January 2003

Weekly Round-up
(to 26th Jan).
At Cross Country International at Lisbon, on 26th Jan, Ryan McLeod (24:17) was second to Tom Humphries (24:13) in Junior race. No further comment on this type of event. At the Scottish 4km Cross Country Championship, at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, victory went to Steve Cairns (12:39).
Ian Fisher won the Brass Monkey Half Marathon at York, on 26th Jan (67:56). Rob Holladay was third (73:03). Mike Walker was leading M55 (81:20). Dawn Richardson (Quakers) was second in Womens' race (83:35) and W60 category was won by Christine Lee (1:40:42).
Eric Smart gained a sprint double at the Scottish Indoor Championships, at Kelvin Hall, on 25th Jan. He won M45 60m in 7.44 and 200m in 23.44. Archie Jenkins was 2nd in M50 1500m (4:37.0) and 3000m (9:49.36). Lynne Marr won W40 3000m (11:52.79) and was second in 1500m (5:32.62). All info courtesy of AW.
back | top

A.A.A of England Junior Indoor Championships.
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham.  Sat/Sun. 25th/26th Jan.
Selected Results.
Under 20 Men: 60H: 1 N Gayle (Stoke) 8.35; 3 S Nyananyo (Midd) 8.55  PV: K Higham (Bord) 4.90
Under 17 Men: 800m: 1 G Prendergast (Leics) 1:57.59; 2 K Flannery (Gate) 1:58.70
Under 15 Boys: LJ: 1 L Thomas (Edinburgh SH) 6.27; 3 A Renwick (Gate) 5.19
Under 20 Women: 60H: 1 S Belle (Victoria Park) 8.47; 2 G Fergusson (Sale) 8.57  HJ: 1 A Wilson (Woodford Green) 1.78; 2 E Morris (SSh) 1.70

Additional Comments: Results courtesy of AW. Will submit for Monday's Journal (3rd Feb). Good performances by Keith Higham (a pb ?), Kieran Flannery, Gemma Fergusson and Emma Morris. Other good non-medal performances included Craig Crawford-Glanville (4th in U17 400m in 50.40secs), Nisha Desai (6th in U20 400m in 60.06, after clocking 58.14 in heat), and Lauren Arthur (5th in U15 60m in 8.01secs). Sophie de la Hunt was fifth in U17 Long Jump (4.99) and Andrew Renwick was 5th in U15 60m Hurdles (9.82). Peter Vickers was 7th in U20 60m (7.09) (7.05 in semi).
back | top

