November 2005

Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League.
Shibdon Pond, Blaydon.  Sun. 27th Nov.
Defending champions Sunderland strengthened their hold on the Division 1 title, at yesterday's 2nd Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League fixture at a wet Shibdon Pond.
The Wearsiders comfortably defeated old rivals Gateshead and Morpeth.
Sunderland also provided the race winner, Jack Martin, who dropped British Junior Fell Running champion, Nick Swinburn of Morpeth, and Sunderland clubmate and leading veteran, Tim Field on the second of the 3 laps. For good measure Sunderland also boasted the fastest medium pack runner Patrick Martin (elder brother of Jack) in 5th, and the fastest competitor overall, British Masters champion, Brian Rushworth, who moved through the 280-strong field to 21st position.
Angie Watson of Chester Le Street easily won the Senior Womens' race, with guesting Scottish International, Freya Murray of Edinburgh finishing 2nd from the fast pack. Improving Heaton Harrier, Helen Astley took third place with Tynedale taking the team awards.
Track specialist, Andrew Stanton of Chester le Street easily won the Under 17 Mens' race, with Gosforth's Jonathon Hewitt sprinting to victory in a hotly contested Under 15 event.
Shildon's Kate Avery, giving 1min 30secs start to most of her rivals, narrowly failed to catch long-time leader, Zoe Amstrong of Morpeth in the Under 15 Girls' race.
Results.
Senior Men: 9.2km.
1 J Martin (Sun, U20) 29:48; 2 N Swinburn (Morp, U20) 30:11; 3 T Field (Sun, M40) 30:26; 4 A Welford (Gate, U20) 31:57; 5 P Martin (Sun) 32:08; 6 N Ridley (CleS) 32:25; 7 S Hargreaves (Walls) 32:28; 8 D Old (CleS, U20) 32:30; 9 J Bell (Els, M40) 32:41; 10 A Carmichael (Gate, U20) 32:56; 11 A Thompson (Els, M40) 32:57; 12 C McDonald (SSh) 33:02; 13 J Powell (Dur) 33:15; 14 N Morris (Low F, M40) 33:23; 15 P Whalley (Blyth) 33:32; 16 S Brewis (H&P, U20) 33:38; 17 M McLeod (Els) 33:41; 18 T Tait (Dur, M40) 33:49; 19 J Woods (Morp, U20) 33:50; 20 T Wallett (NSP, M40) 33:51
Fastest Times: B Rushworth (Sun, M40) 28:52; P Martin & S Bell (CleS) 29:38; J Martin 29:48; S Potts (Sun) 30:00; D Swinburne (Morp) 30:04; N Swinburn 30:11; J Archer (Low F) 30:18
Teams:  Division 1: 1 Sunderland 54; 2 Gateshead 116; 3 Morpeth 120; 4 Durham City 200; 5 North Shields Poly 212; 6 Crook & District 225  Division 2: 1 Elswick 80; 2 Blyth 128; 3 Alnwick 134  Division 3: 1 Heaton 120; 2 Aurora 157
Under 17 Men: 5km.
1 A Stanton (CleS) 16:48; 2 D Watt (NSP) 17:20; 3 M Williams (Tyne) 17:28; 4 C Parker (Gosf) 17:40; 5 C Hall (Tyne) 17:48; 6 D Graham (NSP) 18:32; 7 M Foggin (Sun) 19:05; 8 S Robson (Tyne) 19:16; 9 C Smith (CleS) 19:24; 10 R Balmbra (Morp) 19:30
Fastest: M Foggin 16:45; A Stanton 16:48; C Smith 17:04
Teams: 1 Tynedale 16
Under 15 Boys: 3.3km.
