March 2005

Weekly Round-up
(to 27th March).
Regretfully as AW has still not been received (4th Apl), these events will not be included.
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North Tyneside 10km Road Race.
North Shields - Whitley Bay.  Sun. 27th March.
Morpeth Harrier, Ivan Hollingsworth was an easy winner of yesterday's inaugural North Tyneside 10km Road Race. Over 700 runners set out in the damp conditions, on a route which started at the Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields going via Tynemouth to the entrance to St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay. Facing a tough headwind in the early stages, Hollingsworth and Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street, soon headed the field, with Hollingsworth dropping his rival at the 2M point. The margin of victory at the finish was 72secs over Bell, with David Kirkland, the recent North Eastern Half Marathon bronze medallist taking third place. Tommy Brannon in 8th, led North Shields Poly to the team title, with Chris Morley of the Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade, the leading veteran in 10th position.
Morpeth's Jane Mooney was the first lady finishing in 61st position overall. Second place went to another Morpeth Harrier, Gwenda Cavill, who was also the leading veteran. Prolific racer, Lisa Walker of Wallsend finished in 3rd place. Heaton, led by Jo Smith in 6th, were comfortable winners of the team event.
Result.
1 I Hollingsworth (Morp) 31:54; 2 S Bell (CleS) 33:06; 3 D Kirkland (unatt) 33:40; 4 M Tomlinson (CleS) 33:49; 5 A Dougal (Tyne, U20) 34:29; 6 P Walker (Blay) 34:42; 7 J Moore (Heat) 34:55; 8 T Brannon (NSP) 35:04; 9 Mark McLeod (Els) 35:06; 10 C Morley (TWFB, M40) 35:15; 11 G Moore (NSP) 35:29; 12 A Dent (Blay, M45) 35:32; 13 S Kelly (Walls) 35:56; 14 A Jenkins (Morp, M50) 36:22; 15 C McDonald (SSh) 36:25; 16 I Twaddle (NSP) 36:28; 17 P Hilton (Walls) 36:30; 18 M McNally (Els, M55) 36:36; 19 D Daniels (Walls) 36:41; 20 I Leach (unatt) 36:43
Further Veterans:  M40: 2 W Knox (Dur) 37:05  M45: 2 J Mason (Darl) 37:42  M50: 2 G Pemberton (NE Vets) 39:13  M55: 2 Jim Bell (Els) 37:34  M60: 1 K Alnwick (Gate) 42:31; 2 D Lewis (Blay) 44:43  M65: 1 R Pinkney (SSh) 46:30; 2 R Checkley (Heat) 47:14  M70: E Appleby (Heat) 46:59  M75: W McNeil (Dur) 48:21  U17: T Carter (Walls) 37:12
Teams: 1 North Shields Poly 54; 2 Wallsend 67; 3 Blaydon 81
Women: 1 J Mooney (Morp) 40:05; 2 G Cavill (Morp, W40) 41:34; 3 L Walker (Walls) 41:56; 4 L Noble (Sun) 42:02; 5 J Elliott (Els) 42:30; 6 J Smith (Heat) 42:38; 7 H Ross (unatt, W50) 43:35; 8 S Hunter (unatt, W35) 43:53; 9 S Auld (Heat) 43:58; 10 A Gunnell (unatt, W40) 44:48; 11 H Astley (Heat) 44:55; 12 A McAree (unatt) 45:06; 13 T McFarlane (unatt, W35) 45:17; 14 J Friend (Heat, W40) 45:44; 15 S Gold (Heat) 45:48
Further Veterans:  W45: C Young (Blyth) 46:35  W55: P Gold (Heat) 49:49  W60: C Lee (Gosf) 46:15
Teams: 1 Heaton 30; 2 Blaydon 105; 3 North Shields Poly 188
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 28th March 2005).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. Weather: Raining on and off at finish, but I gather heavy rain at start. (nb Race Officials had to report at finish, with watches started on telephone link). Very cold also. Results courtesy of George Ogle. However, there were major problems. Info re160+ late entries did not arrive until 15mins after race started, which meant a late start with results. Clock change could have been reason for lateness of these (no entries were supposed to be accepted less than 30mins before start), which also caused some runners (including G Routledge) to either start late or not take part. Also many "double numbers" on recording sheets. There were a lot of undisciplined "non regular" runners, who thought nothing of walking around and in and out of funnel area, after finishing. George did well to get full results compiled by 4.00pm. 718 finishers (last time: ignoring two who were late starting: was 78:20). According to winner, course would have been fast given good conditions. First Mile (containing the few hills) the hardest part. Christine Courtney, omitted from original results, clocked 46:25 and is now 1st W45 (confirmed by Cath Young). Blaydon's team score now reads 76. Sean Maley running unattached, clocked 36:48 in 22nd position. Sid Robson clocked 63:16 to finish 627th.
Congratulations to Heaton. The Men finished 6th (Morpeth 4th/Elswick 5th) and there were ten team prizes. However sadly only four (later five) Womens' teams completed. (nb. I understand a Sunderland runner was omitted, making them 2nd team). Heaton B team would have finished 3rd (later 4th) (only A teams qualified for prizes). Other performances were: 45 D Burn 38:54; 66 D Robins 40:26; 73 C Auld 40:47; 79 M Gibson 41:13; 118 J Smith; 125 S Lancaster 42:55; 148 S Auld; 170 H Astley; 182 A Mulliss 45:33; 184 J Friend; 186 S Gold; 215 E Appleby; 227 R Checkley; 261 D Parker 48:06 (32L); 270 G Sarson; 288 H Mitford 48:55 (37L/2nd W50); 307 R Kane 49:32 (44L); 315 P Gold (48L); 357 M Finn 51:20 (61L); 378 A Tunmore 52:19 (70L); 403 L Swanson (a welcome return) 53:10 (76L).
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Mermaid 10km Road Race.
Marske-by-the-Sea.  Fri. 25th March.
Result.
1 R Wilson (Scar) 32:26; 2 K Newton (Herne Hill, M40) 32:29; 3 M Armstrong (Hart) 32:37; 4 S O'Grady (Loft) 32:45; 5 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 33:04; 6 N Williams (NYM) 33:19; 7 T Livingston (N Marske, M40) 34:47; 8 D Middlemas (Loft) 34:49
M50: J Bunn (N Marske) 40:07  M60: R Sherwood (N Marske) 42:14  U17: D Shaw (N Marske) 35:58  Teams: 1 Loftus 1:42:31; 2 Hartlepool Burn Road 1:44:26; 3 North Yorkshire Moors 1:47:27
Women: 1 E Johnson (Swale, W35) 40:04; 2 M Hart (Dark P, W35) 41:52; 3 S Gayter (N Marske, W35) 42:11; 4 S Thornton (N Marske) 43:08; 5 S Stroyd (N Marske, U17) 43:38
Team: New Marske 2:08:57
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 28th March 2005).

Additional Comments: Sent result only (courtesy of nmh website). 134 finishers (joint last time 75:02). Not sure of ages (M60 was oldest shown) but Peter Braney (54:23) just defeated Stuart Pailor (54:42) to probably take M70 award. Dave Whitmore finished 104th (49:36). Allen Mulliss flew Heaton H flag in 67th position (44:21).
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Elswick Harriers Good Friday Road Races.
Newburn Riverside Park.  Fri. 25th March.
Morpeth Harriers gained their 7th successive victory in the Senior Mens' Relay, at yesterday's Elswick Harriers annual Good Friday Road Races, at a blustery Newburn Riverside Park.
Dan Samuels led for Morpeth on leg 1, but Northern Indoor 800m champion, Drew Graham moved Gosforth up five places into a temporary lead on leg 2, ahead of Andrew Lawrence. Tom Ranger, with the day's fastest time, regained the initiative on leg 3 for Morpeth, with David Swinburne, maintaining the advantage on leg 4. Gosforth took second place ahead of host club, Elswick.
