NEHL Wrekenton 2023 Report by Bill McGuirk

 

WREKENTON HILLS AS POPULAR AS EVER

 

THE wait was finally over - cross-country was back on the agenda and the region’s club athletes turned out in force for the Saltwell Harriers’ Start Fitness Harrier League fixture at the testing Wrekenton course. Over 1,500 competitors lined up in the 11-race programme eager to test themselves out in early-season competition and while the senior men and women’s events produced a superb spectacle as they wound their way around every yard of the course that can also be said for the under-11s “Try Cross-Country” who were all roared on over their one mile event by an enthusiastic crowd of parents and supporters despite occasional showers threatening to dampen the enthusiasm of those lining the running line.

 

UNDER-11 – one mile

IT was a good day for the Penfold family with Noah winning the boys contest for a second time and younger sister Ada taking the honours in the girls’ event. Seventy-one youngsters opened the day’s action with Noah coming home in 5min 56secs, 18 seconds clear of Low Fell’s William McClean with North Shields Poly’s Tom Hale completing the one-two-three a further six seconds adrift. Meanwhile, Ada led home a 60-strong field to win in 6:28 and was followed home by Martha Carr (Prudhoe Plodders) who is definitely not a plodder in recording 6:46, while Chester-le-Street’s Faye Evans received the third-place award recording 6:59.

 

UNDER-13 BOYS – two miles

DARLINGTON’S Ollie Curran came out on top of the 81-strong line-up after being pushed all the way to the line. At the tape, reached in 9:32, Ollie had a four-second gap over Crook’s Matty Richardson with Ollie’s team-mate Daniel Callaghan, easing home in third place 10 seconds back and holding off Henry Engelhart (Phoenix Flyers) by two seconds. Fastest on the course (9:06) was Wallsend’s Kasper Pearson – third last year running from the slow pack - who worked his way through to finish 14^th from a 1min 15sec handicap. Tynedale’s Wilfred Pugh and Ewan Line (Morpeth) were second and third quickest respectively. No surprise Darlington came out on top in the team stakes with seventh-placed James I’Anson backing up Curran and Callaghan.

 

UNDER-13 GIRLS – two miles

BIRTLEY’S Izzy Hall was a gun-to-tape winner against 57 rivals crossing the line in 10:19, a time which proved to be the quickest of the day. Darlington’s Sasha Patterson finished runner-up 14 seconds behind with Morpeth’s Lucy Raper eight seconds back in third place. Second quickest on the course was Durham City’s Ellie Bradley (10:30) with Sasha next best with 10:33. Elswick, led home by fourth-placed Millie Robson, came out on top in team section ahead of Morpeth and Gateshead.

 

UNDER-15 BOYS – two miles

NOAH WILLIAMSON (North East Project) headed the 53-strong field pulling away from his rivals to win in 8:55. North Shields Poly’s James Sturman claimed second place eight seconds behind with Darlington’s Rowan Steel completing the podium places four seconds back after holding off Heaton’s Alex Smith by just one second. After working his way through to finish 11^th from a 1:15 start, Tynedale’s Morgan Vincent was quickest on the course (8:24) with Gateshead’s Alfie Cook and William Jardine (Durham City) next best with 8:27 and 8:51 respectively. Darlington led home by third-placed Steel, won the team contest ahead of Heaton and Tynedale.

 

UNDER-15 GIRLS – two miles

IT was a Houghton one-two with Holly Robison just getting the better of team-mate Kathryn Pye in the final 100 metres to win by five seconds after the pair had run shoulder-to-shoulder from the off. Darlington’s Matilda Owens was rewarded with the bronze award seven seconds behind Kathryn. The first three athletes’ home were also the three fastest on the course which had 48 finishers. In a close team contest Darlington came out on top with 30 points, North Shields Poly were second with 36 and Durham City third with 38.

 

UNDER-17 MEN – three-and-a-half miles

NORTH Shields Poly’s Daniel Watson cut out a lone furrow as he stormed home to win comfortably with the fastest time of the day of 17:08. At the line Daniel had a cushion of 36 seconds over Darlington’s Freddie Hall with Alnwick’s Liam McDonough finishing in third place a further eight seconds adrift. There were 36 finishers with the Poly clear winners of the team section ahead of Birtley and Low Fell.

