THREE-TIMES Blaydon race winner Justina Heslop returns to competition for the first time in over two years when she runs in today’s Elswick Harriers’ Norman Woodcock Memorial five mile race at Gosforth Park Newcastle.
The 35-year-old Tynesider, who is married toElswick’s Ethiopian athlete Tadele Geremew, had a baby girl last year and makes her racing return after completing a low-key park run in Newcastle last weekend.
Heslop, a member of Elswick before joining Clapham Chasers when she moved south eight years ago, set the Norman Woodcock record of 27 mins 11 secs in 2011 after completing a hat-trick of victories at Blaydon.
Shildon’s Cameron Boyek is injured and is unable to defend the title he was last year. The leading contenders in today’s event, which starts at 2pm on a traffic-free course inside Gosforth Park race track, are likely to include Gateshead Harrier Chris Parr and Tyne Bridge Harrier Marc Fenwick.
Sunderland Strollers host their annual Doorstep Marathon on a two-lap course taking in Whitburn, Cleadon and South Shields tomorrow (9am start) and all proceeds will be donated to the chemotherapy unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital. There will also be a half marathon starting at 10.30am.
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