Harding and Hodgson coast to beach victory
TOUGH TERRAIN CHALLENGE BRINGS MORPETH SUCCESS
MORPETH athletes Ian Harding and Jane Hodgson claimed their third success in the annual Beadnell to Alnmouth 14-mile multi-terrain race yesterday.
Both Harding and Hodgson were successful in the 2011 and 2012 events and, with a slight tail-wind, ran their quickest-ever times.
After the 1,200 competitors left the start in Beadnell, Harding was quickly into his stride and, after the first mile, he only had Tom Charlton (Tyne Bridge) for company.
However, having contested the popular race on numerous occasions, his knowledge of the course proved beneficial as he soon eased away from his main rival.
Harding cut out a lone furrow as passed through scenic villages of Low Newton, Craster (around halfway), Howick and Boulmer before taking to the beach on the long run to the finish line in Alnmouth.
Despite rain falling during the second section of the race, Harding came home in 72min 58secs, which was one of the fastest times ever recorded for the tough multi-terrain event.
Harding, who was having his first race since the Blaydon Race, said he felt comfortable throughout, adding: “Once I got away from Tom, it was just a case of making sure you kept your footing on the tricky parts of the course.
“The Coastal Run is one of my favourite races especially as this is my third win so I have to be pleased.
“Conditions were near perfect, it was warm but the light showers kept you cool all the way.’’
Charlton was in second place throughout the contest and finished just over two minutes adrift of Harding to claim the runners-up award with Darlington-based Quakers’ athlete, Michael Joyeux, completing the one-two-three.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, for the first time in a while, Hodgson claimed the scalp of her Morpeth team-mate Emma Holt as she picked up the winning prize for the third time.
Just over a minute separated the pair at the line with Hodgson winning in 85:59 as she finished in a remarkable 29th place overall.
It was also Hodgson’s quickest Coastal Run time after winning in 2011 (89:56) and 2012 (88:17).
Holt, who won the race in 2015, was a comfortable runner-up (87:05) with the promoting club’s Jo Gascoigne-Owens, winner last year and in 2013, completing the podium places.