December 2006

Additional Comments: This information obtained on day. Full results did not appear on Ripon Road Runners website until after 7.00pm, which on New Year's Eve, was too late for Journal. A bright morning, not that cold, but very muddy underfoot in parts. Nigel Orr finished 11th. Extra results from website (528 finishers: last time: 81:38) included: M40: 1 S Purkiss 37:39.  M60: A Ward (Swale) 40:50  M70: 1 H Dobson (Knave) 45:17; 2 I Barnes 48:13. Allen Mulliss finished 172nd (48:01) and Dave Whitmore finished 282nd (53:47). S Gibson was 2nd W60 (50:45).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 31st Dec).
Felicity Milton was first lady in Southwell 10km (31st Dec). She clocked 35mins 10secs, with Sarah Maude 2nd (36:04).
Result of Guisborough Woods Race (27th Dec): 1 C Stead 38:18; 2 P Lowe 39:05; 3 J Blackett (M40) 39:19; 4 C Mustill 39:30  M50: P Kelly 42:33  M65: R Sherwood 50:22  Women: 1 C Leah (Clay) 41:51; 2 C Hare 43:16.
Late Results from the Ribble Valley 10km at Clitheroe (31st Dec): 1 S Stokes 30:13; 2 B Fish (B'burn) 30:18; 3 M Barnes (Alt) 30:22; 4 S Hepples 30:29' 19 H Clitheroe 32:32 (won ladies' race by 1min 36secs); 20 G Mason (Bord) 32:38.
Result of Red Rose Boxing Day 10km at Leyland: Men: 1 G Dunn 31:40 (by 3secs). Women: 1 R Robinson 34:42 (won by 1min 15secs.
Result of Gosforth Turkey Trot (26th Dec) (not sure if it was scratch race, or these were fastest times):  1 L Timmins 15:02; 2 D Graham 15:31; 3 K Heron 15:43  Junior: 1 M Timmins (Morp-gst, U13B) 9:11; 2 R King (U15G) 9:14; 3 R Lundgren (U15G) 9:16.
The 2006  UK Ranking lists for Senior athletes were published in AW. Merit rankings (up to 12th) are in brackets. 100: 33 T Ward 10.59  200: 19 T Ward 21.22; 45 D Riley 21.63  Also: R Yusuf 21.60 (44u)  400: 8 R Buck 46.59 (7); 19 D Riley 47.30  Also: R Yusuf 46.89 (12u)  800: 21 G Massingham 1:48.97 (10); 23 N McCormick 1:49.3; 25 K Flannery 1:49.40  1500: 3 N McCormick 3:38.04 (3); 18 C Parr 3:42.13; 36 G Massingham 3:46.67; 37 D Samuels 3:46.78  Mile: 1 N McCormick 3:55.6  2000: 1 N McCormick 4:57.39  3000: 14 S Hepples 8:08.12; 37 R McLeod 8:16.53  5000; 2 N McCormick 13:25.34 (2); 16 S Hepples 14:04.29; 26 D Bannister 14:13.07; 30 D Wardle 14:14.56; 37 A Buckley 14:21.14  5M (Road): 7 I Hudspith 23:54  10000: 3 D Bannister 29:31.26 (3); 6 D Wardle 29:42.95 (6); 10km (Road): 22 I Hudspith 29:49; 33 S Hepples 30:00; 42 D Wardle 30:10; 48 M Scaife 30:20  10M: 11 D Wardle 49:45  Half Marathon: 9 I Hudspith 65:29 (7); 17 D Bannister 66:02; 21 D Wardle & S Hepples 66:23  Marathon: 23 D Wardle 2:25:39; 50 D Kirkland 2:30:44  3000St: 30 A Holliday 9:18.28; 33 S Cairns 9:19.53  110H: 26 S Nyananyo 14.72; 36 A Sturrock 14.98  400H: 13 L Collins 51.93 (12); 40 S Henderson 54:05; 50 K Flannery 54.55  HJ: 38 P Collins 2.02  PV: 2 K Higham 5.47 (2); 29 C Boundy 4.55  LJ: 2 C Tomlinson 8.09 (39th World) (2); 16 S Nyananyo 7.34  TJ: 30 G Jackson 14.75  SP: 12 C Sturrock 16.17 (12)  DT: 6 L Richards 54.97 (6)  HT: 24 D Little 56.87; 31 C Walsh 54.08; 48 A Smith 49.61  JT: 7 L Doran 72.04 (8); 15 I Burns 65.32 (12=)  Dec: 17 J Stacey 6176  3kmW: 12 B Wears 45.38  5kmW: 5 B Wears 21:49.66  10kmW: 7 B Wears 46:07
Women: 100: 11 S Deacon 11.65 (11)  200: 13 S Deacon 23.96 (12)  400: 42 N Desai 55.6  800: 23 N Desai 2:04.78; 50 S Smith 2:08.52  1500: 16 F Murray 4:16.29  3000: 22 S Maude 9:25.88; 32 F Murray 9:32.7; 45 S Thomas 9:37.94  5000: 15 F Murray 16:19.32; 19 M McDonnell 16:23.92; 20 S Thomas 16:24.18; 24 S Maude 16:34.78; 35 A Woodvine 17:01.84; 46 R Smith 17:22.76  10000: 7 M McDonnell 34:06.03 (7)  5km (Road): 5 F Murray 16:19; 11 A Dixon 16:39; 30 R Robinson 16:53; 37 A Woodvine 16:57  10km (Road): 30 M McDonnell 34:49  10M (Road): 15 R Robinson 58:12  Half Marathon: 41 J Nutt 78:56  2000St: 7 S Thomas 7:00.88  3000St: 10 S Thomas 10:24.29 (9)  100H: 50 S Todd 14.73  400H: 24 N Desai 61.55; 47 L McMichael 63.45  HJ: 16 E Morris 1.76; 27 R Pottinger 1.74  PV: 31 S Scott 3.46  LJ: M Carr 5.84w (32u)  TJ: 25 M Carr 12.21; 28 J Straker 12.13  SP: 21 L Tucker 12.72  DT: 9 C Griss 47.90 (7); 29 L Tucker 41.57; 38 N Baker 40.42  HT: 1 S Webb 66.42 (1); 29 L-M Shippen 48.75; 33 H Arnold 47.02; 34 K Wilson 46.93; 50 L Weatheritt 43.78  Hept: 44 L McMichael 38.94  3kmW: 1 J Jackson 13:15.38  5kmW: 1 J Jackson 23:20.05  10kmW (Road): 1 J Jackson 48:50  20kmW: 1 J Jackson 1:41:00 (1).
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Woodlawn Christmas Pudding Run.
Whitley Bay.  Tues. 26th Dec.
Morpeth's Nick McCormick won a highly competitive Woodlawn Christmas Puddiing Run at Whitley Bay Links, yesterday. In the bitterly cold conditions, he took an early lead over the 400-strong field, but was closely shadowed by 2005 winner, Ryan McLeod of Elswick. McCormick dropped his rival at the halfway point, before Cleveland-based Stephen Hepples took up the challenge. McCormick held on for victory ahead of McLeod who kicked past Hepples in the final 50m. The winner's time could not be compared to his record set in 2004, as the course was slightly altered this year for safety reasons.
Andrea Woodvine from Richmond, easily won the Womens' race from 2005 first and second placers, Angie Watson of Chester Le Street and Danielle Hodgkinson of Wallsend.
Result.  Distance 5.3km.
