Additional Comments: Most of report used, but as seems to be the norm
now, in small print. Overcast at start, rained after half hour. Never really
heavy and was fairing up at end of meeting. 141 runners in Senior Mens'
event. No David Tait or George Routledge (still on holiday). The overall
turn-out especially Senior Men, was best for some years. Looks like the
ideal date. As I have said before, too big a venue for this event. I think
South Shields H, would prefer to be at Gypsies Green. A good competition.
but only three teams closed in for each event. Actually only one in Davison
Shield, but runners-up went on two counters for incomplete teams. Ron and
Pam are enjoying themselves in Isle of Skye. Have to admit, I have never
heard of Under 13 Girls' winner, before. In attendance were George Patterson
(a scoop for Morpeth Herald), and Brian Kirkley, who seems to have given
up with AW. Surprised to see Chris Parr in action. Angie Watson tried to
challenge Claire on first lap, but blew up slightly. Angela H was "resting".
Very poor turn-out for Heaton club championship. John Moore (27th in 31:50)
never really got going. Jo Smith was returning to action after injury.
Anita Nott was only other lady (22nd in 29:53). 23 runners. (Christine
Lee was 21st in 29:15). Other Mens' Placings: 104 Colin McEntee 39:01;
120 Allen Mulliss 40:30; 128 Scott McEntee 41:38; 132 Denis Bolam 42:18
(16th team).
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Weekly Round-Up.
(to 24th Nov).
Guest runner, Martin Scaife won the second North Yorkshire/South Durham
League fixture at Thirsk racecourse (24th Nov), in 28:02 by exactly a minute
from Alan Stimpson. Louise Jackson (R&Z) won Women's race in 21:42,
by 7 secs from Bernadette Taylor. Info from AW.
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Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League.
Meadowfield, Durham. Sat. 23rd Nov.
Current North Eastern and Northern Cross Country champion, Andy Caine
of Tynedale, who was giving up to five minutes start, to the rest of the
270-strong field, moved through to an excellent third place, at Saturday's
third North Eastern Harrier League fixture, at Meadowfield. Content to
stay with his main fast pack opposition, Terry Wall of Morpeth, top veteran
Rob Hand of Durham and recent Civil Service champion, Mark Brown of Morpeth
on the first of the five laps, Caine opened out on the second circuit,
and had significantly reduced the gap on the leaders at the finish line.
On a course, which was very muddy in parts, Morpeth's David Swinburne,
returning to competition after an achilles injury, comfortably won the
event, with Chris Lamb of Chester Le Street, who gained victory at the
second fixture, taking second place. Running from the medium pack, and
giving 2mins 30secs, to the slower runners, Swinburne was shadowed by Lamb,
for four laps, the pair having passed early leader David Young of Wallsend,
a lap earlier. Swinburrne dropped his rival on the final circuit pulling
away to a 40secs victory. League leaders Sunderland maintained their unbeaten
record in the team event, with Durham City occupying second place also
for the third time. Morpeth and Gateshead won the Division 2 and 3 events,
respectively. Claire Smallwood of Jarrow and Hebburn, sidelined with a
virus for three weeks, returned to competition with a hard fought victory
in the Senior Womens' race, coming home with 10secs to spare over new Chester
Le Street recruit, Ruth Brown. Durham City, the defending champions, won
the team event, and now join Tynedale at the head of the table. Julia Orr
of Quakers impressively won the Junior event (though this was dominated
by Under 17 athletes), with guesting runner, Sam Hart of New Marske, taking
second place. In the Under 17 Mens' event, Lewis Timmins of Gosforth clocked
the fastest time, and now heads the Individual table. Morpeth newcomer,
Andrew Lawrence was an easy winner of the race.
In-form Gateshead Harrier, Mary Ferrier won the Under 15 Girls' race,
while Tynedale's Stacey Smith maintained her status as the region's top
Cross Country athlete, in the Under 13 Girls' race. Blaydon's Alex Muir
outsprinted Jon Young of Morpeth to clock the fastest time in the Under
15 Boys' race, which was won by Shildon's Anthony Brown. Fastest Under
13 Boy was Gateshead's John Gibson, with another Shildon athlete, Andrew
Cummings crossing the line in first position.
Results.