Sunderland retained their Veterans' title, but were only 4th on leg 1, before Brian Rushworth moved up to first on leg 2. His time was the only record of the day, bettering the old figures by 15secs. Darlington's Bernadette Taylor repeated her 2004 victory in the Senior Womens' race, with Jarrow's Claire Simpson and Elswick's Ashley Gibson taking the minor awards. Mary Ferrier of Gateshead surprisingly defeated her great rival Delyth James of Morpeth, to gain victory in the Under 17 category. Jack Martin of Sunderland caused another surprise in the Under 17 Mens' race, defeating Morpeth's Jonathan Young. English Schools Cross Country silver medallist, Ross Taylor of Gateshead won the Under 15 Boys' event, with North Eastern Cross Country champion, Tristan Venus of Tynedale successful in the Under 13 event. Tynedale sisters Stacey and Shona Smith, won the Under 15 and Under 13 Girls' races, respectively.
Results.
Senior Men: 4 x 2.1M Relay.  1 Morpeth 44:06 (D Samuels 10:36; A Lawrence 11:45, T Ranger 10:35, D Swinburne 11:10); 2 Gosforth 44:42 (L Timmins 11:02, D Graham 11:16, P Hutton 11:21, M Nicholson 11:03); 3 Elswick 45:59 (S Horn 10:54, D Armstrong 12:21, R McLeod 10:49, Mark McLeod 11:55); 4 Gateshead 46:02; 5 Chester Le Street 46:02; 6 North Shields Poly 47:39; 7 Low Fell 48:04; 8 Morpeth B 48:43; 9 Wallsend 49:13; 10 Sunderland 49:27
Fastest: T Ranger 10:35; D Samuels 10:36; R McLeod (U20) & R Stephenson (NSP, U20) 10:49; S O'Donnell (CleS) 10:52; S Horn 10:54
Veteran Men: 4 x 2.1M Relay.  1 Sunderland 47:51 (G Harden 12:21, B Rushworth 10:56, G Forster 12:38, S Coxon 11:56); 2 Morpeth 49:11 (A Jenkins 12:18, L Atkinson 11:48, G Dixon 12:37, G Bayne 12:28); 3 Elswick 49:18 (S White 12:13, A Johnson 12:06, P Dixon 12:19, M McNally 12:40); 4 North Shields Poly 51:38; 5 Wallsend 51:40; 6 Tynedale 53:04
Fastest: B Rushworth 10:56 (rec); L Atkinson (M50) 11:48; S Coxon 11:56; A Johnson 12:06; S White (M55) 12:13
Under 17 Men: 2.1M.  1 J Martin (Sun) 11:16; 2 J Young (Morp) 11:19; 3 S Hall (Gate) 11:28; 4 S Watson (Gate) 11:32; 5 R Floyd (Morp) 11:39; 6 J Pearson (Els) 11:41  Teams: 1 Morpeth 14; 2 Gateshead 15; 3 Gateshead B 32
Under 15 Boys: 2.1M.  1 R Murray (Gate) 11:58; 2 S Potter (NSP) 12:06; 3 M Cochrane (Morp) 12:07; 4 T Perrins (Gate) 12:10; 5 J Gibson (Gate) 12:12; 6 R Cunningham (Birt) 12:25  Teams: 1 Gateshead 10; 2 St Cuthberts HS 28; 3 Morpeth 37
Under 13 Boys: 1.7M.  1 T Venus (Tyne) 9:30; 2 N Reed (Sun) 9:40; 3 L Wintrip (Sun) 9:55; 4 G Urwin (Tyne) 10:05; 5 D Gallagher (Gosf) 10:14; 6 J Day (St Cuth) 10:27  Teams: 1 Sunderland 20; 2 Morpeth 28; 3 Gosforth 36
Senior Women: 2.1M.  1 B Taylor (Darl) 12:39; 2 C Simpson (J&H) 12:55; 3 A Gibson (Els, U20) 12:59; 4 M Stansmore (Darl) 13:06; 5 J Nutt (Els) 13:14; 6 D Watts (Morp, U20) 13:17; 7 A Hunter (J&H) 13:23; 8 S Evans (J&H, U20) 13:31; 9 M Czarnecka (CleS) 13:33; 10 A Watson (CleS) 13:40  W40: 1 H Robinson (CleS) 13:48; 2 L Marr (Tyne) 14:29; 3 J Short (Darl) 14:36  W50: S Laws (Derw) 14:49
Under 17 Women: 2.1M.  1 M Ferrier (Gate) 12:58; 2 D James (Morp) 13:00; 3 S Duffy (Gate) 13:56; 4 R Turnbull (Morp) 14:27; 5 C Bellamy (Gosf) 14:37; 6 A Wilson (N Ayc) 14:38
Teams (Combined): 1 Jarrow and Hebburn 21; 2 Elswick 26; 3 Darlington 32
Under 15 Girls: 1.7M.  1 Stacey Smith (Tyne) 10:01; 2 L Weightman (Morp) 10:02; 3 G Rutherford (NSP) 10:24; 4 R Adams (Morp) 10:25; 5 A Jessett (unatt) 10:28; 6 N Young (Morp) 10:56  Teams: 1 Morpeth 11; 2 Gosforth 34; 3 North Shields Poly 37
Under 13 Girls: 1.7M.  1 Shona Smith (Tyne) 10:44; 2 S Loraine (Birt) 10:59; 3 Z Armstrong (Morp) 11:07; 4 S Goodfellow (Morp) 11:21; 5 R Oldham (Gate) 11:22; 6 E Masson (Gosf) 11:24  Teams: 1 Morpeth 15; 2 Gosforth 33; 3 Jarrow and Hebburn 38
(Newcastle Journal:  Sat. 26th March 2005).

Additional Comments: Surprisingly most of info used, though in small print. Weather bright but a cool breeze blowing (near river). 28 Senior Mens' team completed, 16 Veterans, and 44 Senior Women (for simplicity I have taken 16 U17 Women out of Senior result). There was a good turn-out especially in youngsters races. Morpeth Harriers had an excellent day (according to their Press Secretary). He thinks this is Morpeth's 6th successive victory. Not sure but I only have results since 2001. Anthony Colwell finished 10th in U17 race (12:08) after running third leg for Morpeth B (12:06). Other performances included SM: Gateshead (Chris Parr 10:57 leg 3), Chester Le Street (Stewart Bell 11:04 leg 3), Sunderland  (T Field 11:35 leg 1, Gavin Massingham 10:55 leg 3), Durham (14th) (Shaun Moralee 10:55 leg 1)  Vets: Jarrow and Hebburn (10th) (Joe Prudham 16:03 leg 4). U17: 7 R Balmbra 11:46  SW: 13 S Crowe 13:51; 14 J Elliott 14:11; 16 L Walker 14:19; 17 C Harrod 14:22; 18 K Rodmell 14:25; 25 R Forster 14:50  U17W: 7 C Gilmore 14:40; 8 L Dodsworth 14:44; 10 R Barnes 15:23; 13 A Bell 15:30
Good to see A Jessett (who has done well in Nortumberland Schools races) competing in an open event. Northumberland Schools Minor XC champion, S Loraine has switched to Birtley. Heaton performances were: SM: A: J Moore 11:52 (13); M Gibson 13:50 (18); J Wilson 13:16 (19); G Sarson 15:16 (21st in 54:14)  B: S McEntee 14:12 (30); C McEntee 15:16 (31); E Appleby 16:04 (31); P Bhogal 14:05 (28th in 59:37). SW: 38 K McEntee 16:20; 42 P Gold 17:13.
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Police A.A. National Cross Country Championships.
Town Moor, Newcastle.  Wed. 23rd March.
Steve Cairns running for the Lothian Borders region, won the National Police Cross Country Championship, for the third successive year, on Newcastle's Town Moor, yesterday. The former Brampton to Carlisle Road Race winner, took an early lead on the three lap course, pulling away to a 1min 38secs victory over Martin Williams of West Midlands. Northumbria's Matt Tomlinson repeated his third placing from last year, but unfortunately the region's squad lost the team title to Metropolitan. Northumbria were hit by late withdrawals from Neil Armsworth and Billy Gilroy. They also gained the bronze medals in the Veterans' team event.
