NECAA Royal Signals Relays 2024

 CALUM CRUISES TO NEW COURSE RECORD

IN-FORM Calum Johnson was in record-breaking form at Hetton-le-hole in the latest edition of the North Eastern Counties Signals Six-Stage Road Relays while Morpeth Harriers came out on top overall once again.

Johnson, the recently crowned Northern XC champion, donned his road racing shoes to equalling effect as he scorched round two circuits of Hetton Lyons Park to post a course record time of 10min 01sec, eight seconds inside the old figures of 10:09 set by Ricky Stevenson (New Marske) back in 2012.

However, despite the Gateshead athlete’s herculean effort, it was Morpeth who eventually claimed the major honours and the impressive Signals trophy.

Morpeth led on the opening stage thanks to Finn Brodie’s fourth quickest equalling time of the day of 10:34. Gateshead were in second place (Lewis Liddell) and Blyth third (Ellis Hetherington).

On stage two Johnson took over from Liddell and quickly surged into the lead and at the third changeover had turned round a seven-seconds deficit into a 31-seconds lead before passing over to Jack Douglas. Blyth moved into second place thanks to Josh Fiddaman’s 10:35 with Morpeth (George Lowry) now third with the Northumbrian outfit’s second string just edging out Sunderland at the changeover in fourth and fifth place respectively. On stage three Douglas still held the advantage for Gateshead though Ally Douglas moved Morpeth up into second, clawing back 12 seconds on the leaders as the blue and white’s B sextet moved up to third ahead of Sunderland as Adrian Bailes brought Birtley into contention with the stage’s quickest time of 10:29. Morpeth hit the front for a second time on leg four thanks to Alex Brown’s 10:34 relegating Gateshead (Dave Richardson) into second, Morpeth B were still third and Sunderland fourth. Morpeth surged further ahead on legs five and six thanks to Connor Marshall (10:48) and Carl Avery, whose 10:23 was the second quickest of the day. Morpeth had nearly two minutes in hand at the finish (1:04:01), well outside their 2022 record of 1:03:66. Gateshead finished in second place in 1:05:55 thanks to Alfie Cook (11:2) and Dan Alexander (11:22) on legs five and six. Unfortunately, the Morpeth B team of Peter Smallcombe, Oliver Calvert, James Tilley, Elliott Kelso, Tom Balsden and Mark Banks which crossed the line in third place were denied the bronze awards as the rules state that a club can only receive one set of medals which meant the third set of medals went to the Sunderland sextet of Stephen Jackson, Steve Rankin, Liam Walshaw, Michael Baker, Nathan Reed and Liam Taylor.

The Masters over-40 championship was held in tandem with the senior men and it was a triumph for the North Shields Poly sextet of James Anderson, 11:07; Gavin Duke, 12:35; James Macleod 12:48; Steve Colby 12:38; Phil Coulson 13:01 and Rory McConnachy, 12:29 to finish in 17^th place overall in a total time of 1:14:38. Elvet Striders’ Michael Mason, 12:48; Phil Ray 12:58; Lindsay McEwan 12:43; Michael Littlewood 12:39; Mark Warner 12:42 and Graeme Watt 12:41 finished runners-up 1:16:32 with the Morpeth six of Tony Lewis, Andrew Hebden, Lee Bennett, Ben Heatley, Colin Archer and Andrew Ball totalling 1:17:55 to finish in third place ahead of Crook and Durham City.

 

SENIOR WOMEN, MASTERS WOMEN O-35 AND MASTERS MEN O-50

Thanks to the overall fastest leg of 11:55 on stage two by Commonwealth Games 800 metres finalist, Charlotte Penfold, North Shields Poly were triumphant in this combined four-stage contest.

Joined by Jacqui Penn (12:38), Natasha Harvey (13:12) and Molly Pace (12:38) the Poly finished in 50:23 ahead of the Birtley quartet of Katie Francis 12:21; Tracy Millmore 13:29; Helen Arrowsmith 14:25 and Chloe Bailes 13:20 totalling 53:35. The Jarrow and Hebburn foursome of Kayleigh Wright, 13:52; Jenna Killock, 13:51; Alexis Dodd 13:11 and Alex Sneddon, 13:09, finished third in 54:03 ahead of the Poly’s B string, Gateshead, Morpeth and Gosforth.

In the Masters Women over-35 contest, victory went to Sunderland Strollers, thanks in a big way to Olympian Aly Dixon whose 12:47 stint was the second quickest overall. Dixon was joined by Rachel Pullan (15:35), Wendy Chapman (14:03) and Kirsty O’Neill-Lowery (13:48) to claim the gold awards with a total time of 56:13. Elswick finished runners-up with the foursome of Hazel Bough (13:47); Felicity Smith (14:19); Louise Allen (16:12) and 12:45 by former English under-17 cross-country champion, Justina Heslop to bring the Newcastle outfit home in 57:03. South Shields finished a close up third in 57:14 thanks to the quartet of Claire Simpson (13:49), Faye Carter (14:13); Fran Dembele (14:41) and Kelly Beard (14:14). Tyne Bridge finished fourth, Elvet Striders were fifth and North Shields Poly B sixth.

In the Masters Men Over-50 victory wasn’t decided until the final leg when Crook eased ahead of North Shields Poly to claim victory by just 14 seconds with Elswick a further 12 seconds adrift in third place. The teams finished second, third and fourth overall behind the Poly senior women’s quartet. Gosforth were in the lead at the first changeover thanks to the fastest time of the day of 12:05 by Martin Murray but it was Crook who had the final say thanks to Jason Alison (13:26); Peter Clough (13:00); Chris Auld (3:12) and Wayne Pearson (12:33) to give the team total of 52:11. The Poly’s quartet of Greg Penn (12:59), Michael Parkinson (13:05), Guy Bracken and club stalwart Vaughan Hemy (13:47) closed in 52:25 while the Elswick quartet of Mark Turnbull (13:24), Jason Old (13:10), Mike Russell I13:13) and James Douglas (12:33) were not far behind in 52:37. New Marske finished in fourth place ahead of Gosforth, Sedgefield and Tyne Bridge.