 

UNDER-17/20 WOMEN – three-and-a-half miles

DARLINGTON’S Freya Talman just had enough in reserve to hold off the fast-finishing Charlotte Dillon to win by six seconds. Charlotte was giving a 2min 30secs start to the winner but just failed to reel in Freya after recording an actual time of 18:47 as Tynedale’s Ania Stobbart completed the medal positions. Gateshead’s Aoife Bell was second quickest (20:07) with Imogen Bungay (Elswick) third fastest with 20:09 from a field of 46. Darlington won the team section ahead of Tynedale with Houghton third.

 

SENIOR MEN – six miles

MORPETH’S Joe Dixon, last winter’s Northern under-20 runner-up, led throughout taking full advantage of a start of 2:30 and 5:00 over the medium and fast packs respectively. New Gateshead recruit Shaun Hudson tracked him in second place for the first two circuits before James Largey (North East Project) reeled him in on the final lap to move into second place. However, Dixon, tackling senior opposition for the first time over the country, would never be headed and came home with nearly a minute to spare in 32:39, second-placed Largey recorded 33:26 and third-placed Hudson 34:13. 

Sunderland’s Liam Taylor was the pick of the medium pack finishing in fifth place with an actual time of 33:18 while inform Chris Coulson (Houghton), another athlete still in the junior ranks, defied the five minute handicap to finish in ninth place with the fastest actual time of the day of 31:11. 

Second quickest was Jarlath McKenna (Tyne Bridge) with 31:25 with Dixon next best with his 32:39. With two of the region’s younger athletes in the top three it gives the North East lots to shout about over the coming months. There were 572 finishers with Durham City the early pacemakers at the head of Division One ahead of near neighbours Elvet Striders in second place with North Shields Poly third; in Division Two Low Fell set the pace ahead of Houghton and Heaton while Gosforth lead the way in Division Three from South Shields and Sunderland Strollers.

 

SENIOR WOMEN – four miles

MAKING her senior debut proved not a problem for Houghton’s Anna Pigford who led throughout to win comfortably in 25:57, from Heaton’s Jo Woodcock and Durham City’s Katie Iliffe, the latter running from a 2:30 handicap. Fastest on the course was Morpeth’s Catriona MacDonald who managed to work her way through the 465-strong field to finish in ninth place in an actual time of 23:43. Second quickest was Gateshead’s Shona Haston (24:33) with Morpeth’s Jane Hodgson next best with 24:41. North Shields Poly head Division One from Durham City and Jesmond Joggers; Claremont lead Division Two from Washington and Sunderland while Derwent Valley RC head near neighbours Blaydon in Division Three with Blyth in third place.

 

**A HUGE thanks to Saltwell Harriers for hosting an excellent event; to all the club’s marshals who stirred on the fast and not so fast; to the First Aid crew who unfortunately had their work cut out throughout the day and to all the technical officials who were at their posts throughout the day. A special word of thanks to the HL treasurer Alan Elders who has taken up the reins as the chip timing supremo, thankfully his baptism went off relatively smoothly!

 

BILL McGUIRK 

Photos by Stuart Whitman 

 

 

Start Fitness NEHL 2023-24 - Fixture 1: Wrekenton

Welcome to the 2023/24 Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League season.

As usual the first fixture will be held at Wrekenton, in the area behind the Cardinal Hume School (Old Durham Rd, Gateshead NE9 6RZ). Many thanks to Saltwell Harriers for hosting the fixture, and also Gateshead Council for allowing us to use the land.

Find below course map for information. As you'll see, as last year, there areas marked for tree / sapling planting. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER ANY OF THESE AREAS (WE'D LIKE TO HOLD FUTURE FIXTURES!).

PARKING: PLEASE USE THE PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE NHS CAR PARK THAT IS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE CARDINAL HUME SCHOOL (IE OTHER SIDE OF OLD DURHAM ROAD, AT MOSS HEAPS). THERE IS VERY LIMITED PARKING ADJACENT TO THE COURSE ON DERELICT GROUND BUT NOT ADVISABLE AS THE AREA IS 'A BIT OF A MESS' (TO QUOTE MESSAGE FROM SALTWELL).

