Houghton Harriers – Summary of Endurance Athletes Coaches Report covering 2020 season
This is a summary of a short report presented by Lynn Cooper (Endurance Coach) to the January 2022 Annual General Meeting. (Please note this report was presented in January 2022 as there was no AGM in January 2021)
2020 Started normally with no COVID restrictions yet in place.
In February at the Signals Relays, the Senior Men’s team was just edged into 3rd place, with Henry Johnson on first leg posting the fastest time on the day. The Senior Women went one better coming 2nd just 5 seconds behind the winners.
One week later Henry Johnson was crowned English under 20 indoor 1500m Champion at Sheffield.
During March there was considerable representation from our athletes representing the North East at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Loughborough. Team members included Anna Pigford, Amy Leonard, Erin Keeler Clarke, Eva Hardie, Cameron Allan, Luke Pickering, Henry Johnson and Will Bellamy
The following athletes were selected to race for Durham County at the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Leeds: Anna Pigford, Amy Leonard, Erin Keeler Clarke, Eva Hardie, Brandon Pye, Chris Coulson, Henry Johnson, Sam Gibson and Will Bellamy.
In the final Harrier League of the season Luke Pickering recorded the fastest time of the day.
The summer season was heavily disrupted by COVID restrictions but most athletes managed to keep training and some even managed to race. The most notable track achievement of a much reduced season was the appearance of 2 Houghton Harriers vests appearing on BBC television following the qualification of Henry Johnson and Will Bellamy for the British Senior Championships at 800m despite both being under 20 athletes. Henry went on to finish the year ranked 3rd under 20 at 800m.
There were track personal bests from Lee Dover, Luke Pickering & Ryan King (800m), Cameron Allan (1500m), Tom Pigford & Will Bellamy (800m & 1500m), Henry Johnson (400m, 800m & 1500m) and Chris Coulson & Rory Graham (3000m).
Our men were prominent at the Run Durham Dalton Park Summer 10K at Murton in August with placings of Jonny Evans 2nd, Lee Dover 4th, Chris Coulson 7th and Rory Graham 14th.
Due to the ongoing COVID restrictions there were very restricted opportunities to run cross country and so there were no North East Cross Country Championships in 2020. However, during a short break in the restrictions, Houghton fielded three teams at the inaugural North East Cross Country Relays: under 13 and under 15 boys and an under 20 women’s team of Anna Pigford, Amy Leonard and Eva Hardie who won gold.
The senior and veteran version of the North East Cross Country Relays took place in April and we had three teams – under 20 men and 2 veteran men teams – but no medals this time.
Apologies for any notable performances or personal bests that may have been missed in the preparation of this.