1 N McCormick (Morp) 15:52; 2 R McLeod (Els) 15:53; 3 S Hepples (N&EB) 15:55; 4 I Hudspith (Morp) 16:01; 5 D Samuels (Morp) 16:18; 6 G Massingham (Sun) 16:24; 7 M Brown (Morp) 16:27; 8 C Clement (Notts U) 16:34; 9 R Murray (Gate, U17) 16:34; 10 M Morris (Morp) 16:34; 11 S Horn (Gate, U20) 16:43; 12 C Lamb (CleS) 17:04; 13 J Young (Morp, U20) 17:06; 14 I Twaddle (NSP) 17:10; 15 T Brannon (NSP) 17:18; 16 I Hollingsworth (Morp) 17:19; 17 A Henderson (unatt) 17:39; 18 D Kirkland (Aln) 17:41; 19 L Atkinson (Morp, M50) 17:45; 20 K Flannery (Gate, U20) 17:48; 21 D Swinburne (Morp) 17:53; 22 J Pearson (Gate, U20) 17:55; 23 P Walker (Blay, M40) 17:59
M55: 1 S White (Els) 19:01; 2 H Matthews (Els) 19:30
Women: 1 A Woodvine (R&Z) 18:38; 2 A Watson (CleS) 20:35; 3 D Hodgkinson (Walls) 20:51; 4 G Rutherford (NSP, U17) 21:06; 5 S Bell (Gate, U15) 21:14; 6 L Hayes (CleS, W35) 21:16
(Newcastle Journal:  Wed. 27th December 2006).

Additional Comments: All info used. As no results are ever produced, I have no idea how many runners there was, but I am sure there was not 700 as orgainisers seemed to think. This event should be elevated to race status as (certainly in the Mens' section) it contains the best quality local field (Blaydon apart) in any North East promotion. Apologies to any athletes omitted but there was only myself and Bill McGuirk noting any results. I knew every runner this time, apart from Clemens and Henderson, up to 23rd (thanks to Bill for missing links). There was an unknown bald headed runner in 24th place, and I think Andrew Lawrence finished 25th (around 18mins). Also missed Archie Jenkins and Lynne Marr, who I think was the 8th lady. Heaton performances that were taken (no positions) (apologies to John Josephs who I missed) were: C Auld 20:28; P Bhogal 21:50; S McEntee 22:10; M Gibson 22:38; E Baty 22:54; A Mulliss 23:18; D Brignall 23:30; C McEntee 23:48; J Friend 23:57 (L); E Appleby 24:10; S Daley 24:15; J Brignall 24:53 (L); R Checkley 26:40; G Routledge 29:44.
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
Indoor Arena.  Thurs. 21st Dec.
English Schools' Junior silver medallist Tim Parkin of Gateshead, cleared a personal best height when winning the Under 17 Pole Vault, at the second Gateshead Standards Meeting at the new Indoor Performance Centre. 2006 Oudoor North Eastern Counties' Under 13 Long Jump champion, Jessica Read of Gateshead moving up an age-group, leapt a personal best distance in the Long Jump. Gateshead's Niall Flannery cleared a personal best height in the High Jump and also won the Under 17 60m Hurdles.
Results.
Senior Men:  60: r1: D Burns (Tyne) 7.3  r2: 1 J Lowden (Tyne) 7.4; 2 J Mason (Dur) 7.5  PV: 1 M Christie (Gate) 4.80; 2 C Boundy (Gate) 4.20; 3 I Dodsworth (H&P) 3.80
Under 20 Men:  60: r1: S Dale (Morp) 7.3  r2: 1 J Kibirige (Darl) 7.2; 2 L Milburn (unatt) 7.4; 3 D Robson (NSP) 7.4  HJ: 1 T Nashed (Gate) 1.60; 2 D Downey (H&P) 1.60
Under 17 Men:  60: r1: 1 J Cowie (Gate) 7.5; 2 N Flannery (Gate) 7.6  r3: C Stewart (Tyne) 7.5  60H: 1 N Flannery 8.9; 2 R Kaufman (Gate) 9.4; 3 A Harle (J&H) 9.5  HJ: 1 N Flannery 1.75; 2 E Gill (Gate) 1.60; 3 A Harle 1.55  PV: T Parkin (Gate) 3.80  SP: A Harle 12.33
Under 15 Boys:  60: C Hedley (Morp) 8.0  PV: G Cryer (Gate) 2.50  SP: J Bowser (Gate) 10.64
Under 13 Boys:  60: r1: K Clarke (Birt) 9.3  r2: Z Kibirige (Darl) 9.2  HJ: N Kennedy (Darl) 1.15  SP: N Kennedy  5.64
Senior Women:  60: C Jones (Gate) 8.1
Under 20 Women:  60: A Ramsey (SSh) 8.4  HJ: 1 L Watt (SSh) 1.60; 2 R Pottinger (Birt) 1.55; 3 T Kennedy (Darl) 1.55  LJ: T Kennedy 4.72
Under 17 Women:  60: B Fraser (R&Z) 8.5  HJ: 1 J Baker (Dur) 1.55; 2 I Sharpe (SSh) 1.50; 3 G Johnson (NSP) 1.50  PV: S Scott (Gate) 3.40  LJ: 1 A Dobson (Gate) 4.77; 2 A Wood (SSh) 4.65
Under 15 Girls:  60: r1: 1 E Hastings (Morp) 8.5; 2 R Pow (Gate) 8.8  r2: L Goldsmith (Darl) 8.3  r3: 1 J Read (Gate) 8.4; 2 J Hansom (Gate) 8.7  HJ: 1 J Hansom (Gate) 1.60; 2 L Kennedy (Darl) 1.55  PV: 1 Stacey Howden (Gate) 2.50; 2 C Winter (J&H) 2.00  LJ: 1 J Read 5.29; 2 J Hansom 5.03
Under 13 Girls:  60: r1: G Dawson (Gate) 9.1  r2: A Baulding (Gate) 9.2  r3: A Scott (SSh) 9.2  HJ: Shannon Howden (Gate) 1.25  LJ: N Teasdale (J&H) 3.65  SP: J Daglesh (Gate) 4.54
(Newcastle Journal:  Sat. 23rd December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Not used. Will resubmit for Boxing Day, but unfortunately Journal difficult to buy, due to most local shops being closed (footnote: this year paper delivered and results with eadited report used). Most results obtained on evening, but thanks to Angus Lumb for filling missing details with complete set.
I have decided to use AW format for event results with more than one heat eg r1 rather than A, r2 rather than B.
Good turn out (especially in HJ which was added to programme) but as usual very few Senior Women (perhaps just Carly Jones ?) and again few Under 15 Boys.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 17th Dec).
Results from the Iris Lotto Cross at Brussels included  SM: 1 B Cheplock (Ken) 33:24; 49 R McLeod 38:28  U20: 1 M Mashford 21:01; 4 A Holliday 21:37
Alan Buckley won the Bolsover Mizuno 10km in a time of 30mins 50secs, by a large margin of 1min 45secs.
Result of the Langdale Xmas Pudding 10km: 1 J Powell 32:03; 2 M Scott (M40) 32:06
Result of the Loftus Poultry Run: 1 D Bilton (Leeds, M40) 42:16; 2 J Hunter (M40) 44:13; 3 S O'Grady 44:22; 4 A Wiles 44:38  M70: I Barnes 61:23  Women: 1 A Dixon 48:30; 2 J Jackson 52:07; 3 C Summersgill 53:08  W55: S Gibson 66:56  (further info from uk results website: Alyson Dixon finished 21st; J Conaghan 2nd M70 61:55; 487 finishers: Last time 1:45:55).
Results of the North Eastern Counties' Indoor Combined Events Championships. This looked to be a good quality meeting.