Christine Howard of Derbyshire, improved upon her 8th placing from 2004, to run out an easy winner of the Womens' race.
Results.
Men: 11.3km.  1 S Cairns (Loth) 40:01; 2 M Williams (W Mids) 41:39; 3 M Tomlinson (North) 42:24; 4 M Fowler (Ches, M40) 42:34; 5 J Clifford (Dev) 43:21  Other Placings: 9 J Bent (North) 44:18; 16 J Ross (North, M40) 45;27; 42 G Armstrong (North, M40) 48:23; 51 D Hall (North, M45) 49:25; 71 D Garrick (North, M40) 51:16  Teams: 1 Metropolitan 128; 2 Northumbria 192; 3 West Midlands 204  Veterans: 1 Metropolitan 46; 2 Derbyshire 73; 3 Northumbria 109
Women: 7.7km.  1 C Howard (Derby) 32:49; 2 S Simmons (Metro) 34:25; 3 A Gardner (Loth) 34:37  Other Placings: 15 V Russell (North) 38:05; 22 S Youden (North) 39:22; 49 A Allan (North, W40) 43:37  Teams: 1 Lothian Borders 15; 2 Metropolitan 15; 3 Derbyshire 51; 7 Northumbria 86
(Newcastle Journal:  Thurs. 24th March 2005).

Additional Comments: All info used. Kept report/results to minimum. Weather bright and quite mild. Little wind. Going mainly firm but stretch of 100m approx of mud on each lap (bottom of hill). As expected honoured with the presence of Graham Heeley. 198 finishers in Mens' race (last time: 72:20), 74 Women (last time: 63:48). Runner-up runs for Tipton and was 60th in "National". 4th placer (Salford) was just outside 100 in "Northern". First four were unchanged from first lap. In Womens' race (2 lap), third placer moved through. Scott McEntee finished 123rd (54:57).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 20th March).
At the Winslow Half Marathon (20th Mch), Martin Scaife finished 4th (67:07) behind Salford Ethiopian Thomas Abyu (66:11). David Wardle finished 7th (67:32).
At the Fleet Half Marathon, Haggai Chepkwony (Army) was the winner (66:18), with Ceri Rees (3rd) (68:57).
At the White Horse Wander Fell Race nr Thirsk, Charles Stead (45:27) finished 3rd (45:27) behind G Dunn (T&S) (43:07). Sarah Tunstall was the first lady (50:29).
Johanna Jackson won the North of England 10M Walk title at Redcar in a time of 91mins 52secs ( I think a debut over this distance).
Congratulations to Keneniska Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba on their doubles at the World Cross Country Championships in St Etienne (19th/20th Mch). Also well done to Emily Pidgeon, Sian Edwards, as well as to local athletes Ryan Stephenson and Andy Caine, who were both Great Britain counters. Thought TV coverage was adequate, but again no coverage (or mention) of Junior Mens' event.
Leading Results.
SM: 1 K Bekele (Eth) 35:06; 2 Z Tadesse (Eri) 35:20; 3 AA Hassan (Qa) 35:34; 37 M Farah 37:50; 67 S White 38:52; 98 K Keska 39:53; 106 A Caine 40:15  Team: 1 Ethiopia 24; 17 Great Britain 308
Short Course: 1 K Bekele 11:33; 53 J Mayock 12:33  Team: 1 Ethiopia 23; 15 Great Britain 276
JM: 1 A Chogo (Ken) 23:59; 48 A Vernon 26:22; 86 R Stephenson 27:39; 91 A Hickey 27:44  Team: 1 Kenya 10; 16 Great Britain 326
SW: 1 T Dibaba (Eth) 26:34; 2 A Timbilili (Ken) 26:37; 3 W Kidane (Eth) 26:37; 27 M Yamauchi 28:58 (more info on this athlete please ?); 32 N Harvey 29:01; 33 H Yelling 29:05  Team: 1 Ethiopia 16; 6 Great Britain 129
Short Course: 1 T Dibaba 13:15; 40 K Reed 14:26  Team: 1 Ethiopia 18; 10 Great Britain 207
JW: 1 G Burika Bati (Eth) 20:12; 20 E Pidgeon 22:15; 34 S Edwards 22:45  Team: 1 Kenya 16; 8 Great Britain 185
All info courtesy of AW.
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DP Furniture Express North Eastern Harrier League.
Prudhoe High School.  Sat. 19th March.
Sunderland Harriers successfully defended their Senior Mens' Division 1 title, making it it thirteen wins in the last 14 years, after Saturday's final DP Furniture Express North Eastern Harrier League fixture at Prudhoe High School. The Wearsiders won the event on countback making up a one point deficit on leaders Morpeth. They gained victory by the number of overall team wins in the four fixtures, scoring three against Morpeth's one. Gateshead took the Division 2 title and Claremont were successful in Division 3. Terry Wall of Morpeth, who finished 10th overall in this race, retained the Individual Trophy, with Tom Doughty of Sunderland, returning from injury, retaining the Veterans' title. Tony Wallett of North Shields Poly won the Individual race, by a large margin of over 2mins from Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street, who clocked the fastest overall time from the fast pack. On a very hilly course, competitors struggled and they also had to contend with the surprisingly hot conditions.
North Shields Poly comfortably won the Senior Womens' Trophy, with Angela Hunter of Jarrow and Hebburn, taking the individual title. Heather Robinson of Chester le Street won the Veterans' Trophy. The Poly were led home on the day by individual winner, Sabine Oesterle, who shared the fastest time with 7th placed Michelle Holt of Sunderland. Jonathan Young of Morpeth, won the Under 17 Mens' event, from the fast pack. He also won the Individual Trophy. Houghton and Peterlee took the Overall team trophy. It was a good day for the Young family with Jonathan's sister, Natalie winning the Under 15 Girls' race.
Danielle Watts from Morpeth was another to gain victory from the fast pack, winning the Junior Womens' race and retaining the Individual title. Gateshead won the team event.
Newcomer Karl Taylor of Morpeth, a creditable 32nd in last weekend's English Schools Junior event, easily won the Under 15 race, with the Northumberland club taking another team trophy. Another Morpeth Harrier, Mark Cochrane won the Overall award. Stacey Smith of Tynedale clocked the fastest time in the Under 15 Girls' race and Houghton and Peterlee won the Overall Trophy. Rebecca Shield of Durham, an absentee on this occasion, took the Individual title. Stacey's sister Shona Smith clocked the fastest time in the Under 13 Girls' race, and was awarded victory after the initial winner was disqualified. Morpeth won the Overall Trophy, with Sunderland's Sarah Crosby, taking the Individual award. Sunderland won the the Under 13 Boys' Trophy. Nathan Reed was fastest on the day, but Tynedale's Tristan Venus took the Individual award.
Results.
