Saucony English National Cross Country Championships.
Parliament Hill Fields, London. Sat. 22nd Feb.
Chester Le Street Ladies took the honours, on a day of mixed fortunes
for North East athletes, at Saturday's Saucony National Cross Country Championships,
at Parliament Hill Fields, London. Returning for the first time in ten
years, to the unofficial home of championship Cross Country racing, the
testing underfoot conditions and the infamous uphill start, took its toll
on many competitors, and in some events the form book was completely thrown
away. Chester le Street won the Senior Womens' team event, by six points
from Northern rivals, Sale, becoming the first club in the region to gain
any type of medal, in this particular event, in recent history. The
Durham club, who took away the George French Shield, were led home
by Morag McDonnell in 8th place, closely followed by Ruth Brown (10th),
Dianne Henaghan (12th) and Kathryn Waugh (18th). McDonnell occupied second
place for much of the event, behind runaway winner, Hayley Yelling of Windsor,
the recent Inter County champion. Sale's first counter was the leading
local athlete, and former Wallsend Harrier, Sonia Thomas in 5th position.
The feature event for Senior Men, proved almost as successful for the
region. Tynedale's Andy Caine, last season's North Eastern and Northern
champion, finished a magnificent second with Morpeth taking the team silver
medals. Caine, who would have been suited by the course, came with a late
surge, to finish 6 secs, behind Tipton's Matt Smith, who had opened up
a decisive lead approaching the halfway stage. Morpeth were led home by
Ian Hudspith (18th) and Terry Wall (20th), finishing 25 points behind Northern
champions, Leeds City. The Northumberland club gained some consolation
however, by emerging as the team with the lowest score, for nine counters.
Morpeth, who had by far the largest turn-out from any North eastern club,
also took the bronze medals in the Under 17 Mens' event. They were led
home by Kirk Wilson, in 5th position, who limped home after sustaining
an injury near the finish. Sunderland took the silver medals in the Junior
Mens' event, with Norman Younger edging out Patrick Martin, to be their
first scorer in 22nd position. Other top twelve placings were obtained
by Jonathon Young of Morpeth (7th in Under 15 Boys), Olywn Walwyn of Durham
University (7th in Junior Women), Danielle Watts of Morpeth (11th in Under
17 Women), and Mary Ferrier of Gateshead (11th in Under 15 Girls).
Results.
Senior Men: 12km. 1 M Smith (Tipton) 41:54; 2 A Caine (Tyne)
42:00; 3 H Lobb (Bedford) 42:08; 4 A Mussett (Colchester) 42:19; 5 D Taylor
(Blackheath) 42:27; 6 J Moorhouse (Birch) 42:36 Other Placings: 18
I Hudspith (Morp) 43:29; 20 T Wall (Morp) 43:32; 31 S Platts (Morp) 43:53;
35 M Hudspith (Morp) 44:08; 38 M Morris (Morp) 44:24; 64 M Brown (Morp)
45:16; 66 M Hood (Sun) 45:27; 74 I Hollingsworth (Morp) 45:42; 75 J Orange
(R&Z) 45:43; 85 D Swinburne (Morp) 46:02 Teams: 1 Leeds City
181; 2 Morpeth 206; 3 Tipton 275; 4 Salford 385; 5 Bedford and County 411;.51
Richmond and Zetland 2944; 94 Aurora 5723 Nine to Score: 1 Morpeth
(also 182 G Hilton)
Under 20 Men: 10km. 1 M Farah (Windsor SEH) 33:20; 2 M Lole (Coventry
G) 33:49; 3 T Humphries (Cannock) 34:42; 4 S Jacobs Ipswich) 34:50; 5 J
Blackledge (Belg) 35:22 Other Placings: 22 N Younger (Sun) 36:58;
23 P Martin (Sun) 37:03; 29 R Kemp (Sun) 37:22; 40 G Massingham (Sun) 37:54;
49 T Lawrence (Derby) 38:50 Teams: 1 Aldershot, Farnham and District
59; 2 Sunderland 114; 3 Holmfirth 116
Under 17 Men: 6km. 1 O Freeman (Invicta) 22:37; 2 K Gerrard (Manx)
22:41; 3 M Barnes- Smith (Ipswich) 22:41; 4 C Ivemy (Hailsham) 22:55; 5
K Wilson (Morp) 23:16 Other Placings: 7 A Holliday (Trafford) 23:25;
45 N Shrubb (Morp) 24:50; 46 G Driscoll (Morp) 24:56 Teams: 1 Bristol 112;
2 Aldershot, Farnham and District 140; 3 Morpeth 176 (also 81 A Lawrence)
Under 15 Boys (inaugural event): 4.5km. 1 M Burgess (Woodford
Green) 17:50; 2 R Pickering (Bridlington) 18:08; 3 S Blake (Aldershot)
18:10; 4 A Hickey (Southend) 18:13; 5 A Brownlee (Bingley) 18:26
Other Placings: 7 J Young (Morp) 18:35; 20 A Muir (Blay) 19:10; 22 R Floyd
(Morp) 19:20; 25 J Martin (Sun) 19:26; 35 N Bradley (Bord) 19:38
Teams: 1 Aldershot, Farnham and District 44; 2 Southend-on-Sea 128; 3 Stockport
173; 8 Morpeth 288
Under 13 Boys (inaugural event): 3km. 1 C Booker (Halesowen)
12:22; 2 C Divall (Royal Sutton Cold) 12:24; 3 A Farmer (Orion) 12:27;
4 T Carpenter (Westbury) 12:29; 5 A Botfield (Halesowen) 12:38 Other
Placings: 17 K Thompson (Shil) 13:06; 26 M Travis (Morp) 13:14; 27 R Cunningham
(Birt) 13:20; 28 W Nicholson (Bord) 13:36; 40 D Roberts (R&Z) 13:38;
42 M Cairns (Morp) 13:39 Teams: 1 Royal Sutton Coldfield 191; 2 North
Devon 203; 3 Leeds City 224; 13 Morpeth 377; 20 Birtley 534; 21 Border
535
Senior Women: 8km. 1 H Yelling (Windsor SEH) 32:18; 2 J Kezisey
(Woking) 33:57; 3 Jane Potter (Charnwood) 34:05; 4 S Dixon (Bristol) 34:12;
5 S Thomas (Sale) 34:12 Other Placings: 8 M McDonnell (CleS) 34:28;
10 R Brown (CleS) 35:00; 12 D Henaghan (CleS) 35:08; 18 K Waugh (CleS)
35:22; 20 C Dickie (Windsor SEH) 35:35; 48 M Dodd (Bing) 37:28; 52 H Robinson
(CleS) 37:37; 58 L Jackson (R&Z) 37:51 Teams: 1 Chester Le Street
48; 2 Sale, Manchester 54; 3 Bristol 81; 19 Morpeth 580
Under 20 Women: 7km. 1 L Damon (Bournemouth) 30:39; 2 A
Hoban (Wakefield) 31:20; 3 E Baker (S London) 31:33; 4 L Kenney (Royal
Sutton Cold) 31:46; 5 F Briscoe (White Horse) 31:49 Other Placings:
7 O Walwyn (CoNorwich) 32:10; 13 R Smith (Dur) 32:47; 15 A Woodvine (R&Z)
32:56; 24 A Fox (Morp) 33:38; 60 J Patterson (Morp) 36:54 Teams:
1 Charnwood 123: 2 Bristol 150; 3 Aldershot, Farnham and District 158
Under 17 Women: 7km. 1 K Hawitt (Warrington) 31:20; 2 S Johnson
(Cannock) 32:25; 3 S Ponsford (CoSalisbury) 32:30; 4 V Callaway (Royal
Sutton Cold) 32:37; 5 H Beard (Stevenage) 32:55 Other Placings: 11