North of England A.A Great North Cross Country Championships.
Heaton Park, Manchester.  Sat. 25th Jan.
It was a day of mixed fortunes, for the region's athletes, at Saturday's North of England Great North Cross Country Championships, at Heaton Park, Manchester. On a dry bright day, in the testing underfoot conditions, the best performance came in the Under 15 Girls' event. Mary Ferrier of Gateshead, successful in the Under 13 event, two years ago, came home with 14 secs to spare over Morpeth's Delyth James, who edged out her clubmate, Angharad Porteous, making it a clean sweep for North East athletes. For good measure, Morpeth comfortably won the team event, with Emma Nesbitt (38th) and Natalie Sage (59th), backing up the leading counters. Former Wallsend Harrier, Sonia Thomas now running for Sale, comfortably retained her Senior Womens' title. Thomas, the current North Eastern champion, dropped her rivals on the final lap, with Gemma Phillips of Kendal taking second place ahead of early leader, Morag McDonnell, who led Chester Le Street, to the silver medals. Backing up McDonnell were Kathryn Waugh (22nd), Heather Robinson (31st) and Angie Watson (43rd). Ruth  Brown, who finished 16th, is not yet eligible for the Durham club.
Morpeth, led by Terry Wall (16th),  took the silver medals in the Senior Mens' team event behind Leeds City. In a race won easily by the virtually unknown Yorkshire champion, Chris Cariss of Bingley, the region did not perform well individually, with Mark Hood of Sunderland, leading the challenge in 11th place. In the Under 17 Mens' event, Kirk Wilson of Morpeth, took the silver medal, finishing 11 secs behind Trafford's Anthony Moran. Morpeth gained the bronze medals in the team event. Jonathon Graham of Gosforth finished third in the Junior Mens' race, and Sunderland led by Richard Kemp (6th) took the bronze medals. Loftus runner, Alec Duffield also gained a bronze medal in the Under 15 Boys' event.
Selected Results.
Senior Men: 11.5km. 1 C Cariss (Bingley) 35:26; 2 S Rees-Jones (CoSheffield) 35:45; 3 J Brown (Salford) 36:03; 4 M Hilton (Leeds C) 36:09; 5 C Livesey (Preston) 36:15; 6 G Raven (Sale) 36:23  Other Placings: 11 M Hood (Sun) 36:46; 16 T Wall (Morp) 37:12; 19 S Platts (Morp) 37:20; 24 L Browell (Sun) 37:42; 25 M Donnelly (Tyne) 37:43; 27 M Morris (Morp) 37:52; 30 R Hand (Dur) 37:59; 31 D Swinburne (Morp) 38:01; 37 I Hollingsworth (Morp) 38:15; 42 C Sampson (Morp) 38:30; 51 C Stead (Gate) 39:03; 52 P Welham (N Marske) 39:04; 60 R Kay (Morp) 39:24; 71 J Orange (R&Z) 39:49; 88 M Donkin (Sun) 40:39  Teams:
1 Leeds City 102; 2 Morpeth 172; 3 Salford 232; 4 Sale, Manchester 284; 5 Bingley 303; 29 Darlington 1810; 39 Richmond and Zetland 2080; 47 Elswick 2281; 49 Blaydon 2364; 59 Aurora 3166
Under 20 Men: 7.8km. 1 S Pickering (Bridlington) 25:00; 2 P McGlory (Liverpoolh H) 25:09; 3 J Graham (Gosf) 25:20; 4 M Buckingham (Holmfirth) 25:33; 5 P Shannon (Stockport) 25:37; 6 R Kemp (Sun) 25:42  Other Placings: 8 T Lawrence (Derby) 25:47; 9 A Toward (Morp) 25:48; 10 N Younger (Sun) 25:51; 15 G Massingham (Sun) 26:15; 17 M Elliott (Gate) 26:18; 27 P Best (Shil) 27:18; 31 R Clements (NSP) 27:31; 33 P Groark (Sun) 27:49; 34 P Hutton (Gosf) 27:53; 43 P Dodd (Els) 28:44; 48 P Shotton (Gate) 29:00; 49 A Dougal (Tyne) 29:01  Teams:
1 Holmfirth 48; 2 Derby AC 55; 3 Sunderland 64
Under 17 Men: 5.7km. 1 A Moran (Trafford) 17:28; 2 K Wilson (Morp) 17:39; 3 R Newton (Preston) 17:50; 4 A Holliday (Trafford) 17:53; 5 S Dirrane (Leeds C) 17:59  Other Placings: 11 R Stephenson (NSP) 18:15; 12 L Moses (N Ayc) 18:18; 18 M Lomax (Shil) 18:35; 22 G Driscoll (Morp) 18:56; 26 J Minter (Midd) 19:00; 35 K Heron (Morp) 19:08; 41 D Heslop (Blay) 19:16; 47 A Lawrence (Morp) 19:24; 50 C Kerr (N Ayc) 19:25  Teams: 1 Trafford 29; 2 Sale, Manchester 77; 3 Morpeth 106...6 Newton Aycliffe 226; 14 Sunderland 409
Under 15 Boys: 4km. 1 R Pickering (Bridlington) 12:27; 2 A Brownlee (Bradford GS) 12:35; 3 A Duffield (Loft) 12:41; 4 B Rusius (Pendle) 12:45; 5 J Young (Morp) 12:53; 6 J Taylor (Midd) 12:56; 7 S Hall (Gate) 12:58; 8 R Floyd (Morp) 12:59  Other Placings: 10 J Martin (Sun) 13:03; 15 N Bradley (Bord) 13:11; 20 A Lagan (Midd) 13:21; 29 J Pearson (Els) 13:29; 33 P Fitzpatrick (R&Z) 13:36; 36 A Miller (Gate) 13:38; 42 W Roberts (Shil) 13:43; 47 D Burdon (Midd) 13:49  Teams: 1 Stockport 114; 2 Sale, Manchester 117; 3 Liverpool H 119; 5 Middlesbrough, Mandale 144; 6 Morpeth 173; 11 Gateshead 237; 15 Sunderland 370; 16 Shildon 415
Under 13 Boys: 3km. 1 C Pearce (Blackburn) 10:41; 2 N Bibby (Preston) 10:47; 3 J Townsend (Leeds C) 10:50; 4 D Forrester (St Helens) 10:51; 5 L Walker (Warrington) 10:53  Other Placings: 11 K Thompson (Shil) 11:10; 17 R Cunningham (Birt) 11:18; 24 J Gibson (Gate) 11:30; 27 D Roberts (R&Z) 11:36; 30 M Travis (Morp) 11:37; 35 S Ruddick (Blay) 11:40; 41 M Cairns (Morp) 11:48; 42 T Perrins (Gate) 11:49  Teams: 1 Warrington 47; 2 Leeds City 50; 3 Stockport 160; 10 Morpeth 214
Senior Women: 7.6km. 1 S Thomas (Sale) 26:52; 2 G Phillips (Kendal) 26:59; 3 M McDonnell (CleS) 27:07; 4 P Powell (Blackburn) 27:16; 5 B Jenkins (Salford) 27:23; 6 J Clague (Liverpool H) 27:28  Other Placings: 16 R Brown (CleS) 28:26; 17 C Smallwood (J&H) 28:44; 22 K Waugh (CleS) 29:15; 28 M Dodd (Bingley) 29:22; 31 H Robinson (CleS) 29:26; 39 L Jackson (R&Z) 29:54; 43 A Watson (CleS) 30:08; 55 C Summersgill (M&C) 30:51; 58 C Ratcliff (Dur) 31:05; 66 L Trainor (Dur) 31:27; 73 J Nutt (Els) 31:46  Teams: 1 Sale, Manchester 42; 2 Chester Le Street 99; 3 Bingley 113
Under 20 Women: 5.7km. 1 A Hoban (Wakefield) 20:13; 2 R Robinson (Kendal) 21:18; 3 L Whittaker (Sale) 21:26; 4 C Wickham (Gate) 21:32; 5 E Spencer (Holmfirth) 21:33  Other Placings: 7 R Smith (Dur) 21:45; 11 A Fox (Morp) 22:02; 14 A Woodvine (R&Z) 22:16; 20 J Jackson (M&C) 24:04; 29 R Adams (Morp) 24:56; 35 N Batey (Blay) 26:20; 40 M Groark (Sun) 28:24  Teams: 1 Sale, Manchester 84; 2 Lancaster 115
Under 17 Women: 4.7km. 1 K Hawitt (Warrington) 17:17; 2 A Westley (Wigan) 18:10; 3 B Ellis (Vale Royal) 18:22; 4 K Vogel (Liverpool P) 18:31; 5 S Wiblin (Stockport) 18:34  Other Placings: 8 D Watts (Morp) 18:47; 10 S Tunstall (Bord) 18:58; 12 S Crowe (Els) 19:01; 16 J Page (Dur) 19:13; 22 N Owens (Shil) 19:37; 24 L McKernan (Gate) 19:41; 28 A Gibson (Els) 19:54; 33 N Dawson (Morp) 20:06; 35 F Beedle (Hart) 20:22; 36 A Kirby (Midd) 20:26; 37 A Baines (R&Z) 20:27  Teams: 1 Vale Royal 96; 2 Sale, Manchester 114; 3 Liverpool H 120
Under 15 Girls: 4km. 1 M Ferrier (Gate) 14:34; 2 D James (Morp) 14:38; 3 A Porteous (Morp) 14:39; 4 K Barker (Sale) 14:40; 5 A Wadsworth (Buxton) 14:59  Other Placings: 10 L Wright (Gate) 15:21; 14 C Harrison (Sun) 15:25; 16 J Roberts (R&Z) 15:34; 34 A Wilson (Shil) 15:58; 38 E Nesbitt (Morp) 16:04; 46 J Stephenson (Blay) 16:15  Teams: 1 Morpeth 102; 2 Hallamshire 117; 3 Stockport 128; 4 Gateshead 154; 6 Blaydon 208; 11 Richmond and Zetland 269; 13 Sunderland 318
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 R Pounds (Bolton) 11:34; 2 L McLoughlin (Stockport) 11:35; 3 L Evans (Bury) 11:37; 4 S Smith (Tyne) 11:53; 5 M Stone (KuHull) 12:01  Other Placings:18 A Suffield (Shil) 12:22; 32 S Gray (R&Z) 12:34; 39 J Adams (R&Z) 12:42; 40 J Gray (R&Z) 12:42; 44 L Ing (Sun) 12:44  Teams: 1 East Cheshire 110; 2 Stockport 114; 3 Liverpool H 114; 8 Richmond and Zetland 198; 15 Morpeth 316; 17 Sunderland 421; 19 Middlesbrough Mandale 492; 20 Birtley 593
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 27th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: Report severely edited and reduced to "sports shorts". Have complained to Journal. Bright and breezy but dry. Had rained earlier and parts of finishing area were waterlogged. However, main course (on other side of main park road), was drier but more exposed and colder. Not "spectator friendly", but a good venue and easily accessible. "Facilities" however, left a lot to be desired, and they really need use of School. Very sad that quality up front of fields, particularly in Junior/Senior age-groups seems to be continually deteriorating (also at County and National Championship level). These are the traditional events, and they seem to have suffered particularly since the advent of UK Athletics. Why was a Great Britain team selected to run abroard, the same day as the area championships ?
Revised order of events seemed to work well, and advertised distances seemed accurate. Have never heard of Senior winner before (or second). AW called him Chris in Yorkshire County report, but I am sure they were calling him Callum, on course. Despite gaining silver medals, Morpeth performed poorly individually, apart from, perhaps, David Swinburne. Their other runners included Paul Johnson (135th in 41:50) and Tony Ward (588th in 52:21). Good run from Morgan Donnelly. Ray Laverick was 704th in 66:27. Bad run by Chloe Gilmore (98th), let down Gateshead Under 15 team. Other counters were Linsey Dodsworth (70th) and Nicola Douglas (73rd). Lynsey Rawlings was 51st. Sunderland led at halfway in Under 20 team event, but Patrick Martin then dropped out. Poor run from Chris Stoker (64th). In Senior Womens' event, Andrea Banner was 87th (32:29) and Jacqui Elliott was 102nd. Val Hancock finished a creditable 129th (out of 291) in 34:33. Nathan Shrubb was missing because of 'flu, coming after a slight injury.  Kirk Wilson led after first small lap.
Heaton fielded two runners in main event. Allen Mulliss was 653rd (55:46) and George Routledge (709th in 71:29). There were 710 finishers, the last being 5mins behind George. A large man from Swinton was tailed off after lap 1 (of 3), in 30mins approx, but luckily dropped out.
back | top

Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships.
Hexham Racecourse.  Tues. 21st Jan.
East Northumberland were the strongest team, at yesterday's Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships at Hexham Racecourse. Kirk Wilson (Senior Boys), Danielle Watts (Senior Girls), Delyth James (Intermediate Girls) and Angharad Porteous were all impressive winners, on going which could  best be described, as heavy. The easiest victory of the day, came from Newcastle's Lewis Timmins, who won the Intermediate Boys' event, by over 400m.
Jonathon Pearson of Tynedale took the Junior Boys' title, while a good quality Minor Boys (Year 7) event, was won by Ross Murray of North Tyneside.
Results.
Boys: Senior (8.3km): 1 K Wilson (EN) 30:59; 2 P Hutton (Nc) 31:37; 3 D Graham (Nc) 32:06; 4 R Stephenson (NT) 32:10; 5 K Heron (EN) 33:49; 6 G Driscoll (NT) 33:49; 7 A Cochrane (EN) 34:30; 8 A Dougal (T) 35:09; 9 J Oakley (T) 35:10; 10 J Lowdon (T) 35:39; 11 K Watt (NT) 36:33; 12 C Aynsley (EN) 36:36  Team: East Northumberland 34
Intermediate (6.1km): 1 L Timmins (Nc) 22:47; 2 J Young (EN) 24:21; 3 A Welford (Nc) 24:29; 4 R Floyd (EN) 25:00; 5 J Wood (EN) 25:03; 6 J Downie (Nc) 25:27; 7 K Flannery (Nc) 25:27; 8 A Miller (NT) 25:46; 9 N Swinburn (EN) 25:49; 10 G Edmundson (NT) 25:52; 11 S Stewart (T) 26:09; 12 P Robson (NN) 26:12  Team: East Northumberland 53
Junior (4.3km): 1 J Pearson (T) 16:09; 2 J Cook (Nc) 16:17; 3 W Pike (Nc) 16:24; 4 P Leonard (Nc) 17:00; 5 M Brown (NT) 17:05; 6 A Yeowart (EN) 17:19; 7 C Keir (EN) 17:20; 8 T Perrins (Nc) 17:21; 9 M Travis (NN) 17:21; 10 J Gibson (Nc) 17:22; 11 F Pritchard (Nc) 17:28; 12 A Hicken (EN) 17:28  Team: Newcastle 38
Minor (2.1km): 1 R Murray (NT) 9:26; 2 C Watson (Nc) 9:31; 3 N Flannery (Nc) 9:57; 4 S Lea (NT) 10:02; 5 D Young (Nc) 10:05; 6 A Watson (Nc) 10:06  Team: Newcastle 39
Girls: Senior (4.3km): 1 D Watts (EN) 18:18; 2 A Fox (EN) 18:28; 3 A Gibson (Nc) 18:55; 4 S Graham (EN) 19:05; 5 R Adams (EN) 20:19; 6 S Armstrong (Nc) 20:33; 7 H Beckwith (Nc) 20:50; 8 L Goodlet (NN) 21:00; 9 H Lucas (Nc) 21:10; 10 B Morris (EN) 21:20  Team: East Northumberland 34
Intermediate (4.3km): 1 D James (EN) 17:17; 2 M Ferrier (T) 18:10; 3 S Crowe (Nc) 18:39; 4 C Bellamy (Nc) 18:50; 5 C Gilmore (NT) 19:03; 6 E Nesbitt (Nc) 19:07; 7 J Fenwick (Nc) 19:34; 8 H Oakley (T) 20:13; 9 N Dawson (EN) 20:13; 10 N Powell (T) 20:20; 11 L Oliver (Nc) 20:21; 12 N Douglas (Nc) 20:23  Team: Newcastle 51
Junior: (3.9km): 1 A Porteous (EN) 16:34; 2 G Rutherford (NT) 17:12; 3 H Davies (NT) 17:33; 4 R Thompson (NN) 17:34; 5 S Smith (T) 17:37; 6 A Jessett (Nc) 17:54; 7 L Dixon (EN) 18:02; 8 C Wold (T) 18:04; 9 R Adams (EN) 18:05; 10 L Smith (Nc) 18:13; 11 A Turnbull (EN) 18:17; 12 E McFarlane (NN) 18:35  Team: Newcastle 88
Minor Girls (2km): 1 R Hood (NN) 9:04; 2 S Favier (Nc) 9:07; 3 F Codrow (NN) 9:32; 4 C Swearman (NN) 9:33; 5 S Watson (NT) 9:34; 6 G Taylor (T) 9:47  Team: North Northumberland 56
Key: NN-North Northumberland  T-Tynedale EN-East Northumberland NT-North Tyneside Nc-Newcastle
(Newcastle Journal: Wed. 22nd Jan 2002).

Additional Comments: All of report used + basic results, which were available at time. These are amended AW results. Weather was dry for first 30mins, but gradually got wetter (and colder). Thanks to Paul Pontin for full results, though I had to add some times. Difficult to take times, as most events started a fair distance from finish. Only Minor and Senior/Inter Girls' times are genuinely ok. Teacher was timing (she did all right on above) but each of other events had an adjustment ! Again problem with combined Senior/Inter Girls' event, which holds things up every year. Because of worsening conditions, Senior and Inter Boys started together, but older runners covered an extra lap (about 1km more than they should have done). Race headquarters + finishing area were in a different location, due to a race meeting on the Wednesday, being cancelled because of wet ground. Going probably "dead", and some "non regular" athletes, did not enjoy experience. Archie Jenkins had a good suggestion saying clay track from finishing to back straight, could be used for half lap. Apologies for absence were received from Ryan McLeod and Charlotte Wickham, but both will have to run Inter Counties event. Kirk Wilson cannot compete then, so watch this space!  Top performance was by Delyth James, who ran away from start. Timmins was with Wilson for three laps, which meant he ran harder than intended. Where was Nathan Shrubb ? Steve Cram was in attendance (like many others, did not like venue). He is not keen on racetracks as courses, but he won Northern Senior Championship, at Thirsk ! His daughter Josie was 23rd in Junior event. Also there (on vacation from St Mary's College ?) were Nick McCormick and Andrew Toward. One of the persons in charge of North Tyneside team was Kate Grimshaw, who now teaches at Willington High School. She is "scared" to make comeback. Footnote: According to GP, Andrew Lawrence (confirmed by athlete) was 7th in Senior Boys' event. Since noticed Tynedale won Senior Boys' event with 76pts (have used Senior Girls' team result)..
back | top

Weekly Round-Up.
(to 19th Jan).
Ryan McLeod won Junior event, at Cross Country International at Seville, on 19th Jan. His time was 21:11, with Chris Lamb a minute adrift in 7th.
At the County Schools' Cross Country Championships, on 19th January, Junior Great North Run regular, Chris Knights took the Cambridgeshire Senior title. At the Cumbrian event at Barrow, James Douglas won the Senior event (30:03) from Guy Thompson (30:50). Adrian Holliday took Intermediate title (21:18) and Tom Farrell (son of Dave) won Minor event (10:31). Sarah Tunstall (10:24) and Chloe Rodham (18:21) were successful in Senior and Inter Girls' events.
back | top

North of England Indoor Championships.
Manchester Arena.  Part 2.  Sun. 19th Jan.
Selected Results.
Under 20 Men: LJ: 1 C Kirk (Wake) 7.07; 2 J Stacey (Gate) 6.15  TJ: 1 A Sturrock (Gate) 13:43; 2 J Stacey 13.35
Under 17 Men: 200: D Daniel (Midd) 22.62
Under 15 Boys: 60: 1 L McElwee (Midd) 7.55; 2 A Dalby (Blay) 7.80  200: L McElwee 24.40
Under 20 Women: 800: N Desai (Morp) 2:18.56
Under 15 Girls: 60: 1 H Jones (Crewe) 8.1; 2 L Arthur (Gate) 8.1  LJ: 1 A Little (Leeds C) 4.98; 3 K Kelsall (Tees) 4.81

Additional Comments: Courtesy of Northern website. Will just send results for Journal (27th). (not used). Louis McElwee is new find and Dean Daniel did well. Lauren Arthur was caught between two sprints. She ran good 200m heat but got slower after that.
back | top