All Pentathlon (60, LJ, SP, HJ, 60H): SM: 1 J Stacey 3274 (7.45, 6.13, 11.06, 1.83, 9.08); 2 C Hunter 3049 (7.56, 8.17, 8.85, 1.80, 9.27)  U20: S Etherington (Liv H-gst) 3341  U17: 1 A Timms (P&B-gst) 3099; 2 J Corrigan 2743 (7.76, 5.29, 9.69, 1.68, 9.22); 3 A Harle 2509; 4 A Wright 2454; 5 E Gill 2340; 6 A Rowland 2248  SW: 1 C Huck (Kend-gst) 3274 (8.58, 4.92, 10.21, 1.63, 10.03); 2 K Huck (gst) 3072  U20W: 1 A Ramsey 3027 (8.44); 2 M Bratton 2868 (9.86H); 3 L Watt 2792 (1.57); 4 R Pottinger 2789  U17: 1 A Fleming 3350 (8.46, 5.24, 9.31, 1.54, 9.45); 2 K Jenkinson (Liv H -gst) 3321; 3 A Wood 2941 (8.43, 9.69H); 4 J Baker 2577 (1.63)  U15: 1 J Hansom 3160 (8.56, 4.96, 8.09, 1.60, 9.81); 2 S Palmer (Deby-gst) 2835; 3 A Stone 2741 (8.37, 4.67); 4 L Kennedy 2358 (1.57); 5 Stacey Howden 2002  U13: 1 Shannon Howden 1818; 2 A Smith 1650 (9.20).
Results from the City of Manchester Open Indoor Meeting at Sport City included: 60: r10: 6 M Dryden (Gate, U15G) 8.78.
Results from the Lougborough Indoor Meeting (16th Dec) included: PV: 3 M Christie (back with Gateshead) 4.85  B: 1 C Boundy 4.40; 4 R Dixon 3.70  Women: PV: 2 S Scott 3.35
At the Tyne and Wear Sports Hall Final at Seaburn Leisure Centre (16th Dec), I did not recognise a lot of the competitors but winners included: U15G (2 lap): S Loraine (Gate) 54.6  8 lap Paarluf: S Loraine & C Fletcher (Gate) 1:49.2.
Leading results from Santa Run at Town Moor were: 1 Graham Bell 13:02; 2 Angela Hibbs 13:14; 3 M Anderson 13:14; 7 C Baudouin 14:04 (2nd lady); 28 E Appleby 17:23; 48 G Routledge 19:02. 213 finishers (jnt last time: 37:17). Distance was short of 4km. Results courtesy of Gateshead H website (Angus Lumb).
Know few results from rearranged Newcastle Schools Girls Cross Country Championships (13th Dec) , but I understand 1st 3 in SG event were: 1 L Patton; 2 C Baudouin; 3 J Brignall.
Result from North Shields Poly Grand Prix Handicap (12th Dec):  Fastest: M Morris 17:59; I Hollingsworth 19:05; C Morley 19:44  Women: A Hibbs 21:49; H Lambert (W45) 23:20
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Saltwell Harriers Road Races.
Saltwell Park, Gateshead.  Sun. 17th Dec.
Gateshead Harrier, Chris Parr was a convincing winner of yesterday's annual pre-Christmas Saltwell 10km Road Race. Due to safety reasons, competitors negotiated a new course this year, covering three-and-a-half laps of Saltwell Park. The undulating nature of the course meant times were not fast, but competition was still as strong as ever. In the ideal conditions, Parr, second in 2005, soon headed the 220-strong field, closely shadowed by recently crowned North Eastern Junior Cross Country champion, Nick Swinburn of Morpeth. The pair were locked together for the first two laps, before Parr a Loughborough University student, who has represented Great Britain in the World Junior Championships over 1500m, made his bid for victory. Parr extended his advantage to 36secs at the finish line, over Swinburn, who had won a Fell Race by more than eight minutes, the day after his Penshaw triumph a week earlier. In what was a close battle throughout for third place, Darren Purvis of Chester Le Street edged away from Mark McLeod of Elswick in the closing stages. Matthew Armstrong of Blaydon, on vacation from Cambridge University finished 5th ahead of the leading veteran, Martin Grainger of Darlington. With the team competition being split between Seniors and Veterans, Heaton took the honours in the Senior section and Gateshead were successful in the veterans' category.
Elswick's Judith Nutt repeated her 2005 victory in the Womens' race, finishing in 24th position overall. Nutt came home well ahead of Angela Hunter of Chester Le Street, with Tynedale's Sonia Morley the leading veteran, in third position. Heaton gained another success in the Womens' team event.
In the races for the younger age-groups, Gateshead clubmates, Tom Perrins and Claire Baudouin were successful in the Under 17 age-group. In a good quality Under 15 Girls' race, North Eastern Cross Country silver medallist, Sigourney Bell led a Gateshead clean sweep.
Jarrow and Hebburn gained two victories with Jack Moore (Under 15) and Shaun Barrass (Under 13) winning their respective events. Amanda Watt of Chester Le Street, one of the region's most prolific racers, won the Under 13 Girls' race.
Results.
Senior Men: 10km:  1 C Parr (Gate) 31:59; 2 N Swinburn (Morp, U20) 32:35; 3 D Purvis (CleS) 33:15; 4 M McLeod (Els) 33:18; 5 M Armstrong (Blay) 33:19; 6 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 34:26; 7 J Buis (Heat) 34:29; 8 A Woodward (NSP) 34:34; 9 K Bell (Gate, M40) 34:40; 10 R Hand (Dur, M40) 34:53; 11 P Walker (Blay, M40) 34:55; 12 T Carter (Walls, U20) 35:27; 13 M Smith (Gate, M40) 35:28; 14 J Moore (Heat) 35:38; 15 J Donneky (Derw) 36:01; 16 P Dixon (Els, M45) 36:29; 17 C Franks (Gate) 36:32; 18 G Harden (Sun, M45) 36:37; 19 S Shanks (Holm) 36:42; 20 L Millmore (Birt) 36:46
M45: 3 N Morris (Low F) 39:35  M50: 1 S Marshall (Dur) 38:07; 2 J Donneky (Derw) 40:23; 3 A Catley (NSP) 41:23  M55: 1 Jim Bell (Els) 37:39; 2 I Richardson (NSP) 41:00; 3 E Baty (Heat) 44:00  M60: 1 R Balmer (SSh) 45:35; 2 T Went (NSP) 45:40  M65: R Moore (Tyne) 46:27  M70: B Cordes (Morp) 46:41
Teams: 1 Heaton 32; 2 Elswick 48; 3 North Shields Poly 49  Veterans: 1 Gateshead 33; 2 Low Fell 40; 3 Elswick 50
Women: 1 J Nutt (Els) 37:38; 2 A Hunter (CleS) 39:27; 3 S Morley (Tyne, W40) 40:28; 4 J Goble (NSP) 40:45; 5 R Loudon (unatt) 41:30; 6 C Hamson (Heat) 43:08; 7 J Dooley (Tyne) 43:09; 8 M Woodley (Morp) 44:10; 9 L Tweddle (Sun, U20) 45:57; 10 S Partington (unatt) 46:11; 11 J Friend (Heat, W45) 46:31; 12 R Kane (Heat) 47:38; 13 C Baudouin (Gate, W45) 47:41; 14 A Turner (Walls) 47:53; 15 M Herworth (unatt, W35) 48:00
U20: 2 J Brignall (Heat) 48:09  W50: 1 L Vallentine (Sun) 48:26; 2 M Loraine (Birt) 48:31; 3 S Parr (CleS) 48:39
Team: Heaton 29
Under 17 Men: 4.8km.  1 T Perrins (Gate) 16:29; 2 M Cochrane (Morp) 16:51; 3 J Scott (Morp) 17:40
Under 15 Boys: 2.7km.  1 J Moore (J&H) 10:12; 2 C Bunn (J&H) 10:52; 3 S Hogarth Birt) 10:57; 4 A Dunlop (unatt) 11:24; 5 J Rowan (Gate) 11:33; 6 S Moor (Gate) 12:14
Under 13 Boys: 2.7km.  1 S Barrass (J&H) 10:48; 2 R Loraine (Birt) 10:52; 3 A Bailes (Birt) 10:59; 4 N Newton (Gate) 11:01; 5 E Hetherington (Blyth) 11:19; 6 T Peel (J&H) 11:23  Teams: 1 Jarrow & Hebburn 14; 2 Birtley 15
Under 17 Women: 4.8km.  1 C Baudouin (Gate) 18:38; 2 M Howell (Birt) 20:12; 3 E Murray (J&H) 22:40
Under 15 Girls: 2.7km.  1 S Bell (Gate) 10:41; 2 R Jameson (Gate) 11:14; 3 C Samuelson (Gate) 11:20; 4 H Nagel (CleS) 11:27; 5 D Bell (Gate) 11:39; 6 R Oldham (Gate) 11:45  Team: Gateshead 6
Under 13 Girls: 2.7km.  1 A Watt (CleS) 11:43; 2 S Taylor (Birt) 11:44; 3 P Howell (Birt) 12:00; 4 F Lockhart (Gate) 12:11; 5 S Robinson (Blyth) 12:31; 6 E Oakley (Birt) 13:21
Teams: 1 Birtley 11; 2 Gateshead 22
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 18th December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. 215 finishers (last time: E Joynson 1:42:30). Ted started 23mins early. 214th time was 1:12:16. Weather was fine and dry. A bit chilly but little wind. Course was probably 30-45secs slower than most 10km events. Again, there are not enough competitors to warrant a separate veterans' team event. It would be better to increase the prize list for older competitors. Revised team score for combined Senior/Veterans team event would read: 1 Gateshead 32; 2 Elswick 45; 3 Heaton 74. Chris Parr was not counted as he wore a sponsors' vest. Other "celebrity" performances included: 156 F Strand 49:59; 187 D Whitmore 54:30. Congratulations to Heaton for their two team wins. Other individual performances were: 53 C Auld 41:15; 84 C Hamson (L); 95 E Baty; 108 D Brignall 45:04; 112 A Mulliss 46:18; 113 D Wright 46:25; 115 J Friend (L); 120 D Russell 46:33; 126 R Kane (L); 132 J Brignall (16L); 139 K Beaumont 48:33 (19L); 144 L Wilkinson 48:42; 158 E Appleby 50:14 (2nd M70); 182 L Swanson 52:47 (30L); 211 G Routledge 63:27.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 10th Dec).
