Chester Le Street and District A.C Road Races.
Riverside Pavilion. Sun. 30th Mch.
Sunderland Harrier Mark Hood, took 58secs off his personal best time,
to win yesterday's Chester Le Street 10km Road Race, at the Riverside.
Hood soon headed the field, opening up a 80m lead at the halfway stage,
over the host club's Stewie Bell and David Swinburne of Morpeth. Although
the advantage was slightly reduced on the second lap, Hood the 2001 North
Eastern 10km Road champion, came home with 11 secs to spare over Bell.
Swinburne in third place led Morpeth to the team title, while fourth position
was occupied by the leading veteran, Ian Crampton of Durham. Chris Lamb
of Chester Le Street, returned to something like his best form, to win
the Junior Mens' race, ahead of Patrick Martin of Sunderland. Alyson Dixon,
running in the colours of Sunderland University repeated her 2002 victory
in the Womens' race. Angie Watson in second place, led Chester Le Street
to the team title, with Sam Crowe of Elswick the leading Under 17 athlete,
in third position. Vicky Angus of Houghton and Peterlee and Samantha Coleby
of Durham won the Under 15 and Under 13 Girls' races, respectively, while
the corresponding Boys' events, went to Jonathon Young of Morpeth and John
Gibson of Gateshead.
Results.
Senior Men 10km. 1 M Hood (Sun) 31:09; 2 S Bell (CleS) 31:20;
3 D Swinburne (Morp) 31:36; 4 I Crampton (Dur, M40) 32:32; 5 G Sharp (Morp)
32:36; 6 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 32:41; 7 A Lilliendale (Sun) 32:49; 8 J
Armitage (Dur) 33:03; 9 L Atkinson (Morp, M45) 33:11; 10 J Moore (Heat)
33:15; 11 N Younger (Sun) 33:26; 12 M Slesser (J&H) 33:36; 13 M Donkin
(Sun) 33:39; 14 D Purvis (Birt) 34:07; 15 J O'Reilly (Gate) 34:23
Further Veterans: M40 - 3 S Clark (NSP) 34:24 M45 - 2 P Morgan (SSh)
35:07 M50 - A Jenkins (Morp) 35:30 M60 - B Cordes (Morp) 41:40
M70 - E Appleby (Heat) 47:40 Teams: 1 Morpeth 14; 2 Sunderland 19;
3 Durham City 32
Junior Men: 5km. 1 C Lamb (CleS) 16:00; 2 P Martin (Sun) 16:04;
3 G Massingham (Sun) 16:15; 4 N Younger (Sun) 16:25; 5 A Holliday (Stretford,
U17) 16:30; 6 J McCrerie (Sun, U17) 17:29 Team: Sunderland 9
Under 15 Boys: 3km. 1 J Young (Morp) 10:01; 2 S Watson (Gate)
10:10; 3 R Floyd (Morp) 10:18; 4 J Martin (Sun) 10:30; 5 J Pearson (Els)
10:35; 6 W Pike (Gate) 10:38 Team: Gateshead 16
Under 13 Boys: 2.5km. 1 J Gibson (Gate) 8:24; 2 R Cunningham (Birt)
8:34; 3 M Foggin (Sun) 8:41; 4 K Thompson (Shil) 8:46; 5 C Bell (CleS)
8:58; 6 M Crowe (Els) 9:39 Team: Gateshead 25
Under 11 Boys: 2km. 1 G Ritchie (J&H) 6:38; 2 S Younger (Sun)
6:40; 3 J Archer (Sun) 7:01 Team: Sunderland 9
Senior Women: 5km. 1 A Dixon (Sun U) 19:03; 2 A Watson (CleS)
19:13; 3 S Crowe (Els, U17) 19:26; 4 C Bowman (CleS, W40) 19:53; 5 V Raw
(CleS, U20) 20:33; 6 K Bentley (Birt, W35) 20:43; 7 S Youden (Gate) 21:04;
8 S Milburn (CleS) 21:09; 9 J Hetherington (unatt) 21:23; 10 R Forster
(J&H, U17) 21:37 W45 - S Parr (CleS) 21:46 Team: 1 Chester
Le Street 11; 2 Birtley 42
Under 15 Girls: 3km. 1 V Angus (H&P) 11:52; 2 L Dodsworth
(Gate) 12:41; 3 N Douglas (Gate) 12:53; 4 A Foreman (Birt) 12:58; 5 G Ford
(H&P) 13:06; 6 J Wilkinson (H&P) 13:21 Team: Houghton and
Peterlee 12
Under 13 Girls: 2.5km. 1 S Coleby (Dur) 9:36; 2 A Reed (Gate)
9:43; 3 S-K Crowell (J&H) 9:47; 4 E Murray (J&H) 10:40; 5 A Coyne
(H&P) 10:41; 6 S Brown (Dur) 10:44 Team: Durham City 20
Under 11 Girls: 2km. 1 S Goodfellow (Morp) 7:25; 2 H Nagel (Birt)
7:31; 3 E Winter (J&H) 7:45 Team: Birtley 14
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 31st Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but in small print. Weather
bright and sunny, but cool breeze. Long programme, though with no way of
running two races at concurrent times. Perhaps Boys and Girls age-groups
together ? 88 finishers in Mens' event. Last three runners were (surprise
surprise), George Routledge (55:38), David Tait (57:40) and Harry
Craven (59:31). John Moore was not happy with run, struggling in the second
half. Mick Thompson dropped out, when in leading ten. Good entry in Young
Athletes' races. Problems (again) with duplicate numbers, which held up
the results. Sadly veterans only listed as M40. Have amended when known,
but not familiar with all. Missed out Harry Matthews (1st M55 in 35:41).
Geoff Hume was probably first actual M60 (43:43), but behind Bernie. Hot
news (from GP), is that this is the first time that Les Atkinson has been
beaten by another Morpeth veteran. 3rd Under 17 male was David Old (Birtley)
in 17:56. 23 finishers in Womens' race, but none from Heaton (although
part of club Grand Prix). Last 6 were from Birtley (it must been their
club championship along with Houghton and Peterlee). Running for Birtley
was former Blackhill Bounder, Rachel Simpson (12th in 21:54). Just behind
was 3rd Under 17, Gill Barry of H&P (21:55). Where were Jimmy's girls
? Alyson Dixon has resigned from Sunderland (part of reason is club not
happy, with her running in University colours, when a team prize could
have been won). Vicky Angus is certainly a major find in the latter part
of the season. Eric Appleby (77th) was testing fitness after recent accident,
but struggled in later stages. Other Heaton performers were: 40 Gary Campbell
39:15; 60 Ted Baty 41:34; 71 Allen Mulliss 43:07; 74 Jeff Wilson 44:44
(team were 9th).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 23rd March).
Ian Hudspith was second in Wilmslow Half Marathon (23rd Mch), clocking
63:32 behind Kenyan Julias Kibet (62:23) but had the consolation of winning
the A.A.A title. Steve Hepples was 7th (64:40) and Steve Platts was 13th
(65:54). Hoped to have result on day, but (probably) because they were
produced by Joe Lee, they were not available till after midnight. At the
Ackworth Half Marathon, in West Yorkshire, won by John Mutai (65:18), John
Orange was 1st veteran in 8th place (69:24). Stewie Bell was 11th (72:12).
