An Evening with David Sharpe

Monkton Stadium, Wood Terrace, Jarrow NE32 5NJ

Friday 15 March 2024, 6pm to 8pm


Jarrow and Hebburn AC are delighted to host An Evening with David Sharpe at Monkton Stadium on Friday 15 March 2024.

David, a Jarrow lad and former international middle distance runner, European Indoor champion and World Cup winner at 800 metres, launches his book ‘Enigma on Track’ on February 19 2024. At this launch event, as well as talking about his athletics career, the pressures of competing at international level and tales from his training; he may also touch on such diverse topics as motorbiking, skiing, celebrity boxing, birdwatching, scrapes with authority, suspected drug use, athlete payments and more.

The evening will be compered by Michael McNally. There will be a Q&A session at the end and an opportunity to purchase signed copies of his book.

This will be an interesting and unmissable event. Please register your interest by email to: secretary@jhac.org.uk for first come first served tickets. There is no entry fee but numbers are limited. Attendees may make donations which will be split between Jarrow and Hebburn AC and a charity of David’s choice. Refreshments will also be available.

Hope to see you there!

Jarrow and Hebburn AGM 2024

When: Friday 22 March 2024, 6.30pm
Where: Elmfield Social Club, Campbell Park Road, Hebburn, NE31 2ED

Jarrow and Hebburn AC members are invited to attend the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place on Friday 22 March 2024 at Elmfield Social Club in Hebburn. The AGM will start promptly at 6.30pm and will be immediately followed by the Club Presentation Evening.

We hope to see as many Jarrow and Hebburn AC members there as possible, so that they can have their say in how the club is run and ensure that elections can pass. The meeting will also recognise the achievements of the club and our athletes over the past year, and will set out the ambitions for the club’s future. As a Limited Company, our Articles of Association require us to hold an AGM with at least 20 members in attendance for the meeting to be quorate, so please make every effort to join us.

The AGM agenda, and the minutes from last year’s AGM, which need to be reviewed and approved at the start of the meeting, are attached above. There is one vote per member and parents and carers can vote on behalf of members under 18. If you are unable to attend in person, you may vote by proxy. Under the Companies Act 2006, to nominate a proxy, you must communicate this in writing to: Club Secretary (Jenna Killock), either in person, or sent to Jarrow and Hebburn AC, Monkton Stadium, 54 Dene Terrace, NE32 5NJ. The nomination must be signed and include:

Your name and address 

The name of your nominated proxy

JHAC Boxing Day Handicap 2021 – Results

26 hardy souls braved wet and murky conditions to take part in the annual Jarrow and Hebburn Boxing Day handicap race at Bedeswell Park. Richard Harrison finished in first position, with a race time of 23:29 (actual time 16:29) on the 3 lap, 3 mile course. Neve King Jones was first lady home, with a race time of 23:49 (actual time 22:19). A collection on the day raised £170, which will be donated to a local charity supporting those affected by stroke. Well done to everyone who took part, with particular thanks to Michael Bunn, Alan Wears, Barry Forster and Conal Tufnell for volunteering their time to help organise and deliver the event.

Results in full are in the table below, alongside the download link.

PositionRace numberNameRace timeActual time
1129Richard Harrison23:2916:29
2163Ian Salkeld23:3918:39
3193Matt Crocker23:4319:13
4184Neve King Jones23:4922:19
5194Peter Smallcombe23:5315:53
6137Linda Smith24:0424:04
7181Melissa Turner24:1618:16
8125Marc Joyce24:2019:50
9179Claire Simpson24:3719:37
10189Darcey Tullis24:5119:51
11124Michael Joyce25:0724:07
12162Unknown25:13
13185Dan Martin25:1424:14
14188Shafaika Radman25:2724:57
15186Brian Anderson25:4020:40
16177Marsha Jobling25:4424:44
17178Antonia Smith25:4424:44
18190Garry Brooks25:4521:15
19183Unknown26:52
20108Alan Jobling26:5725:57
21156Adele Carmichael30:5730:57
22195Christine Tufnell31:1631:16
23162Mark Kennedy37:4737:47
24183Lesley Martin40:1040:10
25191Joe Martin (2 laps)18:40DNF
26192Norman Robb (2 laps)40:1540:15

Jarrow and Hebburn Boxing Day Handicap and Monkton Stadium Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Please note that Monkton Stadium will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve and will remain closed until Tuesday 4 January 2022, when normal hours will resume. Opening times:

Friday 24 December – Close at 3pm
Saturday 25 December to Monday 3 January – Closed
Tuesday 4 January – Normal hours resume

Coaches may decide to provide training sessions between Christmas and 4 January, but this is entirely at their discretion. They deserve some well-earned time with family and friends over the festive period, especially after the restricted Christmas we all had last year.