Nick Swinburn broke the course record in the Simonside Cairns Fell Race at Rothbury, less than 24 hours after winning the North Eastern U20 Cross Country title. The victory margin was over 8mins:  Result: 1 N Swinburn 74:34 (rec); 2 A Horsfield (unatt) 82:35  M45: S Coxon 85:13  M50: R Hall 88:38   Women: 1 R Vincent 91:21; 2 V Oldham 93:34
Congratulations to Mo Farah, Steph Twell and U20 + U23 Womens' teams for gaining gold medals at the European Cross Country Championships at San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy on 10th Dec. No mention was made of U23 races on (main)  BBC coverage.
Leading results: SM: 1 M Farah 27:56; 2 F Silva (Port) 28:03; 3 J Carlos de las Ossa (Sp) 28:06; 24 C Thompson 28:45; 28 G Thompson 28:52; 29 M Skinner 28:54  Teams: 1 France 33; 2 Portugal 34; 3 Spain 44; 4 Great Britain 82   U23: 1 B Bene (Hun) 23:14; 14 A Vernon 23:34  Teams: 1 Russia 28; 5 Great Britain 105   U20: 1 A Lalli (It) 16:53; 16 K Deighton 17:30; 23 J Pepper 17:37; 28 L Timmins 17:43; 30 R Fraser 17:43; 57 R Stevenson 17:59  Teams: 1 Italy 68; 5 Great Britain 97  SW: 1 T Golovchenko (Ukr) 25:17; 2 M Konvalova (Russ) 25:18; 3 O Jevtic (Serb) 25:21; 6 H Yelling 25:28; 8 J Pavey 25:38; 15 L Yelling 25:56; 18 K Reed 26:08; 29 H Clitheroe 26:37; 35 F Milton 26:49   Teams: 1 Portugal 47; 2 Great Britain 47; 3 France 69  U23W: 1 B Uslu (Turk) 18:47; 4 A Hoban 19:10; 8 L Kenney 19:23; 19 C Holme 19:49; 25 F Fullerton 19:55  Teams: 1 Great Britain 56; 2 Poland 65
U20W: 1 S Twell 12:33; 2 K Bjerkeli Grovdal (Nor) 12:36; 3 A Bobocol (Rum) 12:51; 4 E Pidgeon 12:59; 6 S Edwards 13:12; 10 A Westley 13:19; 14 J Coulson 13:30; 18 O Kenney 13:35  Teams: 1 Great Britain 21; 2 Russia 76
Results from the Cumbrian Championships at Penrith: SM: 1 I Rawlinson (Bord) 34:13; 2 R Lightfoot (Ellen) 34:55; 3 A Holliday (B'ham U) 35:16  U20: P Savage (Barr) 37:40  U17: P Huck (Barr) 16:53  U15: S Wilson (Barr) 13:24  U13: E Addison (Helm) 9:08  SW: 1 R Robinson (Kend) 28:13; 2 P McCrea (Gate) 31:08; 3 C Rodham (L&M, U20) 32:13  U17W: C Arter (Bord) 20:20  U15G: L Park (Ellen) 13:58  U13G: J Hebson (Eden) 10:15
Results from the Sheffield Open Indoor Meeting (9th Dec) included: 60: r1: 3 R Buck 7.16  r8: 2 N Pearson (U17W) 8.07; 3 L Shaw (R&Z, U17W) 8.12  300: r1: 1 R Buck 34.46  r2: 2 L Collins 35.90  r12: 2 N Pearson 41.91  r13: 1 L Shaw 42.33  1000: r1: 2 A Stanton 2:31.13  r2: 2 R Best 2:38.91.
Results from Newcastle Schools Cross Country Championships at St Cuthberts (5th Dec) ( I understand Girls' event was cancelled because of waterlogging): IB: 1 J Hewitt (DA) 15:51; 2 T Ellam (DA) 16:33; 3 T Walker (HM) 16:38; 4 N Flannery (RGS) 16:45; 5 J Anderson (HM) 16:48  Teams: 1 Heaton Manor 22; 2 Dame Allans 31; 3 St Cuthberts 65  JB: (no times) 1 M Priestley (HM); 2 L Hogg (Gos C); 3 J Robson (RGS)  Team: Heaton Manor 26  MB: 1 M Hall (Walb) 6:04; 2 O Bennett (RGS) 6:08; 3 W Creswick (HM) 6:19  Team: Walbottle 43
All info courtesy of AW, where the following 2006 rankings for U13 Boys appeared (not a great North East representation): 200: 5 R Hodgson (Cleve Sch) 26.0  800: 7 M Shaw 2:17.01  1500: 3 M Shaw 4:35.60:
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North Eastern Counties A.A Cross Country Championships.
Herrington Country Park, Penshaw, Sunderland.  Sat. 9th Dec.
Sunderland Harrier Mark Hood maintained his recent excellent form, to take his first North Eastern Counties' Senior Cross Country title, at Herrington Country Park, Penshaw, on Saturday. For good measure Sunderland retained the team title.
The course, which was being used for the first time, will play host to the National Championships in March, this fact helping to attract the largest fields for some years, in most of the races. The course was very demanding and wet underfoot, but at least the weather stayed dry and sunny, but temperatures were lower than of late. Hood pulled away from the large leading group on the second of the two laps, with Morpeth's Ian Hudspith and ten-times past champion Brian Rushworth of Sunderland in hot pursuit. Hood, 4th in 2005, crossed the finish line, 20secs ahead of Hudspith, with Chris Sampson of Morpeth, coming with a late run, to take third ahead of Rushworth. In a highly competitive team event, Sunderland defeated arch rivals Morpeth by 7pts. Sunderland's other scorers were Patrick Martin (5th), Tom Doughty (12th), Steve Potts (14th) and Tim Field (18th). Morpeth should have been favourites for victory, but were dealt a double blow, when early leader, Martin Scaife and Mark Hudspith both dropped out. A rejuvinated Gateshead squad took third place, led by Finnish student Jaako Leinonen in 17th position.