1 J Hewitt (Gosf) 11:55; 2 P De Winter (CleS) 11:56; 3 L Wintrip (Sun) 11:56; 4 N Reed (Sun) 11:56; 5 L Foley (Gosf) 12:25; 6 L Battista (Gosf) 12:41; 7 A Wilson (Blay) 12:58; 8 T Walker (Gosf) 12:59; 9 T Venus (Tyne) 13:00; 10 S Ruddick (Blay) 13:17
Fastest: T Venus 11:30; S Ruddick 11:47; L Baister (Blyth) 11:53
Teams: 1 Gosforth 14; 2 Sunderland 32; 3 Blaydon 36
Under 13 Boys: 2.7km.
1 P Shuttleworth (Morp) 10:19; 2 M Hardy (Gate) 10:36; 3 J Robson (Gate) 10:47; 4 C Bradbury (Blay) 10:52; 5 G Taylor (CleS) 10:53; 6 J Archer (Sun) 11:14; 7 G Lowery (J&H) 11:16; 8 F Chadwick (Shil) 11:23; 9 R Etherington (Shil) 11:26; 10 R Costello (Gate) 11:38
Fastest: J Robson 9:37; J Archer 10:04; R Costello 10:28
Teams: 1 Gateshead 15; 2 Shildon 32; 3 Gosforth 48
Senior Women: 5km.
1 A Watson (CleS) 19:50; 2 F Murray (Edin-gst) 20:03; 3 H Astley (Heat) 20:44; 4 E Wilson (Gate) 21:05; 5 K Duffy (Sun S, W35) 21:09; 6 D James (Elv, W35) 21:21; 7 I Hope (Sun, W45) 21:29; 8 L Marr (Tyne, W40) 21:33; 9 R Kerr (Clare) 21:39; 10 S Scott (Tyne, W35) 21:43; 11 D Hales (Dur, W35) 21:45; 12 J Walker (Morp, W35) 21:47; 13 J Dooley (Tyne) 21:50; 14 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 21:51; 15 L Noble (Sun) 21:59
Fastest: F Murray 17:43; D James 19:01; D Hales 19:25; L Noble 19:39; A Watson 19:50; K Robertson (Tyne, W40) 19:53
Teams: 1 Tynedale 31; 2 Elvet Striders 39; 3 Heaton 56; 4 Sunderland 59; 5 North Shields Poly 60; 6 Claremont 68
Junior Women: 5km.
1 S Duffy (Gate, U17) 19:41; 2 L Paton (Gate, U17) 19:50; 3 A Snook (Shil) 19:55; 4 A Suffield (Shil, U17) 20:11; 5 R Turnbull (Morp, U17) 20:49; 6 M Ferrier (Gate) 21:06; 7 L Dixon (Morp, U17) 21:17; 8 L Oliver (Tyne) 21:37; 9 G Campbell (J&H) 21:37; 10 R Barnes (CleS) 21:52
Fastest: M Ferrier 18:46; S Duffy 19:41; L Patton & A Porteous (Morp, U17) 19:50
Teams: 1 Gateshead 9; 2 Morpeth 24; 3 Tynedale 47
Under 15 Girls: 3.3km.
1 Z Armstrong (Morp) 12:58; 2 K Avery (Shil) 13:05; 3 D Pickavance-Clarke (CleS) 13:20; 4 L Weightman (Morp) 13:20; 5 H Girtig (Blay) 13:53; 6 D Bell (Gate) 14:18; 7 B Curran (Gate) 14:32; 8 E Spoor (Sun) 14:37; 9 S Wood (Dur) 14:43; 10 K Lindsey (J&H) 14:45
Fastest: K Avery 11:35; L Weightman 11:50; H Girtig 12:23
Teams: 1 Gateshead 30; 2 Durham City 35; 3 Sunderland 39
Under 13 Boys: 2.7km.