20th Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays.
Racecourse, Durham.  Sun. 19th Jan.
Morpeth and Chester le Street retained the Senior Mens' and Womens' titles, at yesterday's 20th Durham Cathedral Relays meeting, at the racecourse. Such was the strength of the Morpeth squad that brothers Mark and Ian Hudspith, ran for seperate teams. Tom Ranger led for the A squad on leg 1, with Durham's Shaun Moralee in second place ahead of Gateshead's Chris Parr. Moralee less than 24 hours earlier, had won the Northern Indoor Junior 1500m title at Manchester. The Morpeth B squad through Richard Kay were lying in 5th place. Ivan Hollingsworth maintained the advantage on leg 2 as Michael Morris took the B squad into second place. Brian Rushworth, having his first outing, since being sidelined with injury after the 2001 North Eastern Cross Country Championships, had moved Sunderland B team into third. Ian Hudspith took over 4 secs ahead of Mark, and with both brothers clocking identical times (the day's fastest), the margin of victory remained the same at the finish line. Sunderland A overhauled the B squad to take third place.
Chester le Street were emphatic winners of the Womens' Relay, coming home over 2.5 minutes ahead of Durham University, with Morpeth taking third position. Chester Le Street led throughout with Kathryn Waugh, Angie Wilson and Morag McDonnell, who as in 2002, clocked the fastest time. Host club, Durham City comfortably won the Veterans' race, which incorporated the Veterans' North East championship. Ian Crampton took the lead on leg 2, and Rob Hand extended the advantage with the fastest time. Steve Parr impressively led for Gateshead on leg 1.
In the inaugural Young Athletes' mixed Relay, Morpeth gained victory overhauling long-time leaders, Gateshead on the final leg.
Results.
Senior Men: 3 x 3km.
1 Morpeth 26:03 (T Ranger 8:35, I Hollingsworth 8:55, I Hudspith 8:33); 2 Morpeth B 26:07 (R Kay 8:49, M Morris 8:45, M Hudspith 8:33); 3 Sunderland 26:34 (L Browell 8:56, R Kemp 8:54, M Hood 8:44); 4 Sunderland B 27:03 (G Massingham 8:48, B Rushworth 8:56, M Donkin 9:19); 5 Chester Le Street 27:24 (M Tomlinson 9:21, M Scaife 8:36, P Reay 9:27); 6 Gateshead 27:28; 7 Gosforth 27:42; 8 Morpeth C 28:16; 9 Durham City 28:51; 10 North Shields Poly 28:53; 11 Gateshead B 28:58; 12 Low Fell 29:07; 13 Blaydon 29:26; 14 Durham University 29:28; 15 Gosforth B 29:48  Fastest Times: 1= I Hudspith & M Hudspith 8:33; 3 T Ranger 8:35; 4 M Scaife 8:36; 5 S Moralee (Dur, U20) 8:43; 6 M Hood 8:44
Veteran Men: 3 x 3km.
1 Durham City 28:17 (S Everett 9:39, I Crampton 9:31, R Hand 9:07); 2 Sunderland 29:09 (R Rush 9:54, D Robertson 9:27, S Coxon 9:48); 3 North Shields Poly 29:23 (S Clark 9:44, C Naisbitt 9:46, T Mellor 9:53); 4 Wallsend 29:33 (P Merrison 9:23, D Anderson 10:06, T McPhail 10:04); 5 Hartlepool Burn Road 29:43 (I Cook 9:35, M Brunskill 10:36, P Kelly 9:32); 6 Sunderland B 30:07; 7 Tynedale 30:14; 8 Gateshead 31:05; 9 Tynedale B 31:14; 10 Crook and District 31:21  Fastest Times: 1 R Hand 9:07; 2 S Parr (Gate) 9:14; 3 P Merrison 9:23
M50: 1 Morpeth 31:29 (T Ward 11:28, A Jenkins 9:56, C Dentice 10:05); 2 North Shields Poly 32:19; 3 Durham City 33:09  Fastest: A Jenkins 9:56
M60: 1 Gosforth 39:00 (K Sutton 11:52, W Lumsden 12:51, R Nelson 14:17); 2 New Marske 39:18  Fastest: K Sutton 11:52
Senior/Veteran Women. 3 x 3km.
1 Chester Le Street 31:10 (K Waugh 10:22, A Watson 10:52, M McDonnell 9:56); 2 Durham University 33:47 (O Walwyn 10:29, C Adams 12:01, N Fifield 11:17); 3 Morpeth 34:06 (D Watts 11:29, C Wilson 11:07, G Cavill 11:30); 4 Durham City 35:13 (L Trainor 11:18, V Hancock 12:42, C Ratcliff 11:13); 5 Morpeth 35:20 (R Adams 11:47, L Ranger 11:36, S Graham 11:57); 6 Elvet Striders 35:51; 7 Chester Le Street B 36:15; 8 Gateshead 36:24; 9 Houghton and Peterlee 36:33; 10 Tynedale 36:43; 11 Heaton 38:09; 12 Sunderland 38:26
Fastest Times: 1 M McDonnell 9:56; 2 K Waugh 10:22; 3 O Walwyn 10:29; 4 K Johns (Gate B) 10:41; 5 A Watson 10:52
Young Athletes Relay. 4 x 1.5km.
(Mixed: Under 15 Girl, Under 13 Boy, Under 13 Girl, Under 15 Boy).
1 Morpeth 20:56 (E Nesbitt 5:34, M Cochrane 5:17, L Dixon 5:41, J Young 4:24); 2 Gateshead 21:02 (M Ferrier 5:13, J Gibson 5:05, S Favier 5:55, W Pike 4:49); 3 Gateshead B 21:37 (S Duffy 5:23, T Perrins 5:20, C Bauduine 5:48, D Knighton 5:06); 4 North Shields Poly 21:47; 5 Morpeth B 22:19; 6 Houghton and Peterlee 22:33  Fastest Times: Under 15 Boy: J Young 4:24  Under 13 Boy: R Cunningham (Birt) 4:58  Under 15 Girl: M Ferrier 5:13  Under 13 Girl: G Rutherford (NSP) 5:22
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 20th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: Most of report used. Good turn-out throughout. Weather damp at start but faired up later, and was quite a pleasant morning. The addition of Young athletes' event at start of meeting, meant there were gaps in programme and the meeting finished about 45mins later than normal. Also problems with results (especially Womens' race), meant a late return home. Hopefully, a reworking of timetable might help for 2004.  Nevertheless an enjoyable meeting, as usual. Only had print-out of Senior womens' event, with no veterans designated. Unofficial leading teams were Elvet (6th), Chester Le Street (7th) and Tynedale (10th). Elvet counters were Judith Battersby (11:05), Fiona Shenton (11:58) and G Young 12:48. Not even sure, this was a Veterans' championship race. Surprised to see Chris Naisbitt and Karen Johns, had joined new clubs. Steve Redshaw was also running for Gateshead. Other times included Kirk Wilson (Morpeth D) (8:57), Sheila Allen (10:55) (6th fastest) and Christine Lee (13:05). Heaton fielded two Womens' teams but sadly no complete Mens' teams. A team counters were Anita Nott (12:51) (18), Amy Waters (12:41) (13) and Kelly McEntee 12:37. B team were 16th in 41:18 with Margaret Finn (13:56) (24), Kate Forsyth 13:59 (20) and Ann Grenfell (13:23). Allen Mulliss clocked 12:24 to finish 46th on Leg 1 of Senior race. In the veterans' event, Eric Appleby (12:14) was 36th on Leg 1 followed by Allen Mulliss (again) (31st in 12:35).
back | top

North of England Indoor Championships.
Manchester Arena.  Part 1. Sat. 18th Jan.
North East athletes were among the medal winers, at Saturday's first part of the Northern Counties' Indoor Championships, at the new Commonwealth arena in Manchester. Gemma Fergusson, now competing in the Sale colours, won the Under 20 Hurdles, while former North Shields Poly clubmate, Peter Middleton, took the Mens' title. It was Middleton's first sprint Hurdles title, after injury had forced him to compete, only over the smaller obstacles after winning the English Schools' 100m Intermediate event in 2000. Durham's Rachel Abbs took the Under 17 Womens' Long Jump title. Emma Morris of South Shields took silver in the Under 20 High Jump, equalling her personal best height. Morris had earlier won the Pentathlon title and finished 4th in the Hurdles, with another personal best time of 9.19secs.
Results.
Under 20 Men: 60: 1 D Aguirreburualde (Preston) 7.09; 3 P Vickers (Midd) 7.11  400: 1 R Sheeran (Salf) 49.60; 3 R Turner (Shil) 52.04  1500: S Moralee (Dur) 4:11.21  60H: 1 P Middleton (NSP) 8.3; 2 S Nyananyo (Midd) 8.3  PV: K Higham (Bord) 4.80  SP: 1 P Cranfield (Liverpool H) 14.89; 2 C Sturrock (Gate) 14.40
Under 17 Men: 400: 1 R Buck (N Rowntrees) 50.52; 2 C Crawford-Glanville (Gate) 50.96
Under 20 Women: 400: 1 L Caddick (Traff) 59.9; 2 G Brown (Shil) 63.1  100H: G Fergusson (Sale) 8.64  HJ; 1 J Ennis (CoSheffield) 1.73; 2 E Morris (SSh) 1.73
Under 17 Women: LJ: 1 R Abbs (Dur) 5.32; 3 S de la Hunt (Gate) 5.06
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 20th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: All info used. Results from North of England website. Since learned that first two positions in Junior Mens' Hurdles, were reversed. Gemma defeated Jessica Ennis by 0.2sec.
back | top

