Bridges of the Tyne, 30th June 2026
Bridges of The Tyne, the aptly named annual 5 mile race hosted by Tyne Bridge Harriers. An out-and-back route along the Quayside, the bulk of the course actually follows our own autumn/winter handicap, so very familiar to the cadre of Claremonters out running this evening.
New for this year was the addition of a junior mile race ahead of the main event. Fresh off a junior parkrun PB at the weekend, young Charlotte Kerr smashed out a typically fast mile, probably costing herself another PB as she stopped to retrieve an errant hair-tie more than once!
Onto the adult race. As we lined up in the close heat, some of us possibly wished we were running one mile instead of five. Despite some very ominous looming clouds, the forecast thunderstorms never arrived, making for a very warm run where some rain might have actually offered a bit of respite.
As with the previous year, the start and finish areas remained swapped, meaning we started off across the road from Tyne Bar, and finished by the Millennium Bridge. Despite claiming one of the free pints of water offered at Race HQ, things didn’t bode well when the mouth was already feeling dry during the warm-up.
I didn’t feel too affected by the light cold I’d been experiencing over the last week during the race, but as backed-up by my splits, I made the common mistake of going off far too fast at the start, and was mired deep in the struggle by the time we reached the turning point at William Armstrong Drive. Just after this point, Sarah passed me, Catherine already having done so around the halfway mark, and both slowly pulled away over the long run for home.
I could see them exchange positions a couple of times, before Catherine created a bit of distance at the end, finishing an impressive second in her category, with Sarah third in hers. Nearing the finish, Cate was spotted cheering and taking photos. Crossing the line with a bone-dry mouth, I gratefully accepted the proffered bottle of water, feeling a little wobbly-legged. It’s a well-organised, fast, flat race, but as I’ve found with my past experiences, not scheduled at the best time for those who dislike running in warmer weather!
| Under 13s Mile | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 19 | Charlotte Kerr (5th Female) | 6:47 |
| 5 Miles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 129 | Catherine Young (2nd V40) | 33:42 |
| 131 | Sarah Kerr (3rd V45) | 33:51 |
| 137 | Laurie Johnson | 34:05 |
| 268 | Jim Crinnion | 38:54 |
| 275 | Anna Round | 39:08 |
| 363 | Niamh Garratt | 43:52 |
| 389 | Luke Woodend | 45:14 |