 

**Thanks once again to Houghton Harriers for hosting and organising another excellent day’s sport and a special mention for Maureen and Peter Dodsworth for their untiring work on the day and on the build up for without their input the relays would not be as near as successful; also a huge thanks to the technical officials, the marshals, the first aid team and the staff who manned the café throughout the day and finally, to Start Fitness for their continuing support to the NECAA.

 

BILL McGUIRK

Photos: Stuart Whitman & Lee Cuthbertson

NEHL Thornley Hall Farm - Cancelled

 

Hi all,

Unsurprisingly the message from Thornley is that the parking area is once again waterlogged and unusable. With the rain set for the day, this wont change so we have no alternative but to cancel tomorrow's fixture. Thanks go to John, especially and also Stewy / Blackhill Bounders (host club) who have worked to try and get the fixture on. We will continue to work with John and Stewy to look at possible future dates.

John Stephens

NEHL Sec.

Northern Athletics XC Championships - Sedgefield Jan 2024

 SEDGEFIELD PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR A SUPERB CHAMPIONSHIPS – A NORTH EAST VIEW

 

AFTER an interlude of 13 years – Herrington Country Park in 2011 -the Northern Cross-Country Championships returned to the region with Sedgefield Harriers, only formed in 2005, hosting what, on reflection, was an excellent day’s sport enjoyed by competitors and spectators alike. With the championships being on our doorstep there was an extremely healthy turn-out from North East club athletes with a number of them making it onto the podium and a number near misses. East Park was the venue and despite the recent heavy rains in the region and cold wind throughout the day, the twisting course was relatively mud-free much to the delight to those facing a long trip home.

 

SENIOR MEN (12.1K)

The last event on the 10-race programme had anyone with North east connections smiling throughout as the three-lap contest unfolded. Despite a cautious start it wasn’t until around 1,500m that eventual winner Calum Johnson joined the leading group of four, which included Morpeth’s Carl Avery, though it was a ploy the Gateshead and 2020 champion had planned prior to lining up. 

Closing in on the completion of the first circuit Johnson decided it was time to stamp his authority on proceedings and quickly opened up a gap of 30 or so metres which he had extended to 100m at the bell as he strode out relentlessly weaving in and out lapped runners to come home to a rousing cheer from those lining the finishing straight. 

At the line Johnson had opened up a 30-second cushion over double Yorkshire and European Cross representative and last year’s Northern under-20 champion Angus McMillan (City of York) with Blackburn’s Matthew completing the podium placings a further similar distance back in third place. Despite a gritty final lap Avery was just outside the medals finishing in fourth spot 23 seconds behind the bronze medallist. 

Next home from the region was Avery’s Morpeth team-mate Phil Winkler in 15^th place followed by Birtley’s Aidrian Bailes (23^rd), Ellis Hetherington (Blyth) in 26^th and Sunderland’s Stephen Jackson one place and one second further adrift. Special mention to Sedgefield’s Chris Lines, the main instigator on making the championships happen who actually found time to face the starter and cross the finish in 298^th place! It was a double whammy for Avery for his 

Morpeth team also missed out on making it onto the podium after closing in their six counters in fourth place. Sunderland finished seventh, Gateshead 10^th, North Shields Poly 11^th, Durham City 12^th, Darlington 13^th and Crook 15^th.

Before making it to the presentation I caught up with a beaming Johnson who was by no means out of breath after his sterling effort and commented: “I didn’t feel I had to go off really fast at the start and maybe suffer a bit in the later stages so the plan was to pull back the leaders gradually before the completion of the first lap and that’s what I did. Once I hit the front I felt really comfortable and just concentrated all the way to the finish. It was great having so much support all around the course which I greatly appreciated. I can now go into the National – he won in 2020 – and the Inter Counties – which he also won in 2022 – with a lot of confidence.”

 

SENIOR WOMEN (8.1K)

North East champion Phillipa Stone came agonisingly close to making it onto the podium for the second year after finishing runner-up 12 months ago at Blackburn. Unfortunately, the Middlesbrough Mandale athlete had to be content with fourth place on this occasion just nine seconds behind the leading trio. 

Finding 8.1k no problem to former Commonwealth Games 800m representative, North Shields Poly’s Charlotte Penfold was next North East finisher in an excellent 16^th place followed by Durham City’s Louise Mitchell (19^th), Catriona MacDonald (Morpeth) was 24^th, Gateshead’s Shona Haston 30^th, former under-17 national champion Elswick’s Justina Heslop 31^st, Wallsend’s Jenny Berry 37^th and Durham City’s Nicole Burlinson was 39^th. Former Gosforth athletes, now competing for Sale, Helen Warburton and Hariett Buswell, finished 18^th and 44^th respectively. 

Durham City were the region’s first team to close in in seventh place followed by Elswick, 9^th, North Shields Poly were 10^th, Jesmond Joggers 13^th, Birtley 14^th and Tyne Bridge 15^th.

 

JUNIOR MEN (8.1k)

Last year Josh Blevins finished in 13th^th place in this age group in Blackburn, however the Gateshead athlete made a mockery of that result with an exhibition of how to front run despite it not being in the pre-race plan. Blevins took an early lead on the first of two circuits and was never headed as the field spreadeagled behind him and at the line, Blevins, who won the Northern at under-13 level back in 2005 as a North Shields Poly athlete, had 22 seconds over his nearest rival. 