Durham Schools Cross Country Championships.
King James School.  Bishop Auckland.  Sat. 18th Jan.
Durham Central were the most successful team at Saturday's Durham Schools Cross Country Championships, at a dry and mild King James School, Bishop Auckland. They had a clean sweep in the Senior Girls' event, where Rosie Smith easily retained her individual ttle. An equally impressive victory came in the Intermediate Girls' event, from Julia Orr of Darlington, the recently crowned  North Eastern Counties' Under 17 champion. Chris Parr of South Tyneside retained the Senior Boys' title, and Laura Wright of Derwentside comfortably won the Junior Girls' event.
Lewis Moses of Darlington won a closely-contested Intermediate Boys' race and Dameon Ellis of Durham Central, came with a late run to take the Junior Boys' title.
Results.
Senior Boys: 6km. 1 C Parr (ST) 21:27; 2 P Martin (W) 21:38; 3 M Elliott (G) 22:29; 4 B Hannant (Dw) 23:30; 5 M Armstrong (G) 23:45; 6 J White (SWD) 24:01  Team: Durham Central 81
Intermediate Boys: 5.4km .1 L Moses (Da) 18:52; 2 J Creegan (Dw) 18:56; 3 M Lomax (SWD) 19:03; 4 A Coffer (DC) 19:15; 5 L Adams (ST) 19:25; 6 M Wilson (ST) 19:26  Team: South West Durham 90
Junior Boys: 4.4km. 1 D Ellis (DC) 16:52; 2 R Drummond (G) 16:56; 3 M Docherty (WW) 17:03; 4 K Thompson (SWD) 17:06; 5 R Cunningham (G) 17:10; 6 J Woods (DC) 17:13  Team: Durham Central 66
Minor Boys (no times): 1 C Bell (WW); 2 S Ruddick (G); 3 D Regan (G)  Team: Wearside 38
Senior Girls: 4.4km. 1 R Smith (DC) 16:01; 2 J Page (DC) 17:49; 3 J Partridge (DC) 17:59; 4 V Raw (DC) 18:14; 5 N Owens (Da) 18:31; 6 J Ritson (DC) 19:20  Team: Durham Central 24
Intermediate Girls: 4.4km. 1 J Orr (Da) 16:31; 2 L McKernon (G) 17:50; 3 F Parkinson (W) 17:59; 4 C Harrison (WW) 18:05; 5 R Barnes (ST) 18:13; 6 H Dix (G) 18:17  Team: Darlington 79
Junior Girls: 3.2km. 1 L Wright (Dw)12:37; 2 S Coleby (DC) 12:55; 3 C Reay (G) 13:03; 4 A Wilson (SWD) 13:06; 5 J Stevenson (G) 13:18; 6 V Angus (E) 13:23  Team: Gateshead 62
Minor Girls (no times): 1 E Spoor (W); 2 S Crowell (ST); 3 E Murray (ST)  Team: Durham Central 26
Key: WW - West Wearside  W - Wearside  Dw - Derwentside  DC - Durham Central  ST - South Tyneside  G - Gateshead  E - Easington  SWD - South West Durham  Da - Darlington
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 20th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Quite a nice day as ground was not too wet, and quite mild, with little wind. Problems with Junior Boys' event. Second across line ran a lap short, and was disqualified, but results showed that two were removed (only 11 names left). Bit dubious about second placer ? Officially listed as Gateshead, but wore black (Darlington) vest. Matthew Lomax, wearing black vest, was down for South Tyneside, though I think he is South West (they won team event). Due to results backlog, could only copy from main (handwritten) sheet, and as is usually the case, with some "not so regularly" athletes, the names could be slightly wrong ? Minors' race was on different course and was ran same time as main events. No times taken and hence, no idea of distance. Not competing were Richard Kemp (too old) and Chris Lamb (running on continent). Thanks to Pat Narey for these results. Brian K was in attendance, but struggled to and from finishing area.
back | top

Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium. Thurs. 16th Jan.
Results.
Senior Men:  50: A: Phil Vickers (Newc U) 6.4  B: C Ferguson (Newc U) 6.3  C: 1 D Forbes (Newc U) 6.4; 2 E Smart (Gate, M45) 6.4  D: A Chinembiri (Sun U) 6.2  E: 1 T Page (H&P, M55) 7.6; 2 R Smoult (NE Vets, M60) 7.6   PV: 1 M Frazer (Sale) 3.00; 2 J Loughran (Gosf, M50) 2.70
Under 20 Men:  50: C Campbell (Gate) 6.5  50H: 1 J Stacey (Gate) 7.8; 2 D Jordan (Midd) 8.2  PV: I Dodsworth (H&P) 3.60
Under 17 Men:  50: 1 D Cudlip (Gate) 6.3; 2 C Glanville (Gate) 6.5  50H: C Glanville 7.6  PV: G Hepple (H&P) 2.10
Under 15 Boys:  50: A: C Walpole (Gate) 7.0  B: A Renwick (Gate) 7.0  C: A Dalby (Blay) 6.9  TJ: 1 D Blackett (Gate) 12.45; 2 A Dalby 11.63
Under 13 Boys:  50: A: N Flannery (Gate) 7.8  B: A Wilkinson (Gate) 7.8 50H: 1 N Flannery 9.2; 2 C Bell (Gate) 9.8
Senior Women:  50: J Breckon (Newc U) 8.3  PV: R Guthrie (Rugby) 3.00
Under 20 Women:  50: R Forrest (Gate) 7.3
Under 17 Women:  50: T Wilkinson (H&P) 8.1  TJ: 1 S Brown (Black B) 9.80; 2 T Wilkinson 9.73; 3 S Thompson (N Ayc) 9.48
Under 15 Girls:  50: 1 L McMichael (CleS) 7.4; 2 J Keenleyside (Els) 7.6  TJ: 1 L McMichael 10.39; 2 S Hopkinson (Birt) 9.21
Under 13 Girls:  50: 1 L Welsh (Gate) 7.6; 2 N Pearson (H&P) 7.7
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 20th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: Only results submitted, due to time-gap. Not a great turn-out though quite a few Senior male sprinters. Chris Boundy no-heighted in Pole Vault. Mark Christie was in attendance but did not compete. Good performances in Under 15 Girls' Triple Junp (technically an illegal event).
back | top
 

Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap.
International Stadium.  Wed. 15th Jan.
Phil Goode of Saltwell comfortably won yesterday's third race in the Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Handicap Road Race series. George Smith of Gateshead took second place from Ian Mowbray of Concordia. Garry Dickinson of Chester Le Street clocked the fastest time, for the second time this season, while Durham's Val Hancock was the fastest lady. The prevailing strong wind, meant that times were at least a minute slower than normal. The December race, cancelled because of the icy conditions, will now be held on March 5th.
Result.  Distance 5km.
1 P Goode (Salt) 26:17; 2 G Smith (Gate) 26:40; 3 I Mowbray (Conc) 27:01; 4 I McDonald (unat) 27:04; 5 M Woolley (unatt) 27:05; 6 B Hume (Low F) 27:09; 7 P Gold (Heat, L) 27:14; 8 D Dutton (unatt) 27:20; 9 C Murdy (Birt) 27:22; 10 K Sutton (Gosf) 27:22
Fastest Times: 1 G Dickinson (CleS) 18:12; 2 N Morris (Low F, M40) 18:30; 3 P Walton (NEV, M40) 18:33  Women: 1 V Hancock (Dur, W55) 21:34; 2 C Lee (Gosf, W60) 21:59; 3 A Nott (Heat, W40) 22:00
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 16th Jan 2003).