D Watts (Morp) 33:17; 12 S Tunstall (Bord) 33:20; 34 S Boyes (Scar) 34:33;
40 N Owens (Shil) 34:54; 46 F Beedle (Hart) 35:07; 61 N Dawson (Morp) 36:01
Teams: 1 Aldershot, Farnham and District 76; 2 Cannock and Stafford 96;
3 Bristol 124
Under 15 Girls: 4km. 1 D Walker (Royal Sutton Cold) 18:25;
2 M Foley (Havering) 18:30; 3 S Twell (Aldershot) 18:35; 4 B Davies (Bristol)
18:39; 5 K Richardson (Havering) 18:54 Other Placings: 11 M Ferrier
(Gate) 19:11; 13 D James (Morp) 19:17; 16 J Roberts (R&Z) 19:32; 27
A Porteous (Morp) 19:52 Teams: 1 Royal Sutton Coldfield 43; 2 Aldershot,
Farnham and District 44; 3 Havering Mayesbrook 103; 5 Morpeth 209
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 S Simpson (Luton) 13:34; 2 L Evans (Bury)
13:37; 3 E Lambourne (Swindon) 13:43; 4 M O'Hare (W Suffolk) 14:00; 5 L
Rosling (Taunton) 14:12 Other Placings: 63 L Dixon (Morp) 15:28
Teams: 1 Royal Sutton Coldfield 84; 2 Bedford and County 149; 3 Liverpool
H 152
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but in small print. Congratulations
to those medallists. Weather was dry, sunny and quite mild. Course was
fairly firm round start and finish area, but must have been really muddy
out of sight, looking at the legs of the finishers. A good venue, but start
and finish were too far apart (approx 5 mins walk). 1257 finishers in Senior
Men, 397 in Senior Women. This is slight increase on recent years, but
is still well down on numbers before mid-90's. The quality at the front
in Senior events (excepting certain individuals), has also maintained a
downward trend. I will not delve again into reasons for this. Also many
"stars" missing from Junior events. The Under 17/Junior Womens' race was
listed as 5km, but most have been a lot longer judging by times (I understand
Rosie Smith dropped from 3rd place in closing stages). Are Royal Sutton
Coldfield, who had an excellent day, a feeder club for Birchfield ? Morpeth
and Chester Le Street gained cash rewards for their Senior team placings.
Morpeth did not take nine-to-count trophy, as this goes to team, not otherwise
in top three. Their Under 17 team (along with Chester Le Street) also won
the trophy for first Northern club. Among those athletes dropping out,
were Chris Sampson, Tom Sharland, Anthony Moran and Charlotte Browning
(the latter two costing Trafford and Aldershot, the respective team titles).
Other placings included: Senior Men: 124 Charles Stead 47:01; Glen Hilton
turned out to be Ben Harrison. His time was 48:32; 203 Nicholas Gold (a
non-counter for Highgate) 48:52; 783 Mike Brooks 59:06; 1219 Ed Lown 82:44
Under 17 Men: 71 James McCreerie 25:30; 80 Matthew Lomax 25:47; 81 Andrew
Lawrence 25:47; 94 Joe Wood 26:06 (GP and MG would have been pleased with
that), 106 S Kirtley 26:20; 126 K Heron 26:47. Heaton fielded two athletes
(Senior Men): Colin McEntee was 971st (63:05) and George Routledge was
1254th (95:42).
Footnote: Apologies to David Wardle (Senior Men/73rd in 45:42), Lewis
Moses (Under 17 Men/37th in 24:40) and Newton Aycliffe (15th in U17 team/461),
who were omitted from original results. AW times for Under 20/17 Women
were completely different, so looks like error on original results. Winners
times were 19:55 and 20:38, so others will need to be adjusted accordingly.
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium. Thurs. 20th Feb.
Results.
Senior Men: 50: 1 A Chinembiri (Sun U) 6.1; 2 W Gedge (Morp)
6.5; 3 P Jones (Walls, M40) 6.5; 4 R Smoult (NE Vets, M65) 7.6 SP:
1 G Marshall (Birchfield) 15.14; 2 R Hunter (Gate) 11.70
Under 20 Men: 50: C Campbell (Gate) 6.4 50H: 1 J Stacey
(Gate) 8.0; 2 C Perkins (Gate) 8.2 SP: D Pope (Gate) 12.81
Under 17 Men: 50: 1 D Cudlip (Gate) 6.2; 2 L Robson (Gate) 6.4;
3 C Crawford-Glanville (Gate) 6.4 50H: 1 L Robson 7.4; 2 C Crawford-Glanville
7.4 SP: 1 L Robson 12.22; 2 C Crawford-Glanville 11.39
Under 15 Boys: 50: D Blackett (Gate) 6.9 B: 1 A Dalby (Blay)
6.8; 2 A Renwick (Gate) 6.9 50H: 1 A Renwick 8.0; 2 D Blackett 8.4
B: 1 N Ridgeon (SSh) 8.2; 2 A Dalby 8.4 SP: D Blackett 9.91
Under 13 Boys: 50: 1 N Flannery (Gate) 7.7; 2 S Ivers (Gate)
7.8 B: A Wilkinson (Gate) 7.8 SP: C Bell (Gate) 6.87
Under 20 Women: 50: 1 E Morris (SSh) 7.0; 2 R Forrest (Gate)
7.3 LJ: K Readman (H&P) 4.80
Under 17 Women: 50: 1 R Willi (Gate) 6.8; 2 K Messenger (unatt)
7.1 B: 1 L Hunter (SSh) 7.2; 2 A Dopierala (Gate) 7.3 HJ: S
Allaker (Black B) 1.45 LJ: L Hunter 4.98
Under 15 Girls: 50: Steph Lamb (SSh) 7.4 HJ: Sarah Lamb (SSh)
1.50 LJ: 1 Steph Lamb 5.30; 2 Sarah Lamb 5.01; 3 L Smales (Blay)
4.88
Under 15 Girls: 50: L Welsh (Gate) 7.6 B: N Pearson (H&P)
7.7 HJ: C Gill (Black B) 1.20 LJ: 1 L Welsh 4.52; 2 N Pearson
4.29; 3 C Gill 4.20
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Only results sent. No Senior Women competed. Nearly
all youngsters taking part, were from Gateshead or Peter Tate's South Shields
group. Only four in Senior Mens' 60m. I think Cudlip is being advised by
Eric Smart. Senior Shot winner (Gary) comes from Hull. Omitted from results
(by accident) was Under 13 Boys 50H: 1 N Flannery 9.1; 2 C Bell 9.4
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Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race
Handicap.
International Stadium. Wed. 19th Feb.
Salford's Sarah Wilkinson was easily the fastest lady, when finishing
fourth in yesterday's fourth event in the Dixon Sports Lunchtime Road Race
Series, at the International Stadium. Running off a mark of 9mins 10secs,
the Great Britain international, now living in Newcastle, clocked an excellent
16mins 52secs, which actually bettered by 6 secs, her own course record
set 13 months ago. However, due to the current resurfacing of the track,
competitors had to cover a revised route. Her time was only bettered on
the day, by backmarker Mark Middleton of Middlesbrough-Mandale. First across
the line was Gary Rutherford of Elswick.
Result. Distance 5km.