1 R Fergerson (Gate) 11:34; 2 M Reed (Sun) 11:46; 3 E Hope (Sun) 12:01; 4 K Maws (Sun) 12:07; 5 J Taylor (Gate) 12:07; 6 L Lane (CleS) 12:07; 7 S Loraine (Birt) 12:13; 8 R Oldham (Gate) 12:17; 9 R Williams (Tyne) 12:17; 10 B Thompson (CleS) 12:24
Fastest: S Loraine 11:03; R Oldham 11:07; R Lundgrew (Gosf) 11:15
Teams: 1 Sunderland 9; 2 Gateshead 14; 3 Chester Le Street 29
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 28th November 2005).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Cold and damp all of meeting, but rain never really heavy. Going got heavier as afternoon progressed. 278 finishers in SM event (last time: 54:38). 65 finishers in SW (32:24). Kath Stewart finished 52nd (25:06). First two runners in JW race, could be disqualified, as they may have run from the wrong pack. Would also affect team result. In this event, Lynsey Dodsworth finished 16th (22:34) (-2:20). Chloe Gilmore also took part but struggled from the fast pack. Heaton only fielded the minimum six in SM race. Counters were: 75 M Gibson 35:47 (9); 125 J Moore 36:54 (less 2:30) (14); 204 E Baty 39:51 (22); 226 S McEntee 40:41 (24); 232 D Brignell 41:04 (25); 240 A Mulliss 41:35 (26).
Other SW counters were: 20 A Lorenzi 20:44; 33 D Parker 23:36; 55 J Padden 25:19; 58 A Tunmore 25:35. They hold a 3 point lead after 2 meetings.
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Abbey Dash 10km.
Leeds. 27th Nov.
Morpeth's Nick McCormick making his debut on the Roads over 10km, easily won yesterday's Leeds Abbey Dash in a time of 29mins 17secs. Clubmate, Ian Hudspith was some 20secs adrift in 2nd place.
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 28th November 2005).

Additional Comments: Only info received, courtesy of GP. Hudspith's exact time unknown. Results still not available at 11.45pm (28th). Late info (via AW): Ian Hudspith actually faded to 7th (30:03) in closing stages. McCormick's splits included 8:50 (3km) and 14:46 (5km). Conditions were cold and windy. Extra results (but still not complete): 2 J Ward 29:43; 3 D Robinson 29:49; 16 N Wilkinson 31:04; 24 C Sampson 31:33; 26 M Grainger 32:51 (2nd M40); 46 J Orange 33:30; 67 B Dagne 34:40 (1st lady). Further Further info: M50: 1 I Scott 35:39; 2 S Winter 38:00  M55: 4 M Brooks 38:48  Women: 8 A Fox 36:09; 16 S Robson 36:52; 23 A Raw 38:22 (1st W40)  W45: 6 S Milburn 43:26  W50: 2 L Woods 47:15. Morpeth were edged out by Altrincham in the team event. There were 3289 finishers (last time: 1:54:34). Dan Robins finished 134th (36:53).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 20th Nov).
Adrian Holliday helped Birmingham University to second place in their own Road Relays Meeting clocking 8mins 55secs for the first leg (fastest: E Jackson/Notts/8:19).
Result of the MS Therapy Centre 7M at Maltby was: 1 V Brudenell 37:32; 3 A Minister 38:49  Women: 1 E Johnson 43:59
Tristan Venus running for Cumbria, won a Schools Inter County match at Staffs University, Stoke (19th Nov), in a time of 15mins 32secs by a 10secs margin.
At the London Cross Country Challenge at Parliament Hill Fields, Claire Baudouin was 4th iin the U17 event (20:48) behind Katy Richardson (Havering) (19:30).
At the Cambridge University Coppers XC (19th Nov), Matthew Armstrong (Trin) (33:17) finished 2nd to W George (Jes) (33:00).