Additional Comments: Most of report used but result edited (no fastest times). 150 runners. Weather dry and bright, but very strong cold wind blowing. Ted Joynson was absent, as I am told he pulled a hamstring, while dancing. Poorest quality yet at mens' "sharp end". Dickinson was fastest in October, 2nd fastest in November. He was off 10:50 (started 10secs late), but only finished 48th. Val Hancock was 31st (off 6:30). Other notable times included Steve White 19:42, Ken Sutton 20:54, Joe Prudham 21:48 and George Smith 22:00. Heaton had 6 runners.  Actual times were  Pam Gold 24:04; 13 Reg Checkley 23:00; 14 Allen Mulliss 21:01; 16 Howard Gold 20:42; 19 Trevor Hopkins 21:17; 45 Anita Nott.
back | top

Weekly Round-up.
(to 12th Jan).
At the North Yorkshire and South Durham League meeting at Acklam Grange (12th Jan), Peter Welham won main event (25:50) from Shaun O'Grady (26:17) and guesting Partick Martin (26:18). Ian Cook (27:34) was first veteran and Ian Barnes (33:59) led the M60's. Lewis Moses (18:03) and John Taylor (10:59) won Under 17 and Under 15 events. Carolyn Summersgill (17:42) won Womens' race, with Suzanne Boyes, the leading Under 17 (17:51). Late info from AW (22nd Jan).
At Belfast International Cross Country on 11th Jan, Andy Caine was 14th (26:04) in main race behind Sergiy Lebid (24:45), and Ryan McLeod was 2nd in Junior event (18:22), behind Ireland's Mark Christie (18:10). Mike McLeod was expected to run in Veterans' race, but did not.
back | top

P.E.S Associates Morpeth to Newcastle Half Marathon.
Sun. 12th Jan.
Fell Running International, Dave Norman, was a runaway winner of the PES Associates sponsored, Morpeth to Newcastle Half Marathon. The race, which was also supported by Reebok, attracted an entry of 900 athletes, with 722 completing the course on the day. Conditions were cold but almost windless at the start, but as the race neared the closing stages, the wind was gathering in strength, thus affecting the finishing times. The first uphill Mile coming out of Morpeth Town Centre, took a fairly sedate 5:35, and it was only after 5M (26:19), coming up Blagdon Bank, that Norman and former World Championship bronze medallist, Carl Thackery, now a veteran, pulled away from the opposition. The pair were together until 8M, before a 4:44 ninth mile, took Norman into a 50m lead. Norman, son of former Marathon International, Jeff, pulled relentlessly away after this point, passing 10M at Gosforth Park gates in 52:02. The advantage increased to over 3mins at the finish line opposite Newcastle Town Moor. The winner, 24, and seventh placed British finisher in the 2002 Flora London Marathon, was having his second outing in the event, after finishing 7th in 2001, when his brother Andrew was second. Thackery held on to second place ahead of leading London Marathon veteran, Dave Robertson. Another veteran, Paul Johnson, finished in 4th position, after holding third place for a large part of the race. Blaydon, led by Phil Walker in 11th place, were surprise winners of the team competition.
Andrea Green easily won the Womens' race, finishing in 10th place overall. Green, smashed the inaugural best time from 2002 on the current course, by nearly 6mins. Claire Smallwood, making her debut over the distance, finished in an isolates second position, with Judith Nutt, second two years ago, finishing third this time. Nutt also led Elswick to the team title.         .
Result.
1 D Norman (Alt) 67:48; 2 C Thackery (Hallam, M40) 71:19; 3 D Robertson (Sun, M40) 72:19; 4 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 72:54; 5 P Morrison (C'ghie) 73:59; 6 G McLean (Wellington) 74:20; 7 P Besford (Gate) 74:57; 8 J Moore (Heat) 75:04; 9 I Ellis (Els, M40) 75:33; 10 A Green (SB, W) 75:36; 11 A Bogle (North U) 75:38; 12 P Walker (Blay) 75:49; 13 R Soutar (Shett) 76:25; 14 A Dent (Blay, M45) 76:30; 15 R Jacobson (Blay) 76:52; 16 M Slesser (J&H) 77:10; 17 R Graham (Chelt) 77:17; 18 J McDermott (H&P, M40) 77:25; 19 S Kelly (Heat) 77:31; 20 A Kitchin (Loth) 78:23; 21 A Mellor (NSP, M40) 78:51; 22 D Houshby (SSh) 78:59; 23 J Thyme (HBT, M45) 79:10; 24 D Purvis (Birt) 79:22; 25 C Dentice (Morp, M50) 79:22; 26 M McGovern (Moorfoot) 79:33; 27 J Ross (North FR) 79:35; 28 P Fernandez (unatt) 79:36; 29 W Jarvie (P'bello, M40) 79:37; 30 T Martin (unatt) 79:47
M40: 8 S Peck (Norham) 80:53; 9 S Brown (Tyne) 80:54; 10 P Tait (Tyne) 81:07. M45: 3 P Hahn (Works) 81:02; 4 R Driscoll (Morp) 82:47; 5 K Hannah (J&H) 83:27; 6 B Allsopp (Walls) 83:39; 7 M Ingram (Crook) 83:41; 8 J Dooneky (Derw) 83:42. M50: 2 J Dennis (Crook) 82:22; 3 I Richardson (NSP) 85:34; 4 I Legge (Heat) 88:29; 5 M Henry (Aln) 88:42; 6 C Everson (Crook) 89:30; 7 P McDonald (Hadding) 89:33. M55: 1 L Christopher (Sun) 82:12; 2 M Walker (Gosf) 82:25; 3 A Ward (Morp) 89:21; 4 I Morgan (unatt) 91:27; 5 T Went (NSP) 91:34; 6 J Fairbairn (Aln) 92:10; 7 B Pascoe (J&H) 92:28; 8 M Henderson (Blay) 92:55; 9 H Gold (Heat) 93:14; 10 C Offord (Morp) 93:38; 11 R Wood (Blay) 93:50. M60: 1 T O'Gara (Walls) 87:46; 2 J Taylor (Heat) 91:26; 3 R Moore (Tyne) 92:25; 4 R Lowe (Morp) 98:35. M65: R Pinkney (SSh) 105:47. M70: R Hill (Morp) 123:29
Team: 1 Blaydon 38; 2 Morpeth 73; 3 Elswick 105; 4 Heaton 124; 5 Jarrow and Hebburn 134; 6 Northumberland Fell Runners 137
Women: 1 Green 75:33 (rec); 2 C Smallwood (J&H) 81:44; 3 J Nutt (Els) 85:30; 4 A Young (Clare, W35) 87:17; 5 A Banner (Els) 89:57; 6 Y Swinhoe (Els, W45) 91:21; 7 S Armstrong (unatt) 91:41; 8 A Hunter (J&H) 91:58; 9 B Ingman (NSP, W50) 92:24; 10 S Allen (H&P, W45) 93:25; 11 A Dargie (Metro A'deen) 93:47; 12 C Pollard (T&S, W40) 94:16; 13 C Bairsto (unatt) 95:08; 14 J Yeates (Kesw) 95:26; 15 J Smith (Heat) 95:55; 16 J Friend (unatt, W40) 96:08; 17 S Channon (unatt, W35) 96:17; 18 Jenny Close (unatt) 97:03; 19 H Greaves (CleS, W35) 98:19; 20 J Cross (Clare) 98:23; 21 S Laws (Derw, W45) 98:47; 22 Julia Close (unatt) 99:05; 23 H Wilcox (NSP) 99:07; 24 L Walker (Walls) 99:12; 25 E Allan (Aln, W35) 99:43; 26 C Young (Blyth, W45) 99:59.
W40: 3 J Walker (Morp) 101:51. W45: 4 H Lambert (unatt) 101:46; 5 B Pickersgill (Aln) 103:12. W55: 1 S Cain (unatt) 105:33; 2 P Gold (Heat) 107:32. W60: L Morton (Clare) 139:15. W65: J Wainwright (Perth) 122:52
Team: 1 Elswick 14; 2 Claremont 56; 3 North Shields Poly 110; 4 Heaton 117; 5 Morpeth 125; 6 Alnwick 169