Afterwards, Blevins commented on his performance saying: I was happy with that, two laps over 8k is a tough ask for me but I think I handled it rather well though on the second circuit I was wondering to myself ’had I gone too early.’ I worked really hard on that second lap which sets me up nicely for the BUCS next weekend.” 

Just missing out on an individual medal was Morpeth’s William De Vere Owen. After putting in a strong second lap the Northumbrian crossed the line just 13 seconds adrift of the bronze medallist. Next home was fellow Morpeth athlete Joe Dixon in seventh place followed by Blackhill’s Duncan Hughes in 11^th. Middlesbrough’s Max Creasey finished 18^th, followed by Bertie Marr (Morpeth) 20^th, Zak Kettle (Tyne Bridge) 23^rd and Sunderland’s Alex Seed 24^th. With their three scorers inside the top 20 Morpeth were clear team winners; Gateshead finished sixth and Durham City seventh.

 

JUNIOR WOMEN (5.7k)

In the smallest field of the day – just 37 finishers – North Shields Poly’s Holly Waugh was the region’s leading athlete finishing in 13^th place. Birtley’s Katie Francis was next in 18^th followed one place behind by Elswick’s Imogen Bungay with the Poly’s Katie Joslyn next at 28^th. Gosforth’s Alice Lewis finished 31^st, NSP’s Mili Diddee was 32^nd and Durham City’s Shauna Portwine 37^th. North Shields Poly were the only NE team to finish a team in fourth place.

UNDER-17 MEN (5.7k)

North Shields Poly’s Ben Sproats missed out on making the podium by an agonising 11 seconds despite producing a strong second lap. It was an excellent performance after going into the contest on the back of his victory in the Sherman Cup three weeks earlier. Elliot Kelso (Morpeth) was next NE athlete to finish in 11^th place with Crook’s Rory Hart finishing 20^th, Alex Boyer (Darlington) 21^st followed by Middlesbrough’s Jacob Brown one place further back. North Shields Poly were the only NE outfit to close in a team in seventh place.

 

UNDER-17 WOMEN (4.7k)

North East champion Charlotte Dillon just missed making it onto the podium for a second year running after finishing runner-up 12 months ago in Blackburn. This time round the Houghton athlete finished in fourth place just 13 seconds behind the bronze medallist. Following her home was Darlington’s Zara Zones in fifth position. Blaydon’s Ellie Fellows was next NE athlete to finish in16th place then came Iona Johnstone (Gateshead) 20^th closely followed by Blackhill’s Hatti Stead in 22^nd place. Poppy Old was next in 27^th leading the Poly to team bronze medals, the other members being Amelie Sillence (36th), Darcy Tullis (47th) and Hannah Atkinson in 57^th place. Elswick, led home by 42^nd-placed Erin Blight, finished fifth.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS (3.8k)

TS Harriers’ Dawit Asmelash led the region’s charge to finish an excellent 10^th just getting the bragging rights over Gateshead’s Alfie Cook who finish just one place and four seconds adrift of the Teessider. 

New Marske’s Zander Gribbon was next NE runner home in 17^th position then came a host of NE representatives: Arthur DiLullo (Tynedale) 23^rd, Noah Williamson (NE Project) 24^th, Freddie Palmer (Tyne Bridge) 26^th, Rowan Steel (Darlington) 27^th and Middlesbrough’s Charlie Jones in 28^th spot. In the team stakes Darlington finished fifth, Tyne Bridge were eighth and Sunderland ninth.

UNDER-15 GIRLS (3.8k)

Anna Johnson was first NE athlete home finishing in 15^th place one place and two seconds ahead of Houghton’s Holly Robison. Durham City’s Grace Carter was next across the line in 20^th spot closely followed by Houghton’s Kathryn Pye in 21^st place. Then came Darlington’s duo Matilda Owens (25^th) and Charlotte Owens (29^th) with Durham City’s Evie Hall in 31^st position three seconds behind Charlotte. Durham City finished 10^th and Darlington 12^th in the team section.

 

UNDER-13 BOYS (2.9k)

A great result for the region with the first two athletes home representing NE clubs. Victory went to Middlesbrough’s Thomas McCartie, Thomas admitting afterwards that it was a tough course but was extremely happy to have won. Morpeth’s Ewan Line came through strongly in the later stages to claim the silver medal, crossing the line 16 seconds behind the Teessider. Tynedale’s Wilfred Pugh was next NE athlete to finish in 10^th position; Darlington’s Ollie Curran finished 12^th and a superb run by Henry Engelhart saw the Phoenix Flyers’ athlete finish 16^th, two places ahead of Elswick’s Dominic Kelso. In the team section, Darlington finished sixth, Tynedale were eighth, Elswick ninth and Tyne Bridge 11^th.

UNDER-13 GIRLS (2.9k)

Gabrielle Pinder (New Marske) missed out on a medal place by the narrowest of margins as she crossed the line just one second adrift of the bronze medallist. It was an exceptionally good run by the Teessider who finished runner-up in the NE Championships at Temple Park before Christmas. Next NE runner home was Alnwick’s Emilia Waugh in 14^th place, Birtley’s Izzy Hall was 18^th, Elswick’s Aylia Blight was 19^th, Kitty Graham (Birtley) 23^rd, Emma Blackburn (Gateshead) 32^nd, Sasha Patterson (Darlington) 36^th, Faye Heatley (Morpeth) 41^st and Evie Kleiser (Phoenix Flyers) 44^th. In the team section Morpeth finished in eighth place and Elswick ninth.

 

**A great Championship thanks in a big way to Sedgefield Harriers whose marshalls were superb giving encouragement to everyone throughout the long day. Congratulations to all the region’s athletes who took part whether a medal winner or not. Thanks also go to Start Fitness for their continued support to Northern Athletics and to all the NE officials who manned their posts diligently from first to last event.

