TRACK Nice tri from Calum on cross-country return
JOHNSON SHOWS HIS VERSATILITY
NOW that the triathlon season has come to an end former GB junior cross-county international Calum Johnson donned his spikes for the first time this winter to contest the National Cross-Country Relays in Berry Hill Park, Mansfield.
And he showed despite the long break from competitive action he was in decent shape by posting a respectable time over the 5k course to bring Gateshead up into fourth place at the completion of his leg.
It was a promising start for the long winter ahead after a mixed fortunes triathlon campaign which promised so much after finishing in fifth place in the British Championships in early June.
That was the springboard to his first international victory on the European circuit in a European Cup event in Holland which led to another podium finish as runner-up in Estonia.
Following on from those two impressive performances Johnson began to challenge the ‘big boys’ of British triathlon by finishing runnerup, just seven seconds behind World Championship representative Mark Buckingham, in the inaugural London Triathlon.
However, after those eye-catching displays things didn’t quite turn out the way the Tynesider had hoped.
“Naturally, I was over the moon the way things were going as I had a late start to the season due to illness, so to do so well in my first three outings was really pleasing,’’ said Johnson, who is based in Leeds at present with the rest of the main GB triathletes.
“That string of results earned me a GB call-up for both the European and World under-23 Championships which I eagerly looked forward to.
“Unfortunately, the European’s and the World’s did not go to plan at all. I really suffered in the heat in the NORTH Shields Poly again set the standard for the region by taking a coach load of athletes and supporters to last weekend’s National Cross-Country Relay Championships in Mansfield.
A few weeks ago the Monkseatonbased club had a huge presence at the National Road Relay Championships in Birmingham.
And, while the club returned from both venues empty-handed, the European’s in Velence (France) and was forced into a jog on the final phase and finished in 25th place.
“I then headed off to altitude for a three-week stint hoping to put that disappointment behind me before heading to Rotterdam for the World’s.
“However, again I finished disappointed, although training had gone well at altitude.
“I was always chasing after a poor swim and although I managed to improve after the bike ride and especially the 10k run, I eventually had to settle for 24th place at the finish.
“It was so frustrating finishing the season like that as I know I was capable of making it into the top 10 if everything had gone well.’’
After those setbacks Johnson took a few weeks break to recharge the batteries and sort out a few recurring health problems.
And at Mansfield last weekend he looked as keen as ever to get back into the grove, albeit over the cross-country terrain.
“It was good to stretch my legs out once again and help out the team at Mansfield,’’ added Johnson.
“I’m really looking forward to the winter ahead which will give me the impetus to show the tri hierarchy next year what I am capable of.
“I plan a lot of cross-country during Calum Johnson experience of competing in major events was invaluable, especially for young athletes who made the trips.
Among those who made the journey to Mansfield was Poly lifemember and North East Counties AA president Bernard Johnson.
Johnson is more recognisable these days as one of the region’s leading throws and jumps officials. However, he was the club’s chief flag bearer on this occasion.
the coming months including the North Easterns in December which will be my first senior NE Championship, a challenge I’m excited about.
“Then in the New Year, the Northerns, the National and, if selected, the Inter-Counties, where hopefully,
It was Johnson’s first visit to the relays and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“Things are certainly moving in the right direction at the club at the moment,’’ he said.
“A few years ago the club may have had a sprinkling of runners for races like this, but we have over 800 members now and many of them are keen to move up a notch.
“Club captain Vaughan Hemy and the North East can come out on top once more.’’
All that activity leads nicely into next season’s triathlon campaign which opens up in ernest in late March where Johnson will once again contest the European and World circuit. a number of others are working really hard to see that the Poly become a force once more.
“In recent years we seem to have slipped behind the likes of Gateshead and Morpeth and a few other clubs in the region, but things are certainly afoot to rectify that.
“Being at Mansfield I could see the green shoots coming through and hopefully the progress will continue in years to come.’’ ■■HEATON Harriers’ annual Memorial Road Races take place on Sunday, November 12 on Newcastle Town Moor.
The five-race programme gets under way at 9.15am with a MiniMinor (9-11-year-olds) contest with the main senior 10k event closing the programme at 11:01am. Entries on line by tomorrow at: www.resultsbase. net/event/4082. Late entries on the day will be accepted for the young athletes’ races while, if there may be a few places still available for the senior race. ■■THE third fixture of the Start Fitness North East Harrier League takes place at Aykley Heads, Durham on Saturday, November 18.
Once again action gets underway at 12.15pm with the “Try Cross-Country’’ for nine-to11-year-old boys and girls with the senior men’s event closing the programme at 2.15pm approx.