Additional Comments: This is AW report as Paul Gilder covered event for Journal. However, minimum of results used. Do not like expressing times as above, better in hours/mins/secs. Results courtesy of Joe Lee. Good venue/finish but no atmosphere on new date. Few watchers and a lot less cars than normal (including 2002), parked around finish area. Poor quality field with not even, Morpeth's leading athletes competing. The answer is "political", and I had better not comment. Norman 24secs outside Bannister's 2002 course best. Green is 34. Never heard of 4th lady (and first veteran), Anne Young. Mile splits (taken by George Patterson for announcer Hudson Stoker), were 5:35, 11:03, 16:01, 21:00, 26:19, 31:40, 34:05 (10km), 37:05, 42:14, 46:48, 52:02, 56:56 and 62:26. Some dodgy splits especially between 6M and 10km. Also 8th Mile took 4:34 according to these figures (more likely 4:44). No Ted Joynson, who would have been 30mins behind anyone else (last recorded time 2:38a). John Moore had stitch after 8M, and had to let Besford go, although he was pulling back at finish. Excellent run by Sean Kelly. John Taylor was 145th, Howard Gold (175th), Jo Smith (238th) and Pam Gold (476th). Kate Forsyth, making her debut, was 635th (110th lady) in 119:02. Harry Craven (705th in 136:42) was second M70. Heaton fielded 27 runners, though (sadly), could only produce two marshals, Eric Appleby and Tom Radcliffe. Good team performances, with other Womens' teams, 9th and 10th. Other Heaton placings: 102 Ian legge 88:29; 113 Gary Campbell 88:54; 170 Colin McEntee 93:00; 181 Steve Lancaster 93:30; 223 Ted Baty 95:32; 282 Allen Mulliss 98:25; 301 John Marshall 99:25; 306 John Josephs 99:40; 387 Jo Parkinson 103:24 (44L); 437 Scott McEntee 105:35; 447 Amy Waters 105:57 (58L); 454 Kelly McEntee 106:16 (60L); 505 Dave Reynolds 109:11; 558 Helen Mitford 112:26 (82L); 585 Gemma Hyde 114:54 (90L); 636 Marg Finn 119:02 (112L); 637 Ann Grenfell 119:02 (112L); 659 Colette Anderson 122:12 (122L); 700 George Routledge 134:06; 714 Richard Dodgson 140:31 (running with wife ?).
back | top

North of England Indoor Combined Events Championships.
Manchester Indoor Arena.  Sat/Sun. 11th/12th Jan.
Selected Results.
Pentathlon (60H, LJ, SP, HJ, 800).
Under 17 Men:  1 O McNeils (Haleswowen-gst) 3199; 2 C Crawford-Glanville (Gate) 3184 (8.64, 5.92, 10.65, 1.72, 2:03.84)
Under 20 Women: 1 E Morris (SSh) 3258 (9.24, 4.73, 7.93, 1.66, 2:27.83)
Under 15 Girls: 1 A Simpson (Spen) 2974; 2 Steph Lamb (SSh) 2941
(10.15, 4.73, 9.64, 1.51, 2:34.93)
Additional Comments: Results from AW and NoEAA website. Will submit for Monday (20th). Like Glanville's new name. James Sinclair competing for Duchess HS, was 5th in Under 17 event, and clocked 2:10.54 in 800m.
back | top

Weekly Round-up
(to 5th Jan).
Winners at the Cumbrian Cross Country Championships at Barrow (Jan 4), included Martin Amor (40:09) (Senior), Guy Thompson (28:10) (Junior), Adrian Holliday (18:29) (Under 17), Gemma Phillips (20:13) (Senior Women) and Sarah Tunstall (22:45) (Under 17 Women).
In the Veterans 2002 rankings, Heaton provided two leaders. Eric Appleby was first in M70 10000m (and second in 5000m). Reg Checkley led M65 2000m Steeplechase (9:13). Other prolific performers included Eric Smart (2nd in M45 sprints), Archie Jenkins (M50) (1st 10000m, 2nd 5000m, 3rd 1500m), Ian Barnes (M65) (1st 1500m, 5000m, 10000m and 2nd 800m), Denis Field (M70) (1st Discus, Javelin), and Kath Stewart (W60) (1st 800m, 1500m). Christine Lee (W60) tops the 3000m rankings, and more surprisingly, Roger Wilson heads the M60 10000m list. All info from AW.
back | top

North Eastern Counties A.A. Indoor Championships.
Monkton Stadium, Jarrow.  Sun. 5th Jan.
Peter Vickers of Middlebrough (Mandale), gained a sprint double at yesterday's North Eastern Counties' Indoor Championships, at Jarrow, taking both the Senior and Junior 60m titles. Vickers had a much harder task in the younger age-group, narrowly edging out Morpeth's Alan Selby (sixth in the recent Scottish New Year Handicap), the pair equalling the championship record. 10mins later in his sixth race of the day (including heats), Vickers comfortably won the Senior event. Gateshead's Titi Ameobi, still a junior, also matched the old figures in the Senior Womens' 60m. Louis McElwee of Middlesbrough (Mandale), was the other to equal a record in the Under 15 Boys' 60m. In an exciting Junior Womens' 60m, Gateshead 400m specialist, Victoria Carmichael, narrowly defeated Emma Morris of South Shields. Morris had earlier impressively won the 60m Hurdles, adding to her Long Jump and High Jump titles, won in December. In the Under 17 Womens'  60m, Roisin Willi of Gateshead, just held off the late challenge of clubmate, Sophie de la Hunt. Another Gateshead athlete, Lauren Arthur comfortably won the Under 15 Girls' 60m. Rachel Abbs of Durham, took the Under 17 Hurdles, adding to the Long Jump title, she won 3 weeks ago.
Results.
Senior Men: 60: 1 P Vickers (Midd, U20) 7.1; 2 B Geddes (Gate) 7.1; 3 C Weitz (Gate) 7.2  60H: S Nyananyo (Midd, U20) 8.8
Under 20 Men: 60: 1 P Vickers 7.0 (=CBP); 2 A Selby (Morp) 7.0; 3 A Robson (Hart) 7.1  60H: 1 D Robertson (J&H) 8.8; 2 J Stacey (Gate) 9.2; 3 C Perkins (Gate) 9.4
Under 17 Men: 60: 1 P Moore (Morp) 7.1; 2 D Cudlip (Gate) 7.4; 3 B Wilson (Midd) 7.4  60H: 1 D Pope (Gate) 9.1; 2 K Flannery (Gate) 9.3
Under 15 Boys: 60: 1 L McElwee (Midd) 7.5 (=CBP); 2 A Todd (Shil) 7.6; 3 S Dale (Morp) 7.9  60H: 1 A Renwick (Gate) 10.3; 2 N Ridgeon (SSh) 10.4
Under 13 Boys: 60: 1 J Corrigan (Midd) 8.4; 2 B Sanderson (Midd) 8.6; 3 J Street (J&H) 8.7
Senior Women: 60: 1 T Ameobi (Gate, U20) 7.9 (=CBP); 2 N Roe (Morp) 8.5
Under 20 Women: 60: 1 V Carmichael (Gate) 8.0; 2 E Morris (SSh) 8.1; 3 K Rodmell (Bord) 8.2  60H: E Morris 9.4
Under 17 Women: 60: 1 R Willi (Gate) 8.0; 2 S de la Hunt (Gate) 8.0; 3 K Thomas (Gate) 8.1  60H: 1 R Abbs (Dur) 9.7; 2 L Hunter (SSh) 10.2; 3 N Garthwaite (SSh) 10.4
Under 15 Girls: 60: 1 L Arthur (Gate) 8.1 (=CBP); 2 F Winspear (Midd) 8.1; 3 K Kelsall (Tees) 8.4  60H: Steph Lamb (SSh) 10.6
Under 13 Girls: 60: 1 A Penn (Black B) 8.7; 2 L Welsh (Gate) 8.7; 3 N Pearson (H&P) 8.9
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 6th Jan 2002).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Meeting too long, with unecessary extra rounds/B Finals in some events. Some dodgy judging decisions as usual, especially in Under 17 Womens' sprint. Eric Smart was second in B Final (7.5), but was faster (7.3) in heat. Good turn out of older male sprinters (4 heats junior/senior), but only two Senior Women (1 junior), and no Hurdlers. Alan Selby edged out Vickers in semi (7.1).
back | top

Hartlepool Old Monks Multi Terrain 6M.
High Heselden.  Sun. 5th Jan.
Result.
1 R Kemp (Sun, U20) 33:51; 2 M Armstrong (Hart) 35:51; 3 G Hilton (Morp) 35:56; 4 P Stephenson (Hart) 36:42; 5 I Cook (Hart, M40) 37:07; 6 A Minister (Hart) 37:24  M50 - M Frostick (Hart) 43:06  M60 - M Horan (Quak) 58:14  M70 - W McNeil (Dur) 52:54
Women: 1 K Waugh (CleS) 40:04; 2 T Waller (Hart) 43:39; 3 S Gayter (N Marske, W35) 46:50
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 6th Jan 2002).