Senior Men: 9.5km.  1 T Wallett (NSP) 34:15; 2 S Bell (CleS) 36:22; 3 B Jacobson (Tyne) 36:33; 4 A Lilliendale (Sun) 36:36; 5 G Bayne (Morp) 36:48; 6 K Maynard (Sun S) 36:59; 7 R Jacobson (Blay) 37:00; 8 P Waterston (Morp) 37:01; 9 K Mackey (SSh) 37:09; 10 T Wall (Morp) 37:11; 11 D Ellis (Sun) 37:21; 12 N Cassidy (Tyne) 37:23; 13 D Garner (Ryton Tri) 37:35; 14 S Potts (Sun) 37:38; 15 G Dixon (Morp) 37:40; 16 J Sturman (Walls) 37:52; 17 D Lydon (Sun S) 37:54; 18 G Bishop (Low F) 37:56; 19 P Merrison (Walls) 38:00; 20 P Newton (Clare) 38:02  Fastest: S Bell 31:22; T Wall 32:11; S Potts 32:38; P Merrison (M45) 33:00; P Newton 33:02  Teams: Division 1: 1 Sunderland 89; 2 Morpeth 105; 3 Sunderland Strollers 163; 4 Wallsend 179; 5 South Shields 186  Division 2: 1 Tynedale 102; 2 Crook and District 103; 3 Saltwell 144  Division 3: Claremont 47
Under 17 Men: 5.4km.  1 J Young (Morp) 20:49; 2 N Ridley (Derw) 20:58; 3 R Floyd (Morp) 21:01; 4 R McPherson (Gate) 21:06; 5 R Balmbra (Morp) 21:10; 6 A Colwell (Morp) 21:26; 7 L Lowdon (Tyne) 22:41; 8 A Gill (Tyne) 23:25  Fastest: J Young 18:09; R Floyd 18:21; R Balmbra 18:30  Teams: 1 Morpeth 9; 2 Houghton and Peterlee 30
Under 15 Boys: 3.5km. 1 K Taylor (Morp) 12:54; 2 C Hall (Tyne) 13:38; 3 M Foggin (Sun) 14:05; 4 M Cochrane (Morp) 14:20; 5 M Williams (Tyne) 14:37; 6 G Scrafton (Sun) 14:49; 7 D Watt (NSP) 15:04; 8 R Kirkup (Morp) 15:20  Fastest: M Foggin 12:25; M Cochrane 12:40; K Taylor 12:54
Teams: 1 Morpeth 13; 2 Tynedale 17; 3 Sunderland 20
Under 13 Boys: 2.9km.  1 L Cuthbert (Sun) 10:51; 2 N Reed (Sun) 11:17; 3 J Bosman (Blay) 11:26; 4 T Venus (Tyne) 11:29; 5 B Green (Sun) 11:31; 6 S Querrey (H&P) 11:32; 7 C Wright (Gate) 11:33; 8 L Wintrip (Sun) 11:39  Fastest: N Reed 9:57; T Venus 10:09; L Wintrip 10:19  Teams: 1 Sunderland 8; 2 Gateshead 36; 3 Gosforth 40
Senior Women: 5.4km.  1 S Oesterle (NSP) 23:00; 2 L Noble (Sun) 23:19; 3 R Vincent (Tyne) 23:41; 4 K Davis (NSP) 24:02; 5 L Miller (NSP) 25:23; 6 C Findlay (Aln) 25:26; 7 M Holt (Sun) 25:40; 8 A Hunter (J&H) 26:07; 9 A Dargie (Els) 26:25; 10 L Walker (Walls) 26:31; 11 J Ryall (Tyne) 26:32; 12 S Percy (Blyth) 26:46   Fastest: S Oesterle & M Holt 23:00; L Noble 23:19; A Hunter 23:27; A Dargie 23:45  Teams: 1 North Shields Poly 10; 2 Sunderland 22; 3 Tynedale 30
Junior Women: 4.5km.  1 D Watts (Morp) 20:09; 2 M Ferrier (Gate, U17) 20:50; 3 E Sibley (Walls, U17) 22:17; 4 L Dodsworth (Gate, U17) 22:35; 5 H Dix (Blay, U17) 23:15; 6 L Oliver (Tyne, U17) 23:25; 7 C Gilmore (Gate, U17) 25:24; 8 G Campbell (J&H, U17) 25:27  Fastest: D Watts 17:49; M Ferrier 18:30; L Dodsworth 20:15  Team: Gateshead 13
Under 15 Girls: 3.5km.  1 N Young (Morp) 14:37; 2 Stacey Smith (Tyne) 15:31; 3 R Adams (Morp) 16:09; 4 R Fletcher (H&P) 16:19; 5 V Brewis (H&P) 17:03; 6 L Dixon (Morp) 17:16; 7 M Howell (Birt) 17:23; 8 S McArdle (Gosf) 18:34  Fastest: S Smith 13:51; R Adams 14:29; N Young 14:37  Teams: 1 Morpeth 10; 2 Houghton and Peterlee 18
Under 13 Girls: 2.9km.  1 Shona Smith (Tyne) 12:27; 2 H Rank (Morp) 12:28; 3 S Crosby (Sun) 12:34; 4 S Goodfellow (Morp) 12:48; 5 C Samuelson (Gate) 12:50; 6 Z Armstrong (Morp) 13:07; 7 C Fletcher (Gate) 13:25; 8 V Addison (J&H) 13:30  Fastest: S Smith 11:17; S Crosby 11:24; S Goodfellow 11:38  Teams: 1 Morpeth 15; 2 Gateshead 15; 3 Sunderland 28
Final League Placings:
Senior Men: Division 1: 1 Sunderland 7; 2 Morpeth 7; 3 Wallsend 15; 4 South Shields 19; 5 North Shields Poly 21  Division 2: 1 Gateshead 8; 2 Crook and District 15; 3 Elswick 18
Division 3: 1 Claremont 9; 2 Jarrow and Hebburn 11; 3 Heaton 16
Individual: 1 T Wall 36; 2 S Potts 22; 3 P Newton 11  Veteran: 1 T Doughty (Sun) 36; 2 K Mackey 20
Under 17 Men: 1 Houghton and Peterlee 9; 2 Morpeth 12; 3 Tynedale 16  Individual: 1 J Young 30; 2 A Colwell 22; 3 T Carter (Walls) 16
Under 15 Boys: 1 Morpeth 10; 2 Sunderland 11; 3 Tynedale 13  Individual: 1 M Cochrane 35; 2 M Foggin 20; 3 M Williams
Under 13 Boys: 1 Sunderland 5; 2 Gosforth 11; 3 Gateshead 15  Individual: 1 T Venus 39; 2 N Reed 35; 3 G Urwin (Tyne) 25
Senior Women: 1 North Shields Poly 8; 2 Sunderland 14; 3 Elvet Striders 22  Individual: 1 A Hunter 30; 2 L Walker 16  Veteran: 1 H Robinson (CleS) 25; 2 H Lambert (NSP) 8
Junior Women: 1 Gateshead 5; 2 Blaydon 19; 3 Morpeth 24  Individual: 1 D Watts 36; 2 M Ferrier 35
Under 15 Girls: 1 Houghton and Peterlee 12; 2 Morpeth 14; 3 Blaydon 15  Individual: 1 R Shield (Dur) 26; 2 H Gertig (Blay) 24; 3 G Rutherford (NSP) 12
Under 13 Girls: 1 Morpeth 7; 2 Sunderland 10; 3 Gateshead 19  Individual: 1 S Crosby 24; 2 D Pickavance-Clarke (Black B) 20; 3 S Goodfellow 19
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st March 2005).

Additional Comments: Report not used. No reason given so probably Sports Editor is on holiday (since confirmed: away on day, but re-inserted on Wed. 23rd). Many athletes struggled in hot conditions on hilly course. More than one of the winners, was seen walking on hill (just after start) on 2nd circuit. Course a good Mile from School, and there would have been problems, if weather was bad. Think league result should be based on aggregate match points, though it would have made no difference to outcome. 182 Senior Men finished and 29 Senior Women (last time: 35:11). Tim Field finished 34th (from medium pack) in 36:42 (actual time). Laura Weightman sustained an injury and dropped out of U15 Girls' race. She should be ok for Schools International. Heaton could only field 3 runners. Placings were: 138 Mal Gibson 44:31; 148 Allen Mulliss 46:08 and 182 George Routledge 64:11.
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Coniston 14
Cumbria.  Sat. 19th March.
Result.
1 M Miles (Belg) 1:10:39; 2 S Littler (Wesh) 1:17:00; 3 C Pass (Wesh) 1:18:17; 4 M Scott (Bord) 1:19:52; 5 A Tatham (Quak) 1:20:49  Veterans: M40: N Strange (Knave) 1:22:08  M50: I Scott (Quak) 1:23:18  M70: G Shirley (Heat) 2:09:46  M75: J Standring (Harts) 2:01:22
Women: 1 J Knowles (Alt) 1:24:42; 2 D Richardson (Quak) 1:30:50; 3 K Dance (GM Pol, W35) 1:32:59  Veterans: W40: C Hunter-Rowe (Dumf) 1:35:02  W45: S Milburn (N Ayc) 1:40:54
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st March 2005).