At the Sheffield 10km (also on 23rd Mch), Angela Dickie (37:45) was second
lady, behind Wakefield clubmate, Penny Thackery (36:48).
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Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League.
Prudhoe. Sat. 22nd Mch.
Sunderland's Brian Rushworth joined the rapidly increasing number of
fast pack winners, at Saturday's final Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier
League meeting, at Prudhoe. Giving 5 mins to most of his rivals, Rushworth,
now a veteran, overhauled Tynedale's Barry Jameson in the closing stages
to win by 22 secs. On what used to be quite a rare occurence, Rushworth
was the first fast pack winner in the Senior age-group this season, the
most recent being Stewart Bell at Durham, in January 2002. The runner-up
was later disqualified for running from the wrong pack, elevating another
fast pack athlete, Rob Hand of Durham, into second place. Hand also won
the inaugural Veteran Mens' trophy. Terry Wall of Morpeth, who did not
run on this occasion, had already done enough to win the Senior Mens' title.
Sunderland retained the Division 1 title, making it 11 wins in the last
12 years. South Shields won the Division 2 title, with Low Fell, taking
the Division 3 trophy.
Jarrow's Claire Smallwood, recovering from illness, which sidelined
her for 6 weeks, returned to competition to win the Senior Womens' race.
Smallwood also retained the Individual Trophy, while runner-up Sheila Allen
of Houghton and Peterlee took the veterans' award. Durham City retained
the team trophy. Morpeth dominated the younger male age-groups, winning
both the individual and team events. Matthew Travis (Under 13 Boys) was
another to gain victory, from the fast pack. The Northumberland club also
won the overall titles for Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Men, and Junior Women.
Gateshead took the Under 13 Boys' title as well as the Under 15 Girls'
trophy. Sunderland also gained victory in the Under 13 Girls' age-group,
and provided the Under 15 Girls' individual winner, Claire Harrison. Julia
Orr of Quakers (Junior Women) and Stacey Smith of Tynedale (Under 13 Girls),
both won their races and also took the individual titles. Smith has been
successful at all six venues this season. Other individual title winners
were Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly (Under 17 Men), Jonathon Young
of Morpeth (Under 15 Boys) and defending champion, Richard Cunningham of
Birtley (Under 13 Boys).
Results.
Senior Men: 5.1M. 1 B Rushworth (Sun) 31:22; 2 R Hand (Dur)
32:14; 3 F Smith (Salt) 32:17; 4 T Field (Sun) 32:18; 5 T Hall (H&P)
32:19; 6 A Squires (Aln) 32:22; 7 D Houshby (SSh) 32:24; 8 M Donnelly (Tyne)
32:30; 9 M McDonald (Low F) 32:39; 10 K Wood (Salt) 32:47; 11 D Young (Walls)
32:58; 12 J Nunn (Crook) 33:04; 13 B McMillan (Clare) 33:10; 14 R Kay (Morp)
33:11; 15 P Taylor (Sun S) 33:18 Fastest: 1 B Rushworth (M40) 26:22;
2 R Hand (M40) 27:14; 3 T Field 27:18; 4 M Donnelly 27:30; 5 M McDonald
27:39; 6 R Kay 28:11 Teams: 1 Sunderland 84; 2 Wallsend 139; 3 Blaydon
175 Division 2 - South Shields 83 Division 3 - Low Fell 47
Under 17 Men: 3.2M. 1 A Lawrence (Morp) 20:20; 2 J McCrerie (Sun)
20:33; 3 R Stephenson (NSP) 20:44; 4 S Kirtley (Morp) 20:55; 5 G Driscoll
(Morp) 21:14; 6 D Heslop (Blay) 21:22 Fastest: A Lawrence 18:15
Team: 1 Morpeth 10; 2 Sunderland 22
Under 15 Boys: 2.1M. 1 N Swinburn (Morp) 11:38; 2 J Young (Morp)
12:38; 3 R Floyd (Morp) 12:48; 4 A Colwell (Morp) 13:06; 5 P Robson (Morp)
13:20; 6 A Spoor (Sun) 13:29 Fastest: J Young 11:08 Team: 1
Morpeth 6; 2 Houghton and Peterlee 39
Under 13 Boys: 1.7M. 1 M Travis (Morp) 10:20; 2 J Gibson (Gate)
10:26; 3 R Cunningham (Birt) 10:27; 4 S Ruddick (Blay) 10:44; 5 M Foggin
(Sun) 10:58; 6 M Cairns (Morp) 11:00 Fastest: M Travis 9:10
Team: 1 Morpeth 15; 2 Sunderland 29; 3 Gateshead 37
Senior Women: 3.2M. 1 C Smallwood (J&H) 19:49; 2 S Allen
(H&P, W45) 20:21; 3 D Hales (Dur) 20:29; 4 K Robertson (Tyne) 20:33;
5 P McCrea (Gate) 20:48; 6 A Hunter (J&H) 21:11; 7 C Ratcliff (Dur,
W35) 21:33; 8 J Nutt (Els) 21:44; 9 F Shenton (Elv, W40) 22:00; 10 E Grant
(Sun U) 22:14; 11 S White (Tyne, W40) 22:22; 12 \K Davis (NSP, W35) 22:25
Team: 1 Tynedale 30; 2 Durham City 32; 3 Elvet Striders 45
Junior Women: 2.7M. 1 J Orr (Quak, U17) 17:03; 2 S Crowe (Els,
U17) 17:34; 3 L McKernan (Gate, U17) 17:48; 4 D Watts (Morp, U17) 18:01;
5 R Forster (J&H, U17) 19:17; 6 L Davies (NSP) 20:00
Under 15 Girls: 2.1M. 1 M Ferrier (Gate) 12:36; 2 L Wright (Gate)
13:06; 3 V Angus (H&P) 13:08; 4 S Duffy (Gate) 13:44; 5 C Bellamy (Gosf)
13:49; 6 L Oliver (Tyne) 14:05 Team: 1 Gateshead 7; 2 Tynedale 21;
3 Houghton and Peterlee 34
Under 13 Girls: 1.7M. 1 S Smith (Tyne) 10:11; 2 G Rutherford
(NSP) 10:22; 3 L Dixon (Morp) 10:28; 4 R Adams (Morp) 10:44; 5 E Spoor
(Sun) 10:45; 6 L Smith (Gosf) 10:50 Team: 1 Morpeth 20; 2 Sunderland
24; 3 Gosforth 27 Final League Placings: Senior Men: Division 1 -
1 Sunderland 10; 2 Wallsend 16; 3 Durham City 21; 4 North Shiels Poly 35;
5 Crook and District 36; 6= Elswick & Derwentside 39 Division
2 - 1 South Shields 17; 2 Alnwick 22; 3 Morpeth 32 Division
3 - 1 Low Fell 11; 2 Gateshead 15; 3 Jarrow and Hebburn 35 Individual:
1 T Wall (Morp) 38; 2 T Field 29; 3 R Kay 27 Veteran: 1 R Hand 40;
2 A Dent (Blay, M45) 48
Under 17 Men: 1 Morpeth 8; 2 Gosforth 23; 3 Sunderland 29 Individual:
1 R Stephenson 38; 2 J McCrerie 29; 3 S Kirtley 25
Under 15 Boys: 1 Morpeth 20; 2 Gateshead 21; 3 Houghton and Peterlee
27 Individual: 1 J Young 39; 2 A Muir (Blay) 37; 3 R Floyd 34
Under 13 Boys: 1 Gateshead 18; 2 Sunderland 19; 3 Morpeth 21
Individual: 1 R Cunningham 38; 2 J Gibson 38; 3 M Travis 35
Senior Women: 1 Durham City 9; 2 Tynedale 17; 3 Elvet Striders
19 Individual: 1 C Smallwood 40; 2 P McCrea 33; 3 K Robertson
32 Veteran: 1 S Allen 40: 2 C Ratcliff 32; 3 F Shenton 30
Junior Women: 1 Morpeth 28 Individual: 1 J Orr 40; 2 D Watts
36; 3 L McKernan 36
Under 15 Girls: 1 Gateshead 7; 2 Blaydon 19; 3 Jarrow and Hebburn
40 Individual: 1 C Harrison (Sun) 36; 2 L Wright 34; 3 C Bellamy
30
Under 13 Girls: 1 Sunderland 11; 2 Gosforth 12; 3 Houghton and Peterlee
37 Individual: 1 S Smith 40; 2 G Rutherford 36; 3 E Spoor 26
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but in small print. Thanks
to George and Audrey Ogle, Val Gill (+Jim Hurst) for final results. Beautiful
summer's day, for second week running (though slight breeze). Underfoot
conditions (mainly firm though heavy in "country"), were uncomfortable,
however. Could only see start and finish of races. No slow pack in Under
17 Mens' event. Only 2 in Under 15 and 7 in Under 13. Not a good sign.
A good battle for last place in Senior race again with George Routledge
(187th in 48:57) edging out Tony Gilroy (49:10) and David Tait (49:21).
Brian Rushworth (along with Eric Appleby) has sent last-minute entry for
British Veterans XC, at Irvine. Rob Hand preferred to be second in Senior
Mens' competition than first veteran (better prize value). Once again "our
Tim" was placed in individual competition, but has never won it.
24 in Womens' race. Val Hancock was 22nd (25:41) and Kath Stewart was 24th
(27:42). Andrea Banner (I think originally 11th), was disqualified as despite
her club being advised, she wore last year's number for at least the third
time this season. There seems to be a lot of resistance (especially from
J&H), about introducing the pack system to the Womens' League. Adrian
Holliday started as guest in Under 17 event, but dropped out. He is struggling
after poor run in English Schools Champs. The meeting was honoured with
the presence of George Patterson and Hudson Stoker. Other Heaton placings:
25 Stephen Cardiff 33:40; 77 Scott McEntee 35:06; 156 Allen Mulliss 38:53;
171 Denis Bolam 40:44. Allen dashed away to match (Newcastle 5 Blackburn
1) after. Heaton were 4th overall in Division 4 (38) with Chester Le Street
5th (40). Concordia were actually third on day (the first time they fielded
six this season). Jarrow and Hebburn's second place meant they moved to
third overall. Gateshead threw away title, by not finishing a team.
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Coniston 14M Road Race.
Cumbria. Sat. 22nd Mch.
Result.
1 S Littler (Wesham) 1:15:10; 2 J Hunter (Loft, M40) 1:17:16; 3 A Tatham
(Quak) 1:18:14 M55 - M Walker (Gosf) 1:26:43
Women: 1 C Hare (Loft) 1:24:38; 2 M Clark (Hunters BT) 1:28:29; 3 D
Richardson (Quak) 1:28:59 W35 - A Raw (Darl) 1:29:40
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Only results sent (courtesy of ukresults.net).
1454 finishers. Heaton fielded 7 competitors (nb ever-present Gerry Shirley
was not in results). They were 22 Sean Kelly 1:25:06; 184 Steve Lancaster
1:36:32; 216 Ian Legge 1:38:09; 247 Vaughan Lewis 1:39:18; 270 Chris Brown
1:40:15; 647 Chris Ward 1:52:31; 1406 Kevin Whalen 2:32:20
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium. Thurs. 20th Mch.
Results.
Senior Men: 50: J Gregory (N Rowntrees) 6.5 B: C Boundy
(Gate) 6.3 LJ: R Hunter (Tyne) 6.14
Under 20 Men: 50: M Christie (Sale) 6.6 LJ: M Christie
6.08
Under 17 Men: 50: 1 D Cudlip (Gate) 6.3; 2 C Crawford-Granville
(Gate) 6.3 LJ: C Crawford-Glanville 6.01
Under 15 Boys: 50: A Renwick (Gate) 6.9 B: A Dalby (Gate)
6.6 HJ: 1 A Dalby 1.55; 2 D Blackett (Gate) 1.50 LJ: 1 D Blackett
5.69; 2 A Dalby 5.50; 3 A Renwick 5.43
Under 13 Boys: 50: 1 N Flannery (Gate) 7.5; 2 S Ivers (Gate)
7.7; 3 C Bell (Gate) 7.8 HJ: N Flannery 1.35 LJ: 1 N Flannery
4.59; 2 S Ivers 4.45
Under 20 Women: 50: 1 V Carmichael (Gate) 6.8; 2 E Morris (SSh)
6.9; 3 R Forrest (Gate) 7.3 50H: E Morris 7.9 SP: E Foster
(Gate) 9.59
Under 17 Women: 50: N Garthwaite (SSh) 7.2 B: 1 C Jones
(Gate) 7.1; 2 L Hunter (SSh) 7.4 50H: L Hunter 8.0 B: N Garthwaite
8.5 SP: 1 V Young (Gate) 9.64; 2 H Conroy (Midd) 9.59; 3 S Dodd (Els)
9.04
Under 15 Girls: 50: 1 L McMichael (Gate) 7.3; 2 J Keenleyside
(Els) 7.5 B: Steph Lamb (SSh) 7.1 50H: 1 Steph Lamb 8.5; 2
Sarah Lamb (SSh) 8.5; 3 L McMIchael 8.7 SP: 1 Steph Lamb 10.33; 2
K Breen (Black B) 9.71; 3 D Phan (H&P) 9.26
Under 13 Girls: 50: 1 N Pearson (H&P) 7.5; 2 C Gill (Black
B) 7.8 B: 1 A Penn (Black B) 7.3; 2 L Welch (Gate) 7.3 50H:
1 L Welch 9.6; 2 L Forrest (Gate) 9.8 SP: 1 T Breen (Black B) 7.56;
2 P Maddison (Gate) 6.58
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 24th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Only results sent. Good entry for field events,
but poor on track. Only one Senior Woman, A-M Lappin of Gateshead, who
threw Shot 4.83m. Good quality Under 20 Womens' 50m. Dalby joined Gateshead,
2 days earlier.
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Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race
Handicap.
International Stadium. Wed. 19th Mch.
