Heaton Memorial 10K, 9th November 2025
After Charlotte Kerr had opened proceedings in the mixed Under 13s race, a smaller than usual contingent of 6 Claremont Road Runners gathered for the 2 minute silence at 11am, prior to the main event. Thanks to Tara Hipwood for this report on proceedings:
“The Heaton Memorial 10k has always been kind to me (apart from that year when they had no record of me finishing). Every time I have run it, it has furnished me with a new 10k PB, and so it was with some anticipation that I lined up this year, hoping to fulfil an ambition I had been nursing all summer to clock up a sub-50 minute 10k. That anticipation was mixed with some trepidation, as I am sure you will agree that while the Town Moor offers the reassurance of running on ‘home turf’, it is subject to it’s own weather systems which usually serve up a more extreme version of whatever is happening in the rest of Newcastle. At the start line the conditions were chilly, but fairly windless – I crossed my fingers it would stay that way.
Claremonters were thinner on the ground than usual. I spotted Harry at race HQ, Sarah and Roberto warming up, and also Kenny a little behind me as we began the two-minute silence to mark Remembrance Day. When the whistle blew to mark the end of the silence it felt like only seconds before we were off! The first km did not feel as congested as usual. The race was doubling as the NECCA, NEMAA and BMAF Championships, so it was a fast field and maybe everyone was in front of me? Anyway, this allowed me to settle into a rhythm quite early, and although it was faster than I had planned, I felt comfortable so ploughed on. Spotted Laurie cheering in the first mile, then more support from Lucy and Hazel on the out-and-back section. I still felt comfortable heading into the second lap as I was cheered on by Ben Hull and Tom. By the time I reached Hazel and Lucy the second time maintaining the pace was starting to feel a little less than comfortable and the 9th km up the gravel track to rejoin the main path felt long indeed.
Then, there it was, turning westwards for the final km that unpredictable wind was blowing straight into me, making the final km feel slow going. I put my head down, and pushed through as best I could, hoping I had done enough earlier on to get under 50 minutes. As I approached the finish line I picked up the pace, then a big cheer from Robbie on the sidelines inspired me to redouble my efforts into an all-out sprint. Success! Well under my 50-minute target, thanks in no small part to some amazing support along the route. Off to Wylam Brewery from a well-deserved Sunday lunch and celebratory pint!”
| U13s | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 34 (14th girl) | Charlotte Kerr | 14:55 |
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 42 | Harry Mawdsley | 34:31 |
| 94 | Roberto Marzo | 37:19 |
| 109 | Luke O’Neill | 38:05 |
| 195 | Sarah Kerr | 41:44 |
| 332 | Tara Hipwood | 49:19 |
| 452 | Ken McCormick | 73:01 |
