January 2004

North of England A.A Indoor Championships.
Sheffield Arena.  Sat. 31st Jan.
The region came away with several medals gained at Saturday's North of England Indoor Championships, at Sheffield. The only gold came from former Jarrow and Hebburn athlete, Adam Rogers, who took the 400m title. In so doing, Rogers, now running in the Sale, Manchester colours, clipped four-hundredths of a second, off his personal best, which he set when winning the A.A.A Junior title, three years ago. The time also improved the championship record by half-a-second. Julia Straker of Morpeth took the silver in the Triple Jump. Suona Nyananyo of Middlesbrough-Mandale and Cleveland-based Adam Ali gained bronze in the 60m Hurdles and High Jump, respectively. Former Gateshead Harriers Graham Jackson and Chris Weitz were third in the Triple Jump, and Long Jump, respectively. Victoria Carmichael of Gateshead gained her first Northern medal, finishing third in the 200m.
Selected Results.
Senior Men:  60: 1 D Money (Sale) 6.83; 4 C Telford (Bord) 6.96  400: 1 A Rogers (Sale) 48.07  800: 1 S Ellis (Barns) 1:52.22; 4 M Nicholson (Gosf) 1:56.48  1500: 1 R Watkinson (Roth) 3:51.78; 4 C Parr (Gate) 3:56.71  60H: 1 D Hughes (CoSheffield) 8.2; 3 S Nyananyo (M'bro) 8.5  HJ: 1 M Bernard (CoSheffield) 2.10; 3 A Ali (unatt) 2.05  PV: 1 P Williamson (Belg) 5.20; 2 K Higham (Bord, U20) 5.00  LJ: 1 C Kirk (Wake) 7.13; 3 C Weitz (Sun U) 6.74  TJ: 1 K Thompson (Sale) 14.87; 3 G Jackson (unatt) 14.44
Senior Women:  200: 1 B Wilson (Birch) 24.32; 3 V Carmichael (Gate) 26.17  TJ: 1 N Clark (Traff) 11.57; 2 J Straker (Morp) 11.36
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 2nd February 2004)

Additional comments: Report used but extra stats for Rogers edited. Info from NoEAA website (8.00pm same day). Quite a good entry. Pleased about Vicky Carmichael's medal, and also good run from Matthew .Nicholson (he led at 400m in 55.7). Only second year for events 200m upwards.
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DP Furniture Express North Eastern Harrier League.
Chester Le Street.  Sat. 31st Jan.
Sunderland Harriers took a two point lead at the halfway stage of the season, in the defence of the Senior Mens' Division 1 title, at Saturday's third DP Furniture Express North Eastern Harrier League fixture, at Chester Le Street.
In the driving rain which prevailed for most of the afternoon, Elswick Harrier Phil McCartney was a runaway winner of the individual race. Running from the slow pack, McCartney, a former member of a successful Wallsend Young Athletes' team, soon headed the field on the four lap course pulling away to a 1min 41secs victory over Morpeth's Andrew Swinburne. Third place went to medium pack runner Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly, who got the better of Sunderland veteran Tom Doughty, after a close battle throughout. Terry Wall of Morpeth and Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street were the first two fast pack runners, moving through to 6th and 7th places, respectively. Blaydon narrowly defeated Sunderland in the team event, while overall winners Morpeth are comfortable leaders in Division 2.
Olivia Walwyn of Durham University easily won the Senior Womens' event, from the Jarrow pair of Claire Smallwood and Angela Hunter. This was Smallwood's first race since September, having being sidelined through injury. Hannah Wootton of Newcastle University, third in the recent Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race, was the fastest runner, moving through to 13th position. Durham University took the team title, while 3rd placed, Elvet Striders still head the table. North of England champion, Lewis Timmins of Gosforth clocked the fastest time in the Mens' Under 17 event, finishing third from the fast pack behind clubmate, Anthony Welford. The region's other champion from St Helens, Mary Ferrier of Gateshead was fastest in the combined Junior/Under 17 Womens' race, finishing 5th behind the improving Claremont athlete, Kate Chapman. Sam Potter of North Shields Poly, ran well in 4th place to record the fastest time in the Under 15 Boys' race. Northern bronze medallist, Carl Bell of Chester Le Street was fastest in the Under 13 event, won by Gateshead's Nial Flannery , whose brother Kieran, the A.A.A 400m Hurdles silver medallist, was second in the Under 17 race. Tynedale sisters, Stacey and Shonagh Smith were fastest in the Under 15 and Under 13 Girls' races, respectively. Individual victories in these events went to Claire Baudouin of Gateshead and Victoria Addison (daughter of former top sprinter Wendy) of Jarrow and Hebburn.
Results.
Senior Men: 9.6km.  1 P McCartney (Els) 32:34; 2 A Swinburne (Morp, U20) 34:15; 3 R Stephenson (NSP, U20) 34:35; 4 T Doughty (Sun, M40) 34:39; 5 G Dixon (Morp, M40) 34:56; 6 T Wall (Morp) 35:09; 7 S Bell (CleS) 35:16; 8 T Bush (Dur U) 35:17; 9 M McDonald (Low F) 35:25; 10 A Moreton (Dur U) 35:37; 11 R Robinson (Gate) 35:44; 12 C Sampson (Morp) 35:49; 13 S Kirtley (Morp, U20) 35:54; 14 T Brannon (NSP) 35:56; 15 C Guy (Walls, M40) 35:58  Fastest: T Wall 30:09; S Bell 30:16; M McDonald 30:25; C Sampson 30:49; R Hand (Dur, M40) 31:14; R Kay (Morp) 31:20
Teams:  Division 1: 1 Blaydon 118: 2 Sunderland 119; 3 North Shields Poly 156  Div 2: Morpeth 32  Div 3: Chester Le Street 43
Under 17 Men: 4.8km.  1 A Welford (Gosf) 17:02; 2 K Flannery (Gate) 17:26; 3 L Timmins (Gosf) 18:42; 4 L Lavender (Gosf) 18:54; 5 L O'Neill (Blay) 18:56; 6 R Floyd (Morp) 19:11; 7 G Heppell (H&P) 19:13; 8 C Howey (Birt) 19:48  Fastest: L Timmins 16:02; R Floyd 16:31; A Welford 17:02  Teams: 1 Gosforth 8; 2 Blaydon 28; 3 Houghton and Peterlee 33
Under 15 Boys: 3.5km.  1 L Irving (Morp) 13:17; 2 R Kirkup (Blyth) 13:18; 3 R Hopkins (Birt) 13:29; 4 S Potter (NSP) 13:47; 5 R Cunningham (Birt) 13:50; 6 M Travis (Morp) 13:54; 7 C Parker (Gosf) 14:04; 8 C Parkinson (Gosf) 14:06  Fastest: S Potter 12:07; R Cunningham 12:10; M Travis 12:14  Teams: 1 Morpeth 20; 2 Birtley 23; 3 Gosforth 24
Under 13 Boys: 2.4km.  1 N Flannery (Gate) 8:35; 2 C Smith (Black B) 8:45; 3 M Dale (NSP) 8:56; 4 A Douglas (Morp) 9:01; 5 V Simpson (Morp) 9:35; 6 R McElwee (J&H) 9:43; 7 C Bell (CleS) 9:43; 8 N Mingoia (Gate) 9:49  Fastest: C Bell 8:23; J Hewitt (Gosf) & N Flannery 8:35  Teams: 1 Gateshead 26; 2 Morpeth 32; 3 Blackhill Bounders 43
Senior Women: 4.8km.  1 O Walwyn (Dur U) 18:32; 2 C Smallwood (J&H) 19:08; 3 A Hunter (J&H) 19:26; 4 J Nutt (Els) 19:39; 5 N Fifield (Dur U) 19:49; 6 V Brocklebank (Newc U) 20:01; 7 L Trainor (Dur) 20:10; 8 J Abbott (Dur U) 20:14; 9 K Murdoch (Derwent) 20:32; 10 K Davis (NSP, W35) 20:35; 11 D Hales (Dur, W35) 20:42; 12 A Nott (CleS, W40) 20:54; 13 H Wootton (Newc U) 21:11; 14 C Bruce (NSP, W35) 21:14; 15 C Alaster (Blay, W35) 21:32  Fastest: H Wootton 18:11; O Walwyn 18:32; D James (Elv, W35) 18:34; M Holt (Sun) 18:59; C Smallwood 19:08  Teams: 1 Durham University 14; 2 North Shields Poly 55; 3 Elvet Striders 56
Junior Women: 4.8km.  1 K Chapman (Clare) 20:40; 2 H Dix (Blay, U17) 20:50; 3 J Wilkinson (H&P, U17) 21:07; 4 L Oliver (Tyne, U17) 21:36; 5 M Ferrier (Gate, U17) 21:42; 6 R Barnes (J&H, U17) 22:06; 7 H Oakley (Tyne, U17) 22:12; 8 D Watts (Morp) 22:15  Fastest: M Ferrier 19:02; D Watts 19:35; L Huston 20:02  Team: Tynedale 25
Under 15 Girls: 3.5km.  1 C Baudouin (Gate) 13:29; 2 L Smith (Gosf) 13:33; 3 A Suffield (Shil) 13:35; 4 K White (Els) 13:46; 5 N Bellamy (Gosf) 13:48; 6 L Patton (Gate) 13:50; 7 S Brennan (Gate) 14:08; 8 S Miller (Blay) 14:17  Fastest: Stacey Smith (Tyne) 12:43; C Reay (Blay) 13:03; R Adams (Morp) 13:07  Teams: 1 Gateshead 14; 2 Gosforth 23; 3 Houghton and Peterlee 54
Under 13 Girls: 2.4km.  1 V Addison (J&H) 10:16; 2 S Wood (Dur) 10:19; 3 E Campbell (Sun) 10:22; 4 G Bellamy (Gosf) 10:31; 5 S Newell (Morp) 10:49; 6 C Robinson (Birt) 10:56; 7 Shona Smith (Tyne) 10:57; 8 C Fletcher (Gate) 10:58   Fastest: Shona Smith 9:22; C Fletcher 9:23; E Spoor (Sun) 9:24  Teams: 1 Sunderland 29; 2 Morpeth 34; 3 Houghton and Peterlee 45
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 2nd February 2003).

