Norman Woodcock Relay, 1st November 2026

Although we didn’t quite manage our record seven teams at last year’s event, six Claremont teams took to the track at Newcastle Racecourse for this short, and therefore fast, relay race. Teams have to be mixed-sex, that is they have to include at least one female, which with only four males out of our 18 runners (and one reserve), did not pose a problem for us! Indeed, by necessity, we had two all-female teams.

Along with our race number, we were handed straps for the chip-timing system, which we tied around our ankles like prisoners out on parole. Apparently there had been an issue with the provision of the chips, which caused a short delay to the start and a queue at the end as they all had to be cross-referenced to our bib number before the results could be processed. I am not sure which company the organisers, Elswick Harriers, had used, but I am fairly sure that they won’t get the contract next year! Otherwise the event ran smoothly and provided a good morning’s racing.

Being one loop on a path that runs inside the horse racing circuit (I believe that it is there for medics to use), the course couldn’t be any more straightforward. Conditions were fairly good for running, though after a fast first mile, we turned into a surprisingly stiff breeze – just as we seemed to be running slightly uphill too. It is at this point when you realise that you have started too fast and start to slow down (or at least I did!).

There were some good runs from the Claremont contingent, with several posting course PBs (Lucy Ward, Lena Lou, Becky Webster and Julie Cross to name but 4). Also, if Strava is to be believed, Becky and Lucy posted their fastest ever kilometres! I too can take some positives as I near the end of an injury-hit year, as I apparently ran my fastest mile for over 12 months.

So the final relay of 2026 is over. There have been more than ever this year, Claremont participation has been high, we have ran fast, eaten cake and had fun – so a big thanks to everybody who dons the sky blue to represent the club, and a special thanks to the team captains who make it all happen. Roll on 2027.

Position	Runners	Time
21	Mark Anderson Aoife Campbell Lena Lou Team Time	09:21 09:51 10:25 29:37
31	Catherine Young Sarah Kerr Heather Steel Team Time	10:31 10:09 10:16 30:56
48	Laurie Johnson Aoife Monaghan Sarah Williamson Team Time	09:33 11:10 12:18 33:01
67	Paul Robinson Lucy Ward Anna Round Team Time	10:19 11:58 12:52 35:09
89	Nicki O’Brien Becky Webster Julie Cross Team Time	11:09 15:40 11:59 38:48
97	Tom Tinsley Silvia Velastegui-Cortez Lucy Keating Team Time	11:03 17:44 12:50 41:37