Elswick Harrier, Mark McLeod was a clear winner of yesterday's final
race in the Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Series. The former
High Jump specialist and son of former Olympic 10000m silver medallist,
Mike, passed long-time leader Stan White of Low Fell, coming into the Stadium
car park, with some 400m to go. Fastest time for the second successive
month went to Morpeth veteran, Paul Johnson. Sunderland's Paul Emmerson
won the overall Series, with clubmate Trudi Hammett taking the Womens'
prize.
Result. Distance: 5km (approx).
1 Mark McLeod (Els) 25:10; 2 S White (Low F) 25:34; 3 A Jewers (unatt)
25:44; 4 R Checkley (Heat) 25:57; 5 J McLean (unatt) 26:00; 6 A Haynes
(NSP) 26:02; 7 B Walker (Ryton Tri) 26:07; 8 N Storey (unatt) 26:11; 9
T Hammett (Sun, L) 26:13; 10 C Murdy (Birt) 26:14 Fastest: 1 P Johnson
(Morp, M40) 15:36; 2 J O'Reilly (Gate) 16:14; 3 R Robinson (Gate) 16:30;
4 N Morris (Low F, M40) 16:32; 5 M McLeod 16:40; 6 P Morgan (SSh, M45)
16:42 Women: 1 A Nott (Heat, W40) 20:41; 2 C Lee (Gosf, W60) 20:59;
3 T Hammett 22:03
Overall Series: 1 P Emmerson (Sun) 43; 2 N Storey 46; 3 R Checkley
49 Women: T Hammett 51
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 20th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: All info used. 53 finishers (David Tait was 53rd
in 28:53). Like a glorious summer's day. Because of this, times were faster
than normal, showing that new course is probably more than 40m short of
5km. In final placings, Hammett tied with M Chappell in 4th, George Hurst
was 6th (55) and Trevor Hopkins was 7th (59).
Luckily Ted Joynson did not turn up as he had a cold. Paul Johnson
together with Ray Robinson and Jeff Laws, started off 11:40. He was 41st,
but Laws, returning to action after injury, dropped out. Emmerson on this
occasion was 37th in 17:47. Other times included Alex Haynes 17:02; Gary
Pemberton 17:30; Steve White 18:00; Ken Sutton 20:01; Joe Prudham 20:26
and Dave Whitmore 23:27. Reg Checkley clocked 21:07 and Anita was 47th.
Other Heaton placings (actual times): 24 Allen Mulliss 19:58; 26 Howard
Gold 19:41; 31 Trevor Hopkins 21:10; 44 Harry Craven 27:23; 48 Helen Mitford
23:24; 50 Pam Gold 23:23 (Pam and Helen were 4th and 5th fastest lady).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 16th Mch).
At the Steven Unwin 10km in Carlisle (16th Mch), Michael Openshaw won
in a fast time of 30:17 from Mike Scott (32:25). Paul Johnson was first
veteran in 4th (32:41) and Mike Walker was first M55 (no time listed).
Sandra Branney won Womens' race (37:20) from fellow W45 Sheila Allen (37:35).
At the Northern Schools' Cross Country at Heaton Park (Manchester),
Callum Watson (St Cuthberts) won Under 12 race (7:59). John Gibson (Royal
GS) was 4th in Under 13 event (11:19).
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World Indoor Championships Review.
Birmingham 14th - 16th March.
Congratulations to all medallists. However, the results of 200m/400m
races depend on the lane-draw. Still surprised that commentators do not
realise this. Also I noticed a lot of cases where people who did not win
heats, got better next-round draws than some heat winners. This suggested
some behind-the-scenes objections (to put it mildly). Chris Tomlinson,
once again, disappointed in a major championship.
I thought Colin Jackson would have got bronze in Hurdles (behind Johnson
and Garcia), especially after his semi-final victory. However, he did not
get a good start (which he definitely needed) in the final. Like Colin,
Jonathon Edwards should have retired gracefully. Silva should have retained
1500m title, but his tactics in heat were dreadful. Allen Condon did himself
no favours with his two false starts. Not sure about this running on appeal,
but two things: He was guilty of two false starts and he only got in final
by default (Crawford should have won final). Re running out of lanes, I
think they should only be disqualified if the result of the race is affected.
Seems though, that new starting rule has speeded up meetings, and there
has been far less false starts. Unfortunately I did not see 4 x 400m heats,
but remember, Corry Henry only defeated Jared Deacon in A.A.A's because
of lane-draw. Late info from AW, is that Deacon's leg time of
46.22, was fastest in both heat and final.
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Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League.
Berry Edge, Consett. Sat. 15th Mch.
Defending title holders, Sunderland still head the Senior Mens' Division
1 table after Saturday's penultimate Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier
League fixture, at Berry Edge, Consett. Despite finishing third on the
day, the Wearsiders are a comfortable 4 points ahead of Wallsend. The race
was won by Gateshead's Michael Wright, now a veteran, but one of the region's
top teenage athletes, 20 years ago. It was a double celebration for the
Wright family, as seconds before the race started, he saw his daughter
Laura, win the Under 15 Girls' event. Wright led throughout over the three
demanding laps, coming home with 57secs to spare over Crook's John Nunn,
who led his club to a team victory. The next three runners home were all
from the past pack, led by Mark Brown of Morpeth, who was closely followed
by Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street and Richard Kay of Morpeth. Top veteran,
Sheila Allen of Houghton and Peterlee, passed long-time leader, Angela
Hunter of Jarrow and Hebburn, in the closing stages, to win the Senior
Womens' race, with Gateshead's Philippa McCrea taking third place. Durham
City won the team event and now look set to retain the title. Jonathon
Young of Morpeth (Under 15 Boys), added his name to the growing list of
athletes to win their races, from the fast pack. North Eastern champions,
Julia Orr of Quakers and Stacey Smith of Tynedale won the Junior and Under
13 races, respectively. Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly, was fastest
in the Under 17 Mens' event, though Morpeth's Kurt Heron was a runaway
winner. Another county champion, Richard Cunningham of Birtley, was fastest
in the Under 13 Boys' race.
Results.