Senior Men: 10km. 1 D Swinburne (Morp) 36:46; 2 C Lamb (CleS) 37:26;
3 A Caine (Tyne) 37:35; 4 T Lawrence (Derby-gst) 38:15; 5 T Wall (Morp)
38:22; 6 P Embleton (CleS) 38:38; 7 G Moore (NSP) 38:42; 8 R Hand (Dur)
38:44; 9 D Young (Walls) 39:05; 10 M Brown (Morp) 39:12; 11 L Browell (Sun)
39:22; 12 R Kay (Morp) 39:28; 13 D Henderson (Aln) 39:32; 14 T Field (Sun)
39:38; 15 B Jameson (Tyne) 39:41 Fastest Times: 1 A Caine 32:35;
2 T Wall 33:22; 3 R Hand 33:44; 4 M Brown 34:12; 5 D Swinburne 34:16; 6
L Browell 34:22. Teams: Division 1 - 1 Sunderland 83; 2 Durham City 110;
3 North Shields Poly 162 Division 2 - Morpeth 42 Division 3
- Gateshead 63
Under 17 Men: 5.5km. 1 A Lawrence (Morp) 20:55; 2 G Edmundson (Walls)
21:45; 3 J Travis (Morp) 22:25; 4 L Timmins (Gosf) 22:27; 5 I Ruddick (Blay)
22:35; 6 J Creegan (Black B) 22:40 Fastest: L Timmins 19:47
Teams: 1 Morpeth 19; 2 Gosforth 43; 3 Tynedale 53
Under 15 Boys: 3.5km. 1 A Brown (Shil) 14:08; 2 A Muir (Blay) 14:15;
3 J Young (Morp) 14:16; 4 P Leonard (Gosf) 14:24; 5 D McMeiken (Blay) 14:26;
6 R Floyd (Morp) 14:31 Fastest: A Muir 12:35 Teams: 1 Blaydon
16; 2 Morpeth 21; 3 Gosforth 29
Under 13 Boys: 3km. 1 A Cummings (Shil) 12:14; 2 C Bell (CleS) 12:28;
3 T Perrins (Gate) 12:38; 4 D Young (Gate) 12:55; 5 J Gibson (Gate) 13:07;
6 M Hand (Dur) 13:19 Fastest: J Gibson 11:47 Teams: 1 Gateshead
12; 2 Morpeth 31; 3 Tynedale 35
Senior Women: 5.5km. 1 C Smallwood (J&H) 21:05; 2 R Brown (CleS)
(n/s) 21:15; 3 K Waugh (CleS) 21:42; 4 M Dodd (Bing-gst) 21:57; 5 H Robinson
(CleS, W40) 22:03; 6 S Allen (H&P, W45) 22:07; 7 K Robertson (Tyne)
23:08; 8 J Nutt (Els) 23:19; 9 J Battersby (Elv, W35) 23:23; 10 D Hales
(Dur) 23:27; 11 F Shenton (Elv, W40) 23:38; 12 L Trainor (Dur) 24:00
Teams: 1 Durham City 35; 2 Chester Le Street 38; 3 Tynedale 45
Junior Women: 5km. 1 J Orr (Quak, U17) 20:19; 2 S Hart (N Marske-gst,
U17) 20:40; 3 D Watts (Morp, U17) 21:43; 4 S Crowe (Els, U17) 22:08; 5
J Page (Dur, U17) 22:18; 6 L McKernan (Gate, U17) 22:39 Team: Morpeth
33
Under 15 Girls: 3.5km. 1 M Ferrier (Gate) 13:41; 2 D James (Morp) 13:51;
3 L Wright (Gate) 14:12; 4 A Wilson (Quak) 14:39; 5 C Bellamy (Gosf) 14:50;
6 H Dix (Blay) 14:56 Teams: 1 Gateshead 16; 2 Blaydon 28; 3 Gosforth
49
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 S Smith (Tyne) 12:31; 2 G Rutherford (NSP) 12:38;
3 A Suffield (Sun) 12:48; 4 S Coleby (Dur) 13:06; 5 A Reed (Black B) 13:14;
6 L Smith (Gosf) 13:15 Teams: 1 North Shields Poly 22; 2 Gosforth
31; 3 Blaydon 47
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 25th November 2003).
Additional Comments: Most of report used, but in small print. Weather
dry but went very dark for a while. Thought about bringing some races forward,
but luckily it brightened up (and got colder). Underfoot conditions in
certain parts, due to recent rain, took a lot out of athletes. 265 runners.
In absence of George Routledge (on holiday), David Tait brought up rear
(58:34). Brian Kirkley put in an appearance in results room, but I never
saw him. Angela was 21st (21:51) out of 47. Not sure why Jacqui Elliott
(14th in 24:08) has returned to Blaydon ? Bad run from Sam Crowe, who was
with leaders for a lap. Heaton had seven runners led by John Moore
from fast pack (47th in 36:01) (12th Div 3). They were fourth team in Division
3, but are now third overall, due to Jarrow and Hebburn not closing in
a team. Only two Women, Amy Waters (38th in 27:58), and Ann Grenfell (42nd
in 28:18). Other Heaton placings (Actual times - Division 3 in brackets)
109 Paramjet Bhogal 42:25 (19); 144 Richard Dodgson 43:09 (23); 149 Gary
Campbell 43:19 (24); 227 Allen Mulliss 47:02 (40); 235 Eric Appleby 47:26
(42); 248 Denis Bolam 49:11 (44).
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Dixon Sports Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race
Handicap.
International Stadium. Wed. 20th Nov.
Anita Nott of Heaton comfortably won the second race in the Gateshead
Lunchtime Road Race Series, at the International Stadium, yesterday. Veteran
Paul Johnson of Morpeth, giving up to 11 minutes to the rest of the field,
clocked the fastest time, moving through to 33rd position. Alyson Dixon
of Sunderland, was the fastest lady.
Result. Distance: 5km.