Results: Here

Photos - Stuart Whitman Photography & Mick Hall Photos

Sherman Cup - Davison Shield 2024

 TYNE BRIDGE AND THE POLY TAKE THE MAJOR HONOURS FOR VERY FIRST TIME

 

Tyne Bridge Harriers claimed the Sherman Cup for the first time while North Shields Poly did likewise in the Davison Shield contest, the Newcastle outfit denying Morpeth Harriers another victory, the Northumbrian club having triumphed for over a decade and finishing fifth on this occasion. 

While Tyne Bridge had reason to celebrate winning the men’s contest they were pipped on making it three consecutive wins in the female section due to the Poly’s strong performance over the days’ proceedings consequently having to finish runners-up after victories in 2022 and 2023. While numbers were down overall, possibly as a football game was taking place just a few miles down the road, though it’s interesting to note that senior women’s numbers (253) were close to the men’s (268) despite another testing Temple Park circuit.

SENIOR MEN (9k)

Despite having little time to warm up having being informed of a later start time North Eastern Counties champion Cameron Allan still managed to show a clean pair of heels to his rivals. Content to stay in touch with the leading bunch on the first of three circuits having no time to survey the course, the Houghton athlete stormed to the front at the commencement of the second lap, quickly opening up a significant gap with Morpeth’s Lawrence McCourt desperately trying to keep in touch as a group of Sunderland pair Liam Taylor and Stephen Jackson, Morpeth’s Alex Brown and Durham City’s Dan Garbutt being locked together a further 20 metres or so behind McCourt. Entering the final lap there was no doubt about the winner baring an accident as Allan continued to cut out a lone furrow as he weaved his was past the lapped runners. McCourt looked certain of the runner’s up spot but an exciting battle was taking place in the charge for the final podium place. 

It looked for a long while that would go to Taylor but Garbutt, the former England cross-country international and 2014 Northern champion, managed to reel in the Wearsider and claim the bronze medal. Before going for a warm down Allan, the recently-crowned North Eastern XC champion, said he was delighted with his run adding: “I wasn’t too sure of the course having arrived quite late but once we had completed the first lap decided to push and see if anyone came with me, as it happened I quickly opened daylight over the rest of the lads which meant I could then just relax and run at my own pace. The muddy sections didn’t bother me and now I can look forward to the Northerns with some confidence.” 

Morpeth were comfortable team winners with 14 points followed by Durham City with 26 and Gateshead with 41. James Anderson, 12^th place overall, led the Poly to team victory in the Masters section ahead of Elvet Striders and Sunderland.

SENIOR WOMEN (6k)

Catriona MacDonald led throughout the contest opening up a significant advantage over the chasing athletes at the completion of the first of the two circuits. Gateshead’s Shona Haston was in second place closely followed by Jane Hodgson (Morpeth), Nicole Burlinson (Durham City), Jacqui Penn (North Shields Poly), Wallsend’s Jenny Berry and Heaton’s Ellie Reed. MacDonald came home a comfortable winner (11 Seconds) though a superb second lap by Hodgson had closed down the day light considerably resulting in an excellent second place with Haston claiming the final podium place ahead of Penn, Burlinson and Berry. Morpeth claimed team victory ahead of Jeamond Joggers with North Shields Poly finishing in third place. The Masters category was held in conjunction with the senior contest with Judith Nutt leading Elswick to victory ahead of South Shields and the Poly.

 

UNDER-17 MEN (5k)

It was a North Shields Pole one-two with victory going to Ben Sproats who had 16 seconds in hand over team-mate Daniel Watson at the line with Crook’s Rory Hart claiming the bronze award for the North West Durham club. Elliott Moore, in sixth position, backed up Sproats and Watson for a convincing team with Tyne Bridge closing in in second place ahead of Sunderland.

 

UNDER-17/20 WOMEN (5k)

North Eastern Counties champion Charlotte Dillon (u17) led the field home with the biggest winning margin of the day finishing 42 seconds clear of fellow u17 Ellie Fellows (Blaydon) with Birtley’s Katie Francis first u20 in third place. Gateshead’s Iona Johnson finished fourth overall and third u17 while Sedgefield’s Abbie Walker was second u20 ahead of Gateshead’s Sophie Johnstone. Birtley were team winners finishing just one point ahead of the Poly with Gosforth in third spot.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS (3k)

Tyne Bridge Harriers’ Freddie Palmer led throughout coming home 20 seconds clear of North Shields Poly’s James Sturman with Tynedale’s Magnus Riddell completing the one-two-three. Palmer led the Newcastle club to team victory ahead of Sunderland and Wallsend.

 

UNDER-15 GIRLS (3k)

North Shields Poly’s Anna Johnson held off Houghton’s Kathryn Pye to claim the gold award with Darlington’s Matilda Owens a close-up third ahead of team-mate Charlotte Owens. Once again, the Poly were convincing team winners ahead of Tyne Bridge and Heaton.

 

UNDER-13 BOYS (3k)

Morpeth’s Ewan Line led the 42-strong field home winning by 13 seconds with Phoenix Flyers’ Henry Englehart putting in another good stint to finish runner-up ahead of Elswick’s Dominic Kelso. In a tight team contest Morpeth came out on top just two points clear of Elswick with Low Fell, led home by James McClean, celebrating third place.

 

UNDER-13 GIRLS (3k)

Emma Blackburn (Gateshead) led the 45-strong field home to claim a 10 second victory over Elswick’s Ayla Blight with Morpeth’s Faye Heatley a further five seconds adrift in third place. Elswick were comfortable team winners ahead of Gateshead and the Poly.

 

UNDER-11 (1k)

As is customary, under-11 “Try Cross-Country” contests open all harrier league fixtures and once again it was a success for North Shields Poly brother and sisters Noah and Ada Penfold, Noah heading the 44-strong field and Ada leading home her 52 rivals. Following Noah across the line were Low Fell duo William McClean and Charlie Wilson with just one second separating the pair. In the girls’ contest, Martha Carr (Prudhoe Plodders) finished in second place behind Ada with Chester-le-Street’s Faye Evans claiming the third place award.