Additional Comments: Most of report used. Rain was quite heavy most of time, though eased off in last 30mins. Going would be classed as heavy. 259 finishers in Senior Mens' event, 49 in Women. Gordon Dixon was a clear third for 3 of the 4 laps. Doughty actually dropped Stephenson on lap 3. Among older athletes competing were Ray Laverick (248th in 46:58) and Christine Lee (34th lady in 23:09). Still teething problems with Womens' packs. Eleanor Murray was first across line in U13 Girls' race (10:00), but was disqualified as she should have been in fast pack. Two slow pack runners in U17W event (Huston and N Powell) ran from fast pack (handicap should have been 2:45), and Durham University girls requested fast pack, but ran from slow. Heaton were 5th in Division 5, though more importantly, they did finish a team (just). Sadly no Women turned up. Counters were: 58 Par Bhogal 37:32; 200 John Moore 39:50 (actual time); 225 Allen Mulliss 44:01; 231 Eric Appleby 45:06; 245 Scott McEntee 46:47; 259 George Routledge 57:52
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Weekly Round-up
(to 25th Jan).
Ryan McLeod was second in a Junior Cross Country International at Lisbon (25th Jan) clocking 21mins 15secs, 2secs behind Portugal's Eduardo Mengani. Great Britain won team event.
Ian Fisher (Otley) won Brass Monkey Half Marathon at York (25th Jan) in a time of 1hr 8mins 46secs. Alisdair Tatham finished 2nd (1:10:01), with Martin Grainger 7th and 2nd M40 (1:13:10). Tracey Morris (Valley S) (W35) was first lady in 8th place (1:13:44), which was a course record by nearly 4mins. Ian Scott was first M50 (1:16:02). Alison  Raw (1:22:20) was 6th lady and second W40. Dawn Richardson (1:23:41) was 7th lady. Mike Walker was 4rd M55 (1:26:02). 851 finishers with George Routledge (day after NoEXC), clocking 2:39:04 in 850th, sharing time with unattached lady runner (851st). Info courtesy of ukresults website + AW. Have ignored Road Ranking Vets lists, as I know some marks (including Silksworth and Grimsby) were from 2002 not 2003.
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North of England A.A Cross Country Championships.
Sherdley Park, St.Helens.  Sat. 24th Jan.
The North East again came away with a sizeable collection of medals, at Saturday's North of England Cross Country Championships, at Sherdley Park, St Helens. Individual gold went to Lewis Timmins of Gosforth (Under 17 Men) and Mary Ferrier of Gateshead (Under 17 Women) while Morpeth H won team gold, in the Under 20 Womens' event.
For Ferrier the 2003 Under 15 champion, it was her third North of England title, all at different age-groups, having also won the Under 13 event in 2001. The region gained a clean sweep in this event, with Julia Orr of Quakers and Sam Crowe of Elswick taking the minor medals. Pace judgement has been the key to Ferrier's success, as she was lying 7th at the halfway stage, behind Crowe who then held an 80m advantage, over her rivals. However, Ferrier moved steadily through in the later stages passing Crowe, with 800m remaining. Delyth James of Morpeth also had a creditable run in 5th position.  Timmins started the day's programme with an impressive victory. Lying just behind Cumbria-based Trafford runner, Adrian Holliday at the halfway stage, Timmins, the current North Eastern champion,  made his bid for victory with 1km remaining, pulling away to a 11secs victory. There were also good runs from Nathan Shrubb in 4th and Jack Martin of Sunderland (5th), with Shrubb leading Morpeth to the silver medals, behind Trafford.
In the Junior womens' race, Rosie Smith of Durham, and Johanna Jackson of Middlesbrough, took the minor medals, though well behind last year's Under 17 winner and World Junior Mountain running champion, Karrie Hawitt of Warrington. Morpeth were led home by Aiveen Fox in 12th place. They also took home the E W Garrett Trophy, donated in memory of the leading North East official, who died three years ago. Morpeth were by far the region's most successful club, finishing full teams in eight of the ten races.
Elswick's Jonathon Pearson finished strongly to take the silver medal in the Under 15 Boys' race, with Shildon's Warren Roberts just missing out in 4th place. Carl Bell of Chester Le Street was a surprise third in the Under 13 event, his strong finish spoiling a clean-sweep by Warrington runners. Alex Wheatman of Scarborough, a regular competitor in the North Yorkshire/South Durham League, was an impressive winner of the Under 13 Girls' race.
Sadly the Senior events were a major disappointment for the region's athletes. Sunderland's Mark Hood ran well to finish 5th in the Mens' event, behind former Junior International Steve Vernon of Stockport. A weakened Morpeth team finished 5th behind current National champions Leeds City, with Terry Wall leading their challenge in 18th place. Chester Le Street, led by Alyson Dixon (12th) occupied a similar position in the Womens' race. North Eastern champion, Meryl Dodd of Bingley was the leading individual in 9th place, behind Helen Lawrence of Wirral.
Results.
Senior Men: 12km.
1 S Vernon (Stock) 41:11; 2 J Ward (Hall) 41:17; 3 C Livesey (Pres) 41:30; 4 M Watson (Bing) 41:52; 5 M Hood (Sun) 42:00; 6 G Raven (Sale) 42:04; 7 D Norman (Alt) 42:12; 8 M Hilton (Leeds) 42:14  Other Placings: 18 T Wall (Morp) 43:10; 27 S Platts (Morp) 43:50; 36 C Sampson (Morp) 44:24; 47 D Swinburne (Morp) 45:05; 58 S Bell (CleS) 45:42: 82 S Potts (Sun) 46:55; 86 R Kay (Morp) 47:05; 93 S Angus (Bord) 47:20
Teams: 1 Leeds City 108; 2 Sale, Manchester 123; 3 Bingley 208; 4 Salford 213; 5 Morpeth 317; 6 Hallamshire 319; 30 Border 1609; 45 Saltwell 2180; 48 Elswick 2273; 50 Sunderland Strollers 2621; 60 Aurora 3647
Junior Men: 8km.
1 P McGlory (Liv H) 28:15; 2 B Jones (Liv P) 28:39; 3 P Shannon (Traff) 28:45; 4 J Thewlis (Roth) 29:12; 5 M Buckingham (Holm) 29:17; 6 M Pierson (Holm) 29:20  Other Placings; 14 P Martin (Sun) 29:57; 23 M Sawrey (Traff) 30:30; 34 S Wardman (R&Z) 31:26; 35 P Stockton (M'bro) 31:31; 36 S Kirtley (Morp) 31:32; 38 T Lawrence (Derby) 31:43; 42 A Lawrence (Morp) 32:14; 43 A Teate (M'bro) 32:21; 47 M Armstrong (Blay) 32:31  Teams: 1 Holmfirth 39; 2 Trafford 68; 3 Leeds City 87; 6 Morpeth 188
Under 17 Men: 6km.
1 L Timmins (Gosf) 20:03; 2 A Holliday (Traff) 20:14; 3 T Boardman (Leigh) 20:17; 4 N Shrubb (Morp) 20:37; 5 J Martin (Sun) 20:44; 6 R Newton (Pres) 20:45  Other Placings: 7 L Moses (N Ayc) 20:46; 8 R Floyd (Morp) 20:47; 14 J Taylor (M'bro) 21:11; 18 J Young (Morp) 21:23; 28 A Coffer (CleS) 21:53; 29 M Atkin (CleS) 21:56; 32 S Hall (Gate) 22:04; 36 B Henderson (Morp) 22:10; 37 Z Scott (Birt) 22:15; 44 A Crawley (Dur) 22:23; 45 C Howey (Birt) 22:24; 47 P Fitzpatrick (R&Z) 22:27  Teams: 1 Trafford 51; 2 Morpeth 66; 3 Sale, Manchester 103
Under 15 Boys: 4km.
1 L Walker (Warr) 13:31; 2 J Pearson (Els) 13:34; 3 D Brocklehurst (Traff) 13:35; 4 W Roberts (Shil) 13:37; 5 C Gundersen (Liv H) 13:41; 6 J Townsend (Leeds) 13:44   Other Placings: 22 L Stockton (M'bro) 14:12; 24 J Cook (Gate) 14:16; 26 J Gibson (Gate) 14:17; 27 D Ellis (CleS) 14:19; 34 M Douglas (Gate) 14:24; 37 R Balmbra (Morp) 14:26; 42 K Thompson (Shil) 14:29; 46 R Cunningham (Birt) 14:32   Teams: 1 Preston 105; 2 Trafford 106; 3 Derby AC 118; 4 Gateshead 136; 12 Middlesbrough Mandale 258; 14 Morpeth 295; 16 Birtley 338;
Under 13 Boys: 3km.
1 M Jackson (Warr) 11:45; 2 D Cliffe (Warr) 11:51; 3 C Bell (CleS) 12:03; 4 M O'Neill (Warr) 12:05; 5 D Beckett (Sale) 12:10; 6 R Murray (Gate) 12:13  Other Placings: 8 C Watson (Els) 12:17; 16 S Ruddick (Blay) 12:34; 17 D Roberts (R&Z) 12:36; 18 G Scrafton (Sun) 12:43; 36 M Crowe (Els) 13:05; 39 T Farrell (Bord) 13:07; 41 D Burnage (Shil) 13:08; 42 T Ord (Morp) 13:09  Teams: 1 Warrington 52; 2 Skipton 138; 3 Liverpool H 146; 6 Elswick 189
Senior Women: 8km.
1 H Lawrence (Wirr) 31:13; 2 J Clague (Liv H) 31:27; 3 B Jenkins (Salf) 31:31; 4 J Spark (Alt) 31:38; 5 G Phillips (Kend) 31:47; 6 A Waterlow (Sale) 31:56  Other Placings: 9 M Dodd (Bing) 32:42; 12 A Dixon (CleS) 32:50; 16 R Robinson (Kend) 32:59; 24 A Woodvine (R&Z) 33:48; 30 A Watson (CleS) 34:23; 34 M Czarnecka (CleS) 34:35; 37 L Jackson (R&Z) 34:42; 50 J Nutt (Els) 35:33; 53 S Ellison (Morp) 35:46; 62 L Brown (Blay) 36:13; 71 H Robinson (CleS) 36:32  Teams: 1 Salford 67; 2 Sale, Manchester 88; 3 Liverpool H 93; 5 Chester Le Street 147
Under 20 Women: 6km.