1 A Nott (Heat, L) 25:28; 2 N Storey (unatt) 25:52; 3 M Chappell (unatt)
25:59; 4 P Emmerson (Sun) 26:05; 5 I Archbold (NE Amb Serv) 26:18; 6 D
Dutton (unatt) 26:23; 7 T Hammett (Sun, L) 26:32; 8 C Murdy (Birt) 26:36;
9 I Whyth (Vict Park) 26:41; 10 C Lee (Gosf, W) 26:42 Fastest
Times: 1 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 16:23; 2 G Dickinson (CleS) 16:42; 3 M Middleton
(Midd) 17:04 Women: 1 A Dixon (Sun) 19:03; 2 A Nott (W40) 20:38;
3 V Hancock (Dur, W55) 20:51
(Newcastle Journal: Thurs. 21st November 2002).
Additional Comments: All used. 64 runners. Needless to say Ted J, starting
off well ahead of others, was last in 40mins +. Weather wet and windy.
Paul Johnson should have gone off 10:10, but started late. He crossed the
line just behind Alyson Dixon (off 8:20). Archbold was 4th fastest (17:06).
Would forward some extra veterans times, but no status details of many
competitors. Gary Pemberton clocked 18:13 and Steve White, 18:45. Christine
Lee was 4th fastest lady (21:42).
Heaton fielded 9 athletes, other placings (actual times listed) were:
13 Helen Mitford 23:20; 18 Trevor Hopkins 22:01; 23 Ann Grenfell 23:20;
24 Reg Checkley 22:53; 35 Allen Mulliss 20:45; 46 Amy Waters 23:05 (subject
to scrutiny - her handicap not listed); 53 Howard Gold 20:39; 55 Pam Gold
24:32.
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Weekly Round-Up.
(to 17th Nov).
Not very pleased that AW, altered copy on Brampton-Carlisle Race, to
say that Openshaw broke Cram's course record. He merely bettered Cram's
pb for the course.
Martin Scaife won Yorkshire Dragoon Race (7.7M) at Maltby (Nov 17th)
in a time of 39:02, bettering course record by 3mins. Marie Stansmore won
Womens' race (50:52).
Kieran Flannery was 3rd in Junior 800m (2:00.32) at opening fixture
at Manchester Indoor Arena (Nov 16th). Mark Brown (Customs) won the Civil
Service Cross Country Championship at Solihull, on 13th Nov, by over a
minute in 31:12.
Paul Welham (New Marske) won opening North Yorkshire and South Durham
League fixture, at Newton Aycliffe (10th Nov), in a time of 31:49. Claire
Robson (19:00) won Womens' race ahead of Julie Orr (19:13). Delyth James
(King Edward) won Schools' Cup race at Northallerton on Nov 9th (11:04),
with Anhared Porteous third (11:28). Gina Rutherford (Valley Gardens) was
third in Junior event (8:20), with her School qualifying for Final. King
Edward failed to progress.
All info courtesy of AW.
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International Veterans' Cross Country.
Ballymena, N.Ireland. Sat. 16th Nov.
North East athletes, representing England, gained two gold medals at
Saturday's International Veterans' Cross Country meeting, at Ballymena.
In the heavy underfoot conditions, Jimmy Bell of Elswick and Eric Appleby
of Heaton were successful in the Over 55 and Over 70 age-groups, respectively.
Durham's Rob Hand was third in the Over 40 event, while Sheila Allen of
Houghton and Peterlee, occupied a similar position, in the Women's Over
45 race.
Christine Lee of Gosforth, was second in the Over 60 category.
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 18th Nov 2002).
Additional Comments: All used but in small print. Info from Eric, but
few details available. Steve Charlton built up big lead early on but blew
up (he was third M70). Course would have suited Eric. Les Atkinson was
4th in M45 section. Further details to follow.
Selected Results (added 21st Nov) (Courtesy of AW)..
6M.
M40 - 1 J Critchlow (E) 31:52; 2 J Convery (E) 32:11; 3 R Hand (E)
32:17 Team: England 13
M45 - 1 D Neill (E) 32:28; 4 L Atkinson (E) 33:50 Team: England
10
M50 - 1 M Hager (E) 33:39; 5 A Jenkins (S) 35:34 Team: England
17
M55 - 1 J Bell (E) 35:32; 7 H Matthews (E) 37:06 Team: England
13
M60 - 1 L Haynes (E) 37:29; 2 P Lancaster (E) 37:42 Team: England
6
M65 - 1 C Leigh (W) 39:27; 3 W Ryder (E) 40:21 Team: England
12
3M.
M70 - 1 E Appleby (E) 21:31 Team: England 8
W40 - 1 A Keenan-Buckley (I) 16:42; 18 L Marr (S) 21:19 Team:
Ireland 11
W45 - 1 K Marshall (NI) 18:20; 3 S Allen (E) 18:35 Team: England
14
W60 - 1 P Jones (E) 23:02; 2 C Lee (E) 23:06; 4 K Stewart (E) 24:36
Team: England 7
Additional Comments: Will submit for Monday's Journal (25th Nov). Apologies
to Phil Lancaster and Walter Ryder, who were also placed. Eric won by 30secs.
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Brampton to Carlisle 10M Road Race.
Sat. 16th Nov.
North East-based Birchfield Harrier, Michael Openshaw, was a convincing
winner of the Wm Coulthard and Co Ltd, 51st Brampton to Carlisle Road Race.