 

**Once again the NEHL is indebted to South Shields Harriers for hosting another excellent event; to all their club marshalls and to all the technical officials all of whom were at their posts throughout the day. Also, thanks to Start Fitness for their continued support, to the First Aid team and to South Tyneside Council for the use of their facilities.  

Report by Bill McGuirk

Photos - Stuart Whitman Photography

Sherman Cup & Davison Shield 2024

SHERMAN CUP / DAVISON SHIELD 06/01/2024, TEMPLE PARK SPORTS CENTRE, SOUTH SHIELDS

Hi all, and Happy New Year from all at SFNEHL. Apologies for longish post; here is the update for Saturday. Many thanks to Ashleigh Little, Darren Watson and all at South Shields Harriers & AC for arranging / hosting the event.

Please find below course map. It's the 'usual' course, different to the NECAA XC Champs used December 2023. 

Please ensure that you wear your Harrier League number. A separate competition to the usual League fixtures; also find attached League rules where an outline for the competition (age groups etc) is included. Races are off scratch ie no packs / handicaps for the cup/shield races. Latest report is that the course is fairly soft to 'heavy going' underfoot.

A few more marshals would be welcome. Just add names in comments if you are able to help.

Car Parking:

Marshalled car parks at Epinay School, Nevinson Ave, South Shields NE34 8BT. The school has very kindly offered the parking area and a cash fee of £2 will be required and gates open from 8:30am. We ask all runners to park in the bays and not in unmarked areas as certain areas of the school require 24hr access.

Car parking is also available at Temple Park Centre, but this will not be marshalled and the normal South Tyneside parking rules apply, charges/parking in a considerate manner etc.

What3Words

Temple Park (car park)
sends.sheep.galaxy

Temple Park (course)
stream.glaze.narrow

 Timetable

12.00 Under 11 Boys

12.05 Under 11 Girls

12.20 Under 17 men

12.25 U17 and U20 women

12.40 Under 15 Boys

12.45 Under 15 Girls

12:55 Under 13 boys

13:00 Under 13 girls

13.20 Senior & veteran women

13:50 Senior & veteran Men

Guests may run in the league at a cost of £5 for the whole season. This is a one off charge. They must register on the day, and let us know if they competed last season (and if they did we can check the pack).

Guests must be members of a EA or SA, or similar affiliated club.

Second Claim runners may not count for team points. They can either run for their first claim club as a guest, or if they come and register on the day they can take part as a non-counting runner in their second claim vest.

Guests & Second claim runners do not accumulate team points, but do get individual grand prix points.

Race HQ will be at the NEHL Tent next to the finish area.

Reminder to ALL competitors. We do not split race packs. Your team manager needs to collect and pay for your team entries. I have a list of who owes what, we will not take individual numbers out of the packs, we are far too busy. Find out who your team manager is and make sure they have a cheque or cash with them to cover the club's entry fees.

Costs are £50 + £3 per runner for clubs

£5 for guests

If by some unknown reason you manage to lose your number on the day you've collected it from your team tent, you can buy a new one for £5. I know it sounds daft, but it has happened before.

RACE HQ OPENING TIMES: 1100 to 1300 

On the day entries 

I'll be taking limited entries on the day from clubs - DO NOT expect to rock up with 20 juniors and have them all sorted.  Race HQ will be extremely busy.  
Remember I need Name, Club, Date of Birth, and Sex (if it's not obvious).
If you have this pre-written on a bit of paper that would be great.

No DoB - No entry

Guests - register on the day as per normal



Quick reminder of the rules.

You must start in the pack you have been allocated. (You will be DQd for running from the wrong pack)

You must wear your club's team vest or t-shirt, and all vests must be of the same design (or you will be DQd & won't count for team points)

As per league rules you CANNOT wear headphones

Age restrictions as follows:

Under 11 - must be aged at least 9 on the day of competition
Under 13 - must be 11 on 31st August 2023.  
Under 15 - must be 13 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 men - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 & 20 women - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Men - must be 17 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Women - must be 20 on 31st August 2023.

Athletes may NOT move up or down age categories

Masters men aged 65 may (if they wish) run in the 2 lap Senior Women's race, they register as per normal in the men's race, then come to race hq for a replacement number.  Masters wishing to do this must stay in the 2 lap race all season.

M65+ Team Competition.

It was proposed and agreed to at the AGM that the M65 runners choosing to compete in the 2 lap shorter race with the ladies could have their own team competition.

The format will include 3 runners from the same club forming a team, and the runners must be M65+

It's a little something to keep our running legends motivated and competitive.

So - You guys normally in the 2 lap race don't need to do anything different to normal (just keep on running), and any Masters 65+ fellas who feel like they'd prefer to give this a go instead of slogging it round 3 laps need to come and swap out their numbers at race HQ.

Results will be available on the usual link http://www.harrierleague.com/results/2023-24/

NECAA XC Championships 2023

 MUD FEST FOR LATEST EDITION OF CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

OVER 800 hardy souls supported the 117^th North Eastern Counties Cross-Country Championships hosted by Sunderland Harriers at Temple Park, South Shields. While the weather was miserable throughout the day, especially for the young athletes’ contests, those who ploughed their way through ankle-deep mud and sometimes even deeper on a course not for the faint-hearted, will remember their exploits for many a year to come and can only now reflect and say proudly: ‘I ran the North Eastern’s in 2023 when conditions were horrendous.’

 

SENIOR MEN (11.9k)

With eight events already completed the course was now like a quagmire in places and while the driving rain had ceased conditions underfoot were at best slippery and worst gruesome. However, it didn’t deter the 250 or so starters setting off with utmost enthusiasm. 