1 K Hawitt (Warr) 22:52; 2 R Smith (Dur) 24:13; 3 J Jackson (M&C) 24:37; 4 R Thompson (Liv H) 24:45; 5 D Riding (Sale) 24:48; 6 V Mason (Sale) 24:50  Other Placings: 9 S Tunstall (Bord) 25:06; 10 A Gibson (Els) 25:07; 12 A Fox (Morp) 25:37; 13 D Watts (Morp) 25:51; 23 N Owens (Morp) 26:49; 28 J Page (Dur) 27:20; 29 N Duggan (Morp) 27:21; 34 R Adams (Morp) 27:58; 36 V Raw (CleS) 28:09; 47 S Graham (Morp) 30:05  Teams: 1 Morpeth 88; 2 Vale Royal 113; 3 Nestle Rowntrees 120
Under 17 Women: 4.5km.
1 M Ferrier (Gate) 18:14; 2 J Orr (Quak) 18:19; 3 S Crowe (Els) 18:26; 4 K Shuttleworth (E Ches) 18:39; 5 D James (Morp) 18:45; 6 A Wadsworth (Bux) 18:46  Other Placings: 9 C Rodham (Helm) 18:57; 30 N Dawson (Morp) 20:24; 33 C Gilmore (Gate) 20:29; 34 H Dix (Blay) 20:34; 39 A Snook (Shil) 20:42; 46 N Sage (Morp) 21:04  Teams: 1 Kingston-upon-Hull 51; 2 Leeds City 128; 3 Vale Royal 142: 4 Morpeth 150
Under 15 Girls: 4km.
1 A Wilks (Hall) 15:26; 2 R Pounds (Bolt) 15:32; 3 K Hindle (Pres) 15:36; 4 N Grant (Roth) 15:41; 5 J Stockton (Sale) 15:43; 6 K Milner (Traff) 15:46  Other Placings: 12 A Porteous (Morp) 16:06; 16 R Adams (Morp) 16:09; 26 J Stephenson (Blay) 16:20; 28 C Reay (Blay) 16:27; 50 S Gray (R&Z) 16:36  Teams: 1 Hallamshire 102; 2 Leeds City 116; 3 Rotherham 126; 9 Morpeth 231; 12 Birtley 461; 13 Middlesbrough Mandale 513
Under 13 Girls: 3km.
1 A Wheatman (Scar) 12:38; 2 L McLoughlin (Stock) 12:41; 3 R Ellis (Southp't) 12:51; 4 L Kay (Stock) 12:54; 5 B Haywood (Linc W) 12:55; 6 A McGivern (Holm) 12:56  Other Placings: 17 L Weightman (Morp) 13:41; 36 C Fletcher (Gate) 14:06  Teams: 1 Lincoln Wellington 76; 2 Stockport 93; 3 Leeds City 110; 16 Morpeth 328

Morpeth to Newcastle race-winner, Huw Lobb of Bedford, maintained his excellent start to 2004, by winning Saturday's South of England Cross Country Championship, at Parliament Hill, covering the 14km course in a time of 47mins 14secs.
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 26th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Also added (not written by me) was article on Ryan McLeod (see forthcoming Weekly Round-up)). Sunday Sun report (rang up at Leeming on return) not used. Weather bright most of time, with a couple of short "wintry" showers. Cold wind though. Muddy in parts with some waterlogging around finish area. Going best described as "dead". Distances about right considering underfoot conditions, but 4km races seemed fast by comparison. This is a good venue and easily accessible, which is why I am surprised that it has not been used, since 1986. 680 finishers (Senior Men) (seemed more) and 224 (Senior Women). Other notable performances included 103 Neil Armsworth 47:53 (Morpeth's 6th counter); 139 Nigel Orr (later to present some medals) 49:55; 206 Jimmy Bell 50:36; 663 Ray Laverick 71:59. Pleased to see the next best turn-out from the region (after Morpeth), appeared to be Elswick. David Tait started but was walking after first short lap (then 3mins behind GR). He was lapped by leaders soon after (they had also completed a large lap), and dropped out shortly after. Mark Hood was in leading group of four after first long lap, but was dropped when they lapped DT.
Very poor turn-out from leading local athletes in U20 Mens' race. Sam Crowe started off too fast again, and should not have surrendered the lead she had. Surprisingly no entries from NSP and Wallsend. Good runs also by Ross Floyd and Rebecca Adams. NoEAA website report called Holliday, Anthony l
Special thanks to Val Gill for result sheets. Heaton fielded two athletes: Allen Mulliss was 610th (64:01) and (dare I say it) 680 George Routledge 87:36 (679th clocked 84:46 and was behind GR until end of large lap).
"Southern" info courtesy of race-results website (Sunday am, the same time as above were posted).
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Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap.
Wed. 21st Jan.
Newcomer Jane Stott, was a runaway winner of yesterday's Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap, coming home over 2mins clear of her nearest rival. Michael Thompson of Gateshead clocked the fastest time off a mark of 12:30, finishing in 10th place overall. Elswick veteran, Kim Davison was the fastest lady.
Result.  Distance: 5km.
1 J Stott (unatt, L) 25:08; 2 A Roffe-Silvester  (Newc U, L) 27:13; 3 C Paton (Gate) 27:30; 4 A Millett (NE Vets) 28:11; 5 P Turnbull (Blyth) 28:14; 6 G Dixon (Morp) 28:18; 7 V Spall (unatt) 28:31; 8 A Nott (CleS, L) 28:33; 9 R Stobbs (Gate) 28:40; 10 M Thompson (Gate) 28:42
Fastest Times: M Thompson 15:52; D Purvis (Birt) 16:03; A Haynes (NSP, U20) 16:54; A Stirk (Dur U) 17:07; S Sutherland (NSP, U20) 17:11; G Dixon (M40) 17:18
Women: K Davison (Els, W40) 19:14; A Nott (W40) 20:43; C Lee (Gosf, W60) 21:45
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 22nd January 2004).

Additional Comments: Report slightly edited. Weather ideal, dry, mild and little wind. 81 finishers (more than normal for this fixture). Ted Joynson did not run. Guessed at first name of winner, as I could not obtain this information on day. She started off scratch and was 5mins faster than December, when she ran with another slower runner (a good way to beat the handicap). In fact no other competitor was on the track, when she finished. Because the number of times/finishers did not "marry up", there may be errors (not by much) in times outside first twenty.
Latecomers are reminded not to ask officials, what their handicap is, after race has started, as this causes starting times of those lined up to be slightly askew. This was a particular problem here. Making a return to competition (aiming for Veterans XC Champs) was David Lowes (now unattached), who clocked 18:09 in 45th position. Other times included Steve White 17:45; Joe Prudham 22:17; Sid Robson 29:21
Heaton fielded five athletes: 24 Trevor Hopkins 21:12; 34 Allen Mulliss 21:09; 43 Reg Checkley 22:56; 49 Helen Mitford 23:12; 54 John Josephs 21:19  Footnote: Corrected results show most times after 20th are 1-2secs out, but Kim Davison actually clocked 20:12 (must have been an RB arithmetical error).
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Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships.
Hexham Racecourse.  Tues. 20th Jan.
Ryan Stephenson of North Tyneside was a convincing winner of the Senior event, at yesterday's Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championships, at a damp Hexham racecourse. Stephenson pulled away from his nearest rivals, on the third of the four laps.
Delyth James of East Northumberland retained the Intermediate Girls' title, and Ashley Gibson of Newcastle won the Senior title. East Northumberland runners dominated the Intermediate Boys' event, with Jonathon Young just edging out Ross Floyd on the line. Newcastle's John Gibson comfortably won the Junior Boys' race, and Tynedale's Stacey Smith was successful in the Junior Girls' event.
Results (Subject to confirmation).
Senior Boys:  7.5km. 1 R Stephenson (NT) 30:05; 2 N Shrubb (NT) 30:36; 3 L Timmins (Nc) 30:59; 4 G Driscoll (NT) 31:27; 5 K Flannery (Nc) 31:45
Intermediate Boys:  5.5km.  1 J Young (EN) 22:03; 2 R Floyd (EN) 22:03; 3 A Welford (NT) 22:24; 4 J Pearson (T) 22:30; 5 B Henderson (EN) 22:32
Junior Boys:  3.8km.  1 J Gibson (Nc) 15:04; 2 S Potter (NT) 15:09; 3 A Jessup (Nc) 15:18; 4  J Hewitt (Nc)  15:18; 5 C Parker (Nc)  15:27
Minor Boys:  2.2km.  1 G Patterson (Nc) 9:24; 2 A Douglas (NN) 9:28; 3 A Robinson (Nc) 9:34
Senior Girls: 3.8km.  1 A Gibson (Nc) 15:54; 2 S Crowe (Nc) 16:14; 3 R Forster (Nc) 17:11; 4 N Dawson (EN) 18:15; 5 S Graham (EN) 18:40
Intermediate Girls: 3.8km. 1 D James (EN) 15:44; 2  M Ferrier (T) 15:54; 3 A Porteous (EN) 17:02; 4 S Duffy (Nc) 17:05; 5 C Gilmore (NT) 17:51
Junior Girls: 3.5km.  1 Stacey Smith (T) 15:59; 2 R Adams (EN) 16:04; 3 L Weightman (NN) 16:23; 4 N Bellamy (Nc) 16:41; 5 S Hall (NT) 16:55
Minor Girls: 1.8km.  1 S Goodfellow (NN) 7:43; 2 J Hudson (Nc) 7:47; 3 Shona Smith (T) 7:53
Key: EN = East Northumberland  NN = North Northumberland  NT = North Tyneside  Nc = Newcastle  T = Tynedale
(Newcastle Journal: Wed. 21st January 2004).

Additional Comments: Most of info used, but on 22nd. These are brief results taken on day, and are by no means official. Times on Junior Girls' event could be slightly out, as I missed start and added a token amount of time (30secs) to what I recorded (actually times were 6 secs quicker). Official times taken by two schoolgirls. Wet throughout, though rain nowhere near as heavy as it was in Newcastle. Quite mild though. Numbers in Senior/Inter events seemed to be down. Only 17 Senior Boys and 12 Senior Girls. All starts were well away from finish. Could the pathway crossing the course, be used for a shorter lap, bringing starts nearer ? Missing from Senior events were Cramlington HS contingent, who had exams. Sam Crowe started too fast (seemed to have stitch) and was caught by Delyth James about 800m from home. 6th in Inter Boys' race was A Colwell (E North) (recognised by Mike Bateman), though a North Tyneside runner, was listed in that position. Young and Floyd came in together but Young given verdict (by about 6inches). Joe Wood ran quite well to be 7th in Senior event. Chris Aynsley was 12th. An unknown to me, but S Hall (5th in Junior G race), was wearing NSP colours. Sam Duffy actually runs for Tynedale Schools (my apologies). Ross Murray actually ran in a Wallsend vest. Kate Grimshaw was helping Paul Ponton with results, who I must thank for e-mailing full set. Team winners were: Inter B: East N 48. Junior B: Newc 32. Minor B: Newc 61. Inter G: Tyne 40. Junior G: Newc 55. Minor G: North N 53
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Weekly Round-up
(to 18th Jan).