Jarrow and Hebburn AC Boxing Day Handicap will return this year on Sunday 26 December, meeting from 10am at the Clubhouse at Monkton Stadium for an 11am race start. The run will be preceded by a minute’s silence for past members and those who have passed during the last two years. Participants have the option to run either 1 mile or 3 mile, which will take place around Bedeswell Park (Campbell Park). The course will be cleared and marked for the day, with yellow directional arrows. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided at the clubhouse, subject to the Council providing access. If the clubhouse is closed, then people should meet at Monkton Stadium car park to register and collect their number. The handicap is free to enter, but there will be a charity collection on the day, so please bring some change.

Everyone is welcome to take part; all ages, abilities and coaching groups. Start times and handicaps are calculated based on your season’s best 5km or parkrun time. Those with the quickest 5km times start last, and if the handicaps are accurate, all runners will finish roughly around the same time. Please adhere to COVID-19 rules in place on the day. It would be sensible taking a lateral flow test before turning up. Please do not attend if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you feel unwell, even if you just have typical cold symptoms.

Coach Michael Bunn is organising the handicap, so please contact him on michaelbunn58@hotmail.com or text him on 07792029876 (remember to include your full name) to confirm your attendance and provide your best 5km time. Please do this as soon as possible, to avoid a last-minute rush calculating handicap times. Michael will also need at least two timekeepers (one to time and one to take numbers), so if anyone is able to volunteer, please get in touch with him.

There will be a presentation after the race and full results will be uploaded to the club website. We hope everyone enjoys the run and has a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

North East Cross Country Championships 2021

The 115th NECAA North Eastern Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 11 December 2021 at Sedgefield, hosted by Sedgefield Harriers. In stark contrast to the last time the event was held there in 2015, weather conditions were generally fair, with a light breeze and some drizzle, at least until the final stages of the ladies’ race, when the skies darkened and chilly winds picked up. The highlight of the day for Jarrow and Hebburn AC was the victory of our superb senior ladies team, who took the team prize home for a record fourth consecutive time. Our first four counters Alex Sneddon (4th), Melissa Turner (8th), Georgia Campbell (12th) and Steph Pattinson (18th), finished ahead of Morpeth Harriers to claim the ladies team trophy. There was an incredibly strong turnout and excellent performances from our ladies overall, with nine finishers, including Rachel Breheny (30th), Hazelle Webster-Costella (38th), Emily Jones (40th), Jenna Killock (65th) and Vicki Thompson (112th).

In the earlier races, Neve King-Jones finished 31st in the under 15 girls race, Joshua McKenny finished 17th in the under 17 men’s, twins Hannah and Jess Holman finished 15th and 16th respectively in the under 20s ladies’ race, whilst Peter Smallcombe finished an impressive seventh in the under 20 men’s race. Unfortunately, we did not field a complete team in the men’s senior race, but there were solid performances from Jonathan Gilroy (81st), Ian Salkeld (150th), Carl Smith (152nd) and Michael Thornton (233rd).

Results in full (provided by New Markse Harriers) are available here.

Cross Country Fixtures 2021-22

Cross country fixtures for the 2021-22 season have now been confirmed. Please email the Club Secretary at Secretary@jhac.org.uk if you would like to take part. The fixtures are all listed below.


Start Fitness North East Harrier League

Saturday 25 September 2021 – Wrekenton

Sunday 10 October 2021 – Druridge Bay

Saturday 30 October 2021 – Lambton Estate

Saturday 27 November 2021 – Aykley Heads

Saturday 8 January 2022 – Thornley Hall Farm, near Peterlee

Saturday 12 February 2022 – Sherman Cup/Davison Shield – Temple Park, South Shields

Saturday 5 March 2022 – Alnwick Castle

Please visit the Harrier League website for information on race times, race packs and results.


Cross Country Championship and Relay Fixtures

Saturday 23 October 2021 – Northern Athletics Cross Country Relays (Graves Park, Sheffield)

Saturday 11 December 2021 – NECAA North Eastern Cross Country Championships (Sedgefield)

Sunday 16 January 2022 – Birtley Cross Country Relays (Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, Birtley)

Saturday 29 January 2022 – Northern Cross Country Championships (Pontefract Park Racecourse)

Saturday 26 February 2022 – National Cross Country Championships (Parliament Hill, London)

Saturday 12 March 2022 – Intercounties Championships (Loughborough)

Saturday 19 March 2022 – North Eastern Counties Cross Country Relays (Thornley Hall Farm, DH6 3LY)

Please note: Jarrow and Hebburn AC will pay entry fees for members who want to compete in the Harrier League (£3), North Eastern Championships (£5 juniors/£7 seniors), Northern and National Championships. If members put their name down for these competitions, but do not race, they will be asked to repay their fee to the Club.


Fundraising for a bench in memory of three Club legends

Jarrow and Hebburn AC are raising funds for a bench in memory of John Keefe and fellow founding club members Tommy Power and Bob Charlton. John was a much-loved and respected figure on the North East running scene, a long-serving Club Committee member, race official and Secretary for the Harrier League, who sadly passed away in November last year. The memorial bench will take pride of place trackside at Monkton Stadium, for the benefit future generations of North East athletes, volunteers and officials. If you would like to make a donation to our fundraising efforts, please visit our JustGIving page here and read our tribute to John, Tommy and Bob. All donations will be gratefully received.