Additional Comments: Info from Stuart Pailor. 57 runners but course dangerous and race nearly called off. Apparently Kevin Carr was in attendance. Late News: Kathryn Waugh was 12th and Bill McNeil (49th). Info from Allen Mulliss (34th in 46:39); 55 George Routledge 64:49
back | top

Great North Winter Run.
Exhibition Park/Town Moor.  Sat. 4th Jan.
Durham veteran, Rob Hand should off the persistent challenge of  North Eastern Counties' Junior Cross Country champion, Chris Lamb of Chester Le Street, to win Saturday's Great North.Winter Run. On the course which started and finished in the Exhibition Park, and covered a lap of the Town Moor, the pair soon headed the 700-strong field, in the treacherous underfoot conditions. Hand, the current British Veterans' Cross Country champion, dropped his rival in the final mile, coming home with 14 secs to spare. Another junior, Shaun Moralee of Durham took third place. Less than 1.5 hours after finishing 20th in the International event, Jarrow's Claire Smallwood lined up again and comfortably won the Womens' race. Close behind in second place was Quakers teenager, Julia Orr, with Tynedale's Karen Robertson finishing third. Robert White of Tynedale and Sigourney Bell of Gateshead were impressive winners in the Junior (Under 11) Run, held on the main Cross Country course.
Result. Distance 4M.
1 R Hand (Dur, M40) 21:53; 2 C Lamb (CleS, U20) 22:07; 3 S Moralee (Dur, U20) 22:23; 4 N Samuels (Lough) 22:37; 5 N Younger (Sun, U20) 23:00; 6 M McDonald (Low F) 23:50; 7 J Skidmore (Midd) 23:53; 8 S Parr (Gate, M40) 24:06; 9 J Douglas (Bord, U20) 24:17; 10 D Sprot (Lough) 24:18; 11 N Orr (Darl, M40) 24:19; 12 P Dodd (Els, U20) 24:29; 13 A Fletcher (Berw) 24:37; 14 J Ross (North FR) 24:39; 15 M Ketley (Els) 24:40; 16 N Cassidy (Tyne, M45) 24:45; 17 G Driscoll (Morp, U17) 24:51; 18 A Jenkins (Morp, M50) 24:58; 19 J Dickinson (Tyne, M45) 25:02; 20 J Watson (Sun, M45) 25:07  Veterans: M55 - B Pascoe (J&H) 31:04  M60 - R Stewart (NSP)  32:58  M65 - I Barnes (Darl) 29:41  M70 - E Appleby (Heat) 33:21 Women: 1 C Smallwood (J&H) 26:35; 2 J Orr (Quak, U17) 26:44; 3 K Robertson (Tyne) 26:57; 4 S Crowe (Els, U17) 27:36; 5 J Elliott (Blay) 27:46; 6 V Russell (Els) 28:30; 7 C H Thompson (W40) 28:41; 8 D Elliott (CleS, W40) 28:51; 9 H Patton (Gosf, W40) 29:13; 10 R J Dovey 29:20  Veterans: W35 - G Cavill (Morp) 30:25  W40 - C H Thompson 28:41  W45 - T Douglas 30:06  W50 - B Ingman (NSP) 30:15  W55 - J Bell (Black B)  W60 - K Stewart (NSP)
Junior Run. 1.5km.
1 R White (Tyne) 5:52; 2 S Younger (Sun) 6:06; 3 J Foggin (Sun) 6:09
Girls: 1 S Bell (Gate) 6:11; 2 C Fletcher (Gate) 6:29; 3 D Pickavance-Clarke (Black B) 6:31
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 6th Jan 2002).

Additional Comments: Not used. Simon Rushworth gave it one line and just used leading result. 638 finishers. A good entry but a large number of joggers. Course was awful, covered in ice and rutted snow. Only first 220 available on day (on website Monday pm, though it was announced they would be on Saturday night). Joy Bell's time was 33:55, but she is now W60. Kath Stewart clocked 35:48. Timed Eric independently (though he was officially 220th in 33:10) as he just missed getting on sheet. Though it was difficult to spot, Heaton had seven runners. Other Counters: 79 Ted Baty (a good run) 28:56; 137 Allen Mulliss 30:26; 226 Jeff Wilson 33:06; 292 John Carson 35:06; 389 Trevor Hopkins 37:22; 503 George Routledge 40:13 (3secs ahead of David Tait). Announcer said all results would be in AW. I therefore sent Junior Run details (200 + runners), but they do not normally publish Under 11 results.
Disappointing fields in International events. Leading Results.
Men: 8.8km. 1 K Bekele 29:12; 9 Andy Caine 31:22; 11 Terry Wall 31:33; 15 Chris Simpson 33:27 (16 runners).
Men: 4.1km. 1 R Whalley 12:37; 14 David Anderson 13:02; 15 Mark Hudspith 13:09; 17 Ryan McLeod 13:26; 21 Michael Morris 13:47; 22 Chris O'Connell 13:59 (actually 14:00); 23 Chris Parr 14:16 (25 runners).
Women: 6.8km. 1 E Masai (Kenya) 23:39; 16 Sonia Thomas 25:20; 20 Claire Smallwood 27:03 (21 runners).
Claire had 4 behind her at halfway. One dropped out, but last at that point moved through well. Reasonable run by Ryan Mcleod. Surely this was of no benefit to Mark Hudspith ?.
back | top

Morpeth 11km Road Race.
Wed. 1st Jan.
David Wardle repeated his 2002 victory in yesterday's Morpeth 11km Road Race. Running in the colours of London Irish, Wardle returning to his native North East for the holiday period, soon headed the field, closely followed by Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street. In the damp but ideal conditions, Wardle pulled away from his rival after the first mile opening up a 100m gap after 2M. Bell, returning to competition after being sidelined with a foot injury since November, if anything, reduced the gap in the very hilly middle section of the course, but Wardle kicked away again on the downhill section approaching the 5M point. The advantage was increased to over a minute at the finish line., with leading veteran, Paul Johnson of Morpeth, finishing in an isolated third position. As expected the host club retained the team trophy. Erika Johnson from Ripon, narrowly won the Womens' race from Karen Robertson of Tynedale, with new Tynedale recruit, Philippa Jackson taking third place.
Result.
1 D Wardle (London I) 34:10; 2 S Bell (CleS) 35:15; 3 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 35:54; 4 P Walker (Blay) 36:48; 5 J Moore (Heat) 37:05; 6 B Jameson (Tyne, M45) 37:45; 7 R Johnson (Ripon) 37:57; 8 S Clark (NSP, M40) 38:26; 9 R Jacobson (Blay) 38:30; 10 J O'Reilly (Gate) 38:32  Further Veterans: M50 - A Jenkins (Morp) 38:48  M55 - T Ward (Morp) 44:55  M60 - G Hume (Low F) 46:07  M70 - E Apppleby (Heat) 48:32  Teams: 1 Morpeth 27; 2 Blaydon 43; 3 Derwentside 62
Women: 1 E Johnson (Ripon) 41:54; 2 K Robertson (Tyne) 41:58; 3 P Jackson (Tyne) 42:21; 4 E Dodd (unatt) 48:35; 5 H Wilcox (NSP) 48:40; 6 J Hetherington (unatt) 49:02  Veterans: W40 - 1 S Calvert (Morp) 49:44; 2 E Allan (Aln) 50:47; 3 P McDougal (Morp) 50:49  W60 - E Armstrong (Tyne) 53:05
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 2nd Jan 2002).

Additional Comments: Journal e mail not working, so had to phone in (spoke to Sandy). Almost all info used. 108 runners. No Ted Joynson or George Routledge. Weather was drizzly early on but fared up during race. Lots of pools of water around due to earlier heavy rain. Little wind. Went in lead car with Jim Alder, Vince Wilson and Bill McGuirk. 4:46 for estimated first mile, but no markers out. Erika J was formerly called Rutter (married in Sept 2002). I understand P Jackson was formerly with Keswick. Heaton had 7 runners. John Moore  (3rd at one point) ran 15M day before, and did not decide to race until warming up about hour before start. Eric was 59th (and 4th M60, which was oldest age-group for prize). Other Placings: 45 Colin McEntee 45:49; 49 Allen Mulliss 46:28; 81 Gary Campbell 52:11, 82 Scott McEntee 52:11; 92 Kelly McEntee 53:55 (14L).
back | top

Return to Les V's homepage.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1