Info courtesy of AW where the following 2005 rankings appeared:
Women Masters:  W45: 60H: 2 J Harwood 9.49  80H: 3 J Harwood 12.58  W50: 80H: 2 G Dobson 15.06  HJ: 2 G Dobson 1.32  JT: 1 G Dobson 31.21  Hept: 2 G Dobson 4463  W60: 3000: 3 C Lee 12:50.7  5000: 3 C Lee 22:31.6   W65: 100: 3 K Stewart 18.2  200: 3 K Stewart 36.5  400: 1 K Stewart 79.7  800: 1 K Stewart 2:56.81  1500: 1 K Stewart 6:03.01  3000: 1 K Stewart 13:20.0
Under 15 Girls:  100: 16 N Pearson 12.59  300: 5 N Pearson 41.68  800: 20 A Wheatman 2:17.9  1500: 9 K Avery 4:40.88; 10 A Wheatman 4:40.9; 14 L Weightman 4:44.0; 17 N Young 4:45.0  3000: 4 A Wheatman 10:20.15; 7 K Avery 10:35.2  PV: 1 S Scott 3.30   LJ: 17 N Pearson 5.20  DT: 7 T Breen 33.62; 20 P Maddison 29.28  Pent: 15 A Fleming 27.81
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North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League.
Windlestone Hall nr Newton Aycliffe.  Sun. 20th Nov.
Middlesbrough Junior, Joe Rafferty proved too good for his older rivals winning the Senior Mens' event at yesterday's 2nd North Yorkshire and South Durham League fixture at Windlestone Hall. Rafferty pulled away from his main rivals, Rob Cole of Middlesbrough and Paul Lowe of North Yorks Moors on the third of the 4 undulating laps.
Former British Universities Short Course champion, Catherine Hare of Loftus easily won the Senior Womens' event, from the guesting Kerry Matthew, with Commonwealth Games-bound racewalker Johanna Jackson of Middlesbrough and Cleveland taking third place.
Last season's National Under 13 champion, Kate Avery of Shildon easily won a good quality Under 15 race.
Results.
Senior Men (9km):  1 J Rafferty (M'bro, U20) 29:10; 2 R Cole (M'bro) 29:24; 3 P Lowe (NYM) 29:45; 4 A Wiles (M'bro, U20) 29:49; 5 G Dunn (T&S) 29:49; 6 A Duffield (Loft, U20) 30:01; 7 A Morrell (M'bro, U20) 30:01; 8 M Armstrong (Hart) 30:11; 9 J Hunter (Loft, M40) 30:16; 10 N Zissler (R&Z, U20) 30:28; 11 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 30:51; 12 D Inglis (Darl) 31:04
Under 17 Men (7km):  1 A Mitchell (M'bro) 23:06; 2 K Thompson (Shil) 23:13; 3 S Batchelor (N Rown) 23:28
Under 15 Boys (3.1km):  1 J Lazenby (M&C) 10:57; 2 D Schofield (Scar) 11:08; 3 T Murphy (M&C) 11:10
Under 13 Boys (3.1km):  1 J Schofield (Scar) 11:39; 2 M Scott (R&Z) 11:40; 3 A Pearse (N Marske) 11:49
Senior Women (5.2km):  1 C Hare (Loft) 20:22; 2 K Matthew (CleS-gst) 20:46; 3  J Jackson (M&C) 20:55; 4 D Richardson (Quak) 21:08; 5 A Raw (Darl, W40) 21:29; 6 S Tunstall (N Rown, U20) 21:35; 7 A Snook (Shil, U20) 21:40; 8 C Summersgill (M&C) 21:56
Under 17 Women (5.2km): 1 V Needham (N Rown) 21:15; 2 S Gray (Scar) 22:01; 3 A Suffield (Shil) 22:38
Under 15 Girls (3.1km):  1 K Avery (Shil) 11:32; 2 J Musson (N Marske) 12:01; 3 A Bridgeman (Scar) 12:31; 4 Z Armstrong (Morp-gst) 12:49
Under 13 Girls (3.1km):  1 K Templeman N Marske) 12:52; 2 E Templeman (N Marske) 12:54; 3 M Winzer (R&Z) 13:01
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st November 2005).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Weather was bright and dry. Mild early on but got quite cold later. Fairly firm underfoot. Later details (courtesy of John Kettle):  SM Team: Loftus 95  SW Team: Nestle Rowntrees 44. Other performances included: SM: 106 M Brooks 39:53; 114 I Barnes 40:35. In U15 Girls race, Alex Wheatman dropped out when with leaders..Zoe Armstrong was elevated to third but was passed by Bridgeman late on (this info courtesy of Mick G). The next meeting (4th Dec) has been switched from Thirsk Racecourse (now being resurfaced), to Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough. Unfortunately this was last meeting at this excellent venue, as land is being sold to become a possible hotel + golf course. Further details (courtesy of NMH website): SM: 16 M McDonald (gst) 31:35; 27 N Orr 32:34 (149 finishers: last time: 53:07). U17M: 17 finishers. SW: 73 finishers (last time: 34:51).