1 G Rutherford (Els) 25:54; 2 A Elders (Low F) 26:00; 3 T Hammett (Sun,
L) 26:02; 4 S Wilkinson (Salf, L) 26:02; 5 T Robson (Ryton Tri) 26:25;
6 B Kielty (unatt) 26:25; 7 G Hargreaves (unatt) 26:27; 8 D Brown (Blyth)
26:30; 9 J Norwood (unatt, L) 26:34; 10 I Maddison (Ryton Tri) 26:35
Fastest Times: 1 M Middleton (Midd) 16:37; 2 P Walton (NE Vets, M40) 17:33;
3 N Morris (Low F, M40) 17:46 Women: 1 S Wilkinson 16:52; 2 A Nott
(Heat, W40) 20:27; 3 C Lee (Gosf, W60) 21:29
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 20th Feb 2003)
Additional Comments: Report slightly edited. Weather cold and fairly
windy. Times on average 30 secs quicker than January, but it was very windy
then, so distance would be about right. 48 finishers. Needless to say Ted
Joynson was 48th in a time of 41:31. He started off 11 mins before scratch.
He was on the comeback trail and has been attending car maintenance lessons,
recently. Apologies if Middleton's first name is incorrect, but those asked
(including Dave Parry) thought it was Mark. He was off 10:20 and finished
21st. Other times included Joe Prudham (20:59) and David Tait (26:33).
Anita Nott was 13th. Other Heaton placings (actual times): 31 Pam Gold
23:04; 35 Trevor Hopkins 21:46; 38 Allen Mulliss 20:22; 39 Reg Checkley
22:26; 47 Harry Craven 28:50
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British Masters Indoor Championships.
Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Sat/Sun 15th/16th Feb.
Selected Results.
M40: 3000: 1 R Hand (Dur) 8:56.07 TJ: 3 D Dixon (Bord)
12.40
M45: 60: 1 E Smart (Gate) 7.33 200: 1 E Smart 23.44
3000: 3 K Archer (Crook) 9:26.93
M50: 1500: 2 A Jenkins (Morp) 4:32.37 3000: 2 A Jenkins
9:40.34 PV: 1 J Loughran (Gosf) 3.00
M75: 1500: 2 J Caddy (M&C) 7:11.45 3000: 1 J Caddy
15:20.14
W40: 400: 1 A Beadnell (Midd) 66.17
W45: Pentathlon: 1 G Dobson (J&H) 2722 (11.88 60H, 1.33 HJ,
7.35 SP, 3.69 LJ, 2:57.50 800)
W60: 800: 1 K Stewart (NSP) 3:00.66 1500: 1 K Stewart 6:06.58
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Results (from AW) sent only. Congratulations to
Rob Hand, Eric Smart and Kath Stewart. Eric S won 60m by a hundredth-of-a-second.
Easy win over 200m. No result listed for M70 3000m, so Eric A would have
probably been untroubled had he turned up.
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North Eastern Counties' A.A Road Relay Championships.
Team Valley, Gateshead. Sat. 15th Feb.
Morpeth Harriers in the Mens' event and Chester Le Street (women) dominated
Saturday's North Eastern Counties Royal Signals Road Relay Championship,
at Team Valley. The A and B teams of both clubs took the first two places
in their respective events. For good measure in the Womens' event, the
four members of the winning team were the four fastest overall and they,
not surprisingly bettered the course record by nearly 3mins. With the team
management spliting the main Morpeth Mens' squads, there was a close battle
throughout with the B team leading on the first two legs. Michael Morris
took the A team into the lead on Leg 3, with Richard Kay, Gerard Sharp
and Ian Hudspith maintaining the advantage. Running on the last leg for
the B team, was Mark Hudspith, whose time was only bettered by 1 sec on
the day, by his brother. Andy Caine, who moved Tynedale up 29 places on
Leg 2, was third fastest overall. This was Morpeth's sixth successive victory
in the event and looking to the future, their C team comprising all Under
17 athletes, finished in 7th position. Gateshead took third place ahead
of Chester Le Street, the pair taking the minor medals, as only A teams
qualified for the championship. This was also true in the Womens' race,
where Chester Le Street's margin of victory was over 6 mins. Dianne Henaghan,
Kathryn Waugh, Ruth Brown and Morag McDonnell, formed their very formidable
line-up. Henaghan, returning to competition after being sidelined with
injury and illness, since competing in the European Cross Country Championships,
in December, clocked the fastest time on leg 1. McDonnell, sixth in the
recent Inter Counties' Cross Country Championship, was only a second slower.
Elswick (3rd) and Morpeth (4th) took the minor medals. Sunderland easily
retained their veterans' title. Paul Merrison was first home for Wallsend
on leg 1, before Brian Rushworth took the lead for the Wearsiders on Leg
2, bettering the lap record by 3 secs.
Results.
Senior Men: 6 x 2.2M. 1 Morpeth 64:22 (I Hollingsworth 10:26,
B Harrison 11:19, M Morris 10:28, R Kay 11:06, G Sharp 10:52, I Hudspith
10:11); 2 Morpeth B 64:35 (T Ranger 10:19; G Hilton 11:24, T Wall 10:49,
D Swinburne 10:54, M Brown 10:57, M Hudspith 10:12); 3 Gateshead 67:12
(P Branston 11:44, S Parr 11:08, C Parr 10:35, M Elliott 11:13, M Thompson
11:13, P Besford 11:19); 4 Chester Le Street 67:26 (S O'Donnell 10:42,
G Thraves 11:18, S Bell 11:00; A Roberts 11:31, P Embleton 11:21, P Reay
11:34); 5 Sunderland 68:18 (G Massingham 11:02, N Younger 11:57, M Donkin
11:11, S Potts 11:47, G Lancaster 11:15, T Field 11:06); 6 North Shields
Poly 68:21; 7 Morpeth C (Under 17) 70:43; 8 Blaydon 71:17; 9 Hartlepool
Burn Road 72:24; 10 Elswick 72:38; 11 Low Fell 73:47; 12 Newton Aycliffe
74:03; 13 Middlesbrough - Mandale 75:14; 14 Houghton and Peterlee 76:28;
15 Chester Le Street B 77:33 Fastest Times: 1 I Hudspith
10:11; 2 M Hudspith 10:12; 3 A Caine (Tyne) 10:17; 4 T Ranger 10:19;
5 I Hollingsworth 10:26; 6 M Morris 10:28; 7= C Parr & K Wilson (Morp
C) 10:35
Veterans: 6 x 2.2M. 1 Sunderland 68:33 (G Forster 11:20; B Rushworth
10:41; D Robertson 11:00; R Rush 11:55; D Ellis 12:15; Steve Coxon 11:22);
2 Tynedale 72:44 (Sid Coxon 11:27, B Jameson 11:51, J Dickinson 12:18;
M Broadhurst 12:31; N Cassidy 12:27, P Tait 12:10) ; 3 North Shields Poly
73:02 (D Hall 12:25, P Rees 12:46, A Catley 12:24, S Clark 11:57, C Naisbitt
11:45, T Mellor 11:45); 4 Morpeth 73:32; 5 Wallsend 73:55; 6 Middlesbrough-Mandale
76:37; 7 Sunderland B 76:50; 8 Elswick 80:14; 9 Alnwick 80:47; 10 North
Shields Poly B 80:49 Fastest Times: 1 B Rushworth 10:41 (Course Rec);
2 D Robertson 11:00; 3 P Merrison (Walls) 11:09; 4 B Roberts (Midd) 11:14;
5 S Everett (Dur) 11:17; 6 G Forster 11:20
Senior Women: 4 x 2.2M. 1 Chester Le Street 48:03 (Course Rec)
(D Henaghan 11:43, K Waugh 12:15, R Brown 12:21, M McDonnell 11:44); 2
Chester Le Street B 54:27 (H Robinson 13:07, A Watson 13:02, A Adams 14:44,
V Raw 13:34); 3 Elswick 54:35 (V Russell 13:43, S Morton 13:36, J Nutt
13:21, A Banner 13:55); 4 Morpeth 55:33 (L Ranger 13:50, C Wilson 13:25,
N Dawson 14:17, G Cavill 14:01); 5 Sunderland 59:06 (A Dixon 12:31, M Groark
16:11, T Hammett 16:00, V Booth 14:24); 6 Heaton 59:33; 7 North Shields
Poly 60:38; 8 Blyth 61:16; 9 Blaydon 63:53; 10 Derwentside 64:17; 11 Heaton
B 64:27; 12 Alnwick 64:59 Fastest Times: 1 D Henaghan 11:43, 2 M
McDonnell 11:44; 3 K Waugh 12:15; 4 R Brown 12:21; 5 A Dixon 12:31; 6 P
McCrea (Gate) 12:35; 7 K Johns (Gate) 12:50; 8 A Watson 13:02
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 17th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used. Weather bright and cold, but
little wind. As usual here, there were problems with computer results so
manual were used on day. Number of completing teams were Senior Men (26),
Veterans (14) and Women (14). The expected problem with traffic, did not
arise. Where were Jarrow Ladies, whose old record was 51:01 from 2001 ?