Additional Comments: Only results (courtesy of ukrunning website am Sunday) sent. A fast time by winner, but not a record. 1349 finishers (last time 3:05:43). Scrutinised results twice and (not including 1st M75), Gerry Shirley looked to be the first M70. Heaton performances were: 230 Ian Legge 1:41:43; 233 Jeff Wilson 1:41:49; 247 Vaughan Lewis 1:42:08; 572 Chris Ward 1:54:47; 669 Denis Young 1:57:59; 881 Rachel Kane 2:05:49 (166L); 972 Gerry Shirley; 1198 Kevin Whalen 2:25:08.
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium.  Thurs.17th March.
Results.
Senior Men:  50: P Donaghy (Dur) 6.4  HJ: 1 B Robertson (NSP, M40) 1.60; 2 P Donaghy 1.60
Under 20 Men:  50: 1 B Wilson (M'bro) 6.4; 2 J Lowdon (Tyne) .6.5  HJ: L Powell (unatt) 1.80
Under 17 Men:  50: 1 J Sinclair (Tyne) 6.5; 2 M Mullins (NSP) 6.6  LJ: P Allen (Gate) 6.83
Under 15 Boys:  50: 1 A Wilkinson (Gate) 6.9; 2 N Flannery (Gate) 7.1; 3 E Gill (Gate) 7.2. HJ: 1 J Corrigan (M'bro) 1.60; 2 R Kauffman (Gate) 1.55; 3 N Flannery 1.50
Under 13 Boys:  50: C Hedley (Gate) 7.4  HJ: G Cryer (Gate) 1.10
Under 20 Women:  50: 1 J Graham (NSP) 6.8; 2 K Thomas (Gate) 6.9
Under 17 Women:  50: 1 V Holmes (Gate) 7.1; 2 S Brown (Tyne) 7.2  50H: R Pottinger (Birt) 8.4  LJ: 1 R Pottinger 5.09; 2 L Smailes (Gate) 5.07; 3 T Kennedy (Darl) 4.80  SP: S Hopkinson (Birt) 9.44
Under 15 Girls:  50: 1 L Welsh (Gate) 7.0; 2 N Pearson (Gate) 7.1  50H: 1 E Pringle (Gate) 8.8; 2 M Smith (Gate) 8.9  LJ: 1 N Pearson 4.91; 2 A Dobson (Gate) 4.61; 3 J Hudson (Gate) 4.56  SP: T Breen (Black B) 9.24
Under 13 Girls:  50: J Reid (Gate) 7.2  50H: 1 S Bell (Gate) 9.1; 2 J Hanson (Black B) 9.2  LJ: J Hanson 4.10  SP: K Corrigan (unatt) 5.77
Overall Series: Senior Men: 1 W Gedge (Morp); 2 P Donaghy; 3 B Robertson
Under 20 Men: 1 S Humphrey (H&P); 2 J Lowdon; 3= M Wallace (H&P) & S Catling (Morp)
Under 17 Men: 1 J Cowen (Gate); 2 J Sinclair; 3 T Proctor (unatt)
Under 15 Boys: 1 N Flannery; 2 A Wilkinson; 3 S Edmundson (Gate)
Under 13:Boys: 1 M Purkiss (Gate); 2 C Hedley; 3 G Cryer
Senior Women: 1 N Roe (Morp); 2 Z Tristran (Newc U)
Under 20 Women: 1 K Thomas; 2 J Graham; 3 R Willi (Gate)
Under 17 Women: 1 L McMichael (CleS); 2 M Wilkinson (Gate); 3 S Hopkinson
Under 15 Girls: 1 N Pearson; 2= M Smith & E Pringle
Under 13 Girls: 1 J Hanson; 2 H Pringle (Gate); 3 L Kennedy (Darl).
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st March 2005).

Additional Comments: Only Results sent due to time lapse. Not a great turn-out, but a fair number of Long Jumpers/Shot Putters. For once I agreed with judges on close sprint results. Only 4-hundredths of a second (6.79 - 6.83) seperated Graham and Thomas. AApologies if any names spelt wrongly (writing not very clear).
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Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap.
International Stadium.  Wed. 16th March.
Result.  Distance 5km.
1 A Dougal (Tyne) 27:17; 2 J Mason (Newc U) 27:43; 3 M Woodward (unatt) 28:00; 4 T Murray (Newc U, L) 28:00; 5 T Hall (unatt) 28:16; 6 A Clark (Low F) 28:29; 7 S Betteridge (Newc U, L) 28:43; 8 F Lothian (Fife, L) 28:46; 9 G Bishop (Low F) 28:53; 10 B Doidge (Low F) 28:56
Fastest: A Dougal (U20) 16:57; J Mason 17:13; G Bishop 17:33; S White (Els, M55) 17:49
Women: F Lothian (W40) 19:26; T Murray 20:10; J Smith (Heat) 20:22; Y Thiru (Gosf, W35) 20:24
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st March 2005).

Additional Comments: Only results sent due to time lapse. Weather bright but quite windy (though had eased off slightly). 56 finishers. David Tait finished 55th (31:42 off 0.00). First two had generous handicaps, especially Dougal who seems to have improved this winter. Bishop and White were 2 of 3 backmarkers (off 11:20). Other times included: Gary Pemberton 18:50; Sue Laws 21:39; Joe Prudham 22:13 (11th); Christine Lee 23:03 and Dave Whitmore 26:52.  Heaton performances were: 12 John Josephs 22:56; 17 Jo Smith; 26 Eric Appleby 22:52; 29 Pam Gold 24:59; 34 Allen Mulliss 21:45; 39 Helen Mitford 23:49; 42 Reg Checkley 22:45; 43 David Wright 21:56; 46 Howard Gold 21:38.
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Weekly Round-up
(to 13th March).
At a New Zealand State Championships, Emma Morris won the High Jump 1.74m) and was 2nd in the 100m Hurdles (14.67). Claire Brason was 4th in the 400m Hurdles (64.55).
Shirley Webb won B Hammer event at European Throws Challenge in Mersin, Turkey, with a throw of 66.88m.
Congratulations to Brian Rushworth (who defended his title) and Walter Ryder for winning their age-groups at the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Bangor (12th March).
Leading results were:  M40: 1 B Rushworth 33:17  M45: 1 D Hollins (Staff M) 33:51; 5 P Merrison 35:01  M50: 1 M Hagar (Tipt) 35:12; 9 A Jenkins 39:07  M55: 1 B Lloyd (Telf) 36:59; 3 J Bell 37:51; 5 M McNally 38:58; 11 H Matthews 40:44 (Elswick 4th M50/55 team)  M60: 1 M Ford (Chelt) 39:44  M65: 1 W Ryder 42:24  M70: 1 W Caskey (CoE) 22:43; 2 I Barnes 22:54; 5 E Appleby 24:46  M75: J Metcalf (NI) 27:15  M80: 1 J McKeag (NI) 31:07; 2 J Johnston (NE Vets) 27:27  W35: 1 K Ramsey (Charn) 19:18  W40: 1 H Dean (Scot Vet) 19:28
Other placings (from WM):  M40: 25 S Coxon 37:40; 27 D Ellis 37:55; 38 G Harden 39:36  (This would put Sunderland as 7th team but not listed in AW. Not sure I agree with time aggregate system for scoring). M50: 27 S Bell 42:20  M55: 22 G Routledge 65:34  M60: 13 K Alnwick 47:13   M70: 9 H Craven 32:41  W40: 12 L Marr 21:48
At European Championships in Sweden, Jim Caddy won M80 Indoor 3000m (15:52.51) and XC (5km) (30:19).