The contestants quickly settled and, with the field already well strung out by the completion of the first of three circuits a bunch of five or six had already taken up the charge with in-form Chris Coulson (Houghton) prominent at the head of affairs despite making his debut in the senior age group. Also in the group were his Houghton team-mate Cameron Allan, Morpeth pair William Cork and Sam Hancox, Blyth’s Ellis Hetherington, Sunderland’s Liam Taylor and Middlesbrough and Cleveland’s Greg Jayasuriya. 

Tail-enders were beginning to be lapped as the leaders entered the final lap and the leading group was now down to three Allan, who last ran the championships in 2019 at Alnwick when he finished in fifth place, and the Morpeth duo with Coulson digging deep to hang on 10 metres or adrift. 

Allan, whose only other NE Championship encounter was as an under-13 in 2012 where he finished 13^th at Hartlepool, decided it was time to push on and while Cork and Hancox tried desperately to stay in touch Allan managed to pull away and win comfortably by 41 seconds. Cork won the Morpeth bragging rights to hold off Hancox to claim second place by just one second. Coulson can be pleased with his fourth place after just moving up from the junior ranks while Hetherington, in fifth, produced arguably his best-ever run though he maybe argue the fact for 16 years ago he finished sixth and ahead of Allan in the under-13 Championship at Hartlepool! 

It was pleasing to see former GB junior international Josh Cowperthwaite back in action and finishing 10^th after being sidelined for sometime. With Connor Marshall (11^th), Tom Balsdon (15^th) Robert Balmbra (16^th) and Peter Smallcombe (23^rd) backing up Cork and Hancox it was another resounding team victory for Morpeth. Sunderland finished in second place and Gateshead third followed by Tyne Bridge, Darlington and North Shields Poly.

 

SENIOR WOMEN (8.2k)

Philippa Stone certainly likes the Temple Park course for she had no difficulty in retaining her title she won 12 months ago though the conditions were slightly better on that occasion. The Middlesbrough Mandale athlete set out her stall from the off and quickly opened up a good lead as dusk was rapidly approaching. Morpeth’s Catrriona MacDonald was a lonesome second going into the final lap of two with Durham City’s Louise Mitchell in third followed by Shona Haston (Gateshead), Molly Pace (North Shields Poly), Anna Pigford (Houghton), Wallsend’s Jenny Berry and Durham City’s Nicole Burlinson. 

On the run for home, Stone extended her advantage to cross the line over a minute-and-a-half clear of MacDonald who had to be content with another silver medal to add to her gold she won at Sedgefield in 2021 and bronze she won at Alnwick a year earlier. Haston moved through into third place to receive the bronze award after overtaking Mitchell who just missed out on a medal in fourth. Pace finished fifth, followed by Burlinson, Berry and Pigford. Good packing by Jessica Eaton (9^th)’ Hannah Stewart (10^th) Kathryn Stevenson (11^th) and 15^th-placed Alison Dargie saw Tyne Bridge claim team victory ahead of Durham City and Morpeth with Jesmond Joggers a close-up fourth ahead of North Shields Poly and South Shields.

JUNIOR MEN (8.2k)

Gateshead’s Josh Blevins, who just missed out on a place in the GB&NI team for the European XC Championships, retained his title comfortably and topping the podium for the third year running having won the under-17 title at Sedgefield in 2021. At the line Blevins, now based in Leeds, came home 38 seconds clear of Morpeth’s Joe Dixon with Luke Davis (Weston Tempo) a further 12 seconds adrift in third place. Morpeth, with four athletes in the first seven were easy winners of the team title with Liam Roche (5^th), Ethan Phillips (6^th) and seventh-placed Bertie Marr backing up Dixon. Durham City finished in second place led home by 15^th-placed Joshua Wraith.

 

UNDER-17/20 WOMEN (5k)

Houghton’s Charlotte Dillon had no difficulty in retaining her under-17 title after coming home in first place in the combined age group. It was Dillon’s third championship win in a row having also won the under-15 title at Sedgefield in 2021. 

Millie Breese (Morpeth), just as she did last year, followed Dillon home in second place to claim the under-20 gold medal. Crossing the line in third place was Birtley’s Katie Francis to receive the under-20 silver medal. Fourth athlete home was Darlington’s Zara Jones to claim the under-17 runner’s up award; next home was third under-17 Blaydon’s Ellie Fellows and third under-20 Jess Sails (Tynedale). 

A pleasing figure for the under-17 contest was that there were record number of 37 finishers. North Shields Poly with the trio of Poppy Old (7^th), Mili Didi (14^th) and Darcey Tullis (16^th) won the team race ahead of Gateshead and Tynedale.

 

UNDER-17 MEN (6.6k)

Morpeth’s Elliot Kelso proved the strongest with a superb judgement of pace to come home 12 seconds clear of Blaydon’s Maximus Murray with Alnwick’s Liam McDonough a further eight seconds adrift in third place. North Shields Poly’s Daniel Watson was fourth and it was pleasing to see a Crook athlete come home fifth in a junior race at the NE Championships. Morpeth, with Oliver Tomlinson (6^th) and Joseph Close (15^th) backing up Kelso won the team race ahead of North Shields Poly.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS (4.5k)

Runner-up last year and under-13 champion in 2021, Dawit Asmelash (TS Harriers) added a second NE title to his name with a comfortable 18-seconds victory over New Marske’s Zander Gribbon who was chased home to claim the silver medal by Tynedale’s Magnus Riddell who was just two seconds adrift at the line with Alfie Cooke (Gateshead) unfortunate to miss out on a podium place finishing in fourth spot one second behind Riddell. Riddell, backed up by Arthur Di Lullo (5^th) and Morgan Vincent (16^th) led Tynedale to team victory ahead of Darlington and Tyne Bridge.