Charles Stead won Eston Nab Knee Knocker Fell Race (18th Jan) in a time of 34mins 34secs, from Paul Lowe (36:42). Denise Tunstall was first lady (43:40).
Cumbrian Schools Cross Country results at Barrow (17th Jan), included Senior Boys: 1 P Waite; 2 M Sawrey  Senior Girls: 1 Chloe Rodham; 2 Sarah Tunstall (no times given). North Yorkshire winners at Scarborough included David McQuarrie (Senior Boys) (21:44) and Alex Duffield (Intermediate Boys) (19:22).  Late News: Cleveland Schools Cross Country results from Stewarts Park (17th Jan). Paul Stockton won Senior Boys' event, from James Minter and Stephen Pogue. Sam Hart was Senior Girls' champion, ahead of D Hastings-Long and A Owen. John Taylor won Intermediate Boys' race. No times given.
Rob Walker won North Shields Poly Grand Prix race on 13th Jan, in 18:41, from Ryan Stephenson (18:42) and guesting Ivan Hollingsworth (18:43) (two days after "Morpeth"). New recruit Gillian Adams was first lady (22:07).
Leading North East performers in Veterans' 2003 rankings are:
M40: 100: 3 Steve Smith 11.52  SP: 2 Paul Reed 15.85m  DT: 1 Paul Reed 52.86m (not sure he will be happy being listed !).
M45: 200: 3 Eric Smart 23.44
M50: 800: 3 Kevin Archer 2:07.86  1500: 3 Kevin Archer 4:24.23  DT: 1 Peter Gordon 61.19m
M60: 800: 3 Phil Lancaster 2:27.9  1500: 1 Phil Lancaster 4:50.4
M65: 800: 1 Ian Barnes 2:25.2  1500: 1 Ian Barnes 5:11.25  5000: 4 Ian Barnes 19:27.44  10000: 3 Ian Barnes 41:24.7
M70: 100: 2 Barry Parnaby 14.49  200: 3 Barry Parnaby 30.3  400: 2 Barry Parnaby 70.81  5000: 4 Eric Appleby 21:58.57  LJ: 1 Barry Parnaby 4.15m  DT: 1 Denis Field 36.64m  JT: 1 Denis Field 31.84m
M75: 1500: 2 Jim Caddy 7:03.9  5000: 2 Jim Caddy 26:30.68  10000: 2 Jim Caddy 56:51.95  SP: 2 Bob Laidler 7.76m  DT: 1 Bob Laidler 31.40m  JT: 1 Bob Laidler 27:00m
M80: 5000: 1 John Johnston 34:10.3  10000: 1 John Johnston 76:26.20
W35: 3000: 1 Dianne Henaghan 9:14.24  5000: 2 Dianne Henaghan 16:37.4
W40: 100: 2 Angela Beadnell 13.3
W45: HJ: 3 Gill Dobson 1.38m  JT: 1 Gill Dobson 29.60m  Pentathlon: 1 Gill Dobson 2722pts  Heptathlon: 1 Gill Dobson 4348pts
W60: 800: 1 Val Hancock 2:57.3; 2 Kath Stewart 3:00.66  1500: 1 VaL Hancoock 5:58.0; 2 Kath Stewart 6:05.04  3000: 1 Val Hancock 12:27.8; 2 Christine Lee 12:29.1  5000: 1 Val Hancock 21:01.17; 2 Christine Lee 21:20.6
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North of England Indoor Championships.
Sheffield Arena.  Part 2.  Sun. 18th Jan.
Selected Results.
Under 20 Men: TJ: 1 G Jackson (Gate) 14.13; 3 J Stacey (Gate) 13.50
Under 15 Boys: 60: Y Aliu (M'bro) 7.43; 2 A Allison (M'bro) 7.53  200: 1 J Fogg (Wirr) 24.15; 2 A Allison 24.50
Under 20 Women: 800: 1 F Harding (Sale) 2:17.57; 3 K Rodmell (Bord) 2:20.77
Under 15 Girls: 800: 1 N Grant (Roth) 2:23.11; 3 S-K Crowell (J&H) 2:25.69
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 19th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Results courtesy of NoEAA website. Impressed they were posted by 7.00pm ! Apologies to P Brown (Blackhill), 3rd in U15B Shot (11.06m), who was overlooked. Richard Kilty was 4th in U15B 60m  (7.60). Jenny Graham was 4th in U17W 200m (26.56). Pleased for Steph Crowell, who also ran well at Bishop Auckland (noticed entry for middle distance events was better on Day 2). Noticeable that Aliu was a good deal slower than at Jarrow (an example that manual times are normally quicker !).
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Ward Hadaway Solicitors 21st Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays.
Durham Cricket Club.  Sun. 18th Jan.
Morpeth Harriers and Chester Le Street made it a hat trick of victories in the  Senior events, at yesterday's 21st Durham Cathedral Relays, sponsored by Ward Hadaway Solicitors. In the Senior Mens' race, Steven Horn led for Elswick on leg 1, coming home 1 sec ahead of Sunderland's Patrick Martin, with Stewart Bell another 3 secs adrift in third. Sunderland, through Mark Hood took the lead on leg 2, with Tom Ranger bringing Morpeth from 4th to 2nd, in the day's fastest time. Ian Hudspith returning to competition, after a lengthy absence through injury, passed another comeback runner, Malcolm Hassan of Sunderland, on the final leg to come home 26secs ahead of his rival. A fine run by North Eastern Cross Country champion, Neil Wilkinson, took the Morpeth B squad into third place. Mention must also be made of an excellent run on the first leg by Under 17 athlete, Jack Martin of Sunderland B ((9th in 9:11), who recovered from the disappointment of having to drop out of the previous day's Schools Championships, due to a spike wound.
Chester Le Street also made it three successive wins in the Womens' race, thanks to a fine last leg by Alyson Dixon. Olivia Walwyn and Aiveen Fox led for Durham University on the first two legs, but Dixon giving 25secs to her rivals, soon made up the deficit, coming home 18secs clear, and clocking easily the fastest time. Chester Le Street were also the leading veterans' team, taking the incorporated Veterans A.A - North East title. The Mens' championship went to Durham City, who led afrer leg 1 through Ian Crampton, only to be passed by Sunderland's Tom Doughty on leg 2. However, Rob Hand easily made up the 9 secs deficit coming home with 38secs to spare, in the day's fastest time. A strong Elswick team won the Over 50 title. Morpeth repeated their inaugural victory, in the second running of the Young Athletes' Relay.
Results.
Senior Men: 3 x 3km.
1 Morpeth 25:44 (C Sampson 8:53, T Ranger 8:23, I Hudspith 8:28); 2 Sunderland 26:10 (P Martin 8:44, M Hood 8:24, M Hassan 9:02); 3 Morpeth B 26:18 (R Kay 8:54, M Morris 8:37, N Wilkinson 8:47); 4 Elswick 26:26 ( S Horn 8:43, R McLeod 8:37, P McCartney 9:06); 5 North Shields Poly 27:11 (R Stephenson 8:58, R Walker 9:02, I Twaddle 9:11); 6 Gateshead 27:41; 7 Chester Le Street 27:52; 8 Morpeth C 28:01; 9 Sunderland B 28:22; 10 Morpeth D 28:36; 11 Low Fell 28:37; 12 Durham University 28:38  Fastest: T Ranger 8:23; M Hood 8:24; I Hudspith 8:28; R McLeod & M Morris 8:37; S Horn 8:43
Veterans: 3 x 3km.
1 Durham City 27:51 (I Crampton 9:17, S Everett 9:26, R Hand 9:09); 2 Sunderland 28:29 (D Robertson 9:20, T Doughty 9:13, R Rush 9:56); 3 Wallsend 29:22 (P Merrison 9:19, D Anderson 10:06, D Embleton 9:57); 4 North Shields Poly 29:59; 5 Wallsend B 30:53; 6 Blaydon 31:23; 7 Houghton and Peterlee 31:33; 8 Jarrow and Hebburn 31:36
Fastest: R Hand 9:09; T Doughty 9:13; I Crampton 9:17
M50 - 1 Elswick 30:11 (M McNally 10:15, H Matthews 10:23; Jim Bell 9:33); 2 Tynedale 30:48; 3 Durham City 32:45  Fastest: Jim Bell 9:33
Senior Women: 3 x 3km.
1 Chester Le Street 31:38 (A Watson 10:38, M Czarnicka 10:58, A Dixon 10:02); 2 Durham University 31:56 (O Walwyn 10:18, A Fox 10:53, N Fifield 10:45); 3 Morpeth 34:32 (G Cavill 11:37, C Cockburn 12:10, L Ranger 10:45); 4 Durham University B 35:09; 5 Derwentside 36:53; 6 Wallsend 37:46; 7 Gateshead 38:43; 8 Sunderland 41:22  Fastest: A Dixon 10:02; O Walwyn 10:18; A Watson 10:38; N Fifield & L Ranger 10:45; A Fox 10:53
Veterans: 3 x 3km.
1 Chester Le Street 35:44 (D Elliott 11:40, J Tinkler 12:47, C Bowman 11:17); 2 Tynedale 36:30 (S White 12:00; J Ryall 12:33, L Marr 11:57); 3 Gateshead 37:59 (H Paton 11:28, D Bell 12:52, D McWilliams 13:39)  Fastest: C Bowman 11:17; H Paton 11:28; G Cavill (Morp) 11:37
Young Athletes Relay (Under15 Girl, Under 13 Boy, Under 13 Girl, Under 15 Boy): 4x 1.5km.