In the ideal conditions, 2001 winner, Mike Scott of Border, took an early
lead over the 500-strong field, closely followed by Openshaw, Stephen Hepples
of Loftus, Mike Boulstridge of Birchfield and in-form Scottish athlete,
Allan Adams of Clydesdale. Openshaw held a narrow lead at 1M (4:32), as
Scott dropped back. Boulstridge was the next to lose contact, with Openshaw
finding himself leading by 3secs at 2M (9:28). Hepples dropped Adams shortly
after this point, and had almost caught the leader again at 3M (14:19).
This was a sign for Openshaw to open up a gear, and a 4:45 4th Mile saw
the advantage grow to 6secs. The lead was 10secs at halfway (23:58), and
Openshaw (winner over 10km at Heaton 6 days earlier), was unopposed from
then on. Openshaw extended his lead, and despite suffering from stitch
in the final 1.5M, crossed the finish line at Sands Centre,.with 47secs
to spare. Hepples took second place ahead of Adams. It was a personal
best time for Openshaw in what was, his first real competitive outing over
the distance. (although victory in the 2001 National Cross Country, showed
there were no real stamina doubts, on what is one of the fastest 10 Milers
in the country). The winner was happy with his performance specially having
improved on Steve Cram's best time for the distance".(Cram clocked 49:51
to win in 1987, and also won with 50:43 in 1984). Hepples also set new
figures. His previous best was some 2.5minutes slower, when competing as
a teenager 4 years ago. With Boulstridge in 4th place and veteran, Paul
Levell (23rd), Birchfield narrowly defeated host club Border, in the team
event. Cumberland Fell runner, Sara Carson, easily won the Womens'
race, with 1997 and 1999 winner, Sandra Branney of Glasgow leading the
veterans home in second place. Louise Gardner of Lancaster and Morecambe,
finished third. Heather Robinson of Chester Le Street, led the region's
challenge in 4th place. Carson also led her club to the team title.
Result.
1 M Openshaw (Birch) 48:35; 2 S Hepples (Loft) 49:22; 3 A Adams (Clydes)
49:35; 4 M Boulstridge (Birch) 50:21; 5 M Scott (Bord) 51:36; 6 J Laird
(Dumfries) 51:57; 7 C Marshall (Keighley, M45) 53:03; 8 W Smith (Keighley)
53:03; 9 R Walker (NSP) 53:10; 10 A Derrick (Calderglen) 53:36; 11 M McDonald
(Low F) 53:40; 12 J Moore (Heat) 53:58; 13 P Johnson (Morp, M40) 54:07;
14 S Murdoch (Bord, M40) 54:16; 15 R Soutar (Shett) 55:02; 16 D Houstan
(Cambus) 55:02; 17 B Thompson (unatt, M40) 55:04; 18 S Angus (Bord) 55:05;
19 M Turner (KuHull) 55:05; 20 C Borthwick (Bord) 55:09 Further Veterans:
M45 - 2 I Scott (Quak) 55:57 M50 - 1 C McDougall (Cambus) 55:12;
2 C Dentice (Morp) 57:09 M55 - 1 M McNally (Els) 56:50; 2 G Denny
(Kendal) 58:33; 3 M Walker (Gosf) 60:36 M60 - T O'Gara (Walls) 62:58
M65 - E Nutter (Ripon) 75:55 M70 - D Gilfoyle (Glaxo) 72:19
Teams: 1 Birchfield 27; 2 Border 30; 3 Keighley 45 Veterans: 1 North
Shields Poly 35; 2 Morpeth 37; 3 Kendal 48
Women: 1 S Carson (Cumb FR) 57:11; 2 S Branney (CoGlasgow, W45) 59:31;
3 L Gardner (Lanc&M) 61:30; 4 H Robinson (CleS, W40) 62:52; 5
E Johnson (Ripon) 64:32; 6 P Jackson (Kesw) 64:34; 7 C Shouksmith (unatt,
W45) 65:26; 8 E Christie (Bellah, W45) 65:53; 9 H Lees (CoGlasgow) 66:16;
10 B Ingman (NSP, W50) 66:56; 11 S Ayers (Cumb FR) 67:17; 12 A Hunter (J&H)
67:37; 13 Y Swinhoe (Els, W45) 67:56; 14 A Dickinson (NSP, W35) 68:35;
15 P Parker (Cumb AC, W45) 69:45 Further Veterans: W50 - 2 S Greener
(Blyth) 76:37 W55: 1 S Cain (unatt) 79:53; 2 M Hopkirk (Tyne) 80:34
W60 - E Armstrong (Tyne) 82:03 W70 - I Hubbard (Lanc&M) 1:53:02
Teams: 1 Cumberland Fell Runners 21; 2 Blyth 64; 3 Lancaster &
Morecambe 68 Veterans: 1 Blyth 41; 2 Morpeth 69; 3 Tynedale 81
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 18th November 2002).
Additional Comments: All used but in small print. Weather was bright,
fairly mild and little wind. 494 finishers. Ted Joynson was 494th in 2:28:16.
