The Mark Ellis Blog

As is customary at this time of the year, it's time to look back at what the kids have been up to on the track and field as well as having a look forward to what 2019 might bring. Following tradition, we'll go in child order, so it's Dominic first.  2018 has been a year where there's been another club as he's now an athlete (as well as coaching) at Warrington AC following his move to the North West.  He's done a lot of officiating again in 2018, including UKYDL fixtures for his new club as well as the usual stuff in the North East.  He's also started his Level 4 qualification on the track and is having a dabble amongst the start team. Meanwhile, on the track, there's only been a couple of performances this season and that was the Great North Run plus an outing in the Cheshire League.  The highlight has to be his 3.77m long jump, which was actually a pb, beating his 2015 performance of 3.46m in Houghton's senior team.  He does though maintain hi...

The North East Relay Championships has always been an event close to my heart as I love watching relay races and the kids (& I) have enjoyed competing in them. Relays are a fine art and the NE Champs always generates a fine atmosphere with a big crowd, lots of clubs competing and most of the races under the floodlights to add to the tension. This year was different though and for a very special reason, the first time that the Phoenix Flyers (our fledgling new club), joined the fray. We had three teams competing in the U11 boys, U13 girls & U13 boys races. The build up was tense on the night with a bit of rearranging needed to the teams (thanks to Blyth for the loanee for the U13 boys race) & once the teamsheets were in, it was time to enjoy the action. The U11 boys were first to go, with Huw, Will, Dylan & Dominic creating a little bit of history by being the first Phoenix Flyers relay team to appear on a results sheet. The boys ran ...

The second weekend in January has turned into a cracker for Philippa for the second year running.  This time last year saw her hit a Grade 1 time in the U15G 60m Hurdles at the Scottish National Open in Glasgow, something that we hadn't quite expected on the day.  This year was pretty similar, but this time she was competing at the Northern Indoor Championships at the EIS in Sheffield. The day started with the 60m Hurdles and the target was to make the final.  With three heats leading to a final, Philippa knew she had to be in the first two in her heat to guarantee a place in the final. She was drawn in Heat 2 with Nicole Lannie in the same heat - she's raced against Nicole since they were Under 13's and both were calm and chatty as they took to the start line.  Both girls ran well, with Philippa taking the win and Nicole 2nd (with her easing up towards the finish line.  That was the final sorted for both girls and the times came out quickly, with ...