 

UNDER-15 GIRLS (4.5k)

It was a Houghton one-two with victory going to Holly Robison who pipped team-mate Kathryn Pye by just three seconds to claim the gold medal. It wasn’t surprising the black and gold-vested pair claimed the major honours as Robison was quickest in both Wrekenton and Druridge Bay harrier league fixtures while Pye was fastest at Thornley Hall. The pair were pushed all the way to the line by North Shields Poly’s Anna Johnson who finished just two seconds adrift of Pye with Durham City’s Grace Carter a further five seconds behind in fourth place. Despite having the first two runners home Houghton missed out on team medals as they didn’t have a third counter which left the door open for Durham City, led by Carter to take the team award ahead of Darlington and Gateshead, the Tyneside club being awarded the bronze medals on countback ahead of North Shields Poly who totalled the same number of points.

 

UNDER-13 BOYS (3.6k)

Middlesbrough Mandale’s Thomas McCartie, runner up in the latest North Yorks South Durham Harrier League, got the better of Elswick’s Dominic Kelso, younger brother of under-17 winner Elliot, by just six seconds with Morpeth’s Ewan Line finishing a close-up third a further three seconds behind. Darlington, led home by ninth-placed Ollie Curran, won the team race ahead of Elswick and Morpeth.

 

UNDER-13 GIRLS (3.6k)

Birtley’s Oliver Murphy retained her title she won last year over the same course though it was a much closer affair this time round as she only had three seconds in hand at the line over New Marske’s Gabrielle Pinder. Alnwick supporters cheered home Emilia Waugh in third place. Birtley, with Izzy Hall (5^th) and Kitty Graham (7^th) backing up Murphy were comfortable team winners ahead of Elswick and Gateshead with Alnwick a close up fourth.

 

UNDER-11 BOYS (1.6k)

As he has done this season and last North Shields Poly’s Noah Penfold led from gun to tape to knock up another success. Alnwick’s Finlay Waugh finished runner-up with Allerton’s Alfie Clarkson finishing in third position followed by Darlington’s Acer Tarn and Prudhoe Plodders’ Zach Harrison. Good to see the Prudhoe outfit now attracting quite a number of youngsters to their fold.

 

UNDER-11 GIRLS (1.8k)

Ada Penfold made it a family double with a 29-seconds victory over Gosforth’s Ruby Collins with Wallsend’s Isla Aiston completing the one-two-three a further nine seconds back. Good to see around ninety youngsters testing themselves out in the ‘Try Cross-Country’ contests which have been going for nearly 10 years now.

 

**A huge thank you to Sunderland Harriers for hosting the Championships supported by Houghton Harriers, the two clubs supplying all of the marshalls around the course; to all the technical officials who were also at their posts for close on six hours; to South Tyneside Council for the use of the land and the adjoining facilities and to the first aid teams who thankfully weren’t called upon too often despite the awful conditions. Also to Start Fitness; the NECAA sponsors; NECAA President Mick Fraser for being on hand to present the awards and to Past President and Commonwealth marathon gold medallist, Jim Alder, who proudly presented the awards to his Morpeth squad for winning the senior men’s team race once more. We return to Temple Park at the turn of the year for the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield where, hopefully, the weather will be a little kinder!

 

BILL McGUIRK

 Results

 Photos: Stuart Whitman Photography

NEHL Aykley Heads - The final hurray

A FINAL HURRAY AS ATHLETES HEAD FOR AYKLEY IN THEIR HUNDREDS

AFTER the postponement of the Start Fitness Harrier League fixture at Lambton competitors couldn’t wait to don their spikes for a final time at Aykley Heads despite it being one of the toughest courses on the North East Harrier League circuit. Once again hosted superbly by the Derwentside, Durham City and Elvet Striders’ clubs it proved to be a true test of character for young and old and the crisp Autumn day did help considerably to keep athletes on the move.

 

UNDER-11 BOYS

With victories already under his belt in the previous two fixtures at Wrekenton and Druridge Bay it was no surprise that North Shields Poly’s Noah Penfold knocked up another success this time coming home 15 seconds clear of Alnwick’s Finlay Waugh with Zach Harrison (Prudhoe Plodders) a further seven seconds adrift in third place to give his club it’s first ever a ‘Try Cross-Country’ award. Sixty competitors finished with representatives from 24 of the region’s clubs.

UNDER-11 GIRLS

Once again Ada Penfold made it a family double with an even more convincing victory coming home 21 seconds clear of Gosforth’s Ruby Colins who finished nine seconds ahead of Sedgefield’s Jess Davis. It was pleasing to see a representative from Corbridge Middle School among the 59 finishers and hopefully she will not be put off by the severity of the conditions and will be on the start line in future events.

UNDER-13 BOYS

For the majority of the contest it looked as though Rodrigo Ribeiro would claim victory thanks to his 1min 40secs start over the fast pack as the Derwentside athlete took an early lead from the gun. However, after hitting the brow of the hill with around 600 metres to go Morrpeth’s Ewan Line, running from the fast pack, managed to overhaul the leader to claim victory by eight seconds. Tynedale’s Wilfred Pugh, also worked his way through the 61-strong field to finish in third place two seconds adrift of Ribeiro. Third quickest on the course was Elswick’s Dominic Kelso. Morpeth came out on top in the league stakes with Elswick second and Blaydon third.

 

UNDER-13 GIRLS

It was good to see a Phoenix Flyers athlete crossing the line in first place as Evie Kleiser took advantage of her 1:40 start to hold off Birtley’s in-form Poppie Phillipson who had worked he way through the 55-strong field to finish second with the day’s fastest time. 