This broke his own record, set in 2001, by over 4 mins, of slowest-ever
time in this race. He was 25mins + behind anyone else (apparently he has
"ran" this race 48 times). Good race up front, but sarcastic me, notices
that many runners are operating at a faster pace in this event, than they
do over 10km and in some cases, 5km. Mile splits were 4:32, 9:28, 14:19,
19:04, 23:58, 28:53, 29:59 (10km - seemed a long time gap from 6M), 33:49,
38:44 and 43:43. Angela was not happy with Jimmy Hedley after she finished
(173rd). I think he persuaded her to run. Not helped when she, like many
others, had to wait in long queue for late entry. I think Claire has been
laid low, with heavy cold. Heaton fielded 7 runners. John was 30secs quicker,
when he last ran here and finished in the 20's. Gerry Shirley (240th in
78:44) was 3rd M70. Other Placings: 137 Gary Campbell 65:47 (pb): 207 Steve
Lancaster 69:03; 378 Jo Parkinson 82:33 (66th Lady); 476 George Routledge
97:43; 482 Harry Craven 1:40:10. The Senior team were 18th and Veterans'
team, 21st. George was happy with run and Harry was racing for first time
since April. Jo seemed to limp home. Results courtesy of Graham Fecitt.
Thanks to Border Harriers for their assistance. Bill McGuirk, attending
race for first time (?), was also in lead car.
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Gateshead Indoor Standards Meeting.
International Stadium. Thurs. 14th Nov.
Selected Results.
Senior Men: 50: A Chinemviri (Sun U) 6.1 B: 1 E Smart (Gate,
M45) 6.4; 2 A Readman (H&P, M45) 7.0; 4 R Smoult (NE Vets, M60) 7.7
50H: M Frazer (Sale) 9.1
Under 20 Men: 50: 1 D Forbes (Newc U) 6.5; 2 D Robertson (J&H)
6.6; 3 J Stacey (Gate) 6.6 50H: 1 S Nyananyo (Midd) 7.2; 2 D Robertson
7.6; 3 J Stacey 7.8
Under 17 Men: 50: C Glanville (Gate) 6.4 50H: L Robson
(Gate) 7.8
Under 15 Boys: 50: A: R Kilty (Midd) 6.9 B: A Dalby (Blay)
6.8 C: A Renwick (Gate) 7.1 50H: M Morton (Els) 9.2 B:
A Renwick 8.3
Under 13 Boys: 50: N Flannery (Gate) 7.5 B: J Cavey (Gate)
7.6 50H: N Flannery 9.2 B: C Bell (Gate) 9.8
Senior Women: HJ: C Taylor (Morp) 1.40
Under 20 Women: 50: 1 E Morris (SSh) 7.1; 2 R Forrest (Gate)
7.4
Under 17 Women: 50: L Hunter (SSh) 7.4
Under 15 Women: 50: L McMichael (CleS) 7.4 B: Steph Lamb
(SSh) 7.2 C: K Kelsall (Tees) 7.1 LJ: S Lamb 5.02
Under 13 Girls: 50: 1 N Pelsham (H&P) 7.8; 2 A Embleton (CleS)
7.9 B: L Welsh (CleS) 7.6 LJ: L Welsh 4.23
Some Field Event results not available.
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 18th November 2002).
Additional Comments: Only results submitted. Due to transfer to five-a-side
at 8.00pm, end of meeting was hurried, which meant organisers (Gateshead
MBC), rushed away quickly with field event cards. Kevin Flannery provided
the odd field event result. Probably will not get any further info until
next meeting (11th Dec). Apologies if any names incorrect, as person who
wrote down results, was poor writer. No further comment. Eric Smart not
pleased with his time (nothing new).
Nice to see Carla Taylor back in action.
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Weekly Round-Up.
(to 10th Nov).
At the National Cross Country Relays, Mary Ferrier was 3rd fastest
(7:16) in the Under 15 Girls' event. Her club, Gateshead were 7th.
Archie Jenkins, running for Scottish club, Cambuslang was 3rd fastest
(14:36) in the M50 section, at the National Veterans' Cross Country Relay
Championships, at Croydon (10th Nov). His club also took the bronze medals.
In the 2002 Under 17 rankings, Graham Jackson, as expected tops the Triple
Jump list with 14.45m. Surprisingly Kirk Wilson, 5th in English Schools'
and 3rd in A.A.A's was not fast enough for 1500m placing. Info from AW.
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Heaton Harriers Memorial Road Races.
Town Moor / Exhibition Park. Newcastle. Sun. 10th Nov.
Birchfield Harrier Michael Openshaw repeated his 2001 victory at yesterday's
Heaton Harriers Memorial 10km event, at Newcastle Town Moor. Luckily the
heavy early morning rain had abated by the time the races started, but
times were affected by the strengthening wind. On the course, which was
being used for the first time, the World Championship 5000m representative
waited till the second kilometre, before pulling away from the 220 strong
field. Passing halfway in 15:42, Openshaw had a 35 secs lead on the Morpeth
pair of Mark Brown and Terry Wall. The advantage was extended to 1min 21secs
at the finish line, with Brown taking second place after pulling away from
Wall at the 8km point. The improving Rob Walker of North Shields took fourth
place, with Elswick's Ieaun Ellis, the 2000 race winner, leading the veterans
in fifth position. With four runners in the first ten, Morpeth successfully
defended the team title, making it a good weekend for the Northumberland
club, after winning Saturday's National Cross Country Relay title. Sheila
Allen of Houghton and Peterlee, who competes for England in this weekend's
Veterans International at Ballymena, easily won the Womens' race, leading
her club to the team title. Karen Robertson of Tynedale took second place,
with Louise Trainor of Durham, third. Jackson Creegan of Blackhill and
Sam Crowe of Elswick gained victories in the Under 17 races. The overall
turn-out in the youngsters' races, was affected by fixture clashes, but
Richard Cunningham of Birtley, reatained his status as the area's top Under
13 athlete in his event. Jonathon Pearson of Elswick (Under 15 Boys), Chloe
Gilmore of Gateshead (Under 15 Girls) and Samantha Coleby of Durham (Under
13 Girls), were also successful.
Results.