Senior Men: 6M. 1 M Wright (Gate) 34:01; 2 J Nunn (Crook) 34:58;
3 M Brown (Morp) 35:31; 4 S Bell (CleS) 35:36; 5 R Kay (Morp) 35:40; 6
K Archer (Crook) 36:02; 7 D Armstrong (Els) 36:29; 8 T Field (Sun) 36:32;
9 K Mackey (SSh) 36:42; 10 R Hand (Dur) 36:49; 11 M McDonald (Low F) 36:55;
12 P Addyman (Clare) 36:59; 13 M Ketley (Els) 37:00; 14 M Telford (Walls)
37:04; 15 C Drummond (Low F) 37:07 Fastest: 1 M Brown 30:31; 2 S
Bell 30:36; 3 R Kay 30:40; 4 T Field 31:32; 5 R Hand (M40) 31:49; 6 M McDonald
31:55 Teams: Division 1: 1 Crook and District 90; 2 Wallsend 126;
3 Sunderland 143 Division 2: South Shields 95 Division 3: Low
Fell 44
Under 17 Men: 3M. 1 K Heron (Morp) 17:39; 2 R Stephenson (NSP)
19:26; 3 J McCrerie (Sun) 19:32; 4 A Lawrence (Morp) 20:02; 5 S Kirtley
(Morp) 20:10; 6 Z Scott (Birt) 20:16 Fastest: R Stephenson 17:06
Team: 1 Morpeth 10; 2 Birtley 21; 3 Sunderland 31
Under 15 Boys: 2.6M. 1 J Young (Morp) 16:05; 2 S Watson (Gate)
16:26; 3 R Floyd (Morp) 16:43; 4 A Welford (Gosf) 16:51; 5 J Pearson (Els)
16:53; 6 A Colwell (Morp) 17:02 Fastest: J Young 14:45 Team:
1 Morpeth 10; 2 Gateshead 24; 3 Gosforth 38
Under 13 Boys: 1.9M. 1 J Hewitt (Gosf) 12:07; 2 C Parker (Gosf)
12:08; 3 R Cunningham (Birt) 12:17; 4 M Travis (Morp) 12:23; 5 S Ruddick
(Blay) 12:40; 6 G Ritchie (J&H) 12:48 Fastest: R Cunningham 10:57
Team: 1 Morpeth 23; 2 Gosforth 27; 3 Blaydon 37
Senior Women: 3M. 1 S Allen (H&P, W45) 19:14; 2 A Hunter
(J&H) 19:22; 3 P McCrea (Gate) 19:32; 4 C Wilson (Morp) 19:34; 5 L
Hayes (CleS) 19:37; 6 J Nutt (Els) 19:54; 7 C Ratcliff (Dur, W35) 19:59;
8 D Hales (Dur) 20:06; 9 K Robertson (Tyne) 20:10; 10 G Cavill (Morp, W35)
20:46; 11 L Trainor (Dur) 20:47; 12 K Davis (NSP, W35) 20:48 Teams:
1 Durham City 26; 2 North Shields Poly 65; 3 Elvet Striders 79
Junior Women: 3M. 1 J Orr (Quak, U17) 19:40; 2 L McKernan (Gate,
U17) 20:01; 3 D Watts (Morp, U17) 20:18; 4 N Dawson (Morp, U17) 21:30;
5 G Dines (Gosf, U17) 21:37; 6 R Forster (J&H, U17) 21:44 Team:
Morpeth 18
Under 15 Girls: 2.6M. 1 L Wright (Gate) 17:23; 2 C Bellamy (Gosf)
17:55; 3 C Harrison (Sun) 17:59; 4 V Angus (H&P) 18:17; 5 S Duffy (Gate)
18:20; 6 C Reay (Blay) 18:22 Teams: 1 Gateshead 19; 2 Blaydon 34;
3 Houghton and Peterlee 43
Under 13 Girls: 1.9M. 1 S Smith (Tyne) 12:11; 2 G Rutherford
(NSP) 12:27; 3 L Smith (Gosf) 12:40; 4 L Dixon (Morp) 12:41; 5 E Spoor
(Sun) 12:43; 6 C Baudouin (Gate) 12:45 Team: 1 Gosforth 24; 2 Sunderland
24; 3 Gateshead 27
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 17th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but in small print (I wonder
why?). Weather dry and sunny, but cool. Underfoot conditions were firm.
Good battle for last place between George Routledge (195th in 54:30), Ray
Laverick (196th in 54:37) and David Tait (197th in 54:49) (well behind
on lap 1 but closed). Overall turn-out was smaller than usual. In Womens'
race, Val Hancock was 22nd (22:48) and Kath Stewart was 29th (25:45). Under
15 Girls' race seemed on the long side. Why, if that was the case, was
Under 15 Boys' handicap, not changed from 1:20 to 1:50 or 2:00 ? Would
not have made much difference to result, however. Heron (U17) was only
slow pack runner. Heaton fielded four male athletes and one lady. Jo Parkinson
(27th out of 29 in 24:43) was having her first and (in her words) last
Cross Country race. Other Heaton placings: 18 Sean Kelly 34:40 actual time
- now in fast pack); 162 Allen Mulliss 442:13; 182 Denis Bolam 45:46.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 9th Mch).
Ian Hudspith won Hillingdon 5M (9th Mch) in 23:47, by 2secs (original
info from GP, but too late for Journal).
Steve Littler of Wesham won the Dentdale Run on 8th March. Durham's
Ian Crampton was third in 1:21:54, Jimmy Bell was 8th (1:24:43) and Phil
Lancaster clocked 1:44:46. Alison Raw won the Womens' race (1:34:54). Not
sure of distance, but likely between 14 - 15M.
Heaton's two representatives were Shirley Atkinson (207th in 2:00:07
- 29th lady), and George Routledge (386tth in 2:40:34). There were 406 finishers,
in what were awful conditions (wet and windy). Parts of course had to be
altered due to flooding. Info courtesy of ukresults website.
Went to Indoor Athletics meeting at Manchester (8th Mch). Not sure
of qualifications to compete, but there seemed to be more officials, than
athletes. Event was badly advertised, not being listed in AW or UK Athletics
website (though results appeared in both). Best track event was 800m won
by Michael East (1:49.28) from James Thys (1:49.87). East then paced Hayley
Tullett to 2:01.81 in Womens' event. Elaine Smith was third in Long Jump
5.56m).
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21st Somerfield Redcar Half Marathon.
Sun. 9th Mch.
Loftus Harrier, Steve Hepples made it a winning debut over the distance,
defeating a record field of over 800 runners, at yesterday's 21st Somerfield
Redcar Half Marathon. The strong winds especially in the opening 5M, meant
it was well past this point before Hartlepool's Mark Armstrong, made an
attempt to break up the leading group of some 20 athletes. This was to
be his undoing however, as Hepples along with Middlesbrough's Paul Lowe
and 2002 winner, Rob Hand of Durham, soon went past to pull well clear.
Hand lost contact with 1.5M remaining and with 800m to go, Hepples kicked
away to victory. The Junior International, now 23, came home with a surprisingly
large margin of 36 secs to spare, ahead of Lowe, who had the consolation
of taking the North Eastern Counties' title. Hand finished in third place,
and was also the leading veteran. Heather Robinson of Chester Le Street,
who just missed out on gaining a gold medal, at the recent National Cross
Country event, finishing as her club's first non-scoring counter,
comfortably won the Womens' race from clubmate, Dawn Elliott. Suzanne Morton
of Elswick, finished in third place, making it a clean sweep for veterans.
Results.