TRY TO AVOID PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, BLOCKING ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS FOR THEIR HOMES AND/OR GARAGES (AGAIN WE'D LIKE TO COME BACK). TRY TO CAR SHARE. PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS IN THE AREA ARE GOOD.

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Wrekenton (car park)
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Wrekenton (course)
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We are trialing some adjustments in start time in the early part of the season. Use the 'usual' times at the website and attached map for guidance, but race 3 (U17s) will aim to get underway at 1220 (rather than 1215) with a similar 5 minute 'add-on' for subsequent races until the Senior & Veteran Women which will get underway at 1320 (don't think we've ever gotten underway at 1305). Men's race will start at the usual time (1350).

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Forecast is good, and hopefully with this weeks rain the going will be a bit softer than in recent years.

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

Course Map

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 at the start 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.

First fixture on the day entries

By prior arrangement with me (Vicki).  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

Guest - 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+

At the moment this is a manual process (i.e. I'll be pulling the information from the results and posting an update once it's ready), and there's no prize unless someone wants to donate a cup, although I'm sure I can rustle up a few bottles of wine for the winning team.

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/

Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League - Fixtures 2023-24

 

Get your diaries out and get these dates added to your calendars.

Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League Fixtures 2023-24

1) Wrekenton 23/09/23

2) Druridge Bay 15/10/23 (Sunday)

3) Lambton Estate 28/10/23

4) Aykley Heads 25/11/23 - final ever visit to this venue

* Temple Park 06/01/24 (Sherman Cup - Davison Shield)

5) Thornley Hall Farm 10/02/24

6) Alnwick Castle 02/03/24

Fixtures subject to UKA Licence & Insurance, final approval and local authorities.

Other dates

21/10/23 Northern Athletics XC Relays

04/11/23 ECCA XC Relays

18/11/23 NECAA XC Relays

09/12/23 NECAA XC Championships

27/01/24 Northerns XC Championships

03/02/24 NEMAA XC Championships

24/02/24 English National XC Championships

09/03/24 Intercounties XC Championships

16/03/24 English Schools

We look forward to welcoming you all to Wrekenton at the end of September

NORTHERN ATHLETICS ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS – THE NORTH EAST ANGLE

NORTHERN ATHLETICS ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE NORTH EAST ANGLE

 

Roving reporter Bill interviews the stars
Photo Credit: David Aspin

THE weather may have been miserable but there was plenty to smile about as the region’s clubs descended on Redcar promenade for the annual NA 12 and 6-Stage Road Relay Championships which also included NA 5k Championships for under-15 and under-17.

Waves were lashing the shoreline as the action got underway with the Senior Men's 12 Stage, and it was Morpeth Harriers who were in contention right from the off with Finn Brodie bringing the Northumbrians to the first changeover point in fourth place. George Lowry improved one position on leg two but on the next long leg (9.5k) Sam Hancox slipped back to fifth as he faced some strong opposition. Alistair Douglas, a late call up into the team – he went on and finish runner-up in the Port of Blyth 10k 24 hours later - took over for the short fourth stage (5k) and brought Morpeth up to fourth.

Next up was in-form Carl Avery and he didn’t disappoint as scorched round the 9.5k course in 28min 41secs which moved Morpeth into pole position for the first time. Such was Avery’s performance at the end of the day only Leeds City’s Linton Taylor ran quicker (28:28).

With seven stages still to unfold could Morpeth, who were regular winners in the early 2000s, there last success being in 2011, hang on with other clubs may be holding their better athletes for a late charge? However, team manager Dave Swinburne should have had no worries as the magnificent seven of Lawrence McCourt, who was making his Morpeth debut, Alex Brown, James Young, with the second quickest short course time of the day (14:55), William Cork, Connor Marshall, Matthew Briggs and Phil Winkler, were never headed as they just failed to dip under the fourhour mark posting a winning time of 4:00:48, well over a minute clear of early leaders Hallamshire with Leeds City finishing a close-up third.

Swinburne, who took over the reins in 2002, was naturally delighted with his charges and had this to say after the squad had received their medals: “We have had a few lean years but today’s performance was outstanding. No one had a bad run from the first leg to the last, there were no weak links and I’m absolutely delighted for everyone.”