1 Morpeth 20:36 (R Adams 5:21, T Ord 5:04, L Weightman 5:22, R Balmbra 4:49); 2 Gateshead 20:48 (L Dodsworth 5:26, N Flannery 5:02, J Hudson 5:37, J Gibson 4:43); 3 Jarrow and Hebburn 22:05 (E Winter 6:16, G Ritchie 5:17, E Murray 5:42, S Haque 4:50); 4 Morpeth B 22:11; 5 Durham City 5:01; 6 Chester Le Street 22:25  Fastest: Under 15 Boy: D Ellis (CleS) 4:31  Under 13 Boy: C Bell (CleS) 4:58  Under 15 Girl: S Coleby (Dur B) 5:13  Under 13 Girl: L Weightman (Morp) 5:22
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 19th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Most of info used, but in small print. Durham City retained Veteran title also. Hard frost underfoot at start, gradually thawing during meeting. The firmer surface meant times were probably quicker than normal. Steve Horn was not recognised with his new-look bleached hair. Amendment/additions to Veterans' results (they were incomplete at end of meeting, this race always causing a problem). Crook and District were 6th in 31:16 (others move down). Barry Jameson was 2nd fastest M50 (9:50) and Archie Jenkins 3rd (9:52). Gosforth were leading M60 team with 39:22 (Ken Sutton 12:07, Albert Prouse 13:17, Bob Nelson 13:58). Gateshead were 2nd (41:44) (Sid Robson clocked 16:39).  Best M60 times were Roger Wilson (11:11) and George Smith (M65) 11:45.
Stan Long was overjoyed at reference to J Martin.
Course record by 20secs in Youngsters' event, and amazingly individual leg records were equalled at U13B, U15G and U13G level.
Heaton had a poor turn-out. Allen Mulliss ran first leg for Senior team (38th in 12:15). The veterans' team of Eric Appleby (36th in 12:47), Allen Mulliss (again) (32nd in 12:28) and Reg Checkley (13:33) were 31st in 38:48. Jo Smith was sole lady (4th on leg 1 in 11:09) (9th fastest overall).
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North of England A.A Indoor Championships.
Sheffield Arena. Part 1.  Sat. 17th Jan.
Selected Results.
Under 20 Men: 400: R Buck (N Rownt) 48.89  PV: K Higham (Bord) 5.10
Under 20 Women: 400: 1 L Kirk (Skyrac) 59.23; 2 K Rodmell (Bord) 59.57 60H: 1 J Ennis (CoSheff) 8.81; 3 E Morris (SSh) 8.93
Under17 Women: 60: 1 H Jones (Crewe) 7.88; 2 F Winspear (M'bro) 8.03  PV: 1 S Brennan (Liv H) 2.50; 2 S Scott (Gate, U15) 2.40
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 19th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Results only sent (courtesy of NoEAA website at 9.00pm approx). Congratulations to medallists. Ennis also won High Jump (1.73m), with Morris 4th (1.65m). Jenny Graham (4th in 8.05) and Kirsty Thomas (6th in 8.08), just missed out, in what must have been a blanket finish for 2nd in U17 60m. Entries for all events from 400m upwards were poor (a clash with Schools XC Champs would not help).
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Durham Schools Cross Country Championships.
King James School, Bishop Auckland.   Sat. 17th Jan.
Despite the intermittent heavy showers, there were some excellent performances at Saturday's Durham Schools Cross Country Championships, at King James School, Bishop Auckland. 2003 Intermediate champions, Lewis Moses and Julia Orr, moved up an age-group to take the Senior titles. Moses representing the Darlington area, soon headed the field, coming home 50secs ahead of 800m specialist, Matthew Armstrong of Gateshead. Orr, also representing Darlington, was never troubled in winning her event, the current North Eastern Counties' Under 17 champion, finishing 55secs ahead of South Tyneside's Sarah Evans. Simon Watson of Durham Central, won an exciting Intermediate Boys' event, overcoming the strong challenge of Warren Roberts (South West Durham) and Sean Hall, who led Gateshead to team success. Sadly in this event, two of the favourites Andrew Coffer of  Durham Central, through an error by a course marshal, and Jack Martin of Wearside, through a spike wound, were non-finishers, but will be given another chance of qualification for the National Championships, at the forthcoming Inter Counties' event. Gateshead athletes dominated the Intermediate Girls' race, with Jenny Stephenson overtaking long-time leader, Charlotte Reay, in the closing stages. Khalid Thompson of Durham Central, was untroubled in winning the Junior Boys' event. The versatile Samantha Coleby gained a runaway victory in the Junior  Girls' race. The Durham Central athlete, daughter of International distance runners, Julie and Max, is also the current county Schools' champion, in the sprint Hurdles. Durham Central easily retained the overall team trophy, being the only region, to close in all six counters in the six main events.
Results.
Senior Boys: 6km.  1 L Moses (D) 20:56; 2 M Armstrong (G) 21:46; 3 T Settle (DC) 21:57; 4 M Lomax (D) 22:01; 5 Z Scott (DC) 22:07; 6 M Atkin (Dw) 22:14; 7 M Wilson (ST) 22:19; 8 D Old (Dw) 22:44  Team: Durham Central 81
Intermediate Boys: 5.2km.  1 S Watson (DC) 18:31; 2 W Roberts (SWD) 18:34; 3 S Hall (G) 18:48; 4 A Muir (G) 19:00; 5 A Carmichael (G) 19:02; 6 A Wright (DC) 19:21; 7 S Brewis (W) 19:43; 8 M Crawley (DC) 19:47  Team: Durham Central 62
Junior Boys: 4.4km.  1 K Thompson (DC) 15:54;  2 R Cunningham (G) 16:05; 3 C Bell (WW) 16:26; 4 M Kay (Dw) 16:55; 5 D Sanderson (E) 16:58; 6 P De Winter (WW) 17:03; 7 T Keough (DC) 17:03; 8 L Pickering (ST) 17:04  Team: Gateshead 75
Minor Boys: 2km (no times).  1 D Purvis (W); 2 J Chapman (W); 3 G Ritchie (WW); 4 C Smith (G); 5 C Lynch (DC)  Team: Wearside 37
Senior Girls: 4km.  1 J Orr (D) 15:37; 2 S Evans (ST) 16:31; 3 N Owens (D) 16:49; 4 J Page (DC) 17:06; 5 J Griffin (DC) 17:43; 6 G Barry (DC) 17:54; 7 J Elliott (DC) 19:08; 8 S Davison  (DC) 19:28  Team: Durham Central 41
Intermediate Girls: 4km.  1 J Stephenson (G) 16:46; 2 C Reay (G) 16:58; 3 V Angus (E) 17:22; 4 H Dix (G) 17:35; 5 L Dodsworth (DC) 17:42; 6 S James (D) 17:45; 7 C James (D) 17:47; 8 F Parkinson (W) 17:59  Team: Gateshead 65
Junior Girls: 3km.  1 S Coleby (DC) 12:36; 2 S-K Crowell (ST) 13:11; 3 C Mitchie (W) 13:11; 4 E Murray (ST) 13:27; 5 A Reed (Dw) 13:30; 6 A Coyne (W) 13:31; 7 L Ing (W) 13:35; 8 E Spoors (W) 13:40  Team: Wearside 83
Minor Girls: 2km (no times).  1 K Avery (SWD); 2 D Pickavance-Clarke (Dw); 3 C Fletcher (G); 4 R Noble (D); 5 H Nagel (W)  Team: Durham Central 40
Key: D = Darlington  DC = Durham Central  Dw = Derwentside  E = Easington  G = Gateshead  SWD = South West Durham  ST = South Tyneside  W = Wearside  WW = West Wearside
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 19th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Most of info used (in small print), but cut off from Coleby reference. Results thanks to Pat Narey. Very heavy showers early on, but got brighter later. Quite mild. Going not too bad, but hard course with hills. Do not know much about Stephenson, other than that she runs for Blaydon. Where was Claire Harrison ?
Pleased to say mention of J Martin and S Hall was appreciated by Stan Long.
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium.  Thurs. 15th Jan.
Results.
Senior Men:  50: W Gedge (Morp) 6.7  PV: J Loughran (Gosf, M50) 2.90   TJ: W Gedge 10.41
Under 20 Men:  50: K Flannery (Gate) 6.5   PV: 1= John Stacey (Gate) & K Flannery 2.90
Under 17 Men:  50: A Dalby (Gate) 6.4    50H: A Stanton (SSh) 8.9   PV: 1 R Dixon (Morp) 3.30; 2 James Stacey (Gate) 2.90  TJ: J Newby (SSh) 10.88
Under 15 Boys:  50: D Hubbard (Gate) 6.8   50H: D Hubbard 8.4  PV: 1 G Howard (Gate) 2.00; 2 T Parkin (Gate) 2.00
Under 13 Boys:  50: J Cowie (Gate) 7.2  50H: T Parker 10.2
Senior Women:  50: J Harwood (NE Vets, W45) 7.4   50H: J Harwood 8.2  SP: N Terry (Gate) 7.22
Under 20 Women:  TJ: S Evans (Gate) 10.77
Under 17 Women:   50: 1 L McMichael (CleS) 7.2; 2 N Garthwaite (SSh) 7.3  B: Steph Lamb (SSh) 7.3   TJ: 1 L McMichael 10.60; 2 Sar Lamb (SSh) 9.82; 3 J Wilkinson (H&P) 9.78   SP:
1 K Hutton (Blay) 10.11; 2 K Wilson (Birt) 10.02; 3 H Conroy (M'bro) 9.88
Under 15 Girls:  50: 1 N Pearson (H&P) 7.2; 2 L Dewdney (Gate) 7.3; 3 L Welsh (Gate) 7.3  B: A Ramsey (SSh) 7.3   PV: 1 S Scott (Gate) 2.40
Under 13 Girls:  50: 1 M Smith (unatt) 8.0; 2 L Lawton (unatt) 8.2   SP: 1 T Breen (Black B) 8.00; 2 J Wilson (unatt) 6.80
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 19th January 2004).

Additional Comments: All results sent (all available for a change). Sleet/snow on way to meeting, must have affected attendance, also forthcoming North of England YA Indoor Champs. Did not submit result of U15 Girls' Shot, as they threw the wrong weight. Six bettered AW standard of 9.00m in U17 Womens' Triple Jump. Is this too soft ? Apologies to Bob Smoult. Forgot to get his 50m time. Phil Jones was 2nd in Senior 50m in 7.1. Obviously Joss H cleared W45 Hurdles height.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 11th Jan).
Martin Scaife won the Halifax Pennine 10km (11th Jan), in a time of 31:36.
At the Belfast International Cross Country Meeting (attended by Bill McGuirk) (10th Jan), the main Senior event was won by Paul Tergat (28:27). David Anderson finished 11th (29:39). Jamie McCarthy of Ireland won Junior event (19:06), with Kirk Wilson 12th (20:40). Nathan Shrubb maintained his excellent start to the year, finishing 2nd in the Under 17 race (19:14), behind Adam Hickey (will he win a major title, this season?) (19:12). Adrian Holliday was 4th (19:26). Alyson Dixon was 24th in the Senior event (21:54), behind Canada's Emilie Mondor (18:52).