1 S Hepples (Loft) 1:10:48; 2 P Lowe (Midd) 1:11:24; 3 R Hand (Dur,
M40) 1:12:00; 4 D Lockett (Salf) 1:12:25; 5 J Hunter (Loft, M40) 1:12:32;
6 C Loftus (Keighley) 1:12:32; 7 M McDonald (Low F) 1:12:39; 8 M Thompson
(Gate) 1:12:48; 9 V Brudenell (Midd) 1:13:15; 10 P Johnson (Morp, M40)
1:13:21; 11 S Potts (Sun) 1:13:45; 12 B Harrison (Morp) 1:14:05; 13 M Armstrong
(Hart) 1:14:10; 14 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 1:14:34; 15 B Roberts (Midd,
M45) 1:14:45; 16 M Slesser (J&H) 1:16:05; 17 T Livingston (N Marske,
M45) 1:16:30; 18 I Cook (Hart, M40) 1:16:53; 19 G Moore (NSP) 1:17:25;
20 S Clark (NSP, M40) 1:17:31
Further Veterans: M50 - C Dentice (Morp) 1:18:57 M55 - M Walker
(Gosf) 1:21:58 M60 - R Sherwood (N Marske) 1:32:58
Women: 1 H Robinson (CleS, W40) 1:26:36; 2 D Elliott (CleS, W40) 1:28:22;
3 S Morton (Els, W35) 1:29:11; 4 K Bentley (Birt, W35) 1:32:22; 5 C Fowler
(unatt, W35) 1:33:27; 6 C Pollard (Thirsk, W40) 1:33:58; 7 J Foley (Billingham
MH, W45) 1:34:00; 8 Y Swinhoe (Els, W45) 1:34:07; 9 G Priest (Morp, W40)
1:35:21; 10 J Grundy (Heat) 1:35:26; 11 R Sills (Heat) 1:36:28; 12 M Holt
(Sun) 1:37:19
North Eastern Counties' A.A Championship: Men: 1 P Lowe; 2 R Hand;
3 M McDonald Women: 1 H Robinson; 2 D Elliott; 3 S Morton
Wheelchair 10M: 1 I Thompson (N Marske) 51:23; 2 J Richards (Wake)
53:45; 3 S Williamson (Wake) 59:30 Women: 1 S Loughran (N Marske)
65:10; 2 T Grey Thompson (N Marske) 69:38
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 10th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used. Dry, bright and not too cold.
Wind seemed to grow stronger as race progressed, but in opposite direction
to normal. Despite conditions, times seemed faster than "Morpeth". 831
finishers and last recorded time (827th) was 2:34:34. Mile markers seemed
dodgy as those announced (not all) were 5:20, 9:58, 16:46, 28:00 (5M),
32:00 (6M) (!), 37:52 (7M), 43:30 (8M) and 60:00 (11M). Apologies to Cath
Young (W45) (12th lady in 1:36:28). Extra results not available on day
(did not see full results until late Sunday on www.katcsys.co.uk).
M65: 1 J Prudham 1:38:13 M70: 1 H Dalkin (M&C) 1:55:18
W55: 1 P Gold 1:49:22 W60: 1 E Armstrong 1:47:31; 2 J Bell 1:48:37
Teams: 1 Middlesbrough Mandale 26; 2 Morpeth 47; 3 Hartlepool Burn
Road 58 Women: 1 Blyth 65; 2 Sunderland 72; 3 Heaton 76
David Tait clocked 2:08:57 in 745th position.
Newcomer Jane Grundy is actually W35 (she was 215th), Ruth Sills (231st),
and Pam Gold (515th) (55L). They were third team. Other Heaton performances:
90 Gary Campbell 1:26:23 (pb?); 157 Colin McEntee 1:31:58; 194 N Unwin
1:34:09; 198 Howard Gold 1:34:24; 227 Allen Mulliss 1:36:22; 252 John Josephs
1:37:28; 359 Scott McEntee 1:42:29; 810 Harry Craven 2:23:37.
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North Eastern Counties' A.A Indoor Pentathlon
Championships.
Monkton Stadium, Jarrow. Sat. 8th Mch.
Results.
(60H, LJ, SP, HJ, 60).
Senior Men: 1 R Elliott (H&P) 3112; 2 J Kierans (London I-gst)
2800; 3 J Gregory (N Rowntrees) 2587; 4 M Frazer (Sale) 2137
Under 20: 1 D Jordan (Midd) 2292
Under 17: 1 A Staniland (Leeds C-gst) 3235; 2 L Robson (Gate) 3147;
3 J Sinclair (Duchess HS) 2962; 4 S Egdell (Duchess HS) 2332
Under 15: 1 A Kamara (Gate) 2420; 2 A Renwick (Gate) 2226; 3 D Blackett
(Gate) 2194
Senior Women: 1 D White (Skyrac-gst) 3132; 2 V Haswell (J&H) 2432;
3 F Thomas (Skyrac-gst) 2222' 4 E Woodhall (J&H) 1986; 5 G Dobson (J&H,
W45) 1782
Under 20: 1 E Morris (SSh) 3263; 2 J Garrett (J&H) 2580; 3 J Smith
(Kend-gst) 2413; 4 R Forrest (Gate) 2389
Under 17: 1 C Huck (Kend-gst) 3120; 2 K Huck (Kend-gst) 3037; 3 K Parr
(Leeds C-gst) 3019; 4 J Grout (SSh) 2820; 5 L Hunter (SSh) 2569; 6 N Garthwaite
(SSh) 2375
Under 15: 1 Steph Lamb (SSh) 3056; 2 A Little (Leeds C) 2867; 3 Sarah
Lamb (SSh) 2552
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 17th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Only results available so far (16th Mch), on Team
Decathlon website, so these were sent to Journal a week late. Robson's
marks were 8.8, 6.18, 11.45 and 7.6. His High Jump performance not listed.
He only beat Staniland in 60m Hurdles and tied in 60m.
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English Schools Cross Country Championships.
Brighton. Sat. 8th Mch.
A long tiring journey and the windy conditions, took their toll on
the region's athletes, at Saturday's English Schools' Cross Country Championships,
at Stanmer Park, Brighton. In the Senior Boys' event, Northumberland's
Ryan Mcleod, finished an isolated fourth as fellow World Championship representatives,
Sam Jacobs and Tom Humphries, and 1500m specialist Tom Lancashire, fought
out an exciting sprint finish. Mary Ferrier of Northumberland (Ponteland
High School), finished seventh in the Intermediate Girls' event, gaining
a place on the England team, for the International event, at Dublin, in
3 weeks time. Northumberland's Lewis Timmins just missed out, when finishing
10th in the Intermediate Boys' race.
Results.