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54th Brampton to Carlisle 10M Road Race.
Sat. 19th Nov.
Border's Michael Scott, now in the veteran ranks, gained victory in the 54th running of the ever popular Wm Coulthard & Co Ltd sponsored Brampton to Carlisle 10M Road Race. Hayley Haining of Kilbarchan repeated her 2004 victory finishing in a magnificent 11th position in the 600-strong field.
In the cold but bright conditions, Scott, also successful in 2001, was content to stay in the leading group of 6 runners for the first 5M (25:50). The group was down to four at 7M before Alisdair Tatham of Quakers made the first real break, a mile later. Scott was the only one to cover the move, and  made his bid for victory at the 9M point (47:12). The winning margin was 6 secs over Tatham, who clocked a personal best time. Stewart Gregory from Nottingham took third ahead of Cumbria based Trafford athlete, Chris Doyle, who looked the likely winner at halfway. David Swinburne of Morpeth recovered from a severe stitch at 3M, to take 5th ahead of another of the early leaders, Steve Potts of Sunderland. Scott also led the host club to a third successive team title.
With tricky underfoot conditions in the middle part of the course, due to a heavy overnight frost which had not completely cleared, the leading times were slightly down on previous years. This did not deter Haining though, whose winning time placed her in 4th place on this year's UK rankings, and was nearly 2mins quicker than last year. Though a long way adrift of the winner, Holly May of Bath clocked another fast time in 2nd position, while nearly another 5mins behind in third place was the leading veteran, Alison Raw of Darlington. Morpeth led by 4th placed Jane Mooney easily won the team title.
Result.
1 M Scott (Bord, M40) 52:22; 2 A Tatham (Quak) 52:28; 3 S Gregory (Holme P, M40) 52:41; 4 C Doyle (Traff, U20) 52:44; 5 D Swinburne (Morp) 52:55; 6 S Potts (Sun) 53:07; 7 R Lightfoot (Ellen) 53:42; 8 M Amor (Cumb FR) 54:02; 9 B Taylor (Ellen) 54:46; 10 J Chadwick (Glax) 54:50; 11 H Hailing (Kilb, L) 54:50; 12 B Matthew (Cald) 54:53; 13 R Maddams (Lon I) 55:02; 14 G Dixon (Barr) 55:09; 15 R Mace (CoSheff) 55:30; 16 J Ross (North FR, M40) 55:47; 17 D Boal (Kilb) 56:05; 18 P Walker (Blay) 56:08; 19 G Campbell (Aln) 56:21; 20  M Pluckrose (Bord) 56:25; 21 S Angus (Bord) 56:27; 22 R McMahon (L&M) 56:33; 23 G Gill (Keigh, M40) 56:34; 24 H May (CoBath )56:35; 25 B Carrigan (Cald) 57:01
M40: 5 M Jones (SSh) 57:12  M45: 1 G Dixon (Morp) 57:10; 2 S Hilton (Blay) 57:29; 3 A Metcalf (Pres) 57:35  M50: 1 I Scott (Quak) 57:39; 2 S Stewart (Bord) 59:06  M55: 1 S Moore (Lyth) 57:27; 2 C Dentice (Morp) 58:24; 3 H Matthews (Els) 60:44  M60: 1 W Jackson (Ellen) 60:12; 2 M Walker (Gosf) 62:37  M65: P Mitchell (Keigh) 75:16  M70: J Irvine (Bella) 71:29  M75: G Shirley (Heat) 86:36