As he has done for many, many years, roaring the blue and whites’ home was none other than Commonwealth marathon gold medallist, Jim Alder, who would be just as proud as Swinburn.

With the first 25 clubs home invited to the National Road Relays in Sutton Park in two weeks’ time it was all to play for the remainder of the region’s clubs who took their chance in North Yorkshire.

Sunderland, who last made the podium in 2003 when they finished in third place when the championships were held in Blackpool, showed signs of returning to former glory as they finished in eighth place (4:14:04) with Joe Armstrong posting the day’s fastest short course time of 14:42 which had the Wearsiders’ up into fourth place after his stint. Stephen Jackson was quickest of the team’s long stage runners, posting a time of 30:00.

Gateshead, who were regular winners in the 1900s, were next home finishing in 13^th place (4:22:35) with Joe Wales their best over the short course (15:43) while Conrad Franks was quickest over the long leg, posting 30:00. Tyne Bridge were next home for the region finishing in 19^th place (4:32:11). Connor Braithwaite and Tom Charlton posting 16:21 and 31:04 respectively.

Sit up and take notice which NE club qualified for the National for the first time – Elvet Striders. The Durham-based outfit finished in 24^th place (4:37:52). They may have finished over half-an-hour after Morpeth but they had every reason to celebrate just as strongly on such a memorable occasion. They were helped by Bryan Potts, who posted 33:41 on the long leg and Liam Huntington who was quickest (16:26) over the short course.

Hartlepool Burn Road and Birtley may still get a call after finishing 27^th and 29^th in 4:47:00 and 4:55:01. Other NE teams who also have to be congratulated for competing are: 30 Middlesbrough and Cleveland (4:55:34); 32 New Marske (4:58:50); 35 Blackhill Bounders – who had Jordan Bell in their team before less than 24 hours later turning out and winning the Port of Blyth 10k – (5:01:59); 36 Gateshead B – the only NE club to field two complete senior men’s teams – (5:06:31); and give a big shout for South Shields who finished second last in 37^th place in 5:11:56.

WOMEN’S SIX-STAGE

North Shields Poly earned the region’s bragging rights with a superb seventh-place finish in a time of 2:26:00, finishing just over five minutes adrift of champions Blackburn who lined-up Jessica Warner Judd amongst their sextet.

Jacqui Penn gave the Poly a solid start on the opening long stage handing over in 12^th place after recording 35:34. Molly Pace improved four places on the first of the short stages posting 18:23. Hannah Williams was next up to contest a short leg and her 19:11 consolidated eighth place. In-form Charlotte Penfold contested the second and final long stage and moved up one place with 35:03 figures. Victoria Houghton took over for the penultimate stage and was still in seventh place at the final changeover after recording 20:09. Still a junior Holly Waugh had the honour of running the glory leg and she didn’t disappoint as her 17:40 clocking was the ninth quickest overall short course time of the day.

Following the North Tyneside outfit home were: 15 Birtley, 2:39:09; 16 New Marske 2:39:27; 18 Morpeth 2:40:53; 19 Elswick

2:42:21; 20 Gateshead 2:42:29; 21 Elvet Striders 2:43:46; 24 Sunderland 2:48:13; 27 South Shields 2:55:15; 28 Birtley B 3:00:59; 29 New Marske B 3:01:42; 33 Elvet Striders B 3:13:23.

 

YOUNG ATHLETES’ 5k CHAMPIONSHIPS

The under-17 women’s event couldn’t have panned out any better with all individual podium places being occupied by North East athletes. First home in a time of 17:29 was Northern Cross-Country silver medallist Charlotte Dillon who was having her first outing for Houghton Harriers.

Following the former Durham City athlete home came Elswick Harriers duo Imogen Bungay and Poppy Old who recorded 17:51 and 17:57 respectively. With two in the first three it was no surprise the Newcastle club claimed the team gold medals with ninth-placed Isabella Russell backing up the two medallists.

After an initial scare where it was pointed out to the referee they had different numbers on to what was in the printed programme common sense prevailed and smiles quickly returned to the girls faces.

