NEMAA Athletes Conquer Europe – Report from the European Masters Athletics Championships, Madeira by Stuart Lynn

The North East Masters Athletics Association (NEMAA) athletes delivered an exceptional performance at the European Masters Athletics Championships held on the island of Madeira. Competing as part of a 550-strong Great Britain team, our athletes demonstrated remarkable talent, determination, and team spirit across ten days of intense competition. Their efforts resulted in an impressive medal haul, including European titles, podium finishes, and record-breaking performances.

European Champions – 11 Gold Medals
NEMAA athletes claimed 11 European titles, marking a truly outstanding achievement:

• Kath Stewart (W85) – 100m (19.56), 200m (42.30), 400m (1:40.78): Triple European Champion
• John Moreland (M65) – Discus (47.29m)
• Stuart Lynn (M65) – 4x400m Relay (4:03.35)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 4x400m Mixed Relay (3:36.07)
• Kath Stewart (W75) – 4x100m Relay (1:11.56)
• Marvin Edwards (M45) – 4x100m Relay (44.32)
• Alistair Hill (M75) - Javelin (34.15)
• Doreen Craig (W70) – 4x100m Relay (65.02)
• Gavin Bayne (M70) – Half Marathon Team (1:30.52)

Silver Medal Winners – 13 Medals
An additional 13 silver medals were secured across a range of disciplines:

• Jacqueline Etherington (W45) – 2000m Steeplechase (7:55.03)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 400m Hurdles (55.55) and 4x400m Relay (3:25.07)​
• Alistair Hill (M75) – Decathlon (6,387 pts)
• Danielle Hodgkinson (W40) – 5000m (17:08.33)
• Carolyn Gale (W75) – Half Marathon (2:20.39)
• Gavin Bayne (M70) – Half Marathon (1:30.52)
• Angela Kelly (W65), Lourdes Bradley (W45), Doreen Craig (W70) and​ others contributed to multiple relay silver medals.

Bronze Medal Achievements – 10 Medals
A further 10 bronze medals highlighted NEMAA’s depth of talent:

• Chris Upson (M60) – Half Marathon (1:21.49), 10k Road (37:05)
• Carolyn Gale (W75) – 10,000m (60:06.62), 800m (3:35.52)
• Jacqueline Etherington (W45) – 8k Cross Country (35:08)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 400m (49.02)
• Trevor Hodgson (M50) – 4x100m Relay (46.16)
• Hazel Bough (W45) – 4x400m Mixed Relay (4:08.91)
• Lourdes Bradley (W50) – 4x400m Relay (4:29.05)
• George Henderson (M55) – 10k Road Team (44.57)

Notable Finalists and Strong Performances
Numerous athletes achieved top-eight finishes, narrowly missing out on medals but showcasing world-class ability.

• Lloyd Powell (M35) – 4th in High Jump (1.85m)
• Lauren Jobson (W35) – 5 th in 400m, Stuart Lynn (M65) – 5 th in 400m
• Doreen Craig (W70) – 4 th in 100m, Angela Kelly (W65) – 5 th in 100m, Marvin Edwards (M45) – 5 th in 100m, in their respective sprint events
• Alexis Dodd (W40) – 5th in 1500m (4:53.60)
• Ben Harding (M55) – 400m Semi-Finalist (56.68)
• Hazel Bough (W45) and Andrew Webb (M75) delivered strong performances in middle-distance and hurdles events respectively.

Summary
In total, NEMAA athletes earned 35 medals (12 Gold, 13 Silver, 10 Bronze) a testament to their enduring athletic excellence and commitment. Their performances not only brought pride to the region but also reinforced Great Britain’s standing on the European stage. The Association extends heartfelt congratulations to all medal winners and participants for their dedication, sportsmanship, and outstanding achievements. The Championships once again proved that age is no barrier to excellence.

Full Results

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS (12 GOLD MEDALS)

• Kath Stewart (W85) – 100m (19.56 - GOLD), 200m (42.30 - GOLD), 400m (1:40.78 - GOLD)
• John Moreland (M60) – Discus (47.29m - GOLD)
• Stuart Lynn (M65) – 4x400m Relay (4:03.35 - GOLD)
• Lewis Robson (M35) - 4x400m Mixed Relay (3:36.07 - GOLD)
• Kath Stewart (W75) – 4x100m Relay (1:11.56 - GOLD)
• Marvin Edwards (M45) – 4x100m Relay (44.32 - GOLD)
• Doreen Craig (W70) – 4x100m Relay (65.02 – GOLD)
• Gavin Bayne (M70) – Half Marathon Team (1:30.52 – GOLD)

SILVER MEDALS (13)