Teams: 1 Border 40; 2 Morpeth 58; 3 Calderglen 71; 4 Ellenbrough 76; 5 Sunderland 82; 6 Glaxo Hoad Hill 98
Veterans: 1 Morpeth 29; 2 Keighley and Craven 70; 3 Border 75
Women: 1 H Hailing 54:50; 2 H May 56:35; 3 A Raw (Darl, W40) 61:59; 4 J Mooney (Morp) 62:17; 5 K Chapman (Morp) 62:41; 6 K Heaviside (Eden, W35) 64:05; 7 M Douglas (Dumf) 64:52; 8 A Murray (Clyde, W35) 65:37; 9 S Dolan (Harr, W40) 66:02; 10 P McCrossan (Clyde, W40) 66:31; 11 L Walker (Walls) 66:33; 12 J Smith (Heat) 66:35; 13 J Green (Barr, W40) 66:41; 14 G Cavill (Morp, W40) 67:25; 15 H Astley (Heat) 67:30
W45: K Davison (Els) 68:11  W50: 1 H Ross (Unatt) 71:37; 2 P Woodcock (Morp) 73:22  W55: W  Rowell (Elv) 82:35  W65: K Stewart (NSP) 80:39  W70: H Goodman (Kend) 87:48
Teams: 1 Morpeth 23; 2 Clydedale 34; 3 Heaton 60: 4 Wallsend 65; 5 Dumfries 95; 6 Harrogate 128
Veterans: 1 Clydesdale 16; 2 Morpeth 47; 3 Harrogate 80
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st November 2005).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. 614 finshers (last time courtesy of David Tait: 1:51:24). Weather very cold. Remained a hard frost but at least dry and sunny. Paths around 6-9M would have been a bit tricky. Intermediiate splits were: 4:44, 10:06, 15:23, 20:34, 25:50, 31:09, 32:18 (10km), 36:53, 41:54, 47:12. Probably slowest winning time but a good tactical race. Lead car courtesy of Lisa Uren. Not much info re Haining as she (as in 2004) left after race. I understand (from Bill M) that later the same night, she was informed she had been picked for Commonwealth Games. Dave Whitmore finished 552nd (86:01). Congratulations again to Heaton's Ladies team. A delighted David Burn (hoping for 60mins), Dan Robins and probably Jo Smith (( + others) clocked pb's. Performances were: 42 D Burn 58:23; 63 D Robins 59:44; 111 J Wilson 62:30; 145 C Auld 64:03; 153 P Bhogal 64:28;  191 J Smith; 211 H Astley; 239 S Lancaster 68:40; 273 J Marshall 70:04; 309 A Mulliss 71:26; 312 D Wright 71:34; 335 A Nott 72:20 (36L); 345 A Lorenzi 72:57 (37L); 527 A Grenfell 82:51 (98L); 552 G Shirley; 573 G Routledge 89:13 (10mins faster than 2004); 600 H Craven 98:06 (2nd M70). 15th Male Team.
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Gateshead Lunchtime Road Race Handicap.
International Stadium.  Wed. 16th Nov.
Result.  Distance 5km.
1 Y Thiru (Unatt, L) 25:53; 2 L Brown (Blay, L) 26:26; 3 R Checkley (Heat) 26:29; 4 K Davison (Els, L) 26:37; 5 M Ketley (Els) 27:06; 6 P Gowland (unatt) 27:14; 7 P Turnbull (Blyth) 27:26; 8 A Elders (Low F) 27:41; 9 D Mills (J&H) 27:43; 10 R Meldrum (unatt) 27:46
Fastest: G Harden (Sun, M40) 17:38; H Matthews (Els, M55) 18:41; P Turnbull 18:46
Women: Y Thiru (W35) 20:13; K Davison (W45) 20:37; L Brown 21:06
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 21st November 2005).