England won an Indoor International for Under 18 athletes, at Ghent (10th Jan). Dean Daniel won 200m (22.15).
Ryan McLeod won the Junior event by 2secs, at a Cross Country International in Spain, in a time of 19:47.
A delayed New Year Sprint Handicap (110m) at Musselburgh (7th Jan), was won by G Charlton (NSP) (off 15.5m) in 11.28 (sorry don't know first name). Elaine Telford (Morpeth) finished 4th (off 25m) in 11.39, and P Brown (NSP) was 5th (off 13.5m) in 11.41.
All info from AW.
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North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League.
Whitby.  Sun. 11th Jan.
Results.
Senior Men: 8.9km.  1 R Cole (M'bro) 30:41; 2 J Bateman (Scar) 30:50; 3 K Harker (R&Z) 31:03; 4 J Orange (R&Z, M40) 31:07; 5 J Hunter (Loft, M40) 31:19; 6 S Wardman (R&Z, U20) 31:23  Team: Hartlepool Burn Road 98
Under 17 Men: 5.5km.  1 A Piggford (Hart) 23:30; 2 A Gibson (N Ayc) 23:37; 3 C Kerr (N Ayc) 24:47
Under 15 Boys: 3.2km.  1 A Lagan (M'bro) 11:41; 2 D Shaw (N Marske) 11:51; 3 B Proctor (Scar) 12:07  Team: Scarborough 24
Under 13 Boys: 2.4km. 1 D Roberts (R&Z) 9:43; 2 L Johnson (Scar) 10:04; 3 T Murphy (M&C) 10:19  Team: Scarborough 23
Senior Women: 4.8km.  1 C Hare (Loft) 18:13; 2 J Jackson (M&C, U20) 18:24; 3 S Rutherford (Darl) 18:32; 4 L Jackson (R&Z) 19:14; 5 D Richardson (Quak) 19:17  Team: Loftus 43
Under 17 Women: 4.8km. 1 T Wheatman (Scar) 20:38; 2 D Hastings-Long (M&C) 21:16; 3 K James (Quak) 21:38
Under 15 Girls: 3.2km. 1 C Maxted (N Rownt) 12:51; 2 A Johns (Scar) 13:30; 3 V Needham (N Rownt) 13:39  Team: Richmond and Zetland 38
Under 13 Girls: 2.4km.  1 A Wheatman (Scar) 10:16; 2 S Hunter (N Rownt) 10:32; 3 H Rodgers (Loft) 10:42  Team: Scarborough 23
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 20th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Results courtesy of John Kettle by e-mail, the day after. Results only submitted. 133 Senior Men finished and 48 in combined Senior Womens' event. Roberts was 3rd in Yorkshire Champs. Where is his sister at present ?
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P.E.S Associates Centenary Morpeth to Newcastle Half Marathon.
Sun.11th Jan.
Huw Lobb was an emphatic winner of the Centenary running of the annual P.E.S Associates sponsored event, now ran over the Half Marathon distance. With support from Reebok, a good prize list was up for the taking, with the first man and woman picking up  £1250. (£750 + £500 for first Briton). More than 1000 runners, the most for 10 years, lined up at the start in Morpeth Castle Square, but a strong headwind for most of the route, meant that times were on the slow side. A large leading group of runners went through an opening (mainly uphill) mile in 5:19, and was only gradually reduced at 4M (20:35). Lobb, together with 2002 winner, David Norman, pulled away approaching 5M (25:39), and the pair had opened up a 120m lead at 7M (36:19). Lobb made his bid for victory at 8M (41:21) and a 4:47 split to 9M, took him into an 80m lead. Dave Mitchinson was lying in a distant third position. Going through 10M at Gosforth Park gates  (51:21), 11M in 56:22, and 12M in 61:48, Lobb had increased his advantage at the finish opposite Newcastle Town Moor, to 59secs over Norman. Despite the conditions, Lobb still clipped 1sec off Dominic Bannister's 2002 record for the revised course. The winner, a 27-year-old IT consultent, who was 18th, and second Briton in last year's Flora London Marathon, was pleased with his run, but found the course a lot hillier than expected. Simon Pride finished strongly to take third place ahead of Mitchinson, with Ivan  Hollingsworth leading the North East challenge in 5th place. Rob Hand in 8th position, was the leading veteran. Morpeth regained the team trophy, and for good measure their B team took the second prizes.
Annie Emmerson was the leading woman, finishing in 24th position overall. Emmerson, a former GB representative in the World Half Marathon Championships, finished over a minute ahead of 2003 winner and course record holder, Andrea Green. Hannah Wootton, a student at Newcastle University, finished third with leading veteran, Trudi Thompson in 4th position. Judith Nutt in 5th place, led Elswick to a successful defence of the team title.
Road
1 H Lobb (Bed C) 67:23 (rec); 2 D Norman (Alt) 68:22; 3 S Pride (A'deen) 68:55; 4 D Mitchinson (NEB) 68:59; 5 I Hollingsworth (Morp) 69:19; 6 A Swearman (Bir) 70:48; 7 T Wall (Morp) 71:19; 8 R Hand (Dur, M40) 72:07; 9 D Swinburne (Morp) 72:23; 10 A Shepherd (Morp) 73:13; 11 D Robertson (Sun, M40) 73:32; 12 I Crampton (Dur, M40) 73:47; 13 A Tatham (Quak) 74:27; 14 I Ellis (Els, M40) 74:38; 15 I Twaddle (NSP) 74:45; 16 D Carter (Phoe) 75:04; 17 R Kay (Morp) 75:12; 18 L Atkinson (Morp, M45) 75:23; 19 S Forester (unatt) 75:33; 20 S Murdoch (Bord, M40) 75:54; 21 D Munnelly (unatt) 76:18; 22 D Purvis (Birt) 76:28; 23 P Besford (Gate) 76:33; 24 A Emmerson (B'end, W) 76:35; 25 G Hetherington (unatt, M40) 76:46; 26 Jim Bell (Els, M55) 76:47; 27 P Newton (Clare) 77:12; 28 A Green (SB, W) 77:17; 29 G Dixon (Morp, M40) 77:47; 30 J Ross (North'd FR) 78:14; 31 C Hill (unatt) 78:33; 32 T Danby (Pock) 79:00; 33 J Moore (Heat) 79:17; 34 P Addyman (Clare) 79:24; 35 B McMillan (Clare) 79:36; 36 D Armstrong (Els) 79:37; 37 N Carr (Aur) 79:40; 38 D Atkinson (H&P, M40) 79:41; 39 A Dent (Blay, M45) 79:45; 40 I Scott (Quak, M50) 79:48; 41 T Power (J&H, M45) 80:00
M40: 9 N Morris (Low F) 81:14; 10 R Gray (unatt) 81:41. M45: 4 J Thyne (HBT) 80:47; 5 G Bayne (Morp) 81:11; 6 E Coppinger (Clonliff) 81:30; 7 D Nicholson (Els) 82:13; 8 F  Smith (Salt) 82:45; 9 B Allsopp (Walls) 82:50; 10 F McPartland (Hadd) 83:17; 11 C Norris (Sett) 83:59; 12 S Marshall (Dur) 84:06; 13 P Kelly (Darl) 84:11; 14 R Maynard (Sun) 84:42. M50: 2 R Wilson (Glenpark) 80:36; 3 R Driscoll (Morp) 85:38; 4 J Dennis (Crook) 86:28; 5 D Overend (Holm) 86:55; 6 J Turnbull (Walls) 87:29; 7 C Dentice (Morp) 87:52. M55: 2 F McMahon (Blay) 83:30; 3 L Christopher (Sun) 84:13; 4 H Taylor (unatt) 85:40; 5 M Walker (Gosf) 88:05; 6 J Flynn (Walls) 88:45; 7 A Jenkins (Morp) 88:56; 8 C Utterson (York A) 92:25; 9 G Hurst (unatt) 93:48; 10 I Morgan (unatt) 94:00; 11 W Doidge (Low F) 94:58. M60: 1 T O'Gara (Walls) 89:06; 2 J Taylor (Heat) 92:16; 3 J Fairbairn (Aln) 96:30; 4 J Greener (Bild) 99:17; 5 M Relton (NE Vets) 1:40:16; 6 G Armstrong (Hadd) 1:42:59; 7 R Graves (Aln) 1:44:45. M65: 1 G Smith (Gate) 97:00; 2 R Phillipson (Blay) 97:43; 3 D Fereday (Barn) 99:51; 4 J Milligan (Bill MH) 1:40:53; 5 R Pinkney (SSh) 1:40:58; 6 H Wilkinson (unatt) 1:43:07; 7 J Prudham (J&H) 1:49:28. M70: A Campbell (Bord) 2:14:18
Team
1 Morpeth H 21; 2 Morpeth H B 45; 3 Elswick H 76; 4 Claremont RR 96; 5 Durham City 99; 6 Wallsend H 152
Women
1 Emmerson 76:35; 2 Green 77:17; 3 H Wootton (Dark Pk) 81:17; 4 T Thompson (Pit, W40) 83:10; 5 J Nutt (Els) 84:33; 6 P Thackray (Wake) 85:39; 7 A Raw (Darl, W40) 86:39; 8 A Dargie  (Els) 87:33; 9 A Hunter (J&H) 88:21; 10 S Morton (Els, W35) 88:40; 11 S Heatley (Gate, W35) 89:02; 12 A Young (Clare, W35) 89:12; 13 F Shenton (Elv, W40) 90:34; 14 E Sowter (Swale, W40) 92:20; 15 K Chapman (Clare) 92:23; 16 T Clark (B&R) 93:49; 17 J Atkinson (N Ayc, W35) 93:51; 18 A Tordoff (Staff M, W35) 94:04; 19 S Laws (Derw, W45) 95:04; 20 C Bairsto (unatt) 95:18; 21 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 95:52; 22 L Chapman (Gars, W45) 96:11; 23 F Nairn (unatt, W40) 96:27; 24 K Crowther (Even) 97:04; 25 C Everett (Norw) 97:06; 26 R Cooper (Shil, W40) 98:15; 27 H Ross (unatt, W45) 98:20; 28 B Ingman (NSP, W50) 99:18
W40: 7 L Watson (Sun) 1:40:59. W45: 5 L Graham (unatt) 1:40:10; 6 K Smith (unatt) 1:40:34; 7 C Young (Blyth) 1:41:06; 8 N Bird (Arb) 1:43:19. W50: 2 S Lightfoot (Aln) 1:47:26; 3 C Smith (unatt) 1:48:17. W55: 1 P Gold (Heat) 1:47:10; 2 S Gibson (unatt) 1:54:01. W60: G Buck (R&Z) 2:12:34. W65: 1 E Armstrong (Tyne) 1:53:00; 2 J Archibold (Clare) 1:54:54
Team
1 Elswick H 23; 2 Claremont RR 65; 3 Sunderland H 108; 4 Morpeth H 133; 5 North Shields Poly 155; 6 Blyth RC 176

Additional Comments: This is AW report/results as Luke Edwards covered for Journal (Report slightly edited in AW). Big error in report (not noticed until this appeared in AW), is that Norman was 2003 (not 2002) winner. Results courtesy of Joe Lee. This was 100th anniversary (first ran in 1904) of event, not 100th (about 80+th) running. Major problems with police in build up to event, which will (hopefully) be settled for next year. Despite generous prizes, the "elite" part of the field, was not as classy as expected. Though the new course is not easy, I still think Paula R would have been good enough, to be overall winner. Wind strengthened as race developed and was quite strong when tail-enders came in. 1019 finishers. Last recorded time was 2:51:46. The other mile splits were 15:48 (3M) and 31:01 (6M), with no time recorded at 2M. The 10km time given was 33:27, though this does not go in accordance with other split times. Jim Alder donated £100 to add to first veterans' prize. Good run by former Junior GNR winner, Sam Forester. David Tait was 964th (2:14:00). Another "star" competing was Gerry Keating (765th in 1:56:12 - his nth successive "Morpeth"). John Moore, was a last-minute entry. As he is not fully fit, he used it as a training run. Other Heaton performances were: 187 Gary Campbell 1:32:15; 188 John Taylor; 218 Ian Legge 1:33:44; 255 Chris Auld 1:35:30; 267 Ted Baty 1:35:57; 349 Allen Mulliss 1:39:15; 388 John Marshall 1:40:15; 419 John Josephs 1:41:09; 508 Chris Ward 1:44:41; 550 C Dolman (?) 1:46:24; 561 Dave Reynolds 1:47:02; 568 Pam Gold; 590 Simon Huntley 1:47:41; 823 Dennis Young 1:59:06; 873 Rachel Kane 2:03:59; 972 Harry Craven 2:15:13 (2nd M70); 1005 George Routledge 2:28:41. Howard Gold was a non-starter due to a heavy cold. nb. A lady, wearing a Heaton vest, was according to Eric Appleby (a marshall) ahead of Pam Gold, but not listed in results.