Major event of the week was the Silksworth Throws Meeting (10th Mch). Leading results were: M70: DT/JT: D Field 31.66/30.29  M75: DT/JT: R Laidler 25.72/23.98
At the North Shields Poly Handicap (8th Mch), Ryan McLeod (gst) was fastest (17:35) from Ryan Stephenson (17:46) and Tommy Brannon (18:40). Kate Chapman (gst) was fastest lady (21:17) from S Oerstole (21:57).
Most of info courtesy of AW.
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23rd Liberata Redcar Half Marathon.
Sun. 13th March.
Redcar-based Steve Hepples of Newham and Essex Beagles was untroubled in winning yesterday's 23rd Liberta Half Marathon, also claiming the incorporated North Eastern Counties' title. A record entry of 1400 took part in the bright but cold conditions. Hepples, who missed last weekend's World Championship Short Course Trial event, because of 'flu, was content to stay in the leading group in the early stages before being pulled away by Michael Aspinall of Lancaster. Hepples dropped his rival with 1M remaining, coming home with 22secs to spare. Morpeth's David Swinburne finished in 3rd place, ahead of Kielder-based David Kirkland. Richmond's Jon Orange was the leading veteran in 9th place and Hartlepool took the team title. Lancaster's Louise Gardner, seaching for a race over this distance, comfortably won the Womens' race ahead of defending champion, Bernadette Taylor of Darlington. Elswick's Judith Nutt clocked a personal best time to finish 3rd with 4th-placed Michelle Holt, leading Sunderland to the team title.
Result.
1 S Hepples (N&EB) 68:35; 2 M Aspinall (L&M) 68:57; 3 D Swinburne (Morp) 69:27; 4 D Kirkland (unatt) 70:00; 5 T Brown (Leeds U) 70:16; 6 D Purvis (Birt) 70:48; 7 M Armstrong (Hart) 71:17; 8 P Newton (Clare) 71:19; 9 J Orange (R&Z, M40) 71:34; 10 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 72:42; 11 A Minister (Hart) 75:41; 12 G Dixon (Morp, M40) 76:08; 13 A Nalton (Brid) 76:10; 14 T Livingston (N Marske, M40) 76:19; 15 P Besford (Gate) 76:25; 16 T Canaway (Leeds U) 76:33; 17 K Dowson (NYM, M40) 77:15; 18 T Danby (unatt) 77:37; 19 A Churchill (Hart) 77:38; 20 D Armstrong (Els) 77:41  Further Veterans: M50: 1 T McPhail (Walls) 80:26; 2 C Dentice (Morp) 80:54  M60: 1 M Relton (NE Vets) 91:59; 2 A Lindsay (NE Vets) 93:11
Teams: 1 Hartlepool Burn Road 37; 2 Morpeth 46; 3 Sunderland Strollers 104
Women: 1 L Gardner (L&M) 79:17; 2 B Taylor (Darl) 80:35; 3 J Nutt (Els) 81:34; 4 M Holt (Sun) 86:33; 5 E Klee (Leeds U) 89:50; 6 J Tytack (Nunthorpe) 90:05; 7 D Wilson (Darl, W35) 90:49; 8 L Kelly (Walls) 91:21; 9 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 91:51; 10 M Woodley (Morp) 93:17  Further Veterans: W35; 2 M Holloway (Scar) 93:45; 3 K Bentley (Birt) 95:55  W45: 2 L Miller (NSP) 97:23; 3 C Courtney (Blay) 99:04  W55: 1 L Woods (N Marske) 1:43:58; 2 S Gibson (Darl) 1:44:09
Teams: 1 Sunderland 660; 2 North Shields Poly 827; 3 New Marske 832
NECAA: Men: 1 Hepples; 2 Swinburne; 3 Kirkland
Women: 1 Taylor; 2 Nutt; 3 Holt
Wheelchair: 10M: 1 J Richards 46:59; 2 R Powell 47:00; 3 B Aldis 47:04  Women: 1 S Woods 47:08; 2 T Grey-Thompson 51:24; 3 S Loughran 57:07
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon.14th March 2005).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. 1400 figure was from announcer but "only" 972 finished (last time: 3:17:19). Results from www.hssports.co.uk, for which Steve Marshall was the operator. The chip system was being used. Only first hundred + leading category winners available, when I left. On website about 10.00pm. There were a lot of runners listed without club, which means team result could be subject to change. Michelle Holt was an example and it meant Sunderland were not original "winners". Also David Burn and Allen Mulliss. Weather bright, cool but although breezy not as windy as normal. Hepples only decided to run the same morning. Other performances included: 66 M Brooks 83:35 (5th M50); 80 B Groves 84:44; 86 R Driscoll 85:05 (7th M50); 535 D Whitmore 1:42:48; 888 D Tait 2:12:36.
Heaon fielded six athletes, though there could be more (see above): 77 D Burn 84:40; 110 D Robins 87:35; 143 C Auld 90:26; 226 A Mulliss 95:34; 363 G Sarson 1:41:36; 555 K Beaumont 1:50:44 (L).
Foonote: Since pointed out that 18th runner was Alan Shepherd, which meant Morpeth won team event. No team results on website.
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English Schools Cross Country Championships.
Norfolk Showground, Norwich.  Sat. 12th Mch.
Though not taking any gold medals, North East athletes performed well at Saturday's English Schools Cross Country Championships, at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich. In the bitterly cold conditions, four runners gained International selection, and there were two individual silver medals and one set of team silver medals. Cleveland's Ricky Stevenson took second place in the Intermediate Boys' race, behind Lee Carey of Warwickshire, who won the Under 17 event at last weekend's Inter Counties Championships. Stevenson was locked with Carey and James Shane of Essex (the Under 15 Inter County champion) at the halfway point, before Carey pulled away on the second lap. Stevenson dropped Shane with 100m remaining. The first eight runners home in the Junior and Intermediate races, will now represent England in the International match in North Wales on 2nd April. Ross Murray of Northumberland also finished second in the Junior Boys' race, coming strongly through the field in the last 1km.  Matthew Withey of Gloucestershire was a runaway winner.
Laura Weightman of Northumberland and Kate Avery of Durham finished 4th and 5th in the Junior Girls' event, though they occupied the minor medal placings with 800m remaining.
National and Inter County champion, Charlotte Purdue of Hampshire was never troubled to take the title by 11secs.
Durham gained the silver medals in the Senior Boys' team event, with Lewis Moses leading their counters in 20th place. He was ably supported by Sean Hall (35th), Simon Watson (40th), Jack Martin (44th), Jackson Creegan (72nd) and Mark Atkin (89th). Essex easily won the title making it a clean sweep in the Boys' events and they also took the Senior Girls' team event. Defending champions, Northumberland narrowly missed out on medals finishing 4th. Lewis Timmins came home 5th behind Dan Watts of Cambridgeshire. Inter Counties' Under 17 champion, Danielle Sale of Essex, took the Senior Girls' title, with Delyth James of Northumberland finishing 6th and Julia Orr of Durham coming home in 9th position.
As expected Gloucestershire's Emily Pidgeon easily defended her Intermediate Girls' title, her fourth win in succession at these Championships.
Results.