New Chester Le Street recruit, Freya Murray destroyed the opposition in the Womens' race
leading from the start. The Scottish International, based in Wearside, came home 1mins 32secs clear of her nearest rival. Veteran Fell racing specialist, Alison Raw of Darlington, surely suited to both course and distance, moved through strongly to take second place ahead of clubmates and sisters Susie and Georgia Rutherford. Darlington thus took the team honours from Chester Le Street and Morpeth.
Another Fell Running specialist, Nick Swinburn of Morpeth, who represented Great Britain in the 2006 World Championships, comfortably won the Under 20 Mens' race from Sunderland's Jack Martin and Lewis Gamble Thompson of New Marske. Morpeth took the team honours. In the combined Under 20 and Under 17 Womens' race, Mary Ferrier (Under 20) and Laura Weightman (Under 17) crossed the finish line together, the latter being given a fractional verdict. Ferrier easily retained her title from former Quakers athlete, Julia Orr, and Lydia Patton of Gateshead. Weightman finished well clear of Blaydon's Helen Gertig and Morpeth clubmate Natalie Young in the Under 17 category, Morpeth taking the team title.
Ross Murray of Gateshead justified favouritism to win the Under 17 Mens' race, coming home 64secs ahead of Middlesbrough's Andrew Mason, with Tom Perrins of Gateshead in third. Gateshead as expected, took the team title.
Shildon's Kate Avery easily retained her Under 15 Girls' title. Avery led all the way crossing the finish line 54secs ahead of Gateshead's Sigourney Bell, with Dylan Pickavance Clarke of Chester Le Street creating a minor surprise, to take the bronze medal. Gateshead narrowly defeated Gosforth in the team event.
Tristan Venus of Tynedale controlled the Under 15 Boys' event from the front, gaining a clear victory and leading his club to the team title. Liam Baister of Gateshead and Kyle Chirnside of Chester Le Street, took the minor awards.
Mark Shaw of New Marske retained his title in the Under 13 Boys' race. Shaw, winner of the two races so far, in the UK Challenge series, pulled away in the closing stages from Shildon's Cameron Boyek, with Lewis Hogg of Gateshead in third. Tynedale took another team title.
Closest race of the day came in the Under 13 Girls' age-group. Katie Templeman of New Marske had opened up a healthy lead in the early stages, but had to fight off a late challenge from Morpeth's Hannah Rank, to take the title, the pair sharing the same time. The winner's twin sister, Lizzie finished third , with Morpeth easily taking the team title.
Morpeth also won the Middlesbrough and Cleveland Centenary Trophy, awarded to the best overall team, for the fourth successive year.
Results.
Senior Men: 12Km.  1 M Hood (Sun) 40:46; 2 I Hudspith (Morp) 41:06; 3 C Sampson (Morp) 41:46; 4 B Rushworth (Sun, M40) 41:48; 5 P Martin (Sun) 42:02; 6 M Brown (Morp) 42:12; 7 J Powell (Dur) 42:16; 8 N Wilkinson (Morp) 43:14; 9 C Lamb (CleS) 43:20; 10 I Twaddle (NSP) 43:21; 11 D Kirkland (Aln) 43:27; 12 T Doughty (Sun, M40) 43:30; 13 D Purvis (CleS) 43:46; 14 S Potts (Sun) 43:57; 15 P Newton (Clare) 44:00; 16 T Wall (Morp) 44:17; 17 J Leinonen (Gate) 44:23; 18 T Field (Sun, M40) 44:29; 19 M McLeod (Els) 44:43; 20 J Buis (Heat) 45:05; 21 I Crampton (Dur, M40) 45:13; 22 A Churchill (Hart) 45:24; 23 M Smith (Gate, M40) 45:34; 24 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 45:48; 25 C Franks (Gate) 45:48; 26 A Lawrence (Morp) 45:52; 27 M Tomlinson (CleS) 45:56; 28 M Elliott (Gate) 45:59; 29 M Thompson (Gate) 46:02; 30 P Merrison (Sun, M45) 46:09; 31 M Armstrong (Hart) 46:15; 32 T Brannon (NSP) 46:18; 33 G Lancaster (Sun) 46:19; 34 R Hand (Dur, M40) 46:24; 35 S Grey (CleS, M40) 46:26; 36 K Maynard (Sun S, M40) 46:32; 37 C Mustill (N Ayc) 46:38; 38 J Hogg (Gate) 46:55; 39 J Moore (Heat) 47:12; 40 P Waterston (Morp, M40) 47:12; 41 G Harden (Sun, M45) 47:20; 42 M Fenwick (Walls) 47:23; 43 J Donneky (Derw) 47:38; 44 John Bell (Els, M40) 47:43; 45 M Hegarty (Morp) 47:48; 46 K Mackey (SSh, M45) 47:53; 47 L Millmore (Birt) 47:54; 48 S Rutherford (Darl) 48:00; 49 A Pearson (Loft) 48:03; 50 C Paton (Gate) 48:20
Teams: 1 Sunderland 54; 2 Morpeth 61; 3 Gateshead 160; 4 Chester Le Street 228; 5 Durham City 263; 6 Elswick 329; 7 Hartlepool Burn Road 357; 8 Wallsend 364; 9 North Shields Poly 428; 10 South Shields 512
Under 20 Men: 8.5km.  1 N Swinburn (Morp) 28:54; 2 J Martin (Sun) 29:14; 3 L Gamble Thompson (N Marske) 29:29; 4 S Hall (Gate) 29:41; 5 J Young (Morp) 29:53; 6 J Taylor (Morp) 30:03; 7 A Wiles (M'bro) 30:19; 8 R Morrell (M'bro) 30:27; 9 J Pearson (Gate) 30:33; 10 A Carter (Walls) 30:57; 11 D Shaw (N Marske) 31:04; 12 A Mitchell (M'bro) 31:05; 13 R Floyd (Morp) 31:39; 14 R Balmbra (Morp) 31:43; 15 D Old (CleS) 31:46; 16 A Carmichael (Gate) 31:59; 17 Z Scott (Birt) 32:11; 18 S Brewis (H&P) 32:41; 19 L Moses (N Ayc) 32:46; 20 M Crawley (Dur) 32:51
Teams: 1 Morpeth 17; 2 Middlesbrough Mandale 23; 3 New Marske 31
Under 17 Men: .6.5km.  1 R Murray (Gate) 22:59; 2 A Mason (M'bro) 24:03; 3 T Perrins (Gate) 24:26; 4 J Gibson (Gate) 24:38; 5 C Rutherford (Tyne) 24:43; 6 K Taylor (Morp) 24:46; 7 P Hurst (Els) 25:09; 8 M Cochrane (Morp) 25:18; 9 J Hewitt (Gosf) 25:19; 10 A Morrell (M'bro) 25:21; 11 P De Winter (CleS) 25:48; 12 K Thompson (Liv H) 25:56; 13 D Watt (NSP) 26:20; 14 T Murphy (M&C) 26:21; 15 M Williams (Tyne) 26:22; 16 A Blowers (N Marske) 26:23; 17 J Scott (Morp) 26:24; 18 D Regan (Blay) 26:36; 19 M Delaney (M&C) 26:41; 20 R Moody (M'bro) 26:43