Return to training update

Return to training

From Monday 29 March, COVID-19 restrictions will be eased again, in line with the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people, or two households, will be permitted to take place outside. Outdoors sports facilities will also be allowed to open and organised outdoor sports will be permitted to resume. The ‘stay at home’ rule will end, although people are encouraged to minimise journeys and stay local. This means that Jarrow and Hebburn AC training sessions will resume, with no restrictions on numbers, as we are an affiliated club and therefore an organised sport (coaching ratios of 1:12 still apply). Social runs which do not form part of a club training session can take place, but only up to a limit of 6 people. Members can also travel to and from training, club activities and races.

Jarrow and Hebburn AC are also delighted to confirm that Monkton Stadium will reopen for outdoor sports and track use only from 29 March. Indoor sessions and gym will resume later, starting week beginning 12 April. Members should have received an email and/or communcations from their coach to confirm this. The charge per track session is £2, which reflects increased track charges, now that we are hiring the track, rather than people paying individually at reception. Several coaching groups have payment systems in place already. Some coaches will be selling batches of tokens (valued £2 each), which can then be exchanged for sessions, whilst others will take cash (please bring exact change). There is also the option to pay in blocks via BACS. For the purposes of Covid safety, the Club need to minimise the amount of cash handling that goes on, so your help with this will be appreciated. Solo track use on non-club nights can also be booked by phoning Monkton Stadium on 0191 489 1283. Please do not turn up at reception or try to book solo sessions through the Club.

Registers will once again be completed for every club session, to support NHS test and trace. Some groups are already using the Spond app to record attendances. Please DO NOT attend a club session if you feel unwell, even if you think it is just a cold. Everyone should make themselves aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19 (Dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste). Self-isolate and get a test if you experience any of these. Members should continue to social distance and wash/sanitise hands before and after sessions.

And continuing the good news, the Monkton track surface has been cleaned, so should be in good shape for our return. Further improvements to the Stadium and grounds will happen over the coming months. Big thanks to South Tyneside Council for continuing to support athletics and for facilitating our swift return.

South Shields Landmark Challenge – Champions!

Race report by Carl Mowatt

South Shields Landmark Challenge – Sunday 27 December 2020

This years race was a little different than usual with COVID procedures in place, although the organisation from Luke Adams’ Run Eat Sleep was fantastic. Under normal circumstances, everyone starts together, but this year we had to pick our own start point and landmark. Jay and I (Carl), team BoMo (Bowley and Mowatt), planned our route strategically, looking for the quickest direction to hit the 14 named landmarks. We started and finished at the newest; the obelisk on the Lawe Top, then motored down the rocky steps to the Groyne and beyond to Marsden, before returning down the coast road via Westoe Colliery. We then went through both Marine Parks, and back up the bank to the finish at Lawe Top obelisk. Covering 9.23 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes, stopping for 14 photographs along the way and contending with Marsden old wooden steps, both up and down, we glided to our 3rd victory in the past 3 years. Team BoMo reclaimed the Run Eat Sleep Landmark Challenge – Champions 2020!

Remembering John Keefe

Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club wish to announce the very sad passing of one of its oldest and dearest members, John Keefe.

John was a member of the club from 1945 when he lived in Shakespeare Avenue in Hebburn. He joined the club from the Army Cadets, and the town’s Youth Organisation Committee’s works, instituted by the club’s founder Sir John Jarvis. John became an integral part of the club’s success in those early years, together with training friends like Tommy Power.

John (Left) training with Tommy Power

John raced for the club for decades and was Club Captain in the 1950s. He was incredibly a club member over nine decades! He was a key part of the club’s relay squads over all sprint distances and the mile. John was a multiple individual winner at a host of events both locally and on our travels.

Winning in Berwick

Most importantly is the life John breathed into the club. Those nine decades were notable for consistent club support. He attended all club events, supporting us at races and at formal functions. He was one of those people whose camaraderie was so important to club life.

John, bottom right, amongst other legends like Bob Charlton, Tommy Power, and Jimmy Hedley.

He was also a prominent, regular, and popular part of the regional athletics scene, with involvement as an official at that level.

John on the right as Steve Cram wins his warm-up race at Gateshead for the 1983 World Championship win.

Steve Cram, as Club President, sums up John perfectly in his own words, “John was an immense presence in the club and the wider athletics community, somewhat belying his quiet, gentle manner. He continually gave up his time and energy to help others enjoy our great sport and never sought thanks or reward. As a youngster I first thought he exuded authority and stature, but I grew to appreciate his calming approach and his natural wisdom and intelligence. John commanded enormous respect from all those around him for many reasons but perhaps because he was incredibly reliable and always fair and polite. Just a really nice person.  He was forever encouraging to me and I will always remember his warm smile and kindly words.” Steve Cram CBE

When the club celebrated its 80th anniversary, John was one of the few members awarded a prestigious Jarvis Award. We will greatly miss him.

John Keefe

Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club – 1945 to 2020