NS Poly Grand Prix, 3rd March 2026

Grand Prix fixture 7 tonight, and the final one of the season on the normal course, before the extended finale from St Mary’s Lighthouse in a month’s time.

Our teams have been remarkably consistent in attendance, either 17 or 18 out of 24 runners making it to the start line in the majority of this year’s races (with a dip to 16 in December). After February’s icy blast, it was a relief arriving in Whitley Bay this evening to calm, slightly warmer conditions, presided over by an incredibly vivid moon in the sky.

A frequent winner in previous years, Rose Hawkswood was our first runner over the line in a season’s-best 10^th place. Cate Walker was close behind in 15^th, an impressive climb of 151 places from last month, and Lena Lou snuck into the top 20 with yet another course PB. Harry Mawdsley was once again our fastest on the night, and 6^th fastest overall, coming within a fraction of catching Roberto Marzo at the tape.

A few changes in the tables heading into the final event. Rock’s Stars and True Blood Blues swapped places, 16^th and 17^th respectively, but The Full Claremonty leapfrogged them both, jumping from 20^th to 10^th, due in no small part to Rose, Zoë (making a belated season debut) and Anna all finishing in the top 30.

Further plaudits for Rose in the individual competition, who is the only runner to have improved her league position each month, up to 11^th from 39^th in February. Dave Roberts dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since November, to 13^th, but Dean O’Brien is still on for a podium finish, dropping one place to 3^rd, having not strayed from the top 5 since the second race!

An injured Tom was present, stoically standing in the chill to cheer us on in both directions, before leading us like the Pied Piper back to his house, where he and Gill had provided what can only be referred to as a banquet of epic proportions. Thanks both for the usual outstanding hospitality, the end of season buffet will have to go some to top that!

Position	Team*	Runner	Race Time	Chip Time
10	TFC	Rose Hawkswood	42:51	25:41
15	TBB	Cate Walker	43:09	27:39
20	RS	Lena Lou	43:17	24:47
21	TFC	Zoë Jukes	43:21	29:11
27	TFC	Anna Round	43:32	26:42
47	TBB	Dean O’Brien	44:00	24:50
61	TFC	Nicki O’Brien	44:18	24:28
74	RS	Laurie Johnson	44:27	23:17
79	RS	Dave Roberts	44:36	23:46
106	TBB	Aaron Mansell	44:54	30:44
109	TFC	Roberto Marzo	44:57	21:07
110	TBB	Harry Mawdsley	44:57	18:47
112	RS	Tara Hipwood	45:00	26:10
130	TBB	Peter Noble	45:24	23:14
142	RS	Mark Anderson	45:46	20:56
167	TFC	Alex Harding	47:25	26:55

_{* TFC=The Full Claremonty, TBB=True Blood Blues, RS=Rock’s Stars}