Teams: 1 Gateshead 34; 2 Morpeth 55; 3 New Marske 104
Under 15 Boys: 4.5km.  1 T Venus (Tyne) 16:12; 2 L Baister (Gate) 16:35; 3 K Chirnside (CleS) 16:38; 4 C Gaffney (N Ayc) 16:40; 5 G Hawkins (M'bro) 16:50; 6 M Grimes (Dur) 16:59; 7 J Moore (J&H) 17:07; 8 M Cram (Morp) 17:14; 9 S Younger (Sun) 17:15; 10 G Urwin (Tyne) 17:16; 11 M Rice (Gosf) 17:18; 12 J Falconer (Gosf) 17:19; 13 J Archer (Sun) 17:20; 14 P Clifford (Darl) 17:23; 15 T West (N Ayc) 17:45; 16 R White (Tyne) 17:46; 17 P Shuttleworth (Morp) 17:47; 18 N Montgomery (Blay) 17:50; 19 O Craig (Morp) 17:51; 20 J Marshall (Derw) 17:52
Teams: 1 Tynedale 53; 2 Gosforth 70; 3 Morpeth 74
Under 13 Boys: 3km.  1 M Shaw (N Marske) 11:00; 2 C Boyek (Shil) 11:06; 3 L Hogg (Gate) 11:21; 4 A Grundmann (M'bro) 11:27; 5 J Brown (Tyne) 11:28; 6 S Greenwood (Tyne) 11:43; 7 D Parker (Tyne) 11:46; 8 R Costello (Gate) 11:53; 9 R Loraine (Birt) 11:54; 10 A Bailes (Birt) 11:56; 11 G Lowry (J&H) 12:01; 12 S White (J&H) 12:02; 13 W McGrath (M&C) 12:11; 14 B Maskell (Gate) 12:13; 15 L Ayton (Dur) 12:15; 16 K Robley (Tyne) 12:16; 17 F Chadwick (Shil) 12:18; 18 T Bird (Gosf) 12:20; 19 N Newton (Gate) 12:25; 20 E Hetherington (Blyth) 12:27
Teams: 1 Tynedale 34; 2 Gateshead 44; 3 Shildon 68
Senior Women: 8.5km.  1 F Murray (CleS) 34:03; 2 A Raw (Darl, W40) 35:35; 3 S Rutherford (Darl) 35:55; 4 G Rutherford (Darl) 36:03; 5 S Wilkinson (CleS, W35) 36:08; 6 J Mooney (Morp) 36:22; 7 J Jackson (M&C) 36:28; 8 T Laws (CleS) 37:08; 9 J Nutt (Els) 37:14; 10 T Waller (Hart, W35) 37:27; 11 S Graham (Morp) 37:30; 12 J Zoppi (Heat) 37:34; 13 B Whitfield (Bing) 37:37; 14 A Watson (CleS) 37:53; 15 D Hales (Dur, W35) 38:56; 16 S Murray (Dur) 39:02; 17 C Summersgill (M&C) 39:12; 18 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 39:36; 19 H Robinson (CleS, W40) 39:58; 20 M Holt (Sun) 40:10; 21 F Shenton (Elv, W45) 40:13; 22 C Hamson (Heat) 41:08; 23 J Tinkler (CleS, W45) 41:19; 24 G Barry (Sun) 41:23; 25 V Booth (Sun S) 41:27; 26 Y Thiru (Els, W40) 41:49; 27 N Owens (Shil) 42:03; 28 C Ratciff (Dur, W40) 42:10; 29 L Noble (Darl, W40) 42:14; 30 L Walker (Walls, W35) 42:21
Teams: 1 Darlington 9; 2 Chester Le Street 14; 3 Morpeth 48; 4 Durham City 59; 5 Middlesbrough & Cleveland 61; 6 Sunderland 95
Under 20 Women: 5km.  1 M Ferrier (Gate) 18:58; 2 J Orr (Dund H) 20:01; 3 L Patton (Gate) 20:11; 4 A Snook (Shil) 20:27; 5 A Wilson (N Ayc) 20:39; 6 A Porteous (Morp) 21:25; 7 G Campbell (J&H) 21:42; 8 S Duffy (Gate) 21:53; 9 R Turnbull (Morp) 22:00; 10 L Roche (M&C) 22:01; 11 R Barnes (CleS) 22:56; 12 V Beck (Gate) 23:41; 13 J Brignall (Heat) 23:56; 14 K Walker (Gate) 24:29; 15 H Dix (Blay) 24:47
Under 17 Women: 5km.  1 L Weightman (Morp) 18:58; 2 H Gertig (Blay) 19:51; 3 N Young (Morp) 20:23; 4 G Rutherford (NSP) 20:32; 5 C Baudouin (Gate) 20:35; 6 J Russon (N Marske) 20:42; 7 K Legg (M'bro) 20:47; 8 R Shield (Dur) 21:59; 9 S Penny (M'bro) 22:12; 10 E Williams (M'bro) 22:14; 11 L Dixon (Morp) 22:16; 12 A Smith (M&C) 22:23; 13 F Buckton (M&C) 22:50; 14 M Howell (Birt) 22:53; 15 S Favier (Gate) 23:13; 16 C Potts (H&P) 23:33; 17 N Wheatley (M&C) 23:45; 18 M Buckton (M&C) 23:52; 19 H Blair (Gate) 24:02; 20 E Murray (J&H) 25:15
Teams (Combined with U20): 1 Gateshead 16; 2 Morpeth 20; 3 Middlesbrough Mandale 51
Under 15 Girls: 4.5km.  1 K Avery (Shil) 17:42; 2 S Bell (Gate) 18:36; 3 D Pickavance-Clarke (CleS) 19:00; 4 S Smith (Tyne) 19:08; 5 E Toogood (Dur) 19:27; 6 Z Armstrong (Morp) 19:34; 7 R King (Gosf) 19:35; 8 R Lundgren (Gosf) 19:53; 9 R Jamieson (Gate) 20:13; 10 H Waddell (Gosf) 20:24; 11 D Bell (Gate) 20:27; 12 R Oldham (Gate) 20:31; 13 E Masson (Gosf) 20:37; 14 C Samuelson (Gate) 20:42; 15 S Goodfellow (Morp) 20:51; 16 B Curran (Gate) 20:54; 17 C Lappin (M'bro) 20:56; 18 S Loraine (Birt) 20:58; 19 E Watt (CleS) 20:59; 20 S Crosby (Sun) 21:18
Teams: 1  Gateshead 22; 2 Gosforth 25; 3 Chester Le Street 49
Under 13 Girls: 3km.  1 K Templeman (N Marske) 12:18; 2 H Rank (Morp) 12:18; 3 L Templeman (N Marske) 12:33; 4 R Denton (Morp) 12:35; 5 E Findlay (Shil) 12:57; 6 L Richardson (Dur) 13:11; 7 C Strong (CleS) 13:14; 8 B Ward (Darl) 13:15; 9 M Simpson (Morp) 13:16; 10 F Higgin (Shil) 13:22; 11 C Falconer (Gosf) 13:24; 12 L Clement (H&P) 13:24; 13 E Fields (M'bro) 13:30; 14 A Watt (CleS) 13:37; 15 S Robinson (Blyth) 13:43; 16 F Lockhart (Gate) 13:45; 17 S Taylor (Birt) 13:46; 18 M Reed (Sun) 13:47; 19 A Sawdon (M&C) 13:48; 20 C Bradbury (Blay) 13:49
Teams: 1 Morpeth 15; 2 Shildon 40; 3 Chester Le Street 59
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 11th December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. Quite a good spread. Weather bright but got chilly later on. Was quite damp underfoot but not really muddy around start/finish area. Had been a bit frosty overniight. Without binoculars, it was difficult to follow races, as main lap started about 800m from finish. Thanks to Robin Rutherford (on mike) for mid-race info. 274 finishers in SM event (last time: 80:07) (24 teams). 51 in SW (52:28). 18 (JW), 22 (U17W). Only 27 (JM) but better than 2005. I decided to list first 50 Seniors, as most of these runners were capable of gaining AW standard in Road Races.
Other results included: SM: 71 S White 50:38; 80 H Matthews 51:06; 244 I Barnes 63:07; 251 J Prudham 64:06.  SW: 43
L Marr 43:27
Drop-outs included: S  Bell, D Robins, A Fox and H Astley.
