Anita Nott 5k, 22nd June 2026
Cate Walker reports from a sticky Jesmond Dene:
“The Anita Nott Memorial 5k was one of the first individual races I ran in a Claremont vest, and perhaps for this reason it has a special place in my heart. I don’t think its appeal is purely sentimental though – it has a fantastic challenging, varied and scenic route taking in plenty of shade across three parks (Jesmond Dene, Armstrong and Heaton), it’s super friendly with great crowd support, and it has the added novelty of being a women’s only race. Plus there is always chocolate, and juice poured from watering cans at the end!
This was my fourth outing, and I was joined by seven fellow Claremonters (Maria O, Sarah T, Rachel H, Lucy K, Anna R, Aoife M, and Ailsa R). As is right and fitting, all runners observed a minute’s silence to mark this memorial race before we began with the usual jostle to get off the bridge and into the Dene. Lucy and I started together and she proved more adept at navigating the close-packed runners initially. As we approached the picnic area, the pack thinned a little and I found my position. Soon after, I became aware of Anna behind me. Indeed Anna and I ran so closely together for the rest of the race that as we passed supporters, I heard them referring to Claremont in the plural!
Getting back to Armstrong Bridge and the midpoint of the run, there was some great support, including from Ann, who later hosted some of us for a delicious post-run dinner. Later on in Heaton Park, Laurie was also on hand to take photos and offer encouragement just before we began the longest climb of the route.
Probably my favourite part of this route, and certainly the easiest to pick up speed is the out and back through Armstrong park (the out and the back interspersed with the aforementioned climb in Heaton Park). Being by now familiar with the route, I have in the last couple of years challenged myself to see how far I can get on this part of the course before I meet the impressively fast frontrunners. Maybe, just maybe, one year I’ll get into Heaton Park before I meet them!
The doubling back of the course also allows for looking out for team mates, and attempting a wave or nod or encouragement. It was lovely to see everyone, but I think Anna and I were the closest matched of all eight of us on the night. In the end, I crossed the line just before Anna, but she had the fastest chip time of the two of us. As we made our way to the ‘juice bar’ we commented that we had both spurred one another on.
Overall, this race didn’t disappoint. It remains – to quote a certain Claremont stalwart – a favourite of mine.”
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 41 | Aoífe Monaghan | 22:34 |
| 99 | Anna Round | 25:34 |
| 101 | Cate Walker | 25:41 |
| 120 | Lucy Keating | 26:31 |
| 137 | Rachel Hurdman | 27:03 |
| 164 | Ailsa Ralph | 28:24 |
| 194 | Maria Oranges | 30:34 |
| 249 | Sarah Taylor | 35:48 |
