
The end was welcome: super friendly Heaton Harriers’ volunteers with drinks and choice of nice choc bar, and a smile.
A lovely, local, fitting tribute to a club member. Maybe the regulars will be joined by a few more blue vests next year.”
Well done everyone, especially Julie, who neglected to mention her 2nd place category finish, winning a Start Fitness voucher!
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 44 | Aoífe Monaghan | 23:14 |
| 45 | Julie Cross (2nd V55) | 23:28 |
| 69 | Cate Walker | 24:30 |
| 72 | Tara Hipwood | 24:38 |
| 104 | Lucy Keating | 25:58 |
| 110 | Anna Round | 26:05 |
| 236 | Ann Smith | 32:09 |