Senior Boys: 6.8km.  1 D Watts (Camb) 23:00; 2 T Russell (Glouc) 23:10; 3 M Hardy (Suff) 23:14; 4 T Minsull (Gt Manch) 23:17; 5 L Timmins (North'd) 23:23  Other Placings: 16 A Holliday (Cu) 23:53; 20 L Moses (Dur) 24:04; 21 J Young (North'd) 24:08; 27 N Swinburn (North'd) 24:20; 32 R Floyd (North'd) 24:24; 35 S Hall (Dur) 24:27; 36 A Duffield (N Yorks) 24:28; 38 A Piggford (Cleve) 24:30; 40 S Watson (Dur) 24:32; 44 J Martin (Dur) 24:34; 46 J Taylor (Cleve) 24:36; 70 A Wiles (Cleve) 25:01; 72 J Creegan (Dur) 25:03; 84 A Russell (Cu) 25:10; 89 M Atkin (Dur) 25:13; 92 M Crawley (Du) 25:16; 96 R Morrell (Cl) 25:18; 98 N Zissler (Dur) 25:21  Teams: 1 Essex 223; 2 Durham 300; 3 Hampshire 309; 4 Northumberland 320; 25 Cleveland 860
Intermediate Boys: 5.9km.  1 L Carey (Warw) 20:11; 2 R Stevenson (Cleve) 20:19; 3 J Shane (Ess) 20:23; 4 S Horsfield (Gt Manch) 20:39; 5 C Bradbury (Berks) 20:40  Other Placings: 23 D Shaw (Cleve) 21:06; 41 A Mitchell (Cleve) 21:43; 43 J Pearson (North'd) 21:44; 58 W Pike (North'd) 21:57; 70 R Balmbra (North'd) 22:08; 84 S Potter (North'd) 22:16  Teams: 1 Essex 178; 2 Cheshire 226; 3 Staffordshire 253; 9 Northumberland 525; 16 Cleveland 717; 24 Cumbria 908; 39 Durham 1209
Junior Boys: 4.2km.  1 M Withey (Gloucs) 14:34; 2 R Murray (North'd) 15:07; 3 D Cliffe (Ches) 15:09; 4 M Bloy (Ess) 15:11; 5 N Young (Som) 15:12  Other Placings: 33 K Taylor (North'd)  15:08; 37 R Best (Cleve) 15:35; 43 D Roberts (N Yorks) 15:53; 48 N Reed (Dur) 15:54; 56 A Morrell (Cleve) 15:57; 79 O Cartwright (Cumb) 16:04  Teams: 1 Essex 324; 2 Greater Manchester 337; 3 Sussex 362; 19 Cleveland 761; 24 Northumberland 868; 28 Durham 949; 30 Cumbria 992
Senior Girls: 4.2km.  1 D Sale (Ess) 15:45; 2 D Christmas (Surrey) 16:02; 3 N Sykes (Beds) 16:04; 4 S Ponsford (Wilts) 16:10; 5 R Clarke (Camb) 16:24  Other Placings: 6 D James (North'd) 16:25; 9 J Orr (Dur) 16:31; 17 M Ferrier (North'd) 16:45; 35 C Rodham (Cumb) 17:14; 40 S Hart (Cleve) 17:24; 57 S Crowe (North'd) 17:42; 91 K Savage (Cumb) 18:10; 95 T Wheatman (N Yorks) 18:13  Teams: 1 Essex 161; 2 West Yorkshire 400; 3 Avon 402; 14 Northumberland 510; 18 Durham 767; 25 Cumbria 819; 35 Cleveland 1272
Intermediate Girls: 3.9km.  1 E Pidgeon (Gloucs) 14:37; 2 D Walker (Staffs) 15:03; 3 T Astor (Berks) 15:07; 4 K Richardson (Ess) 15:14; 5 J Harvey (Devon) 15:15  Other Placings: 55 G Rutherford (North'd) 16:20; 61 S Duffy (North'd) 16:27; 71 R Adams (North'd) 16:41  Teams: 1 Greater Manchester 190; 2 Devon 272; 3 South Yorkshire 402; 20 Northumberland 747; 33 Durham 1066; 38 Cleveland 1248
Junior Girls: 3.2km.  1 C Purdue (Hants) 12:11; 2 J Hicks (Corn) 12:22; 3 L Condron (Ess) 12:24; 4 L Weightman (North'd) 12:25; 5 K Avery (Dur) 12:31  Other Placings: 11 L Park (Cumb) 12:45; 13 A Wheatman (N Yorks) 12:48; 28 H Gertig (Dur) 13:04; 44 J Russon (Cleve) 13:10; 64 R Stuart (Cumb) 13:19; 83 F Buckton (Cleve) 13:26; 99 H Nagel (Dur) 13:32; 100 S Crosby (Dur) 13:33  Teams: 1 Greater Manchester 202; 2 Hampshire 213; 3 Essex 380; 10 Durham 575; 20 Cumbria 788; 30 Cleveland 1048; 32 Northumberland 1054
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 14th March 2005).

Addiional Comments:  All info used. Overcast and cold wind blowing but firm underfoot. As usual a good meeting. "Paper" results for Junior races and Senior courtesy of esaa website (on site quicker than usual). The JB winner was 8th in Inter Counties U15 race. Delyth James was 3rd at halfway in SG race. Disappointed not to see Natalie D and Chloe G running for Northumberland (nb: since found out ND has foot injury. CG did run, dropped out but would not have recognised with her new "look"). In the Overall Team competitions, Northumberland finished 3rd in Group B (Boys) with 1713pts behind Sussex (1445) and Cleveland were 2nd in Group C with 2328pts behind Gloucestershire (2186).
Other results included: SB: 103 N Shrubb (N) 25:24 (a 2nd team medal if he had ran to form); 132 A Colwell (N) 25:41  IB: 134 T Perrins (N) 22:37  JB: 103 P De Winter (D) 16:13; 109 T Venus (Cu) 16:16  SG: 123 H Dix (D) 18:40; 127 R Forster (N) 18:44; 138 R Barnes (D) 18:52; 140 K James (D) 18:53  IG: 152 R Shield (D) 17:21; 165 L Dodsworth (D) 17:29; 173 A Porteous (N) 17:33; 195 L Dixon (N) 17:52
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Weekly Round-up
(to 6th March).
Congratulations to our medallists at European Indoor Championships at Madrid (4th-6th March), especially Jason Gardener, Mark Lewis Francis, John Mayock, Chris Lambert and Kelly Sotherton. There was some good competiiton. However, where was Brendan on BBC TV coverage (not at A.A.A Indoors either) ?
At the "wonderful" UK Athletics-backed Inter City Cup at Manchester (Indoors) (6th March), the "Newcastle" team finished 5th (72pts) behind Birmingham (109).
Leading Results were: 60: 1 D Money (Man) 6.92; 4 B Geddes (N) 7.15  200: 1 A Wilkinson (Man) 22.55; 4 D Daniel (N) 22.64  800: 1 M Mitchell (Edin) 1:55.69; 4 D Graham (N) 1:56.03  1500: 1 R Toole (Glas) 3:56.47; 2 M Coultherd (N) 3:59.03  LJ: 1 S Phillips (Birm) 7.45; 2 G Jackson (N) 6.82  SP: 1 N Elliott (Glas) 16.89; 4 C Sturrock (N) 14.47  Medley Relay: 1 Befast 4:30.47; 2 Newcastle (K Flannery, C Crawford Glanville, J Deacon, D Graham)  4:31.47  W200: 1 E Ruddick (Birm) 24.59; 6 J Graham (N) 26.16  400: 1 L Whigham (Glas) 56.00; 3 N Desai (N) 57.75  800: 1 C Gibson (Glas) 2:09.46; 3 N Desai 2:13.32  1500: 1 T Brown (Birm) 4:27.40; 2 S Hart (N) 4:43.96  HJ: 1 V Hubbard (N) 1.74  SP: 1 A Rodger (Glas) 13.49; 4 L Tucker (N) 11.26
At the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championship at Glasgow, Archie Jenkins was 3rd M50 (33:51) behind Brian Kirkwood (8th overall in 32:32). A Little of Shettleston was first, taking M40 title (31:21).
Angela Dickie finished 2nd lady (36:21) behind Wakefield clubmate Penny Thackray (35:56) at the Sheffield Lord Mayors  10km.
Leading results from the Hameswater Half Marathon in Cumbria are: 1 R Jones (West) 70:02; 2 M Scott 73:20; 3 P Newton 73:59; 4 A Tatham 74:54; 6 A Minster 76:28
Martin Scaife won the Norton 9 by 24secs, in a time of 44mins 43secs.