Senior Boys: 6.5km. 1 S Jacobs (Suffolk) 21:20; 2 T Humphries
(Staffs) 21:21; 3 T Lancashire (Gt. Manch) 21:21; 4 R McLeod (North'd)
21:34; 5 J Blackledge (Hants) 21:36 Other Placings: 33 M Elliott
(Dur) 23:05; 37 C Parr (Dur) 23:08; 51 A Graham (North'd) 23:24; 52 P Martin
(D) 23:25 Teams: 1 Hampshire 181; 2 Kent 385; 3 Avon 388; 8 Northumberland
498; 10 Durham 533
Intermediate Boys: 5.5km. 1 B Harding (Hants) 17:48; 2 A Hickey
(Essex) 17:50; 3 K Hardy (Suffolk) 18:00; 4 L Cox (Hants) 18:01; 5 J Philipson
(Gt Manch) 18:03 Other Placings: 10 L Timmins (North'd) 18:11; 16
N Shrubb (North'd) 18:21; 17 L Moses (Dur) 18:22; 23 J Taylor (Cleve) 18:29;
27 A Holliday (Cumb) 18:32; 38 J Young (North'd) 18:48; 49 P Waite (Cumb)
18:59; 56 J Creegan (Dur) 19:03; 61 S Hall (Dur) 19:05 Teams: 1 West
Midlands 233; 2 Greater Manchester 238; 3 Essex 243; 7 Durham 461; 8 Northumberland
471; 11 Cleveland 612; 18 Cumbria 779
Junior Boys: 3.5km. 1 M Clark ((Dorset) 13:30; 2 S Dalgleish
(Gloucs) 13:41; 3 C Booker (Hereford/Worcs) 13:42; 4 A Guerin (Wilts) 13:46;
5 A Derricott (Staffs) 13:47 Other Placing: 44 W Roberts (Dur) 14:27
Teams: 1 Hereford & Worcester 300; 2 Greater Manchester 364; 3 Surrey
398; 10 Durham 626; 16 Northumberland 712; 19 Cleveland 717
Senior Girls: 4km. 1 D Barnes (Devon) 14:15; 2 C Moore (Dorset)
14:16; 3 L Kenney (W Mids) 14:23; 4 K Hawitt (Chesh) 14:31; 5 C Wilkinson
(Herts) 14:38 Other Placings: 12 R Smith (Dur) 15:24; 22 A Fox (North'd)
15:45; 37 D Watts (North'd) 16:04; 41 S Tunstall (Cumb) 16:06 Teams: 1
Devon 136; 2 Hampshire 200; 3 Lancashire 339; 11 Northumberland 588; 14
Durham 638; 15 Cumbria 633
Intermediate Girls: 3.3km. 1 N Sykes (Beds) 12:46; 2 J Harper
(Staffs) 12:49; 3 M Foley (Essex) 12:53; 4 S Johnson (Staffs) 13:02; 5
B Davies (Avon) 13:03 Other Placings: 7 M Ferrier (North'd) 13:07;
18 J Orr (Dur) 13:27; 34 S Hart (Cleve) 13:44; 38 D James (North'd) 13:46;
43 S Crowe (North'd) 13:50; 50 C Rodham (Cumb) 13:54 Teams: 1 Essex
206; 2 Sussex 274; 3 Hampshire 335; 14 Northumberland 613; 22 Durham 852
Junior Girls: 2.9km. 1 E Pidgeon (Gloucs) 10:58; 2 D Walker (Staffs)
11:30; 3 L Dowsing (Suffolk) 11:41; 4 K Hamilton (Devon) 11:47; 5 A Lavender
(Shrops) 11:48 Other Placings: 12 J Roberts (N Yorks) 12:02; 15 L
Wright (Dur) 12:03; 27 A Porteous (North'd) 12:18; 34 V Angus (Dur) 12:22;
42 A Wilson (Dur) 12:29 Teams: 1 Essex 315; 2 West Midlands 329;
3 Staffordshire 373; 11 Durham 554; 24 Northumberland 880
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 10th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: All info used. Results courtesy of esaa website,
but not on until 2.15am Sunday. Poor overall show by area youngsters, which
does not auger well for the future. Drew Graham ran better than expected,
though. Despite this, Durham and Northumberland finished 2nd and 3rd in
Boys B category (behind Sussex). Distances (especially Senior Boys) seem
short.
Other leading positions were: Senior Boys: 73 J Douglas (Cu); 78 R
Stephenson (N); 85 C Lamb (D); 95 S Sutherland (N) Inter Boys: 63
J Minter (Cl); 77 M Wilson (D) Junior Boys: 70 L Stockton (Cl); 73
R Stevenson (Cl); 74 W Pike (N); 80 M Brown (N) Senior Girls: 65
J Jackson (Cl); 67 R Brown (Cu); 74 C Douglas (Cu); 86 V Raw (D); 91 A
Gibson (N); 92 N Owens (D); 100 J Page (D) Inter Girls: 64 S Boyes
(N Yorks); 83 L McKernon (D) Junior Girls: 76 G Rutherford (N)
Weather conditions courtesy of uk athletics website, from report on
World Short Course Trials. The Mens' event was won by Steve Vernon (11:40),
with Tom Ranger 16th (12:03) and David Anderson 18th (12:04). Hayley
Yelling (12:56) won Womens' race.
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Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race
Handicap.
International Stadium. Wed. 5th Mch.
Gateshead veteran, Ted Joynson (nearly 80), made good use of his generous
handicap, to win the penultimate race in the Dixon Sports Lunchtime Road
Race Series, at the International Stadium. Well adrift in second place,
but fastest on the day, was backmarker, Paul Johnson of Morpeth, who was
giving up to 10mins 10secs to his rivals. Another veteran, Christine Lee
of Gosforth, was the fastest lady.
Result. Distance 5km.
1 E Joynson (Gate) 24:24; 2 P Johnson (Morp) 25:54; 3 M Pearce (unatt)
26:17; 4 A Gornall (unatt) 26:18; 5 K Sutton (Gosf) 26:30; 6 I Maddison
(Ryton Tri) 26:31; 7 N Morris (Low F) 26:34; 8 R Checkley (Heat) 26:36;
9 T Hopkins (Heat) 26:42; 10 P Morgan (SSh) 26:42 Fastest Times:
1 P Johnson (M40) 15:44; 2 P Morgan (M45) 16:42; 3 N Morris (M40) 17:04
Women: 1 C Lee (Gosf, W60) 21:10; 2 P Gold (Heat, W55) 22:43; 3 T Hammett
(Sun) 22:58.
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 6th Mch 2003).
Additional Comments: Virtually everything used. Bright but breezy. 39
finishers, which was ok considering this was rearranged December fixture.
General view is that this adapted course is about 40m short of 5km. Ted
was off -15 mins and Sid Robson was off -2mins. In attendance at Stadium,
was Terry Lomax, along with Jared Deacon, Tony Borsumato and Gemma Fergusson.
They were having "medical tests". Johnson had just finished 12 hour shift.
Ken Sutton's actual time was 19:50. Steve White clocked 18:35 and Joe Prudham
20:34. Reg's time was 21:36 and Trevor's was 21:22. Pam Gold was 20th,
and only other Heaton runner was Allen Mulliss (23rd in 20:07).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 2nd March).
Robert Cole (31:42) won Senior race at North Yorkshire and South Durham
League fixture at Hartlepool (2nd Mch). Ian Cook was first M40 (33:04)
and Ian Barnes was first M60 (42:00). Matthew Lomax was first in Under
17 event (23:25). Other winners included Catherine Hare (Senior Women/17:45)
and Suzanne Boyes (Under 17 Women/18:55). Late info from AW.
Watching TV coverage of UK Indoor Championships (1st/2nd Mch), surely
commentators would have realised that Mark Hylton and Jared Deacon, would
never have gained the qualifying standard, with their terrible lane draws
? Surely some time could have been found, to show closing stages of Mens'
3000m. Not sure if Kelly Holmes, on current form, should have been automatic
selection for World Champs. Congratulations to Chris Tomlinson (7.90) and
Ruth Irving (6.24) for their Long Jump wins.
