The Morpeth
The Morpeth was the oldest road running event in England, United Kingdom and was traditionally run on New Year's Day from Morpeth to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
History
The event begun in 1904 between Morpeth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne covering a distance of 13.6 miles (21.9 km) but was later changed to 14.1 miles (22.7 km) in 1983. [1] Only in 2002 was the road race standardised to the half-marathon distance. [2]
In 2002 the sponsor pulled out and finance for safety precautions became a serious issue for the host club Morpeth Harriers. The race was moved away from its traditional New Year's Day slot to the second Sunday in January.[2] The last official Morpeth was run in its centenary Year of 2004.
Ultimately the race was cancelled in 2005 and 2006 as safety issues could not be resolved with the local authorities. [3] In particular the police, who proposed a new route via Dinnington (which was met with much resistance from the current organisers).
At present, Morpeth Harriers host a 11k road race on New Year's Day in which there are over 100 competitors.
Winners
The title of most victories belongs to that of Dunky Wright who scored seven wins. [4]Local lad Jim Alder who represented Scotland in the 1966 Kingston Commonwealth Games and won a Gold medal in the marathon has also claimed five victories in this event.
Over Half Marathon distance.[5]
| Date | Time (h:m:s) | Men's race | Time (h:m:s) | Women's race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 2004 | 1:07:23 | Huw Lobb [6] | 1:16:35 | Annie Emmerson [7] |
| 12 Jan 2003 [8] | 1:07:48 | David Norman [9] | 1:15:36 | Andrea Green |
| 13 Jan 2002 | 1:07:24 | Dominic Bannister | 1:21:16 | Jan Roxburgh |
Over 22.7 km course.
| Date | Time (h:m:s) | Men's race | Time (h:m:s) | Women's race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan 2001 | 1:13:04 | Mark Hudspith | 1:28:02 | Sheila Allen |
| 01 Jan 2000 | 1:11:23 | Mark Hudspith | 1:25:51 | Jill Boltz |
| 01 Jan 1999 | 1:13:29 | Ian Hudspith | 1:24:54 | Tracey Brindley |
| 01 Jan 1998 | 1:15:30 | Brian Rushworth | 1:26:58 | Sandra Branney |
| 01 Jan 1997 | 1:10:03 | Mark Hudspith | 1:22:44 | Jane Shields |
| 01 Jan 1996 | 1:09:44 | Steve Brace | 1:25:11 | Anne Hegvold |
| 01 Jan 1995 | 1:08:07 | Ian Hudspith | 1:18:30 | Catherine Mijovic |
| 01 Jan 1994 | 1:09:50 | Colin Walker | 1:20:00 | Lynn Harding |
| 01 Jan 1993 | 1:10:24 | Mark Hudspith | 1:22:20 | Lynn Harding |
| 01 Jan 1992 | 1:09:35 | Paul Evans (athlete) | 1:20:23 | Lynn Harding |
| 01 Jan 1991 | 1:12:27 | Paul Davies-Hale | 1:23:58 | Angela Hulley |
| 01 Jan 1990 | 1:09:14 | Paul Cuskin | 1:20:08 | Veronique Marot |
| 01 Jan 1989 | 1:09:17 | Fraser Clyne | 1:16:33 | Angela Hulley |
| 01 Jan 1988 | 1:08:33 | Paul Davies-Hale | 1:19:26 | Susan Crehan |
| 01 Jan 1987 | 1:12:24 | Peter Tootell | 1:21:22 | Veronique Marot |
| 01 Jan 1986 | 1:07:02 | Paul Davies-Hale | 1:18:06 | Veronique Marot |
| 01 Jan 1985 | 1:05:38 | Allister Hutton | 1:22:03 | Sue Gaskell |
| 01 Jan 1984 | 1:09:06 | Allister Hutton | 1:19:44 | Angela Tooby |
| 01 Jan 1983 | 1:08:24 | Kevin Forster | 1:23:58 | Margaret Lockley |
References
- ↑ "Morpeth to Newcastle". Scottish Distance Running. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- 1 2 "Date switch shock for Morpeth's famous New Year road race". Morpeth Herald. 3 January 2001. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Bid to save Morpeth Road Race". Morpeth Herald. 3 November 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "A great record 1934". British Pathe. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Morpeth to Newcastle Half Marathon". Association of road running statisticians. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ Huw Lobb profile at Power of 10
- ↑ Annie Emmerson profile at Power of 10
- ↑ "Bumper turn-out for Morpeth Road Race". Morpeth Herald. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ David Norman profile at Power of 10