Seniors: Town Moor 10km.
1 M Openshaw (Birch) 31:06; 2 M Brown (Morp) 32:27; 3 T Wall (Morp)
32:41; 4 R Walker (NSP) 32:57; 5 I Ellis (Els, M40) 33:19; 6 J Archer (Low
F) 33:27; 7 T Lawrence (Newc U) 33:58; 8 N Armsworth (Morp) 34:01; 9 P
Johnson (Morp, M40) 34:13; 10 J Moore (Heat) 34:25; 11 P Besford (Gate)
34:56; 12 A Bougle (North U) 35:08; 13 D Munnelly (unat) 35:53; 14 S Clark
(NSP, M40) 35:57; 15 M McNally (Els, M55) 36:09; 16 K Elliott (Sun, M50)
36:30; 17 J Watson (Sun, M45) 36:31; 18 P Morgan (SSh, M40) 36:44; 19 A
Catley (NSP, M50) 37:06; 20 C Dentice (Morp, M50) 37:07 Further Veterans:
M55 - 2 M Walker (Gosf) 38:13 M60 - P Lancaster (NSP) 39:09 M65 -
K Sutton (Gosf) 43:23 M70 - E Appleby (Heat) 44:19
Teams: 1 Morpeth 22; 2 North Shields Poly 69; 3 Elswick 71
Under 17 Men: 5km. 1 J Creegan (Black B) 16:55; 2 S Kirtley (Morp)
17:38; 3 J Wood (Morp) 17:39; 4 B Hannant (Black B) 18:19; 5 K Watt (NSP)
18:54; 6 J White (Black B) 19:00 Team: Blackhill Bounders 11
Under 15 Boys: 3km. 1 J Pearson (Els) 10:35; 2 M Docherty (Birt)
10:40; 3 P Ritson (Morp) 10:50; 4 G Docherty (Birt) 11:01; 5 B Henderson
(Morp) 11:07; 6 A Carmichael (Gate) 11:12 Team: Morpeth 19
Under 13 Boys: 3km. 1 R Cunningham (Birt) 10:54; 2 R Murray (Walls)
11:07; 3 T Farrell (Bord) 11:16; 4 C Bell (CleS) 11:20; 5 T Perrins (Gate)
11:40; 6 M Cochrane (Morp) 11:42
Senior Women: 10km. 1 S Allen (H&P, W45) 38:29; 2 K Robertson
(Tyne) 39:08; 3 L Trainor (Dur) 40:15; 4 C Bowman (CleS, W40) 40:50; 5
A Banner (Els) 41:01; 6 D Elliott (CleS, W40) 41:12; 7 H Patton (Gate,
W40) 42:07; 8 N Gray (Aur) 42:17; 9 K Crowther (unatt) 42:26; 10 A Mason
(unatt, W40) 42:34; 11 Y Swinhoe (Els, W45) 42:40; 12 M Woodley (Morp)
44:44 Further Veterans: W35 - E Allan (Aln) 45:12 W50 - V Stapley
(unatt) 57:22 W55 - P Gold (Heat) 50:12 Teams: 1 Houghton and
Peterlee 28; 2 Alnwick 48; 3 Elswick 49
Under 17 Women: 5km. 1 S Crowe (Els) 19:43; 2 R Foster (J&H)
22:21
Under 15 Girls: 3km. 1 C Gilmore (Gate) 12:01; 2 N Douglas (Gate)
12:27; 3 L Dodsworth (Gate) 12:37; 4 K White (Els) 12:45; 5 L Long (Els)
12:53; 6 R Barnes (J&H) 12:54 Team: Gateshead 6
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 S Coleby (Dur) 12:07; 2 S Crowell (J&H)
12:23; 3 A Reed (Black B) 13:07; 4 C Donnan (Birt) 13:31; 5 E Murray (J&H)
14:00; 6 M Howell (Birt) 14:16
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 11th November 2002).
Additional Comments: Report slightly edited. 219 finishers (Ted Joynson
was 219th in 86:19). Course not as fast as expected. Underfoot conditions
tricky in parts, due to rain, also exposed if windy. A slow opening 1km
did not help. After a belated start (the Cafe, which was registration area,
opened up at 9.15 and not 8.30, as promised), things seemed to do smoothly.
Steve Hepples was expected to turn up, but probably put off by early morning
weather. The improving conditions probably explained the surge of late
entries for Seniors, and very few youngsters. Apart from National XC Relays,
there was also Schools Cross Country Cup, the day before. Despite good
overall entry, Memorial Race regulars, Claire Smallwood, Angela Hunter,
Chris Lamb and Ryan Stephenson were conspicuous by their absence. Also
it was noticeable, that several local clubs had very little, or no representation.