Though it pains me to say this, but Chester Le Street's winning performance
was impressive. Morpeth Under 17 splits were Chris Aynsley 12:05; Kirk
Wilson 10:35 (moved up 19 positions); K Heron 11:34; Nathan Shrubb 11:31;
Joe Wood 12:35 and Andrew Lawrence 12:23. Other times included: Steve Horn
(4th on Leg 1) 10:45 and Ryan Stephenson (leg 2) 11:08. Les Atkinson, out
of action since November, clocked 11:29 on Leg 2 for Veterans' team.
Other course records are: Senior Men: Morpeth 62:46 (1999) Individual:
Mark Hudspith 9:56 (1999). Veterans: Morpeth 68:23 (1997) Women:
Individual: Dianne Henaghan (Morpeth) 11:33 (2000).
Not sure if it is a sign of the times, but is it healthy that the two
clubs are so dominant in their respective events ?
Denis Field was concerned that Sunderland Seniors were behind their
veterans' team, until "our Tim's" final leg.
John Moore had best run for ages finishing 7th on Leg 1, in 11:05,
though not surprisingly, Heaton only had five runners.
Other splits: Newcomer S Cardiff (no more details) 12:58 (17); Allen
Mulliss 14:41 (missed changeover by approx 10 secs) (25); Scott McEntee
14:07 (25) and Eric Appleby 14:48 (could not get lift to Glasgow for British
Vets Indoor 3000m) (26). Women did very well. The A team set a personal
best time crossing the line in 7th position. However, Gateshead in 4th
place (56:20) were disqualified (Philippa McCrea is not qualified and one
runner ran two legs). Sunderland through Vicky Booth overhauled Kelly McEntee
on final leg. Heaton splits: A team: Jo Smith 14:06 (8); Anita Nott 14:48
(6); Jo Parkinson 15:32 (5); Kelly McEntee 15:07 B team: Sarah Ledger
15:06 (14); Kate Forsyth 16:59 (10); Marg Finn 17:13 (11) and Ann Grenfell
15:09. Accurate leg placings obtained from computer results, which were
available two days later.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 9th Feb).
David Wardle won the Chichester Priory 10km Road Race (9th Feb), by
35 secs in a time of 31:04.
At the International Indoor meeting at Cardiff on 9th Feb, some of
the region's athletes were competing for England. Keith Higham won the
Under 20 Pole Vault (4.80), and Nisha Desai was 2nd in the Under 20 800m
(2:13.58). Competing for Ireland was a certain L Collins (Liam?), who was
2nd in the 60m Hurdles (8.17), and as a guest won the 400m (48.48).
At the Scottish Indoor Championships, at Kelvin Hall, on 8th Feb, Jared
Deacon won the 400m (48.66) after a 47.71 heat. He also clocked 7.06 in
a 60m heat. Chris Tomlinson set a championship record when winning the
Long Jump (7.96m). Ruth Irving won the Womens' Long Jump with a Scottish
record (and CBP) of 6.27m and also the Triple Jump (12.46m). Julia Straker
was third in the latter (11.42m). Keith Higham was second in Pole Vault
(4.90m), and Titi Ameobi was 5th in 60m (7.74).
All info from AW.
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Durham Association of Clubs for Young People
Cross Country Championships.
Aykley Heads, Durham. Sun. 9th Feb.
Zak Scott of Birtley and Felicity Beedle of Hartlepool, won the Senior
events at yesterday's Durham Youth Clubs Championships, at Aykley Heads.
Khalid Thompson of Spennymoor (Under 13 Boys) and Claire Harrison of Sunderland
(Under 15 Girls), won their events, less than 24 hours after competing
in the Inter Counties' Championships, at Nottingham. Teams will now compete
in the National event in Essex, on 2nd March.
Results.
Under 17 Men: 6.8km. 1 Z Scott (Birt) 24:04; 2 J McCrerie (Sun)
24:13; 3 M Armstrong (Blay) 24:26; 4 D Old (Birt) 24:56; 5 P Guthrie (Sun)
25:25
Under 15 Boys: 3.4km. 1 A Muir (Blay) 12:08; 2 A Spoor (Sun)
12:31; 3 M Docherty (Birt) 12:42; 4 S McMeiken (Blay) 12:46; 5 N Reed (Black
B) 14:18
Under 13 Boys: 3.4km. 1 K Thompson (Spennymoor YC) 12:35; 2 C
Bell (CleS) 12:56; 3 P Graham (Black B) 13:04; 4 M Foggin (Sun) 13:17;
5 D Regan (Blay) 13:25 Team: Sunderland 23
Under 11 Boys: 1.9km. 1 S Younger (Sun) 8:02; 2 K Chirnside (Black
B) 8:19; 3 J Scott (Birt) 8:41 Team: Sunderland 23
Under 17 Women: 3.4km. 1 F Beedle (Hart) 14:16; 2 R Simpson (Black
B) 14:49; 3 R Forster (Boldon YC) 14:50; 4 H Stratford (CleS) 15:18; 5
S Brown (Black B) 15:40
Under 15 Girls: 3.4km. 1 C Harrison (Sun) 13:54; 2 H Dix (Blay)
14:23; 3 A McKay (CleS) 14:35; 4 R Barnes (Boldon YC) 14:36; 5 F Parkinson
(Sun) 14:39 Team: Blaydon 23
Under 13 Girls (Long course) 3.8km. 1 L Ing (Sun) 15:47; 2 A
Reed (Black B) 15:53; 3 N Turnbull (Sun) 16:05; 4 M Howell (Birt) 16:08;
5 T Parrell (Black B) 16:24 Team: Birtley 22
Under 11 Girls: 1.9km. 1 D Clark (Black B) 8:56; 2 C Lappin (Grangetown
YC) 9:22; 3 Z Dixon (Birt) 9:19 Team: Birtley 32
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 10th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Only opening line used. Weather dry and fine. Quite
mild. An enjoyable low key meeting. Emma Spoor went off course, when leading
in Under 13 race. All runners covered extra distance (not sure why ?).