At the Scottish Junior Indoor Championships at Kelvin Hall (1st/2nd
Mch), Craig Sturrock won the Under 20 Shot (14.45). Silver medals went
to Peter Vickers (7.03 in Under 20 60m), Ben Lavender (23.29 - 23.27ht
in Under 17 200m), Kelly Rodmell (25.63 in Under 20 200m) and Lauren Arthur
(8.07 in Under 15 60m). At the Haweswater Halfish (13.5M) at Penrith (1st
Mch), Michael Scott won in 74:07 from Alisdair Tatham (75:49). Peter Richardson
won M50 in 82:47 and Mike Walker was first M55 in 82:34. At the Durham
(University) Cathedral Relays (1st Mch), competing for the winning North
East Endurance Squad team, was Sam Crowe, who was third fastest overall
(12:26). No further info and no further comment ! Most of info from AW.
Emily Pidgeon returned to action by winning Serpentine 5km (28th Feb),
in 17:07. She has had problem with foot.
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Gosforth Harriers Ernie Thompson Memorial Road
Races.
(sponsored by Parker Hose and Fittings Ltd & Michael Offord Optometrist).
High Gosforth Park. Sat. 1st March.
Chester Le Street took the honours at Saturday's Parker Hose and Fittings
Ltd, Ernie Thompson Memorial Road Races, at High Gosforth Park. In the
event also supported by Michael Offord Optometrist, their Senior Mens'
Relay team led all the way, coming home with 54secs to spare. Martin Scaife
was 16 secs clear on leg 1, ahead of Gateshead junior, Chris Parr, with
Rob Hand of Durham, leading home the veterans in third place. Simon O'Donnell,
Stewart Bell and Andrew Roberts extended the advantage, as defending champions
Morpeth took second place ahead of Gateshead. Morpeth, had moved into the
runners-up spot affter Terry Wall's second leg. Fastest time went
to Elswick junior, Ryan McLeod, who lifted his club from 7th to 4th on
Leg 3. The Tynemouth College student who lines up as one of the favourites,
in this Saturday's English Schools' Cross Country Championship, was 10secs
quicker than Scaife. Sunderland easily won the Veterans' Relay, crossing
the line in fourth place, but the fastest times were by Durham's first
two runners, Hand, the recent winner of the British Indoor 3000m title,
and Ian Crampton. Alyson Dixon of Sunderland repeated her 2002 victory,
in the Womens' race, ahead of Jarrow's Angela Hunter, with leading veteran,
Sheila Allen of Houghton and Peterlee, taking third place. Not surprisingly,
Chester Le Street, led by fourth placed, Caroline Bowman, won the team
event. Simon Watson won the Under 15 Boys' race, leading his club, Gateshead
to the team title, for the second successive year.
Results.
Senior Men: 4 x 3M. 1 Chester Le Street 61:00 (M Scaife 14:33,
S O'Donnell 15:16, S Bell 15:12, A Roberts 15:59); 2 Morpeth 61:54 (M Brown
15:10, T Wall 14:55, D Swinburne 15:25, G Hilton 16:24); 3 Gateshead 62:36
(C Parr 14:49, M Thompson 15:49, P Besford 16:03, M Elliott 15:55); 4 Elswick
64:27 (M Ketley 17:11, S Horn 15:27, R McLeod 14:23, P Dodd 17:26); 5 Middlebrough
Mandale 64:34 (N Williams 16:11, P Lowe 15:32, V Brudenell 15:59, J Skidmore
16:52); 6 Sunderland 64:51 (A Lilliendale 15:37, T Field 15:41, M Donkin
15:54, P Redman 17:39); 7 North Shields Poly 65:14; 8 Gateshead B 66:54;
9 Border 68:07; 10 Houghton and Peterlee 71:07; 11 Chester Le Street B
71:55; 12 North Shields Poly B 72:10; 13 Border B 73:07; 14 Elswick B 73:28;
15 Gosforth 73:45 Fastest Times: 1 R McLeod (U20) 14:23; 2
M Scaife 14:33; 3 C Parr (U20) 14:49; 4 T Wall 14:55; 5 M Brown 15:10;
6 S Bell 15:12
Veterans: 4 x 3M. 1 Sunderland 64:10 (R Rush 16:28, G Forster
16:13, D Robertson 15:34, S Coxon 15:55); 2 Morpeth 65:19 ( C Dentice 16:52,
L Atkinson 15:47, A Jenkins 16:59, P Johnson 15:41); 3 Durham City 66:23
(R Hand 15:02, I Crampton 15:33, S Marshall 17:28, A Rowell 18:20); 4 North
Shields Poly 67:34; 5 Tynedale 68:36; 6 Morpeth B 71:12; 7 Sunderland B
72:31; 8 North Shields Poly B 72:58 Fastest Times: 1 R Hand 15:02;
2 I Crampton 15:33; 3 D Robertson 15:34; 4 P Johnson 15:41; 5 L Atkinson
(M45) 15:47; 6 S Coxon 15:55 M50: C Dentice 16:52
Under 15 Boys: 2.3M. 1 S Watson (Gate) 12:39; 2 A Welford (Gosf)
13:07; 3 M Brown (Gate) 13:18; 4 W Pike (Gate) 13:19; 5 B Knighton (Gate)
13:22; 6 S Brewis (H&P) 13:27 Team: 1 Gateshead 8; 2 Houghton
and Peterlee 23
Senior Women: 3M. 1 A Dixon (Sun U) 17:39; 2 A Hunter (J&H)
18:07; 3 S Allen (H&P, W45) 18:19; 4 C Bowman (CleS, W40) 18:35; 5
A Watson (CleS) 18:44; 6 C Ratcliff (Dur, W35) 19:22; 7 D Elliott (CleS,
W40) 19:25; 8 G Adams (Gosf) 19:31; 9 J Smith (Heat) 19:48; 10 G Butler
(Gosf, W45) 19:53; 11 S Scott (Gate) 19:58; 12 K Bentley (Birt, W35) 19:59;
13 S Youden (Gate) 20:04; 14 S Milburn (CleS) 20:05; 15 A Mason (unatt,
W35) 20:08 W60: C Lee (Gosf) 21:41 Team: 1 Chester Le Street
16; 2 Gosforth 36; 3 Gosforth B 88
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 3rd March 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but excluded Womens' details.
Weather bright and mild early on, but got cold and windy as meeting progressed.
20 Senior and 11 Veterans teams finished. 30 Women and 13 Boys. Entry down
mainly due to clash with Newcastle (2) v Chelsea (1) midday match. Sunderland
retained Veterans' title (Steve Coxon on leg 4 clocked same time as 2002).
Apparently Brian Rushworth has sustained a slight injury again. Nice to
see Angela back. Claire has been sidelined with a stomach ulcer. Heard
from Harry Gilroy, that Paul Hutton had sustained a slight injury.
In attendance was Paul Dickie, who was escorting Kathryn Waugh. Heaton
finished 17th in Relay (75:45). Splits were John Moore 15:47 (6), Colin
McEntee 19:30 (21), Scott McEntee 19:51 (23) and Malcolm Gibson 20:37 (25).
Veterans incomplete team was Eric Appleby 21:00 (39) and George Routledge
26:01 (39). Combined Senior/Vets team positions in brackets. George Routledge
was passed by Dave Whitmore, after Eric (with no warm-up) led home Frank
Strand. George crossed finish line the same time as McLeod ! Other "elder
statesmen" times included Ken Sutton (19:59), Bernie Cordes (20:47) and
Joe Prudham (21:03)..
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