 

Photo credit: Karen Harland

It was nearly a repeat NE one-two-three in the under-17 men’s contest with Rotherham’s Jenson Hughes spoiling the party after William de Vere-Owen led the field home for Morpeth winning with figures of 15:29. Hughes was next across the line in 15:38 then came a charge of three Morpeth athletes. Liam Roche finished in bronze medal position (15:42) closely followed by fourth-placed Elliot Kelso

(15:48) and fifth-placed Ethan Phillips (15;53). For good measure

Bertie Marr was seventh and Joseph Close ninth for the Northumbrians. Naturally, Morpeth came out on top in the team stakes while Durham City finished in second place led home by 15^thplaced Sam Mason.

In the under-15 boys’ championship. Dawit Asmelash (TS Harriers) was first NE athlete home in sixth place (16:65) with Tyne Bridge’s Freddie Palmer one place and five seconds behind. Morpeth’s Oliver

Tomlinson finished 12^th in 17:19 while 15^th-placed Daniel Watson (17:27), backed by Charlie Furness (22nd) and Hamish Dotchin (30^th), led North Shields Poly to team bronze medals. Elswick with Sam Allison (20^th), Aiden Jones (28^th) and Coulson Liam Heron (29^th) finished in fourth place.

In the under-15 girls event Durham City’s Grace Carter finished in third place in 19:01 and in doing so helped the tangerines finish in second place in the team section. Carter was backed up by 14^thplaced Evie Hall and Katy Bulmer (19^th). Allerton’s Grace Derry finished in fifth place, Elswick’s Poppy Wilde was eighth, Birtley’s Daisy Graham was ninth and Hatti Stead (Blackhill Bounders) 10^th. More than half the finishers were representatives of North East clubs.

 

**Northern Athletics owe a great deal of thanks to Graham Hall and his New Marske team for hosting an excellent championships under extremely testing conditions. Also, many of the technical officials on duty over the five-hour duration were NE connections so well done to them and to all the competitors, you were all winners. 

 

BILL McGUIRK 

British Masters XC Championships 2023 Report

TAKE A BOW FOR A MASTERFUL DISPLAY

 WE’VE always known that here in the North East we are second to none when it comes to putting on successful athletics events, especially cross-country, so when it was suggested that the British Masters’ XC Championships were headed for the region it was taken on board just like any other fixture without any fuss.

Step in Heaton Harriers and George Routledge and his team who designated a course on the former Rising Sun colliery reclaimed land in Wallsend and over the past few months it was all systems go so much so that the Newcastle club held their club championships over the course the previous weekend to iron out any expected problems.

So, everything was in place and on the day even the weatherman couldn’t be faulted though there were a number of extremely muddy sections to go with the ‘slight’ inclines to make it a true cross-country test.

Despite athletes on occasions loath to make the journey to the ‘far North’ a satisfying entry of over 300 from across the UK were received equally divided across the two races on the programme

Amongst those who made the trip included a host of Britain’s leading masters’ such as Teviotdale’s Alastair Walker, Angela Copson (Rugby and Northampton) and Kent AC’s Clare Elms, the latter part of a strong contingent from the south coast club who graced the North East scenery and test themselves against the region’s best.

The opening race was for females and male 65 and over and it was great to see the Charnwood Potter twins (F40) Juliet and Jane at the head of affairs and still active after being leading athletes throughout the younger age groups. Julie, who had finished in 20^th place in the previous weekend’s Inter-Counties XC Championships, quickly headed the field and at the completion of the first of two circuits had established a 300-metres lead with her sister, a former National junior XC champion, in second place 20 metres or so ahead of Walker. 

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Juliet continued to cut out a lone furrow on the run for home as Walker, despite losing a shoe at one stage, managed to reel in Jane in the final kilometre to cross the line over a minute adrift of the winner and claim the M65 title. Completing the F40 podium places was Samantha Davies of Easingwold. Leading NE finishers in the section were Claremont’s Sarah Kerr, who finished in 21st place overall followed by Vicki Gibbs (NSP) who was 22^nd and Heaton’s Ellen Tullo (32).