Ella Harwood (Tyne Bridge) claimed the bronze medal with Izzy Hall (Birtley) and Emilia Waugh (Alnwick) the second and third quickest respectively, Birtley came out on top in the team event with Elswick edging out Newcastle rivals Gosforth by one point to claim second spot.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS

Sunderland’s William Young led from gun to tape to take full advantage of his 1:20 handicap and break the tape 14 seconds ahead of Gateshead’s Alfie Cook who found the handicap just too great as he crossed the line in second place eight seconds ahead of Jake Parker (Tyne Bridge) with Magnus (Tynedale) and fifth-placed Arthur Di Lullo, also Tynedale, posting the second and third quickest times respectively behind Cook. Tyne Bridge won the team race with Low Fell second and Tynedale third.

UNDER-15 GIRLS

North Shields Poly’s Maeve Taggart was a clear winner by 15 seconds with Gateshead’s Emily Collinwood finishing runner-up as the duo took advantage of their 1:20 start. Durham City’s Grace Carter just failed to overhaul the Gateshead athlete to finish in third position from the fast pack in the 32-strong field to post the quickest time of the day. Team-mate Evie Hall was second quickest and Darlington’s Matilda Owens third. Durham City held off North Shields Poly by two points to claim team victory with Elswick in third place.

 

UNDER-17 MEN

The 3:10 handicap proved to be too much for the fast pack as the medal positions were all filled by slow pack athletes. Victory wen to Crook’s Rory Hart who crossed the line in 18:28, nearly a minute clear of Tynedale’s Joe Elsob (19:32) with North Shields Poly’s Matthew Maley completing the one-two-three a further eight seconds back in third spot. 

North Shields Poly’s Daniel Watson was quickest on the course working his way through the 33 starters to finish in sixth place closely followed by Blaydon’s Maximus Murray who was second quickest and Alnwick’s Liam McDonough who was third best one place further back. North Shields Poly were comfortable winners of the team race followed by Birtley and Morpeth.

 

UNDER-17/20 WOMEN

Durham University’s Kate Sutcliffe was never headed as she cut out a lone furrow thanks to the generous handicap of 1:25 and 2:50 over the medium and fast packs respectively.

Competing in the older age group the student finished in 21:53; Elswick’s Erin Bright (under-17) finished runner-up in 23:00 while Houghton’s Charlotte Dillon (under-17) defied the 2:50 handicap to claim third place and the fastest overall time of the day. Second quickest under-17 was Darlington’s Zara Jones followed by Tynedale’s Ania Stobbart. Morpeth’s Millie Breese was the quickest under-20 on the course followed by Sutcliffe and Blaydon’s Ellie Fellows. Tynedale topped the league placings followed by Elswick and Newcastle University.

 

SENIOR MEN

Durham University student Jack Casalino took the honours after tracking early leader Morpeth’s Peter Smallcombe before edging to the front midway through the third and final circuit as the course became congested due to the huge number of competitors being lapped.

The American-born track athlete was having his first cross-country contest in this country and defied the conditions to come home 51 seconds clear of Smallcombe with Durham City’s Tom Henson completing the one-two-three a further 16 seconds adrift. The leading finishers took full advantage of a 5min 25sec start over the fast pack which saw an intriguing contest unfold behind the pacesetters. Inform NE Counties recently-crowned 10k champion Chris Coulson (Houghton) set out his stall from the gun and for the first two laps had a slight advantage of around 15 meters over Morpeth duo Lawrence McCourt and Sam Hancox. However, the Northumbrian pair managed to reel in Coulson to go on and post the two fastest times respectively with just one second separating the pair at the line with Coulson having to settle for the third best time 10 seconds adrift of McCourt.

There were 552 finishers with last man home Peter Lowe (Prudhoe Plodders) still finding the breath to thank the officials as he crossed the line. Good on you Peter! In the team stakes, Morpeth came out on top in Division One finishing ahead of Sunderland and Tyne Bridge; Tynedale led home Heaton and Jesmond Joggers in Division Two while Gosforth held off Newcastle University and Derwentside in Division Three.

 

SENIOR WOMEN

Druridge Bay runner-up Louise Mitchell went one better on this occasion despite running from the medium pack and giving the slow pack a 2min 25sec start. Mitchell quickly set about winding her through the athletes ahead and she was already at the head of affairs early on the second circuit. Despite hitting the front the Durham City athlete ploughed on relentlessly and by the finish she had opened up a gap of two minutes over Durham City team-mate Alison Thompson with Carrie Collins finishing just two seconds back in third place. 

Morpeth’s Catriona MacDonald once again led the charge from the fast pack’s 2:25 handicap, working her way through the 400-strong field to finish an excellent sixth. Morpeth team-mate Jane Hodgson (9^th) was next quickest on the course 17 seconds behind MacDonald with Mitchell being rewarded with the third best time two seconds slower than Hodgson. 

In the team contest Jesmond Joggers celebrated victory in Division One over Morpeth and Tyne Bridge; Elvet Striders came out on top in Division Two ahead of Sunderland and Sunderland Strollers while Crook led the way home in Division Three finishing ahead of Birtley and Blyth. The over-65 men once again lined up with the senior and masters women to cover two laps of the course and it was former Olympian Ray Smedley (Ponteland Runners) who was first home finishing just six seconds clear of Durham City’s Clifford Feathersone with Crook’s Geoff Hewitson completing the one-two-three. Durham City won the team race finishing ahead of Crook.

**ONCE again a huge thank you to the Derwentside, Durham City and Elvet Striders for hosting a superb fixture, the marshals went above and beyond to give competitors encouragement throughout the day; to Durham County Council for the use of the land and parking facilities; to the HL committee and technical officials who were at their posts until the final competitor finished and to the first aid team. It’s just a pity we can’t all return next year!

 

by Bill McGuirk

Photos: Stuart Whitman

Results: North Eastern Harrier League 2023/24 Sponsored by Start Fitness