• Jacqueline Etherington (W45) – 2000m Steeplechase (7:55.03 - SILVER)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 400m Hurdles (Heat: 57.93 -1st, Final: 55.55 – SILVER)
• Alistair Hill (M75) – Decathlon SILVER (6,387 pts - SILVER)
• Danielle Hodgkinson (W40) – 5000m (17:08.33 - SILVER)
• Carolyn Gale (W75) – Half Marathon (2:20.39 - SILVER)
• Gavin Bayne (M70) – Half Marathon (1:30.52 – SILVER)
• Kath Stewart (W70) - 4x400m Relay (66:22.39 – SILVER)
• Angela Kelly (W65) – 4x100m Relay (63.31 - SILVER)
• Lourdes Bradley (W45) – 4x100 Relay (52.45) – SILVER)
• Doreen Craig (W70) – 4x400m Relay (6:22.39 – SILVER)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 4x400m Relay (3:25.07 – SILVER)

BRONZE MEDALS (10)​

• Carolyn Gale (W75) – 10,000m (60:06.62 - BRONZE), 800m (3:35.52 - BRONZE)
• Jacqueline Etherington (W45) – 8k XC (35:08 - BRONZE)
• Lewis Robson (M35) – 400m (Heat: 50.98 – 1 st , Semi: 49.92 – 1st, Final: 49.02 – BRONZE)
• Trevor Hodgson (M50) – 4x100m Relay (46.16 – BRONZE)
• Hazel Bough (W45) – 4x400m Mixed Relay (4:08.91 – BRONZE)
• Lourdes Bradley (W50) – 4x400m Relay (4:29.05 - BRONZE)
• George Henderson (M55) – 10k Road Team (44.57 – BRONZE)

FINALISTS (JUST OUTSIDE THE MEDALS)

• Lauren Jobson (W35) – 400m (Semi: 60.61, Final 59.70 – 5th )
• Stuart Lynn (M65) – 200m (Heat: 27.58 – 1st, Semi: 26.91 – 1st, Final: 27.39 – 6th), 400m (Heat: 63.37 – 1st, Semi: 61.84 – 2nd, Final: 60.75 – 5th)
• Angela Kelly (W65) – 100m (Semi: 15.87, Final: 15.88 – 5th), 200m (Semi: 34.36 – 5th )
• Marvin Edwards (M45) – 100m (Semi: 12.08 – 2nd, Final: 12.06 – 5th)
• Trevor Hodgson (M50) – 100m (Heat: 11.89 – 1st, Semi: 11.88 – 1st, Final: 11.95 – 6th)
• Doreen Craig (W70) – 100m (Semi: 17.57 – 2 nd , Final: 17.35 – 4 th ), 200m (Semi: 36.49 – 4 th , Final: 36.86 – 7 th ), 400m (Semi: 88.47 – 4 th , Final: 87.33 – 6th )
• Hazel Bough (W45) – 800m (Semi: 2:29.93, Final: 2:29.32 – 6th), 4x400m (4:44.39 – 4th)
• Andrew Webb (M75) – 80m Hurdles (Final: 18.71 – 7 th ), 300m Hurdles (Heat: 80.37 – 8th )
• Lourdes Bradley (W50) – 100m (Heat: 14.56 – 6 th ), 200m (Heat 29.57 – 5th), 400m (Semi: 69.06 – 4th, Final: 69.54 – 8th)
• Darren Towart (M45) – 400m (Heat: 57.07 – 4 th ), 400m Hurdles (Semi: 62.40 – 3rd), Final; DNF)

OTHER PERFORMANCES

• Lloyd Powell (M35) – High Jump (1.85m – 4th)
• Gavin Bayne (M70) – Half Marathon (1:30.52 – 4 th )
• Ben Harding (M55) – 400m (Heat: 57.15 – 3rd, Semi: 56.68 – 4th)
• Carolyn Gale (W75) – 1500m (7:25.29 – 5 th ), 5000m (28:03.17 – 8 th ), 10k Road (57.15 -5 th) ), 6k XC (37.21 – 6th )
• Alexis Dodd (W40) – 1500m (4:53.60 – 5th )
• Simon Allen (M60) – 2000m SC (7:58.14 – 6th )
• Justin Durham (M45) 3000m SC (10:57.59 – 7th )
• Glen Hilton (M50) – 1500m (4:57.21 – 10th )
• Charlie Burke (M75) – Discus (20.98 – 17th ), Hammer (23.58 – 12th ), 100m (Heat: 17.72 – 7th ), 200m (Heat: 37.00 – 7th )
• George Henderson (M55) – 5000m (20:54.53 – 8th)
• Alex Beckingsale (W45) – 100m (Heat: 13.32 – 3rd in heat, Semi: 13.87 – 6th), Long Jump (4.17m – 14th )
• John Birkett (M65) – Shot (7.87m – 21st )
• Christine Elliott (W65) – Throws Pentathlon (2362 pts – 22nd )
• Peter Sunderland (M60) - 100m (Heat: 14.41 – 5 th ), 200m (Heat: 29.77 – 7th )
• Dawn Ridgway (W45) - 100m (Heat: 15.52 – 7 th ), 200m (Heat: 32.27 – 6th )
• Paul Bellingham (M65) – 100m (Heat: 14.72, Semi: 14.70 – 8th ), 400m (Heat: 70.93 – 6th )