Other Heaton performances included: 129 A Bartram 54:07; 165 M Gibson 55:50; 207 S McEntee 58:49; 212 E Baty 59::12; 216 P Bhogal 59:34; 224 D Brignall 60:34; 233 C Burn 61:12; 225 C McEntee 61:33; 250 A Mulliss 64:00 (16th team - 772).
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Jarrow Indoor Meeting.
Monkton Stadium.  Thurs. 7th Dec.
Results.
Under 17 Men:  60: 1 M Davison (Gate) 7.2; 2 P Goessen (J&H) 7.5; 3 A Wright (Gate) 7.7  600: 1 A Rowland (Gate) 1:46.8; 2 M Short (Gate) 1:49.5; 3 D Coutakis (Gate) 1:50.5
Under 15 Boys:  60: M Young (Gate) 7.9  600: P Clifford (Darl) 1:57.3  B: M Young 1:59.4
Under 13 Boys:  60: 1 T Peel (J&H) 9.0; 2 J Young (Morp) 9.1; 3 H Danby Platt (H&P) 9.2  600: 1 T Peel 2:00.7; 2 R Loraine (Birt) 2:01.4
Under 17 Women:  60: 1 N Pearson (Gate) 8.1; 2 R Fraser (R&Z) 8.4  B: F Bowles (Darl) 8.3  600: R Bennett (SSh) 2:04.9
Under 15 Girls:  60: 1 E Hastings (Morp) 8.3; 2 A Stone (J&H) 8.4  B: L Goldsmith (Darl) 8.2  600: S Loraine (Birt) 2:01.2
Under 13 Girls:  60: 1 A Smith (SSh) 9.1; 2 G Dawson (Gate) 9.3; 3 A Archbold (Shil) 9.3  600: A Archbold 2:11.2
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 11th December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Quite a long meeting. Five races in U15G 600m and sprint heats had to be re-seeded. Finishing time 9.25pm. Other results included: U17: 600: 4 E Gill 1:52.1  U17W: 2 S-K Crowell 2:07.8 (was leading. but seemed to pick up slight injury) B: 1 E Murray 2:10.5
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Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap.
Saltwell Park.  Wed. 6th Dec.
Result:  Distance 5km.
1 M Moran (unatt, L) 27:46: 2 A Jones (unatt, L) 28:43; 3 I Nicholson (Salt) 28:51; 4 K Weaver (Aur) 28:53; 5 P Oakley (Salt) 29:44; 6 K Alnwick (Gate) 29:56; 7 R Balmer (SSh) 30:27; 8 D Poste (unatt) 30:33; 9 P Cooper (unatt) 30:39; 10 G Hume (Low F) 30:40
Fastest: G Harden (Sun, M45) 18:03; H Matthews (Els, M55) 18:47; R Hall (Blyth, M55) 18:53; G Pemberton (NE Vets, M50) 19:17  Women: M Moran (W35) 22:46
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 11th December 2006).

Additional Comments: Just results (full courtesy of Low Fell website) sent due to time lapse. No indoor facilities to compile results on day, but noted a few times. Bright morning and quite mild. Course quite demanding, as shown by times. 38 finishers. Ted Joynson sent off 16mins early. He finished 34th with a time of 49mins 6secs. George Harden the backmarker (off 13:30) finished 24th. Other performances included: 15 D Whitmore 27:16; 36 S Robson 33:02. Heaton results were: 25 J Norwood 25:42 (L) (2nd fastest); 26 A Mulliss 22:44; 30 E Appleby 24:25; 32 R Checkley 24:20.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 3rd Dec).
Results from the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League at Thirsk included:
SM: 1 S Hepples (Loft) 30:35; 2 D Agustus (Scar) 30:58; 3 G Dunn (T&S) 31:48; 4 L Gamble-Thompson (N Marske, U20) 32:20; 5 J Hunter (Loft, M40) 32:38; 6 J Orange (R&Z, M40) 33:00  Teams: 1 Loftus & Whitby 76: 2 Hartlepool Burn Road 101: 3 Thirsk & Sowerby 135  U17: D Roberts (R&Z) 25:45  U15: D Collins (Scar) 12:40  U13: F Roberts (R&Z) 13:02  SW: 1 J Jackson (M&C) 25:33; 2 T Waller (Hart, W35) 25:51; 3 K Haniver (R&Z) 26:13  Teams: 1 Middlesbrough & Cleveland 37; 2 Loftus & Whitby 44; 3 Richmond & Zetland 80   U17W: 1 A Wheatman (Scar) 26:56; 2 J Russon (N Marske) 27:09  U15G: E Pelucci (Scar) 14:34  U13: G Rodgers (Loft) 15:09
Result of the Hexhamshire Hobble Fell Race: 1 J Blackett (DPFR, M40) 73:29; 2 P Brittleton (Helm) 73:50; 3 S Coxon (M40) 75:44; 4 D Kirkland 75:54  Women: 1 R Vincent 83:00; 2 K Robertson 88:20; 3 L Wilkinson 89:05
Result from the Scottish Universities Cross Country Championship at Glasgow:  Women: 1 P Nicholson (Aber) 29:51; 5 J Orr (Dund) 31:51
Result from Oxford v Cambridge Varsity match at Wimbledon: 1 P Natonili (Camb) 38:39; 9 M Armstrong (Camb) 40:08  Team: Cambridge
Results from the English Schools Cup Final at Bolton included:  IG: 1 R Linney (St Hilda's) 11:34; 2 H McGurk (Hast) 11:35; 3 S Bell (Emm) 11:48; 12 R Jamieson (Emm) 12:30; 19 C Fletcher (Emm) 12:45; 21 E Masson (Dame A) 12:49; 27 S Loraine (Emm) 12:56e; 34 H Waddell (Dame A) 13:04e  Teams: 1 Coopers 33; 2 Emmanuel 61; 9 Dame Allans 176
JG: 1 L Galton (St J Fish) 9:54; 2 E Bounds (Coop) 10:02; 3 K Templeman (LJ) 10:08; 6 L Templeman 10:15
Results from the Birmingham League Division 1 match (venue not given): 1 B Tickner (B'ham U) 30:36; 4 C Parr (Lough) 31:13; 11 A Holliday (B'ham) 32:03  Team: 1 Birmingham 45; 2 Loughboroigh 139
Result of the Fraternity Cup at Trent Park: 1 D Wardle (Lon I) 25:40 (by 43secs).
Results from the Leeds University Relay (some spilts & final times omitted): SM: 1 Doss (A Buckley 10:29 leg 1); 2 Loughborough (K Flannery 11:56 leg 3, P Hutton 11:14 leg 4); 3 Nottingham U 68:43; 4 Durham U 69:22 (N Rooke 11:13, A Teate 11:50, J Powell 10:57, A Lawrence 11:49, A Hall 11:36; AN Other 11:57); 5 Leeds U 69:56 (A Carmichael 11:53 leg 6)
Fastest: A Buckley 10:29
Women: 1 Loughborough Past 37:24 (S Thomas 12:10 leg 1); 5 Leeds U 40:32 (S Graham 13:41 leg 2); 6 Loughborough B 40:41 (S Thomas 12:38 leg 3); 7 Composite (E Waterhouse 13:23 leg 1); 8 Loughborough C (A Snook 13:21 leg 3)  Fastest: S Thomas
Result from the London Colleges League at Hackney (29th Nov): 1 C Hart (St M) 26:29; 5 J Young (St M) 27:10.
All info courtesy of AW, where the folowing 2006 ranking lists for U13 Girls were listed:
75: 17 J Read 10.2  100: 5 J Read 13.0  150: 2 J Read 19.4  200: 19 J Read 27.8  PV: 2 Shannon Howden 2.00  LJ: 3 J Read 5.02  JT: 17 J Perry (SSh)  23.89
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47th Blyth Sands Race.