Ryan McLeod opted to run Senior race, but dropped out after halfway. Jackson
Creegan won U15 event in 2001, while Sam Crowe had taken U15 Girls' title
in 2000/2001. Tom Farrell (3rd in U13 Boys) is son of Dave. Vince Wilson
came in with late offer of assistance, as there was no official sponsor
this year. For the host club, Eric finished in 99th position and Pam was
168th. Heaton's leading lady was sponsor auline Leslie (135th in 46:34/22nd).
Other Heaton Placings (Ladies' positions in brackets): 68 Colin McEntee
42:06; 85 Howard Gold 43:15; 88 Ted Baty 43:38; 93 John Marshall 43:54;
103 Allen Mulliss 44:34; 146 Kelly McEntee 47:48 (26); 148 Ann Grenfell
48:04 (28); 151 Amy Waters 48:21 (29) ; 167 Helen Mitford 50:03 (33); 194
Susan Auld (a new name to me) 53:53 (48); 198 Joe Hawes (now M65) 55:17.
Joe was celebrating 50 years in club. Mens' team were 9th, and Womens'
team were 4th. As usual, event praised on Morpeth Harriers website.
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National Cross Country Relays.
Mansfield. Sat. 9th Nov.
Morpeth Harriers won an exciting Senior Mens' event, at Saturday's
National Cross County Relays at Mansfield. On the first of the four 5km
stages, Tom Ranger handed over in 9th position (15:30). Michael Morris
moved through to 3rd (15:40) and Mark Hudspith to 2nd (15:19). Ian Hudspith
took the lead on the final leg, to defeat London Irish by 2secs. His tiime
of 15:04, was only bettered by Chris Thompson of bronze medallists, Aldershot
(14:53), and Glen Tromans of Coventry (14:56). Sunderland took the bronze
medals in the Under 20 event, ran over three 3km legs. Richard Kemp (9:14),
Gavin Massingham (9:25) and Patrick Martin (9:26) were their counters.
In the Senior Womens' race, Chester Le Street finished in fifth place.
Dianne Henaghan was the second fastest overall with a time of 10:07, when
finishing second to Tara Krzywicki of Charnwood on leg 1. Morpeth's Kirk
Wilson was second fastest overall in the Under 17 Mens' event (9:17), with
his team finishing in 5th position.
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 11th November 2002).
Additional Comments: Report cut after mention of Sunderland. Little
to say, apart from move your date back to spring ! (supported by some members
of Morpeth Harriers).
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Weekly Round-Up
(To 3rd Nov).
Steve Cairns won the Derwentwater 10M (Nov 3rd), in 51:43. Mike Walker
was second M55 in 62:33.
At Belgium Cross Meeting at Ghent, Ryan McLeod was 5th in U20 event
(23:16), with Richard Kemp, 11th in 23:41. Charlotte Wickham was
4th (14:15) in Womens' U20 race. In Senior Womens' event, Morag McDonnell
was 16th (20:43) and Claire Smallwood was 20th (21:08).
Info courtesy of AW.
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Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League.
Farringdon School, Sunderland. Sat. 2nd Nov.
Chester Le Street junior, Chris Lamb comfortably won the Senior Mens'
event, at Saturday's second fixture of the Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier
League, at Farringdon. The sixth- form student, pulled away on the last
of the three laps from guest runner, Tim Lawrence. The runner-up a first
claim member of Derby and County A.C, could not count for Gateshead, the
club he trains with while at University in the North East. The first two
were so far clear of their slow pack rivals, that in third place and over
2 minutes adrift was medium pack runner, Paul Hutton of Gosforth. Fastest
time was clocked by top veteran, Rob Hand of Durham, who moved through
the 280-strong field, to finish in 16th position. Hand was closely followed
by Terry Wall of Morpeth and Jonathon Graham of Gosforth.
Host club, Sunderland extended their lead at the head of the table,
with Durham City, second last week, occupied the same position, again.
Gosforth and Gateshead were first in the other Divisions. Veterans dominated
the Senior Womens' race, with Sheila Allen of Houghton and Peterlee, holding
off the persistent challenge of Heather Robinson of Chester Le Street.
Third place went to former Border Harrier, Philippa McCrea, now back with
Gateshead. Tynedale repeated their victory from the first meeting, in the
team competition. Guesting athlete Sam Hart of New Marske, easily won the
Junior Womens' race. Unusually for an early season fixture, fast pack runners,
occupied the first six places in the Under 13 Boys' race, with victory
going to Richard Cunningham of Birtley. Morpeth won all the team events
in the Junior Male age-groups, and provided the Under 15 Girls' winner,
Delyth James. Surprisingly, however, they could not field a complete Senior
Mens' team, after winning the Division 2 competition, at the opening fixture.
Results.