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Adidas Dubai Marathon.
Fri. 9th Jan.
The fifth running of the now-sponsored Adidas Dubai Marathon attracted over 300 competitors from many countries, with invited athletes mainly from Africa to the fore. The team competition resulted in a win for Kenya on count-back, over Ethiopia.
Road
1 Gashaw  Melese Asfan (Eth) 2:12:49; 2 David Kiplagat Kuino (Kenya) 2:14:11; 3 Malefon Abbbe Tsegaye (Eth) 2:14:34; 4 Eric Kiprono Kimalyo (Kenya) 2:14:53; 5 Nicholas Mutuku  Muindi (Ken) 2:15:58; 6 Meshak Mutungi Maneu (Ken) 2:17:18; 7 Bedaso Turbe Gobena (Eth) 2:18:08; 8 Gidem Amaha Gebrekidan (Eth) 2:18:52; 9 David Kiporir Koech (Ken) 2:20:23; 10 Tamrat Ayalen Kebede (Eth) 2:21:38
Women
1 Liela Aman Tola (Eth) 2:42:36; 2 Sissay Measso Ardese (Eth) 2:42:46; 3 Alena Makolava (Belarus) 2:43:20

Additional Comments: This is info received from Dick Balding, to be sent to AW. No other results available, though I understand from Bill Woods, that John Johnston competed in 10km, and had a few behind him.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 4th Jan).
Winners at the Cumbria XC Championships at Carlisle (3rd Jan) included
Senior Men: C Winward (Barr) 34:22  Under 20 Men: M Sawrey (Traff) 26:28  Under 17 Men: A Holliday (Traff) 15:37  Senior Women: S Ayers (Cumb FR) 20:04  Under 20 Women: S Tunstall (Bord) 18:55  Under 17 Women: C Rodham (Helm H) 18:21.
Alan Buckley was 3rd in Nottinghamshire Championship (at Derby !)(31:48) behind Nick Talbot (Notts) (31:26). Nick Zissler was 2nd in Yorkshire Under 17 event (21:21), at Guiseley, Leeds, behind A Brownlee (Bradford GS) (21:16). Catherine Hare was 2nd in Senior Womens' event (23:23) behind C Keddie (Leeds) 22:23.
The Captain Cook Fell Race at Great Ayton, on 1st Jan, was won by Rickie Wilson (33:52) from Charles Stead (33:57). Catherine Hare was first lady (37:40), ahead of Johanna Jackson (38:46).
A Fell race in Rothbury (listed as 1st January) was won by D Sprot (Morpeth) in 24:10. Karen Robertson was first in the Womens' race (28:28). Another event in Kirkby Stephen was won by P Davies (Borrowdale) (58:14), with Phil Addyman 3rd (60:20). N Davies (not sure if relation) of Borrowdale (72:22) was first lady, ahead of Alison Raw (72:47). All results courtesy of AW.
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North Eastern Counties A.A. Indoor Championships.
Monkton Stadium, Jarrow.  Sun. 4th Jan.
Five records were broken and one equalled, at yesterday's North Eastern Counties' Indoor Championships, at Jarrow. South Shields junior, Emma Morris took three-tenths of a second off the old figures in the 60m Hurdles, and also won the flat 60m. Morris had also broken the records in the High Jump and Long Jump, a month ago, in the first part of the championships. Peter Middleton of North Shields Poly, a former English Schools Intermediate champion, broke the record by a tenth of a second each time, when winning his heat and final of the Senior Mens' Hurdles. Yusuf Aliu took three-tenths of a second off the old record in the Under 15 Boys' 60m, leading a clean sweep for the Middlesbrough-Mandale club. The other medallists, Richard Kilty and Adam Allison, were also inside the old figures. Gateshead's Kirsty Thomas won the Under  17 60m, bettering the old  figures by a tenth of a second, after equalling the record in the heat and semi final. Another Gateshead athlete, Lauren Dewdney, broke the record in the Under 15 Hurdles, by two-tenths of a second, equalling the old figures in her heat.
Gateshead's Vicky Carmichael, equalled the record, when winning the Senior 60m.
The Senior Mens' 60m was won by former Morpeth Harrier, Peter Newton, now competing for the Army. Gateshead's Ben Geddes was 2nd ahead of Teesside College student, Adam Ali, who took the High Jump title, last month. Former British champion, Joss Harwood, won the Senior Womens' Hurdles, her manual time of 9.4secs, unofficially breaking the British record in the Over 45 category.
Results.
Senior Men:  60: 1 P Newton (Army) 7.0; 2 B Geddes (Gate) 7.1; 3 A Ali (unatt) 7.1  60H: 1 P Middleton (NSP) 8.3 (CBP); 2 S Nayananyo (M'bro) 8.5; 3 D Robertson (J&H) 9.1
Under 20 Men:  60: 1 C Jones (unatt) 7.3; 2 A Sturrock (Gate) 7.4; 3 J Baines (Midd) 7.5  60H: 1 D Pope (Gate) 9.0; 2 J Stacey (Gate) 9.2
Under 17 Men:  60: 1 B Wilson (M'bro) 7.1; 2 A Todd (Shil) 7.3; 3 S Horsburgh (Gate) 7.5  60H: 1 D Ghundoo (Darl) 9.2; 2 S Egdell (Duchess HS) 9.7; 3 A Dalby (Gate) 9.7
Under 15 Boys:  60: 1 Y Aliu (M'bro) 7.2 (CBP); 2 R Kilty (M'bro) 7.4; 3 A Allison (M'bro) 7.4 60H: 1 N Flannery (Gate) 10.2; 2 D Leadbetter (Gate) 10.3; 3 L Craig (Blay) 10.7
Under 13 Boys:  60: 1 J Cowie (Gate) 8.4; 2 B Sanderson (unatt) 8.8; 3 J Dawson (Gate) 8.9
Senior Women:  60: 1 V Carmichael (Gate) 7.9 (=CBP); 2 K Storey (Gate) 8.3; 3 N Roe (Morp) 8.5  60H: J Harwood (NE Vets, W45) 9.4
Under 20 Women:  60: 1 E Morris (SSh) 8.1; 2 C Jones (Gate) 8.3; 3 J Baron (Gate) 8.3  60H: E Morris 9.0 (CBP)
Under 17 Women:  60:  1 K Thomas (Gate) 7.8 (CBP); 2 J Graham (NSP) 8.0; 3 F Winspear (M'bro) 8.1  60H: 1 L Hunter (SSh) 9.4; 2 N Garthwaite (SSh) 9.9;  3 Sar Lamb (SSh) 10.0
Under 15 Girls:  60: 1 N Pearson (H&P) 8.3; 2 L Welch (Gate) 8.4; 3 L Dewdney (Gate) 8.5  60H: 1 L Dewdney 9.6 (CBP); 2 S Coleby (Dur) 9.9
Under 13 Girls:  60: 1 C Gill (Gate) 8.6; 2 V Addison (J&H) 9.1; 3 H Kilty (M'bro) 9.1
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 5th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Most of report used. Meeting started late (about 15mins), due mainly to a more-than-usual shortage of officials. Cannot criticise judging as they had video camera back-up if needed (thanks to Malcolm Dewell). Fastest losers against manual times, did cause problems. Joss H however, who was allowed to run with W45 barriers, was more than happy with her time. She and Morris, were sole competitors in their category, and ran with other age-group heats, which helps. Surprisingly old holder of Junior Womens' Hurdles, was Gemma Fergusson.
David Cudlip was fastest Under 20 (7.2), but pulled up injured after winning semi. There were several holders of Under 15 Boys' record (7.5secs), which was equalled many times on day.
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Hartlepool Old Monk 6 Multi Terrain.
High Heselden.  Sun. 4th Jan.