5M Handicap.  Sun. 3rd Dec.
Morpeth teenager, Natalie Young gained a hard fought victory, in yesterday's Blyth Sands Handicap event, ran from Seaton Sluice to Blyth Harbour and return. Conditions were atrocious, with most of the race being run in wind and driving rain. Worse still the wind helped the runners on the outward journey, but provided a formidable obstacle on the return section.
Young, off a generous 9mins being an Under 18 female athlete, soon made up the deficit on her older rivals, and strode to a 32secs victory over three-times previous winner, Steve White of Elswick. White and third-placed Rob Hall of Blyth, both running in the Over 55 category, were giving 4mins to the winner.
Young was also the fastest lady overall, and had the satisfaction of leading Morpeth to the team title. Fastest time of the day, went to Gosforth's Kurt Heron, who finished in 7th place, running from scratch,
Result.
1 N Young (Morp, U18W) 28:25; 2 S White (Els, M55) 28:57; 3 R Hall (Blyth, M55) 29:32; 4 A Jenkins (Morp, M50) 30:02; 5 M Cochrane (Morp, U18M) 30:13; 6 S Borlos (unatt, M55) 30:21; 7 K Heron (Gosf, SM) 30:24; 8 I Richardson (NSP, M55) 30:27; 9 S Clark (NSP, M45) 30:41; 10 CYoung (Blyth, W50) 31:04; 11 E Appleby (Heat, M70) 31:25; 12 L Marr (Tyne, W45) 31:32; 13 H Morris (Blyth, W40) 31:41; 14 V Hemy (NSP, M40) 31:47; 15 A Lawrence (Dur U, SM) 31:56; 16 M Hegarty (Morp, SM) 32:06; 17 M Coffey (Dur U, SM) 32:08; 18 G Scott (unatt, M45) 32:09; 19 J Buis (Heat, SM) 32:32; 20 L Talbot (Blyth, SM) 32:37
Fastest Times: K Heron 30:24; A Lawrence 31:56; M Hegarty 32:06
Women: N Young 37:25; J Goble (NSP) 37:52; C Hamson (Heat) 39:37
Teams: 1 Morpeth 26; 2 Blyth 46; 3 North Shields Poly 63
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 4th December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. 98 finishers (last time: 62:52). Smaller-than-usual entry but not many "paper" entry forms seemed to be available. Weather bright and windy before race, but rain started 5mins after early runners, had left. Very unpleasant during race until just after leading runners had come in. Heaton (4th team) performances were (actual times): E Appleby 42:25; J Buis 32:32; 23 R Checkley 43:58; 34 C Hamson; 63 D Wright 44:04; 67 A Mulliss 42:17; 98 G Routledge 62:52.
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Elswick Harriers Norman Woodcock Memorial 6M Road Race.
High Gosforth Park.  Sat. 2nd Dec.
Morpeth Harrier, Nick McCormick returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory, at Saturday's Elswick Harriers Norman Woodcock Road Race, at Gosforth Park.
McCormick, who competed in both the 2006 Comonwealth Games and European Championships, was suffering from a loss of form and had  finished a disappointing 30th in last weekend's European Cross Country Trials at Liverpool.
In the blustery conditions, McCormick soon headed the field of over 250 runners, the largest for some years, and was joined in the early stages by 2005 winner, Ryan McLeod of the host club. McCormick dropped his rival at the 2M point and held a lead of 29secs at halfway (14:13). Another 22secs behind in third, former Elswick Harrier and race winner, David Anderson was having a close battle with Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly. McCormick continued to extend his lead, and with McLeod dropping out, the winning margin was 73secs over Anderson, who comfortably pulled away from Stephenson in the closing stages. Dave Kirkland of Alnwick finished a distant fourth, with Durham's Ian Crampton, the leading veteran in 5th place. Elswick won the team title.
Angela Hibbs of Claremont gained her first major victory when winning the Womens' race. Hibbs fought off the early challenge from North Shields Poly veteran, Heather Lambert, pulling away to a 14secs victory. Georgia Campbell of Jarrow and Hebburn, running in the Newcastle University colours, finished 3rd.
Sunderland Strollers won the team event.
Result.
1 N McCormick (Morp) 28:51; 2 D Anderson (Bel) 30:04; 3 R Stephenson (NSP) 30:22; 4 D Kirkland (Aln) 31:44; 5 I Crampton (Dur, M40) 32:25; 6 M McLeod (Els) 32:46; 7 P Branston (Gate, M40) 32:52; 8 J Buis (Heat) 32:58; 9 L Atkinson (Morp, M50) 33:00; 10 P Besford (unatt) 33:17; 11 K Bell (Gate, M40) 33:27; 12 P Waterston (Morp, M40) 33:28; 13 R Bellamy (NYM) 33:47; 14 P Walker (Blay, M40) 33:48; 15 J Moore (Heat) 34:02; 16 C McDonald (SSh) 34:03; 17 M Smith (unatt, M40) 34:06; 18 M Fenwick (Walls) 34:12; 19 P Dixon (Els, M45) 34:14; 20 C Robson (J&H) 34:17
M45: 2 A Dent (Blay) 35:09; 3 G Scott (unatt) 35:06  M50: 2 D Anderson (Walls) 35:52; 3 G Pemberton (NE Vets) 37:24  M55: E Taylor (unatt) 38:18  M65: 1 T O'Gara (Walls) 39:12; 2 R Moore (Tyne) 44:36; 3 R Pinkney (SSh) 44:42  M70: B Cordes (Morp) 44:07
Teams: 1 Elswick 39; 2 Morpeth 50; 3 Heaton 59; 4 Wallsend 60; 5 Blaydon 63; 6 Gateshead 68
Women: 1 A Hibbs (Clare) 38:24; 2 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 38:38; 3 G Campbell (Newc U, U20) 39:05; 4 M Woodley (Morp) 39:55; 5 E MacFarlane (Els) 40:18; 6 J Fenwick (Walls, U20) 40:34; 7 C Hamson (Heat) 40:55; 8 D Horne (Walls) 41:03; 9 V Booth (Sun S) 41:35; 10 V Butler (Els) 41:39; 11 J Champion (Sun S, W35) 41:52; 12 G McKernon (Blay, W45) 42:07
W35: 2 M Moran (Unatt) 43:09  W45: 3 J Friend (Heat) 44:00  W55: J Kilgour (Clare) 43:56
W60: P Gold (Heat) 48:46
Teams: 1 Sunderland Strollers 35; 2 Claremont 37; 3 Heaton 40; 4 Elswick 46; 5 Blaydon 53; 6 North Shields Poly 61
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 4th December 2006).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. 253 finishers (I am almost sure a record at this venue) (last time (jnt) 61:45. Also a much bigger entry than usual in Womens' race (68 finishers)  Nice morning but wind strengthened before race started. Stayed dry and milder than usual. McCormick did not count for Morpeth because he did not run in club vest. Hibbs clocked about 18:58 at halfway. Ms Campbell is surely the most improved runner of the winter season, so far. "Personality" performances included:  205 M Stephenson 48:44; 214 D Whitmore 50:00. Apparently this was John Moore's first defeat by another Heaton Harrier in 14 years (corrected to 12). Other Heaton results were:  145 C Auld 37:35; 74 J Gibson 39:04; 93 P Bhogal 40:33; 100 C Hamson (L); 118 E Baty 41:46; 130 D Wright 42:49; 138 A Mulliss 43:33; 145 J Friend  44:00 (16L); 149 L Wilkinson 44:19; 160 R Kane 44:52 (22L): 170 J Brignall 45:30 (26L); 181 J Tweedlie 46:18 (29L); 206 P Gold 48:46 (39L); 231 S Kooistra 52:46 (51L); 234 S Roythorn 53:31 (54L); 243 G Routledge 56:17; 252 A Novak 61:45
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