Senior Men. 9.6km. 1 C Lamb (CleS) 33:14; 2 T Lawrence (Gate-gst)
33:24; 3 P Hutton (Gosf) 35:43; 4 P Best (Shil) 35:46; 5 M Elliott (Gate)
35:49; 6 G Harden (Sun) 35:57; 7 R Clements (NSP) 36:08; 8 N Carr (Aur)
36:21; 9 M Woodward (Sun) 36:22; 10 A Swailes (CleS) 36:25; 11 N Armsworth
(Morp) 36:26; 12 D Embleton (Walls) 36:27; 13 Mark McLeod (Els) 36:29;
14 A Bogle (North U) 36:33; 15 A Hayes (NSP) 36:37 Fastest Times:
1 R Hand (Dur, M40) 31:43; 2 T Wall (Morp) 31:47; 3 J Graham (Gosf) 31:50;
4 I Ellis (Els, M40) 32:32; 5 M Thompson (Gate) 32:45 Teams: 1 Sunderland
52; 2 Durham City 116; 3 North Shields Poly 130 Division 2 - Gosforth
61 Division 3 - Gateshead 47
Under 17 Men. 6.4km. 1 M Wilson (J&H) 22:28; 2 M Lomax (Shil)
23:06; 3 J Wood (Morp) 23:30; 4 J McCrerie (Sun) 23:52; 5 C Breckon (Gate)
24:05; 6 S Kirtley (Morp) 24:12 Fastest: L Timmins (Gosf) 22:18
Teams: 1 Morpeth 23; 2 Birtley 44; 3 Sunderland 46
Under 15 Boys. 3.1km. 1 R Floyd (Morp) 10:49; 2 S Hall (Gate)
11:00; 3 W Roberts (Shil) 11:27; 4 P Robson (Morp) 11:39; 5 J Cook (Gosf)
11:55; 6 C Ogilvie (Tyne) 12:11 Fastest: J Young (Morp) 10:47
Team: 1 Morpeth 15; 2 Gosforth 41; 3 Wallsend 43
Under 13 Boys: 3.1km. 1 R Cunningham (Birt) 12:42; 2 J Gibson
(Gate) 12:59; 3 M Travis (Morp) 13:06; 4 R Murray (Walls) 13:12; 5 S Ruddick
(Blay) 13:17; 6 M Foggin (Sun) 13:24 Fastest: R Cunningham 11:22
Teams: 1 Morpeth 23; 2 Gateshead 27; 3 Birtley 33
Senior Women: 6.4km. 1 S Allen (H&P, W45) 25:31; 2 H Robinson
(CleS, W40) 25:35; 3 P McCrea (Gate) 26:08; 4 A Hunter (J&H) 26:17;
5 K Robertson (Tyne) 26:23; 6 L Trainor (Dur) 26:43; 7 D Hales (Dur) 26:50;
8 J Nutt (Els) 26:55; 9 E Grant (Sun U) 27:11; 10 F Shenton (Elv, W40)
27:25; 11 S White (Tyne, W40) 27:39; 12 B Pickersgill (Aln, W35) 28:05
Teams: 1 Tynedale 31; 2 Durham City 45; 3 Elvet Striders 60
Junior Women: 6.2km. 1 S Hart (N Marske-gst, U17) 25:50; 2 L
McKernan (Gate, U17) 27:38; 3 N Owens (Shil, U17) 27:46; 4 J Page (Dur,
U17) 28:02; 5 M Holt (Sun) 28:25; 6 R Simpson (Black B, U17) 29:12
Team: Sunderland 33
Under 15 Girls: 3.1km. 1 D James (Morp) 11:36; 2 C Harrison (Sun)
11:48; 3 S Duffy (Gate) 11:50; 4 L Wright (Gate) 11:51; 5 L Rawlings (Blay)
12:01; 6 C Reay (Blay) 12:03 Teams: 1 Gateshead 20; 2 Blaydon 26;
3 Sunderland 37
Under 13 Girls; 3.1km. 1 S Smith (Tyne) 12:36; 2 G Rutherford
(NSP) 12:40; 3 S Crowell (J&H) 13:10; 4 A Suffield (Shil) 13:13; 5
R Shield (Dur) 13:25; 6 L Smith (Gosf) 13:38 Teams: 1 Sunderland
34; 2 Gosforth 34; 3 Shildon 38
(Newcastle Journal: Mon. 4th November 2002).
Additional Comments: All used but in small type again. Weather dry
but very overcast. Had been raining overnight before, but most of course,
was not as heavy as expected. Apologies to Ross Floyd, who I omitted in
relation to Morpeth H. Apparently they had six counters, but Paul Johnson
dropped out. Not sure he counts for them yet, anyway ? This info from GP.
Slightly shorter lap for younger age-groups as they did not negotiate stream.
I understand Under 15 Girls slightly cut course. Interesting return to
competition of Marc Fenwick (26th in 37:35). Heaton fielded eight Seniors
and six Women ! Sean Kelly was first male, from medium pack (33rd in 35:42).
He was actually faster than John Moore (146th in 41:08). John, like Eric
Appleby (263rd in 46:21), was not full out. Anita Nott was leading
lady (17th in 29:12).
Other Heaton Placings (Actual times listed). Men: 148 Gary Campbell
41:12; 232 Allen Mulliss 44:33; 246 Denis Bolam 45:33; 261 Scott McEntee
46:16; 283 George Routledge 60:35 (283 finished). Team 4th in Division
3. Women: 23 Pauline Leslie 29:55; 25 Kelly McEntee 30:21; 34 Amy Waters
(a new name to me) 32:08; 37 Ann Grenfell 32:59; 41 Margaret Finn 33:35.
Team 4th.
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