It was a clean sweep for NE representatives in the F35 with the gold medal going to Heaton’s Ellie Reed who held off Gateshead’s Kim Grimoldby by 11 seconds with Claire Harlow (NSP) completing the one-two-three. Nine of the 10 finishers were NE club members

Credit: Stuart Whitman

In the F45 section North Shields Poly’s Steph Maclean Dann made a brave bid for victory but in the end had to give way to Kent AC’s Caimhe Nic Fhogartaig with Alison Dargie (Tyne Bridge) back in action again after a spell on the sidelines, making it onto the podium in third place. Elswick pair Judith Nutt and Felicity Smith were next across the line followed by Jarrow and Hebburn’s Claire Simpson.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Kathryn Stephenson (Tyne Bridge), a late call up into the NE team for last weekend’s Inter Counties Championships, finished a superb fifth overall to claim the F50 gold medal finishing ahead of Rachel Cooke (Buckingham and Stowe) with New Marske’s Sharon Bulman claiming the bronze award. Next NE finishers were Arabella Pearce Elswick, who was 5^th, Pat Speedie (New Marske) 6^th, Nina Cameron (Heaton) 7^th and Elswick’s Andrea Banner who was 8^th.

Credit: David Aspin

Defending F55 champion and multi British, European and World titles to her name, Clare Elms, justified favouritism by retaining her title though Jackie Murdie (South Shields) pushed her all the way with only 15 seconds separating the pair at the line. North Shields Poly’s Katherine Davis was a clear third. New Marske’s Kath Aspin finished fifth ahead of Birtley’s Julie Turner (6^th) and seventh-placed Julie Cross (Claremont).

Credit: David Aspin

Alnwick supporters were celebrating as Carole Page peaked at the right time to claim the F60 title winning comfortably from Bingley’s former F45, F50, F55 and F60 champion, Sue Cordingley  with multi-medallist and England Masters’ international, Heather Robinson (Jarrow and Hebburn) making it onto the podium once again in third place. Elvet Striders’ Susan Davis finished fourth ahead of team-mate Heather Raistrick and Heaton’s Jenny Friend.

Credit: David Aspin

Doncaster’s Caroline Wheelhouse came out on top in the F65 section finishing ahead of Durham City’s Christine Woods and Marian Hesketh (Preston) while Linden Nicholson (Lasswade) led home Heaton’s Janette Kilgour to claim the F70 title.  One of the world’s leading masters’ athletes, Angela Copson (Rugby and Northampton) had no difficulty in retaining her F75 crown despite having contested the Whitley Bay Parkrun a few hours earlier!

Credit: David Aspin

Credit: David Aspin

Multi World record breaker Alastair Walker had no difficulty in claiming the M65 gold medal with Bishop Stortford’s Jonathan Haynes finishing runner-up. Completing the medallists was Doncaster’s Kevin Newman while Morpeth’s Gavin Bayne was the pick of the region’s representatives finishing ahead of Geoff Davis (Elvet Striders) and David Nicholson (Morpeth).

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Fife’s Tony Martin headed the M70 section with Tyne Bridge pair Sandy Anderson and Keith Graham leading the NE charge in fifth and sixth place respectively ahead of Claremont’s Ken McCormick and Heaton’s Colin McEntee.

Credit: David Aspin

Credit: David Aspin

Scotland celebrated again when Alex Sutherland (Inverness) claimed the M75 title ahead of Salford’s Stanley Owen and Stewart Thorpe (Oxford City) with Morpeth’s Paul Bentley finishing just outside of the medals in fourth spot and ahead of John Hindmarsh (Tyne Bridge) and George Routledge who managed to take a break from his organising duties. After finishing George got his video equipment out to cover the second race despite his earlier exertions!

Credit: David Aspin

In the M80 age group Michael Barnes came out on top ahead of Mac Stephenson (South Shields) and Heaton’s Bill Brown while evergreen pair Ian Barnes (Darlington) and Morpeth’s Walter Ryder locked horns once again to claim first and second place respectively in the M85 age group.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Credit: David Aspin

The second race on the programme was for male 35 to 60 over three laps a distance of approx, 9k and it proved to be a ‘winner’ for NE athletes. 