Neil Wilkinson won the Ultrafit St Annes 10M, in a time of 51mins 3secs. His margin of victory was 2mins 22secs. Ian Scott was first M50 (58:10).
All info from AW.
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North Yorkshire and South Durham Cross Country League.
Richmond School.  Sun. 6th March.
Paul Lowe from North Yorks Moors Club, comfortably won the Senior Men's race, at the final North Yorkshire and South Durham fixture, at Richmond. Veteran Jon Orange from the host club took second place ahead of Middlebrough's Rob Cole, who did enough to secure the Individual league title. Hartlepool Burn Road won the team title. Darlington's Marie Stansmore won the Womens' race from Dawn Richardson of Quakers and Middlesbrough's Carolyn Summersgill. The absent Bernadette Taylor of Darlington had already done enough to win the Individual title, as had Middlesbrough and Cleveland in the team competition.
National champion, Kate Avery of Shildon easily won the Under 13 Girls' race.
Results.
Senior Men: 9km.  1 P Lowe (NYM) 31:41; 2 J Orange (R&Z, M40) 31:48; 3 R Cole (M'bro) 32:02; 4 R Hunt (R&Z) 32:24; 5 G Dunn (T&S) 32:48; 6 M Armstrong (Hart) 33:04; 7 K Harker (R&Z) 33:25; 8 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 33:31; 9 A Churchill (Hart) 33:44; 10 N Orr (Darl, M40) 33:45; 11 S Wardman (R&Z) 33:56; 12 E Richards (R&Z, U20) 34:04
Under 17 Men: 6.3km.  1 A Mitchell (M'bro) 23:05; 2 A Wiles (M'bro) 23:33; 3 P Fitzpatrick (R&Z) 23:55
Under 15 Boys: 3.6km.  1 D Gibbon (M'bro) 13:22; 2 B Walker (M'bro) 13:28; 3 T Rose (Scar) 13:36
Under 13 Boys: 2.6km.  1 D Schofield (Scar) 10:05; 2 A Wears (New M) 10:20; 3 AN Other (New M) 10:29
Senior Women: 5.4km.  1 M Stansmore (Darl) 21:36; 2 D Richardson (Quak) 21:59; 3 C Summersgill (M&C) 22:42; 4 J Jackson (M&C, U20) 22:56; 5 T Waller (Hart) 23:17; 6 C Maxted (N Rown, U17) 23:57; 7 N Carr (Scar, U20) 24:14; 8 L Dodsworth (N Ayc, U17) 24:25; 9 J Roberts (R&Z, U17) 24:46; 10  F Hughes (R&Z) 24:55
Under 15 Girls: 3.6km.  1 A Wheatman (Scar) 15:07; 2 S Gray (Scar) 15:25; 3 R Kitchen (Scar) 15:41
Under 13 Girls: 2.6km.  1 K Avery (Shil) 10:25; 2 H Rodgers (Loft) 11:31; 3 C Rodgers (Loft) 11:53
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 7th March 2005).

Additional Comments: All info used. Weather was dry, bright and got colder as day progressed. Course very hilly, mainly firm underfoot but several stretches of mud. Other results included (courtesy of website): SM: 13 J Hunter 34:15; 31 I Cook 36:57; 33 G Harden (gst) 37:47; 35 M Brooks 38:27 (1st M50); 55 I Barnes 44:25 (1st M60). 65 finishers: 1st team: Richmond and Zetland 60  SW: 28 finishers. 1st Team: Middlesbrough and Cleveland 31. Quite a good run from Newton Aycliffe second claimer, Lynsey Dodsworth. 3rd in U13B is M Shaw (not on their list at time).
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Reebok Inter Counties Cross Country Championships.
Wollaton Park, Nottingham.  Sat. 5th March.
Tynedale Harrier Andy Caine representing the North East, finished a magnificent 2nd at Saturday's Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Nottingham, gaining his first GB International vest. Glynn Tromans (Warwickshire) won the Senior Mens' 12km for a record-breaking 5th time, with Caine's performance, earning him selection for the World Championships, in 3 weeks time.
Ryan Stephenson of North Shields Poly, just missed out on a place on the Junior team, finishing 5th in the Junior Mens' event.
Leading Results.
Senior Men: 12km.  1 G Tromans (Warw) 38:46; 2 A Caine (NE) 39:00; 3 G Thompson (Suss) 39:02; 37 D Wardle (NE) 41:30; 57 S Bell (NE) 42:10; 65 M Brown (NE) 42:24; 70 M Nicholson (NE) 42:34; 112 T Wall (NE) 43:40
Under 20 Men: 8km.  1 A Vernon (Hants) 26:37; 2 K Gerrard (Lancs) 26:42; 3 M Mashford (Hants) 26:55; 5 R Stephenson (NE) 27:02; 17 N Shrubb (NE) 28:19; 37 M Atkin (NE) 28:56; 47 A Piggford (NE) 29:08
Senior Women: 8km.  1 H Yelling (Midd) 28:06; 2 C Dale (Kent) 28:12; 3 K Butler (Scot E) 28:24; 19 S Thomas (NE) 30:09; 31 A Dixon (NE) 30:56; 50 A Fox (NE) 31:29; 63 B Taylor (NE) 31:53; 96 C Simpson (NE) 32:41; 127 M Czarnecka (NE) 37:10
Under 20 Women: 6.5km.  1 S Edwards (Northants) 23:17; 2 S Twell (Hants) 23:28; 3 J Sparke (Ess) 23:30; 22 D Watts (NE) 24:57; 25 A Gibson (NE) 25:13; 26 J Orr (NE) 25:19; 45 S Crowe (NE) 26:16
(No team results available).
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 7th March 2005).

Addiional Comments: All of info used. Congratulations to Andy Caine. Saw TV coverage but only results given were 1st six individuals. Only North East athletes seen were Caine, Stephenson, McLeod and Shrubb (with leaders on slow first lap). Early sleet had churned up course, though the weather looked good later on. Did not get results until Sunday pm off ukathletics website. No team results were available at the time. Junior Womens' team packed well and by my calculation were just outside medals. Other results included:. SM: 6 J Walsh (Warw) 39:11; 127 D Swinburne 44:00; 172 J Archer 45:05; 213 P Halford (Camb) 46:23 (280 finishers)  SM: 4km. 1 S Vernon 12:41; 2 S Barden 12:44; 3 B Tickner 12:44; 9 C Parr 13:06; 22 R McLeod 13:23 (42 finishers)  U20M: 21 C Doyle (Cu) 28:28; 59 J Creegan 29:26; 96 S Kirtley 30:20; 103 R Morrell 30:36; 111 D Old 30:56  (191 finishers)  U17M: 1 L Carey (Warw) 20:41; 19 A Duffield (Yorks) 21:39; 22 S Watson (Gate) 21:49; 34 J Young (Morp) 22:04; 74 R Floyd (Morp) 22:32  SW: 142 M Holt 33:28 (275 finishers)  SW: 4km: 1 L Dobriskey 14:25; 2 K Reed 14:34; 3 H Dean 14:39; 14 G Phillips 15:26; 28 S Maude 16:06 (35 finishers)  U20W: 35 C Rodham (Cu) 25:38; 50 S Evans 26:37; 108 L Tweddle 31:27 (118 finishers). U13G: 1 H McGurk (Beds) 13:17; 5 L Park (Cu) 13:38  Late News: Ryan Stephenson did make British team, congratulations. Team results appeared in AW and rather surprisingly North East were 2nd U20 Mens' team. A belated congratulations to them. Main results were: SM: 1 Warwickshire 141; 2 Yorkshire 171; 3 Surrey 232; 4 North East 343; 29 Cumbria 1151  JM: 1 Greater Manchester 57; 2 North East 106; 3 Hampshire 116  SW: 1 Surrey 183; 2 Lancashire 230; 3 Middlesex 306; 6 North East 386; 27 Cumbria 1208  JW: 1 Essex 70; 2 Hampshire 88; 3 Yorkshire 95; 5 North East 118
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