Sunderland's Patrick Martin won yesterday's Hartlepool Old Monk 6 Multi Terrain event. Hartlepool veteran, Ian Cook led for the first half mile, before Martin took control, winning by exactly a minute from clubmate, Brian Bewick. Tracey Waller of the host club, won the Womens' race.
Result.
1 P Martin (Sun, U20) 33:28; 2 B Bewick (Sun) 34:28; 3 I Cook (Hart, M40) 34:44; 4 G Hilton (Morp) 35:34; 5 P Frodsham (W Cheshire, M40) 36:09; 6 M Armstrong (Hart) 36:38  M50 - M Frostick (Hart) 40:10  M60 - I Barnes ((Darl) 45:03
Women: 1 T Waller (Hart) 43:42; 2 J Atkinson (Quak, W35) 44:09; 3 H Young (Quak, W35) 48:05  W45 - J Young (Elvet) 51:00
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 5th January 2004).

Additional Comments: Slightly edited. Results courtesy of Mark Armstrong. Weather ideal, but frost on parts of course. 77 finishers. Bernie Cordes was 33rd (45:36) and Allen Mulliss was 37th (46:23).
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BUPA Great North Winter Run.
Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne.  Sat. 3rd. Jan.
American athletes occupied the first two places at Saturday's Great North Winter Run, on Newcastle's Exhibition Park and Town Moor, with Brad Bennett coming home 13 secs of Barton Phariss. The pair were joined in the early stages by Loughborough student Nick Samuels, but Bennett pulled away after the halfway point. In fourth place and first local athlete was former Wallsend Harrier, Phil McCartney now running in the Elswick colours. North of England treasurer, Nigel Orr of Darlington was the leading veteran, in 7th place. The region's athletes did dominate the Womens' race, however. Teenagers Sam Crowe of Elswick and Julia Orr of Darlington (daughter of Nigel and in 2nd in 2002) occupied the first two places, with Alison Dargie of Elswick finishing third.
Miles Hollinshead of Larkhall was a runaway winner of the Junior event (Under 11). while  Dylan Pickavance Clark of Blackhill, narrowly defeated Gateshead's Sigourney Bell in the Girls' section.
Result.  Distance 4M.
1 B Bennett (USA) 20:50; 2 B Phariss (USA) 21:03; 3 N Samuels (Lough St) 21:21; 4 P McCartney (Els) 22:02; 5 S Mosley (Swansea) 22:09; 6 J Martin (Sun, U17) 22:13; 7 N Orr (Darl, M40) 22:27; 8 D Purvis (Birt) 22:29; 9 B Jameson (Tyne, M50) 22:35; 10 J Pearson (Els, U15) 22:38; 11D Sprot (Morp) 22:51; 12 A Lawrence (Morp, U20) 22:58; 13 S Coxon (Sun, M40) 23:01; 14 D Ovens (Fife) 23:03; 15 Mark McLeod (Els) 23:05; 16 J Ross (North'd FR) 23:05; 17 G Driscoll (Morp, U20) 23:12; 18 R Chawla (unatt) 23:18; 19 M Ketley (Els) 23:23; 20 A Dent (Blay, M45) 23:28
M45 - 2 J Watson (Sun) 24:51; 3 S Marshall (Dur) 25:01  M50 - 2 A Jenkins (Morp) 23:57; 3 N Cassidy (Tyne) 24:18; 4 R Driscoll (Morp) 24:58  M55 - H Matthews (Els) 24:08  M60 - P Lancaster (NSP) 27:08  M65 - F Gibbs (Bing) 26:04
Women: 1 S Crowe (Els, U17) 25:07; 2 J Orr (Quak, U17) 25:34; 3 A Dargie (Els) 25:49; 4 K Robertson (Tyne) 25:50; 5 G Rutherford (Darl, U20) 26:24; 6 C Summersgill (M&C) 26:59; 7 R Harwood (Newc U) 27:02; 8 K Davis (NSP) 27:08; 9 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 27:55; 10 S White (Tyne, W40) 28:04; 11 F Burnie (Gate, U20) 28:14; 12 V Russell (Els) 28:21; 13 G Cavill (Morp, W40) 28:25; 14 L Marr (Tyne, W40) 28:29; 15 M Stephenson (unatt) 28:35
W35 - C Bruce (NSP) 28:43   W45 - 2 L Miller (NSP) 29:47  W50 - C Smith (unatt) 33:48  W55 - J Knight (unatt) 33:11 W60 - 1 J Bell (Black B) 32:04; 2 K Stewart (NSP) 32:51  W65 - E Armstrong (Tyne) 34:09
Great North Winter Junior Run.
Result: Distance 1.5km.
1 M Hollinshead (Larkhall) 4:56; 2 J Robson (unatt) 5:10; 3 AN Other (N Ayc) 5:15; 4 J Archer (Sun) 5:18; 5 S Younger (Sun) 5:20
Girls: 1 D P-Clarke (Black B) 5:21; 2 S Bell (Gate) 5:22; 3 C Fletcher (Gate) 5:45; 4 K Dawson (Westfield) 5:54; 5 Z Dixon (Birt) 5:58
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 5th January 2004).

Additional Comments:  936 finishers. A record entry of over 1100. Weather dry, overcast and quite mild. Steve Cram who started race, said it was bitterly cold on television. Course very muddy on main straight, but ok on other parts of course. A bit like Parliament Hills in that respect. These are original results (courtesy of Julian Waugh), and these are subject to scrutiny. Anita Nott, wearing Chester Le Street colours was 170th (17L) in 29:05.  Heaton officially fielded 4 athletes. though I only know two. They were Ted Baty (116th in 27:49), D Boddy (190th in 29:41), C Graham (lady) (416th in 34:07) and George Routledge (695th in 39:46) (a change for him to have so many behind, including David Tait, who was 632nd in  40:14). (GR said only about 30 ran Resolution Run on New Years Day). Also running was former Harrier, Peter Davies (632nd in 37:57). In International Events relevant local results were as follows:
Senior: 1 S Sihine (Ethiopia) 26:15; 6 D Anderson 28:14; 7 D Bannister 28:19; 19 S Bell 29:06; 21 B Rushworth 29:37; 25 T Wall 30:09; 27 R Hand 30:42; 30 A Tatham 31:36; 31 J Archer 31:59; 32 M McDonald 32:07; 33 P Merrison 33:24 (35 finished).
Short Course: 1 B Whitby (WS&E) 11:36; 13 S Hepples 11:58; 17 M Hood 12:04; 23 R McLeod 12:18; 26 C Parr 12:20; 34 C Lamb 12:48; 35 M Nicholson 12:54; 36 R Cole 12:59
Women: 1 T Dibaba (Ethiopia) 21:04; 6 J Pavey 21:38; 20 D Henaghan 24:09; 24 M Hood 26:29
The first four runners in main race, were in a different class to the rest, with more than a minute between 4th and 5th. The battle up front was classed by announcer as "the greatest country race ever seen in Britain" (!). A lot of local runners were asked to make up fields and were out of their depths (more so as there were 7 laps). However, I understand Paul Merrison enjoyed the experience. In the short course event, Chris Lamb had to sprint 100m to get to start on time (must have affected his performance). Mark Hood was well up on lap 1 (5th) but faded.
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Morpeth 11km Road Race.
Thurs. 1st Jan.
Teenager, Nathan Shrubb gained a surprise victory, over his older rivals, as Morpeth runners dominated their club's annual New Years Day Road race. After a cautious start, Shrubb gradually moved his way through the field, passing long-time leader, David Swinburne with 1M remaining. The 2003 Junior Great North Run winner, extended his advantage to 24secs at the finish line, with Richard Kay, who vied for the lead at the halfway stage, taking third place. Morpeth Harriers occupied the first six positions, and fifth placed, Paul Johnson was the leading veteran. Morpeth also provided the first lady, Nicola Duggan.
Result.
1 N Shrubb (Morp, U17) 35:21; 2 D Swinburne (Morp) 35:45; 3 R Kay (Morp) 36:21; 4 R Stabler (Morp) 36:53; 5 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 37:17; 6 N Armsworth (Morp) 37:18; 7 G Dixon (Morp, M40) 37:45; 8 R Jacobson (Blay) 38:01; 9 J Ross (North'd FR) 38:08; 10 D Embleton (Walls, M40) 38:16; 11 A Lawrence (Morp, U20) 38:51; 12 A Jenkins (Morp, M50)  39:05; 13 P Grey (Aln, M45) 39:20; 14 D Armstrong (Els) 39:22; 15 G Harden (Sun, M40) 39:42  Further Veterans: M55 - F McMahon (Blay) 41:07  M60 - R Phillipson (Blay) 46:54  M65 - D Whitmore (SSh) 52:23  M70 - E Appleby (Heat) 50:26  M80 - J Johnston (NE Vets) 78:08   Team: Morpeth 6
Women: 1 N  Duggan (Morp, U20) 46:39; 2 H Ross (unatt, W45) 47:00; 3 S Hunter (Conc, W35) 52:33; 4 S Bingham (Tyne) 53:10; 5 C Liddell (unatt) 53:23; 6 N Crotty (unatt) 54:54
W65 - E Armstrong (Tyne) 55:02
(Newcastle Journal: Fri. 2nd January 2004).

Additional Comments: Report and some results edited. Distance probably about 10.8km. 88 runners (probably affected by clash of fixtures). A pity as this was my first Road Race as a Senior (45:44) (so it obviously has a long history) (ps: improved to 39:42). Good prize list, with sponsorship courtesy of North East Controls and Reeves Independent. Milder than late, with thawing snow in parts (still 6inches of snow, in Gateshead, I understand). Strong wind from previous night, had abated. Leading group of 5 after first mile, with Swinburne, Kay and Stabler, pulling away from Armsworth, Johnson before 2M. Shrubb in an isolated 6th. Stabler soon lost contact, with Swinburne dropping Kay on hilly section at about 3.5M. Shrubb was gradually picking others off as Swinburne opened up a lead of 80m at one point. Going downhill after 4.5M, Shrubb passed Kay and was quickly reducing gap, eventually passing Swinburne, about 400m before the park entrance (about 5.5M). In lead car with Bill McGuirk and Jim Alder, who coaches the leading athletes. Like Edreden Bleu, Shrubb was going into unknown territory, and was a surprise winner. Poor quality in Womens'race (only 12 ran). Eileen Armstrong was 7th. Mary Waugh was 9th lady (56:52), but unsure of her age-group. Since discovered S Hunter is W45. Jim Johnston was 88th.  Eric A (only Heaton competitor) was 56th and Dave Whitmore, 59th.
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