Good performance from Claire Harrison. Jackson Creegan, Ben Hannant (was
he on team ?) and others were excused, after competing in previous day's
Inter County Championships. Those concerned are not happy with Sunday date
for National, due to time involved for travelling home etc.
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Reebok Inter Counties' Cross Country Championships.
Wollaton Park, Nottingham. Sat. 8th Feb.
An excellent run from Ryan McLeod, ensured a team victory for the North
East in the Junior event, at Saturday's Reebok Inter Counties' Cross Country
Championships, at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. The Elswick Harrier finished
a creditable third behind the 2002 Under 17 champion, Tom Humphries of
Staffordshire. McLeod was ably supported by Shaun Moralee (15th),
Richard Kemp (16th) and Patrick Martin (18th), as the region won on countback
from Kent. Morpeth's Kirk Wilson finished an excellent second in the Under
17 Mens' race, behind Northern champion, Anthony Moran of Greater Manchester.
The North East took the bronze medals, with good support coming from Lewis
Moses, Ryan Stephenson and Matthew Lomax. Morag McDonnell of Chester Le
Street finished an outstanding sixth in the Senior Womens' race, leading
the region to the bronze medals. McDonnell was ably supported by Sonia
Thomas, Ruth Brown, Kathryn Waugh, Claire Smallwood and veteran, Heather
Robinson. The Under 15 Boys' team led by sixth-placed Andrew Coffer of
Chester le Street, took the silver medals. Sean Hall, Jonathon Young and
Ross Floyd were the other counters. Unluckiest event for the region was
the Under 15 Girls' race. Gateshead's Northern champion, Mary Ferrier,
was edged out on the line in 4th place, after holding third for most of
the distance. The team also finished in fourth position. Although all of
their squads finished higher than 7th, the North East were unable to match
the strength of old rivals, Hampshire, in their attempt to regain the Overall
Trophy.
Selected Results.
Senior Men: 12km. 1 G Tromans (Warwicks) 37:42; 2 M Miles (Belgrave)
37:46; 3 R Birchall (Cheshire) 37:48; 4 M Smith (Herts) 37:56; 5 S Barden
(Kent) 37:59 Other Placings: 20 M Scaife (NE/CleS) 39:12; 36 A Caine
(NE/Tyne) 39:56; 40 T Wall (NE/Morp) 39:59; 59 M Morris (NE/Morp) 40:22;
94 M Donnelly (NE/Tyne) Teams: 1 Hampshire 237; 2 Hertfordshire 288;
3 Essex 305; 5 North East 372
Under 20 Men: 8km. 1 T Humphries (Staffs) 26:08; 2 M Draper (Beds)
26:21; 3 R McLeod (NE/Els) 26:49 Other Placings: 15 S Moralee (NE/Dur)
27:33; 16 R Kemp (NE/Sun) 27:35; 18 P Martin (NE/Sun) 27:37; 29 N Younger
(NE/Sun) 28:00 Teams: 1 North East 52; 2 Bedfordshire 52; 3 Hampshire
71
Under 17 Men: 6.5km. 1 A Moran (Gt Manch) 20:44; 2 K Wilson (NE/Morp)
20:47; 3 C Ivery (Sussex) 20:56 Other Placings: 36 L Moses (NE/N
Ayc) 22:04; 46 R Stephenson (NE/NSP) 22:13; 53 M Lomax (NE/Shil) 22:19
Teams: 1 Hampshire 73; 2 Greater Manchester 75; 3 North East 137
Under 15 Boys: 4.5km. 1 A Hickey (Essex) 15:35; 2 M Bailey(Essex)
15:37; 3 L Cox (Hants) 15:38 Other Placings: 6 A Coffer (NE/CleS)
15:50; 14 S Hall (NE/Gate) 16:12; 15 J Young (NE/Morp) 16:15; 17 R Floyd
(NE/Morp) 16:17 Teams: 1 Essex 33; 2 North East 56; 3 Yorkshire 96
Under 13 Boys: 3km. 1 C Booker (Worcs) 10:51; 2 T Carpenter (Avon/Som)
11:06; 3 C Pearce (Lancs) 11:06 Other Placings: 27 K Thompson (NE/Shil)
11:38; 29 J Gibson (NE/Gate) 11:38; 35 R Cunningham (NE/Birt) 11:42; 49
S Ruddick (NE/Blay) 11:49 Teams: 1 Lancashire 97; 2 Greater Manchester
114; 3 Cheshire 130; 4 North East 140
Senior Women: 8km. 1 H Yelling (Middlesex) 28:04; 2 L Yelling
(Beds) 28:28; 3 L Damen (Dorset) 28:37; 4 A Whitcombe (Parkside) 28:50;
5 H Pattinson (Lancs) 29:00; 6 M McDonnell (NE/CleS) 29:06 Other
Placings: 13 S Thomas (NE/Sale) 29:54; 40 R Brown (NE/CleS) 31:12; 41 C
Hare (Yorks/Loft) 31:16; 51 K Waugh (NE/CleS) 31:33; 54 C Smallwood (NE/J&H)
31:36; 108 H Robinson (NE/CleS) 32:39 Teams: 1 Middlesex 224; 2 Scotland
West 254; 3 North East 272
Under 20 Women: 6.5km. 1 C Dale (Kent) 22:48; 2 A Hoban (Yorks)
23:36; 3 K Wootton (Beds) 23:46 Other Placings: 13 R Smith (NE/Dur)
24:45; 33 A Fox (NE/Morp) 26:32; 61 J Jackson (NE/M&C) 27:57; 68 N
Dawson (NE/Morp) 28:19 Teams: 1 Surrey 63; 2 Yorkshire 81; 3 Kent
114; 7 North East 173
Under 17 Women: 5km. 1 N McLarty (Scot Cent) 18:43; 2 K Hawitt
(Chesh) 18:45; 3 N Sykes (Beds) 18:47 Other placings: 15 J Orr (NE/Quak)
19:57; 33 S Hart (NE/N Marske) 20:18; 46 S Crowe (NE/Els) 20:39; 58 D Watts
(NE/Morp) 20:41 Teams: 1 Staffordshire 57; 2 Yorkshire 112; 3 Derbyshire
116; 5 North East 144
Under 15 Girls: 4km. 1 C Browning (Sussex) 15:42; 2 N Stanford
(Wales) 15:45; 3 M Foley (Essex) 15:46; 4 M Ferrier (NE/Gate) 15:46
Other Placings: 21 A Porteous (NE/Morp) 16;26; 45 L Wright (NE/Gate) 16:43;
53 D James (NE/Morp) 16:51 Teams: 1 Hampshire 69; 2 Yorkshire 99;
3 Essex 100; 4 North East 123
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 S Simpson (Beds) 11:58; 2 L Evans (Gt
Manch) 12:03; 3 E Lambourne (Wilts) 12:04 Other Placings: 28 S Smith
(NE/Tyne) 12:40; 49 G Rutherford (NE/NSP) 12:54; 58 A Suffield (NE/Shil)
13:00; 59 S Favier (NE/Gate) 13:00 Teams: 1 Greater Manchester 72;
2 Merseyside 138; 3 Warwickshire 143; 6 North East 194
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 10th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Early part of report used, but well edited.after
halfway. Senior results courtesy of UK Athletics website (only those were
on the same evening). Other results from Kevin Carr. Though dry, it was
quite windy. Caught latter part of TV coverage, but no team results were
given. On the whole was quite good, but head-on views of finishes, do not
reflect true picture. This was the case of Mary Ferrier, who apparently
eased up before line, but was not noticeable on TV. She was really unlucky
as she was only one to break away with two leaders, and looked a safe third,
thereafter. Charlotte Wickham dropped out of Junior Womens' race, when
alongside Rosie Smith. Chris Lamb had poor run (98th in 30:04) in Junior
Mens' race. Morgan Donnelly's time was 41:10. Ivan Hollingsworth (123rd
in 41:50) was sixth senior counter and Mark Hood dropped out. The North
East held a five point lead in overall competition, at halfway. I understand
Senior races, were World Trials, but not Junior events (Mcleod, listed
as Gateshead in AW, has since been selected for World Championship). Where
are Rachel Nathan and Emily Pidgeon at present ? Further performances included:
Senior Men: 16 Steve Cairns (N Ireland) (not sure if this is Border Harrier
?) 39:01; 33 Steve Platts (Leics) 39:43 Junior Men: 35 Chris Parr
28:15 Under 17 Men: 7 Adrian Holliday (Cumbria) 21:22; 57 Jackson
Creegan 22:22; 62 Lewis Timmins 22:26; 125 Gareth Driscioll 23:11 (Official
results contradict Kevin Carr swapping Moses and Lomax around)
Under 17 Women: 37 Sarah Tunstall (Cumbria) 20:26; 61 Chloe Rodham (Cumbria)
(her club is Herne Hill !) 20:54; 121 Ashleigh Gibson 21:51 Under
15 Girls: 77 Claire Harrison 17:06
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Veterans' A.A - North East Cross Country Championships.
