Weetslade Relay
Thank you to everybody who came out to support this year’s Weetslade Relay. Although it had cooled slightly, it must still have felt hot running up that hill. So well done to all 380 of you who made it up and down again! We hope you enjoyed it.
Please see the results for the 2026 race below.
The date for next year’s event is yet to be confirmed, but will be a Wednesday evening near the end of June (most likely 23rd or 30th).
About the Weetslade Relays
Every June, Claremont Road Runners organise the Weetslade Relay. It is based in Lockey Park, Wideopen, just north of Newcastle, and the Weetslade Country Park. See the map below to help you find the Race HQ (post code NE13 6LH):
All entrants and supporters can expect to enjoy a good night’s racing. It was the first relay event in the country where each club is required to select teams of three which must include at least one veteran and at least one lady. Each leg consists of approximately 2.65 miles on a traffic-free, single lap, multi-terrain course. The course always receives favourable comments from runners. It includes a hill at halfway with a thirty metre climb. There are spectacular views over Tyneside for those who still notice such things after running up a hill.
A map of the course is shown below (click on the image for interactive map). Map also available on MapMyRun.
There are cash prizes for fastest teams, and novelty prize bags which are given to randomly selected teams at the end of the evening.
The race is supported by Wideopen Football Club, who provide refreshments and use of their clubhouse for changing and administration; by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, who allow the use of Weetslade Country Park; and by North Tyneside Council Events Team. It is a closed race and is limited in 2026 to 130 teams from UKA affiliated clubs and to a maximum of six teams from each club. Individuals can be selected for teams on the day. Minimum age 18.
2026 Results
Congratulations to Sunderland Harriers on their victory, and to Elswick Harriers and Morpeth Harriers for completing the podium.
| Team | Runners | Time | |
| 1st | Sunderland Harriers ‘A’ | Steve Rankin Grace Carroll Joe Armstrong Team Time | 13:39 16:14 13:03 42:56 |
| 2nd | Elswick Harriers ‘A’ | Dan Milton Justina Heslop Andrew Bell Team Time | 13:33 16:04 13:57 43:34 |
| 3rd | Morpeth Harriers ‘A’ | Andrew Lawrence Catriona MacDonald Peter Smallcombe Team Time | 14:40 15:54 13:13 43:47 |
It was the fastest runner on the evening, Joe Armstrong, who ran a very strong anchor leg to overhaul Elswick’s Andrew Bell and lead Sunderland home. Peter Smallcombe of 3rd placed Morpeth was second speediest, with Heaton’s Jacob Garthwaite third – all three are seniors. The Sunderland Harriers veterans also featured strongly with Steve Rankin and Stephen Jackson being second and third fastest vets respectively, coming behind Tyne Bridge’s Jarlath McKenna.
For the ladies, it was Morpeth’s Catriona MacDonald who topped the charts ahead of the fastest veteran, Justina Heslop of Elswick. Veterans also filled the third and fourth fastest slots – Jesmond Joggers’ Laura Chapman and Alex Sneddon of Jarrow & Hebburn being next. Second and third quickest senior ladies were Grace Carroll, of the winning team, and Hannah Stewart from Tyne Bridge.