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Despite the course being ankle deep in mud in places it didn’t deter Tyneside-based Jarlath McKenna (M40) taking an early lead and after the first circuit had a 30m cushion over Middlesbrough and Cleveland’s Greg Jayasuriya with Grant Baillie (East Kilbride) heading the next group which included Stephen Jackson (Sunderland), Gateshead’s Conrad Franks and Kent’s Jonathan Tipper. On lap two McKenna, who was first counter for the NE in the previous week’s Inter Counties Championships, surged further ahead and on hearing the bell had extended his advantage to around 300m. Jayasuriya was still in second place with Baillie third ahead of the hard-working Jackson.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Credit: Stuart Whitman

McKenna, who competes in the Bristol and West colours, came home to a grand round of applause from those lining the finishing straight to break the finishing tape in 29min 12secs and claim the M40 title. Jayasuriya crossed the line to take the M35 gold medal as Jackson came home in third place to receive the M35 silver medal ahead of Franks with his Gateshead team-mate Dave Richardson finishing fourth ahead of Tyne Bridge’s Craig Jones. Baillie received the M40 silver medal behind McKenna with Tipper edging out Ben Cook (NSP) to claim third place.

Credit: Terry Scott

Credit: Terry Scott

The M45 category proved to be a close affair with victory going to Phil Tedd (Thames Hare and Hounds) who got the verdict over Leeds’ Mike Burrell by just six seconds with fellow Leeds City and former Gateshead Harrier Alan Buckley completing the one-two-three. First NE finisher was Gosforth’s Andrew Heppell in seventh place followed by Nigel Simpson (Birtley) eighth and Elvet pair Michael Littlewood and Lindsay McEwan in ninth and tenth place respectively.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

The M50 section was won by Cambuslang’s Stephen Wylie who headed North Shields Poly’s Michael Parkinson and Alasdair Tatham (North York Moors) with fourth-placed James Allen (Alnwick) heading a strong NE contingent of Lee Bennett (Morpeth), David Moir (Tyne Bridge), James Duthie (Wallsend), Steven Gordon (Sunderland), Chris Waite (NSP) and Morpeth’s Jason Dawson.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

It was a Scotland one-two in the M55 age group with victory going to Cumbernauld’s Walter Henderson who had 13 seconds in hand over Chris Upson (Cambuslang) at the line with Mark Tennyson (Guildford and Godalming) in third place. Pick of the region’s representatives was Tynedale’s John O’Reilly who finished in fifth place, one place ahead of Alnwick’s Rob Andrew.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

The biggest winning margin of the day came in the M60 category with Cambuslang’s Colin Donnelly taking the title by over two minutes with North Shields Poly’s Greg finishing in second place ahead of Donnelly’s Scottish team-mate Colin Feechan. Sunderland’s Paul Merrison just missed out on a medal after finishing fourth while Durham City’s Steve Everett was next NE finisher in sixth position.

Credit: David Aspin

BMAF TEAM RESULTS

M35: 1 Gateshead 96:54; 2 Tyne Bridge 97:23; 3 North Shields Poly 98:00; 4 Sunderland 1:40:41; 5 NSP B 1:43:02; 6 Elvet Striders 1:45:12.

M45: 1 Leeds City 97:58; 2 Morpeth 1:50:51; 3 Tyne Bridge 1:50:57; 4 Salford 1:52:05; 5 Heaton 1:56:40; 6 Wallsend 1:58:05. 

M55: 1 Cambuslang 1:44:38; 2 Guildford & G 1:49:19; 3 Cumbernauld 1:50:30.

M65: 1 Warrington 80:39; 2 Morpeth 89:10; 3 Tyne Bridge 1:56:41.

F35: 1 North Shields Poly 76:43; 2 Wallsend 83:12; 3 Tyne Bridge 84:27.

F45: 1 Tyne Bridge 77:28; 2 Elswick 79:52; 3 New Marske 82:05.

F55: 1 Elvet Striders 95:49; 2 Blyth 1:41:14.

F65: 1 Tyne Bridge 2:24:45.

 

**With all the praise received on the day for a well-organised championships, it could well be that the event may return to Wallsend in the not-to-distant future. So, well done to all who had an input especially hosts Heaton Harriers and all the local technical officials, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.

Credit: Stuart Whitman

Full Results: https://www.nemaa.co.uk/results1/bmaf-xc-results-2023

Stuart Whitman Photos: Women & M65 Men 35-60