Branksome Comprehensive School, Darlington. Sat. 8th Feb.
Sunderland Harrier Brian Rushworth claimed his first veterans' title,
at Saturday's Veterans A.A - North East Cross Country Championships, at
Branksome School, Darlington. Rushworth, the record-breaking ten times
North Eastern Senior champion, who turned 40 in December, came home with
10secs to spare over spare defending champion, Paul Merrison of Wallsend.
In the gusty conditions, a leading group of five were still together with
one of the three laps remaining, before Merrison made a long break for
home. Rushworth soon covered the move and result was never in doubt, when
he made his bid for victory some 400m later. Durham's Ian Crampton took
third place, with Sunderland comfortably winning the team title. Leading
home the Over 45 athletes, in fourth place overall, was another Sunderland
Harrier, former Marathon International, Glen Forster. Sheila Allen of Houghton
and Peterlee, running in the Over 45 category, defeated her younger rivals
in the Womens' race. Elvet newcomer, Donna James, crossed the line in second
place, to win the Over 35 title.
Results.
Men 10km.'
M40 - 1 B Rushworth (Sun) 34:11; 2 P Merrison (Walls) 34:21; 3 I Crampton
(Dur) 34:49; 4 R Rush (Sun) 36:07; 5 T Hardman (Elvet) 36:37; 6 G Harden
(Sun) 36:43
M45 - 1 G Forster (Sun) 35:11; 2 A Dent (Blay) 35:26; 3 T Livingston
(N Marske) 35:59; 4 K Mackey (SSh) 36:52; 5 T McPhail (Walls) 36:56; 6
J Dickinson (Tyne) 37:07 Teams (Combined M40/45): 1 Sunderland 12;
2 Wallsend 28; 3 Elvet Striders 84
M50 - 1 A Jenkins (Morp) 36:16; 2 V Tindle (Sun) 37:48; 3 J Dennis
(Crook) 38:00 M55 - 1 L Christopher (Sun) 38:41; 2 J Robinson (R&Z)
39:04; 3 A Ward (Morp) 41:30 M60 - 1 T O'Gara (Walls) 40:22; 2 R
Wilson (Sun) 41:54; 3 E Whittaker (Black B) 45:48 M65 - 1 W Ryder
(Morp) 40:59; 2 B Cordes (Morp) 43:07; 3 R Pinkney (SSh) 43:56
Men 5.3km. M70 - 1 E Appleby (Heat) 23:02; 2 W McNeil (Dur) 25:53;
3 H Craven (Heat) 31:00 M75 - J Caddy (M&C) 29:48 M80 -
J Johnston (Coqu) 36:12
Women 5.3km.
W35 - 1 D James (Elvet) 20:17; 2 C Ratcliff (Dur) 20:44; 3 K Bentley
(Birt) 21:58 W40 - 1 S White (Tyne) 21:38; 2 S Milburn (N Ayc) 21:50;
3 L Marr (Tyne) 22:14 W45 - S Allen (H&P) 19:59 W50 - L
Woods (N Marske) 23:27 W55 - V Hancock (Dur) 23:19 W60 - 1
C Lee (Gosf) 23:51; 2 K Stewart (NSP) 25:37; 3 J Bell (Black B) 25:38
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 10th Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used. Weather: fine dry, but windy
at times (more so in Womens' race). Course/venue likely to be used for
next season's North East Championships. Only five people helping from host
club (including Matt Frazer), and surprisingly no athletes. Competitors
had difficulty finding venue, due to inaccurate travel directions. Results,
as usual, handwritten. They were copied quickly so may not be 100% accurate.
About 55 runners in main race (David Tait was last in 60:36), and 25 in
shorter event. Better quality in Womens' race (especially W60). Ian Barnes
was 4th M65 (44:40). He had recently broken two fingers. Luckily Ted Joynson
did not turn up. Heaton fielded six athletes (two more than Morpeth). Other
Heaton placings: M45: 15 Allen Mulliss 44:57 M55: 4 George Routledge
58:41 M65: 6 Reg Checkley 52:10 W40: 5 Anita Nott 23:35.
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Weekly Round-Up.
(to 2nd Feb).
At the televised Indoor International at Glasgow (2nd Feb), Jared Deacon
clocked 47.2 for his third leg on the second-placed 4 x 400m Relay team.
Surprisingly the two slowest members (Deacon and Matt Elias), were the
two who took the team into the lead, only for it to be lost to the "faster"
second and fourth leg runners. Splits courtesy of BBC, but not given in
AW. I understand sense has prevailed and John Regis, has left commentary
team (or been dropped ?). However, there are more "jobs for the boys",
with Colin Jackson and Jonathon Edwards joining them. Loughborough meeting
is also being dropped from schedules, thank goodness.
At the British Universities Cross Country Championships, at Oxford
(Feb 1st), Mark Hood (Northumbria) finished in 7th place (34:46), behind
Ollie Laws (Loughborough) (33:39). Gavin Massingham (Sunderland) was 10th
in Short Course event (13:56) behind Edward Jackson of Nottingham (13:01).
Louise Damen of Loughborough won Womens' race (22:57), with teammate Catherine
Hare in 10th place (24:38). Info from AW.
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Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League.
Shibdon Pond, Blaydon. Sun. 2nd Feb.
Sunderland Harriers extended their lead at the head of the Senior Mens'
Division 1 table, despite losing their 100% record, at the fourth Durham
Pine North Eastern Harrier League fixture, at Blaydon, yesterday. The Wearsiders,
the defending champions, finished third behind Wallsend, but now hold a
four-point lead over Durham, who provided the individual winner, Shaun
Moralee. The inaugural Northern Junior Indoor 1500m champion, dropped his
main rival, Paul Besford of Gateshead, after the first of the three laps,
and came home with 59secs to spare. Morpeth's Terry Wall clocked the fastest
time, finishing in 8th position, closely followed by Sunderland's new veteran,
Brian Rushworth. Less than 24 hours after taking the silver medal, in the
Northern Indoor 1500m, Jarrow's Claire Smallwood, easily won the Senior
Womens' race from top veteran, Sheila Allen of Houghton and Peterlee. Durham
City took the team title, and the defending champions, now head the table
for the first time, this season. Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly
(Under 17) and John Gibson of Gateshead (Under 15), joined the exclusive
band of runners, who have won their races, from the fast pack.
Results.
Senior Men: 8.7km. 1 S Moralee (Dur) 30:17; 2 P Besford (Gate)
31:16; 3 P Addyman (Clare) 32:36; 4 S Brown (Tyne) 32:44; 5 T McPhail (Walls)
32:58; 6 S Potts (Sun) 33:18; 7 T Wall (Morp) 33:29; 8 B Rushworth (Sun)
33:41; 9 J Sturman (Walls) 33:49; 10 S Coxon (Tyne) 34:02; 11 J O'Reilly
(Gate) 34:11; 12 A Hetherington (Els) 34:14; 13 B Pickersgill (Aln) 34:19;
14 R Driscoll (Morp) 34:23; 15 J Graham (Gosf) 34:25 Fastest Times:
1 T Wall 28:29; 2 B Rushworth (M40) 28:41; 3 J Graham 29:25; 4 M Thompson
(Gate) 29:50; 5 P Merrison (Walls, M40) 29:58
Teams: Division 1 - 1 Wallsend 92; 2 Elswick 127; 3 Sunderland 137
Division 2 - Alnwick 108 Division 3 - Gateshead 31
Under 17 Men: 5.2km. 1 R Stephenson (NSP) 19:12; 2 D Smith (Sun)
19:29; 3 D Jackson (J&H) 19:47; 4 D Hutton (Gosf) 19:59; 5 S Kirtley
(Morp) 20:05; 6 J Wood (Morp) 20:10 Fastest: R Stephenson 16:52
Teams: 1 Morpeth 23; 2 Gosforth 24; 3 Sunderland 25
Under 15 Boys: 3.4km. 1 A Colwell (Morp) 12:52; 2 D Garbutt (Dur) 13:00;
3 K Lees (Gosf) 13:09; 4 M Douglas (Gate) 13:21; 5 A Muir (Blay) 13:23;
6 S Brewis (H&P) 13:26 Fastest: A Muir 11:43 Teams: 1 Houghton
and Peterlee 25; 2 Gateshead 27; 3 Morpeth 29
Under 13 Boys: 2.7km. 1 J Gibson (Gate) 11:02; 2 M Cairns (Morp) 11:12;
3 D Dalby (Blay) 11:16; 4 T Perrins (Gate) 11:19; 5 G Ritchie (J&H)
11:24; 6 W Alderson (CleS) 11:26 Fastest: J Gibson 9:42 Teams:
1 Gateshead 19; 2 Sunderland 30; 3 Blaydon 43
Senior Women: 5.2km. 1 C Smallwood (J&H) 18:12; 2 S Allen
(H&P, W45) 19:20; 3 C Wilson (Morp) 19:29; 4 K Robertson (Tyne) 19:33;
5 D James (Elvet) 19:33; 6 C Ratcliff (Dur, W35) 19:51; 7 P McCrea (Gate)
20:01; 8 E Grant (Sun Univ) 20:09; 9 J Nutt (Els) 20:11; 10 D Hales (Dur)
20:21; 11 L Trainor (Dur) 20:29; 12 N Gray (Aur) 20:35 Teams: 1 Durham
City 27; 2 Tynedale 39; 3 Elvet Striders 46
Junior Women: 5.2km. 1 D Watts (Morp, U17) 19:25; 2 L McKernan
(Gate, U17) 20:13; 3 R Forster (J&H, U17) 21:51; 4 G Barry (H&P,
U17) 22:27; 5 N Batey (Blay) 22:49; 6 L Davies (NSP) 23:28
Under 15 Girls: 3.4km. 1 C Harrison (Sun) 13:05; 2 H Davies (NSP)
13:15; 3 C Reay (Blay) 13:15; 4 C Bellamy (Gosf) 13:17; 5 L Dodsworth (Gate)
13:23; 6 H Dix (Blay) 13:27 Teams: 1 Blaydon 23; 2 Gateshead 39; 3 Jarrow
and Hebburn 44
Under 13 Girls: 2.7km. 1 S Smith (Tyne) 10:24; 2 L Ing (Sun)
11:01; 3 E Spoor (Sun) 11:06; 4 L Smith (Gosf) 11:19; 5 N Bellamy (Gosf)
11:21; 6 R Hughes (NSP) 11:24 Teams: 1 Sunderland 12; 2 Gosforth
19; 3 Birtley 38
(Newcastle Journal: Mon 3rd Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used. Weather bright at start, but
several heavy wintry showers during afternoon, including one on lap 2 of
Senior Mens' event, where there were 245 finishers (David Tait occupied
this position in 54:02). Slightly different course as some parts had gates
installed. However, they still have that stupid hill section at the corner
of the main field. Better Young Athletes fields than expected, as this
was the day after (and not same day as) Schools' match (secretary please
note). More fast Senior times were Ieuan Ellis (30:26) and Paul Johnson
(30:38). Other Womens' performances included Angela Hunter (13th in 20:34)
(she started too fast) and Val Hancock (28th in 23:08). Heaton could only
field bare six runners, but Malcolm Gibson dropped out somewhere on second
lap. He was second counter after lap 1. They still lie third, but well
behind Gateshead and Low Fell. Three women did turn out and they were 4th
team. Heaton placings: Men: 109 Richard Dodgson 36:34; 131 John Moore 32:07
(actual time); 199 Allen Mulliss 39:43; 221 Eric Appleby 41:33; 244 George
Routledge 53:08 Women: 24 Kelly McEntee 22:25; 33 Ann Grenfell 24:08; 34
Margaret Finn 24:19 (37 finished).
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Alsagar 5M Road Race.
Crewe. Sun. 2nd. Feb.
Result.
1 G Tromans (Coventry G) 22:58; 2 C Davies (Telford) 23:15; 3 M Miles
(Belgrave) 23:30; 4 M Openshaw (Birchfield) 23:31; 5 M Hudspith (Morp)
23:32; 11 M Scaife (CleS) 23:56
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 3rd Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Results courtesy of race-results website. Only
submitted result, as North East "stars" did not get in first three. Good
battle for third place. Very fast course judging by times. 700+ runners.
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North of England Indoor Championships.
Manchester Arena. Sat. 1st Feb.
There were more medals for the region's athletes, at Saturday's North
of England Senior Indoor Championships, at Manchester. Ruth Irving, competing
for Edinburgh, gained a double victory in the Long and Triple Jump. Karen
Johns, now running for Gateshead, added the 800m title, to the silver medal
gained outdoors at Jarrow, last summer. Gemma Fergusson of Sale, the current
outdoor champion, won the Hurdles, two weeks after taking the Junior title.
Border Harriers provided three gold medallists. Keith Higham, who already
has won the Northern and National Junior titles, won the Pole Vault, with
another personal best clearance. Jonathon Best won the Triple Jump, while
in the 60m, Jonathon Oparka narrowly defeated new clubmate and former Morpeth
Harrier, Craig Telford.
Selected Results.
Senior Men: 60: 1 J Oporka (Bord) 6.93; 2 C Telford (Bord) 6.98
PV: K Higham (Bord) 5.00 LJ: 1 C Kirk (Wakefield) 7.24; 3 C Weitz
(Gate) 7.05 TJ: J Best (Bord) 13.93
Senior Women: 800: 1 K Johns (Gate) 2:12.51; 3 E Grant (J&H) 2:18.26
1500: 1 A Carter (Vale Royal) 4:31.16; 2 C Smallwood (J&H) 4:37.24
60H: G Fergusson (Sale) 8.54 LJ: 1 R Irving (Edinburgh WM) 6.11;
2 E Smith (Sale) 5.61 TJ: R Irving 12.56
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 3rd Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Only partly used. No reference to RI and GF ( perhaps
because they do not compete for NE clubs?). Results courtesy of NoEngland
website. Jared Deacon won 200m heat (fastest) in 22.29secs, but did not
compete after that. Allen Condon won final in 21.00secs. Accidently omitted
Senior 1500m, when Chris O'Connell was second (4:09.71) (out of 3) 9 secs
behind winner. Jimmy Hedley very critical of facilities.
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Inter Counties Schools Cross Country Meeting.
Hexham Racecourse. Sat. 1st Feb.
Durham retained the overall Trophy, at Saturday's Inter Counties' Schools
Cross Country match at a frosty Hexham racecourse. Durham were particularly
strongest in the younger age-groups and in the Junior Girls' race, provided
six of the first seven. Patrick Martin recovered from a disappointing run
in last weekend's Northern Championships, to easily win the Senior Boys'
race, for Durham.
Rosie Smith was untroubled in winning the Senior Girls' event. Mary
Ferrier and Delyth James, both running for Northumberland occupied
the first two positions, in the Intermediate Girls' event. It was a repeat
of the Northern race, 7 days earlier, when the pair took the main medals
at Under 15 level. Third on that occasion was Angharad Porteous, who
was a clear winner here for Northumberland, in the Junior Girls' event.
Adrian Holliday provided Cumbria's sole victory, when running away with
the Intermediate Boys' race. Jonathon Cook of Northumberland gained victory
in the Junior Boys' event.
Results.
Senior Boys: 8.5km. 1 P Martin (D) 30:31; 2 M Elliott (D) 31:01;
3 R Stephenson (N) 31:15; 4 J Douglas (Cu) 31:22; 5 D Graham (N) 31:42;
6 G Driscoll (N) 32:10; 7 A Teate (Cl) 32:15; 8 S Sutherland (N) 32:22;
9 B Hannant (D) 32:35; 10 D Glynn (Cu) 32:40; 11 J Southworth (Cu) 32:49;
12 A Haynes (N) 32:53 Teams: 1 Northumberland 49; 2 Durham 55; 3
Cumbria 96
Intermediate Boys: 6.3km. 1 A Holliday (Cu) 21:19; 2 L Timmins
(N) 21:55; 3 M Lomax (D) 22:13; 4 P Waite (Cu) 22:23; 5 L Moses (D) 22:32;
6 A Coffer (D) 22:33; 7 J Creegan (D) 22:34; 8 J Martin (D) 22:39; 9 J
Taylor (Cl) 22:51; 10 M Wilson (D) 22:55; 11 S Hall (D) 23:04; 12 N Shrubb
(N) 23:09 Teams: 1 Durham 39; 2 Northumberland 99; 3 Cumbria 108
Junior Boys: 4.3km. 1 J Cook (N) 15:42; 2 D Ellis (D) 15:49;
3 P Curtis (Cu) 15:53; 4 W Roberts (D) 15:54; 5 J Pearson (N) 16:03; 6
A Mitchell (Cl) 16:06; 7 L Stockton (Cl) 16:08; 8 K Thompson (D) 16:09;
9 J Woods (D) 16:19; 10 M Brown (N) 16:19; 11 A Stevenson (Cl) 16:22; 12
B Knighten (N) 16:25 Teams: 1 Durham 51; 2 Northumberland 66; 3 Cleveland
77
Minor Boys: 2.3km. 1 S Ruddick (D) 9:12; 2 R Murray (N) 9:16;
3 C Bell (D) 9:23; 4 C Watson (N) 9:27; 5 D Regan (D) 9:30; 6 A Cummings
(D) 9:33; 7 M Watson (N) 9:41; 8 N Flannery (N) 9:44 Team (non scoring):
Durham 37
Senior Girls: 4.3km. 1 R Smith (D) 17:07; 2 C Wickham (N) 17:19;
3 A Fox (N) 17:27; 4 S Tunstall (Cu) 17:35; 5 A Gibson (N) 17:56; 6 R Brown
(Cu) 17:59; 7 D Watts (N) 18:09; 8 J Page (D) 18:14; 9 C Douglas (Cu) 18:22;
10 J Partridge (D) 18:40; 11 L Houston (Cu) 18:49; 12 V Raw (D) 18:53
Teams: 1 Northumberland 47; 2 Durham 66; 3 Cumbria 69
Intermediate Girls: 4.3km. 1 M Ferrier (N) 16:50; 2 D James (N)
16:56; 3 J Orr (D) 17:20; 4 S Hart (Cl) 17:25; 5 S Crowe (N) 17:56; 6 C
Rodham (Cu) 18:01; 7 K Savage (Cu) 18:13; 8 C Harrison (D) 18:19; 9 E Nesbitt
(N) 18:21; 10 L McKernan (D) 18:23; 11 K Jones (D) 18:31; 12 H Dix (D)
18:35 Team: 1 Northumberland 45; 2 Durham 58; 3 Cumbria 106
Junior Girls: 4.1km. 1 A Porteous (N) 16:32; 2 L Wright (D) 17:00;
3 J Stephenson (D) 17:25; 4 C Reay (D) 17:28; 5 A Wilson (D) 17:38; 6 V
Angus (D) 17:43; 7 A Suffield (D) 17:44; 8 G Crowther (Cu) 17:53;
9 G Rutherford (N) 17:55; 10 H Davies (N) 18:00; 11 L Dixon (N) 18:08;
12 L Ing (D) 18:12 Team: 1 Durham 27; 2 Northumberland 63; 3 Cumbria
126
Minor Girls: 2.1km. 1 L Weightman (N) 8:31; 2 E Spoor (D) 8:38;
3 R Hood (N) 8:41; 4 S Favier (N) 8:49; 5 G Taylor (N) 8:53; 6 A Newcombe
(Cu) 8:54; 7 E Murray (D) 8:59; 8 A Penn (D) 9:00 Team (non scoring):
Northumberland 37
Overall Trophy: 1 Durham; 2 Northumberland; 3 Cumbria; 4 Cleveland.
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 3rd Feb 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used. Results courtesy of Paul Ponton.
Surprisingly no snow here, as there were 2 inches in Newcastle (though
it thawed away later). Sunny but getting colder as meeting progressed.
Ground frozen in parts, which is why Chris Lamb and Chris Parr did not
run, due to risk of injury. The annoying part was that some "lesser lights"
were pulled out by their coaches for same reason. Alisdair Tatham was a
Cleveland team manager. One of the inside result recorders was Vicki Beck.
Good run by Ashleigh Gibson. Down the field in their races, were Kieran
Flannery (now coached by David Lowes, who was in attendance with Nick McCormick,
who has left college to come back up here) (27th in IB/ 24:06) and Chris
Aynsley (25th in SB/34:25). Andrew Lawrence withdrew due to 'flu and Joe
Wood was 31st (IB), but 7th Northumberland counter.
Stephanie Crowell was 11th in MG (9:09). She was not well according
to "coach" Stan Archer, who had been there with Durham team, 2 hours before
start. Chloe Gilmore was 15th IG (18:46). 14th in Senior Girls' event for
Cumbria was C Naylor (is this a relation of Joss ?). Tom Farrell was 11th
in MB event ((9:56)..
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