Additional Comments: Only results sent (extra info from Low fell website) due to time lapse. 66 finishers. David Tait (off 0:00) was 35th in 33:25. Ted Joynson did not run. Conditions were cool, bright and breezy. George Harden (off 11:20) finished 29th. Other "personality" performances (actual time listed) were: K Alnwick 20:53; S Laws (L) 21:43; J Prudham 21:55, C Lee (L) 22:19; D Whitmore 26:00; S Robson 30:05. Heaton performances were: R Checkley 24:09; 12 E Appleby 23:11; 26 H Gold 20:29; 35 P Gold (L) 24:03; 40 A Mulliss 21:36; 52 F Turley 21:28 (L); 57 T Hopkins 24:22; 61 D Robins 20:17 (took wrong turning into Industrial Estate. Estimated loss about 5mins).
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Weekly Round-up
(to 13th Nov).
Leading North East performances from the Home Countries Veterans International XC in Dublin (12th Nov) were M50: 1 R Haley (E) 32:21; 3 L Atkinson 33:01  M65: 1 W Ryder 38:08  M70: 1 B Ashwell (E) 24:15; 3 I Barnes 26:01  W60: 1 P Gallagher (W) 25:30; 4 C Lee 27:13.  Later details: M45: 11 P Merrison 32:44  M50: 19 A Jenkins (Sc) 34:54
Leading results from the English Schools Cup XC (12th Nov) at Caedman School, Whitby were: IB: 1 R Best (LJ) 14:43; 2 D Turnbull (Duch) 14:53; 3 A Bell (K James) 14:55  Team: Laurence Jackson 55  JB: 1 J Robson (RGS) 9:23  IG: 1 L Goodson (Qu Mary) 10:21; 2 S Wood (Dur) 10:31  JG: 1 K Templeman (LJ) 9:01; 2 E Templeman (LJ) 9:22; 3 R King (Gos) 9:27; 4 S Loraine (Cent HS) 9:36
All info courtesy of AW which included UK U17 rankings for 2005. Leading North East performers were: 100: 9 R Kilty 10.96; 10 Y Aliu 10.98  200: (10 J Spencer 22.15)  800: 2 A Lagan 1:54.12; 16 A Stanton 1:56.2 (S Fox sems to have been omitted)  1500: 8 R Stevenson 3:58.14; 10 W Roberts 3:59.55  300: 15 R Stevenson 8:56.6  1500St: 10 W Pike 4:30.92  HJ: 10 P Collins 1.96  LJ: 8 P Allen 6.73; 12 A Kamara 6.59  TJ: 6 D Blackett 13.86  HT: 15 G Level 50.61; 20 D Barrett 47.98  JT: 19 S Reynolds 52.11  Oct: 2 N Ridgeon 49.43
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Heaton Harriers Memorial Open Road Races.
Exhibition Park/Town Moor. Newcastle upon Tyne.  Sun. 13th Nov.
Elswick Harrier, Steven Horn sprinted to victory at yesterday's Heaton Harriers Memorial Town Moor 10km Road Race. In the bright but chilly conditions, Horn together with Dave Kirkland of Alnwick and leading veteran Martin Grainger of Darlington led the 300-strong field at halfway (16:12), with Grainger the first to lose contact. Horn, winner of the North Eastern 1500m track title in 2003 and 2004, used his superior speed to pull away from Kirkland, the recent Jedburgh Half Marathon winner, in the final 300m. Grainger took third place and Durham University retained the team title. Kate Chapman of Morpeth (18:55 at halfway), comfortably won the Womens' race coming home in 43rd position, 200m clear of 2003 winner, Angela Hunter of Jarrow and Hebburn. Caroline Freeman finished 3rd and Heather Lambert of North Shields Poly as in 2004, was the leading veteran in 5th. Host club Heaton took the team title. .
Morpeth's Robert Balmbra took 25secs off the old figures to win the Under 17 5km and Gateshead's Rebecca Oldham clipped 2 secs off the old record in the Under 13 Girls' event.
Results.
Town Moor 10km.
1 S Horn (Els) 32:40; 2 D Kirkland (Aln) 32:50; 3 M Grainger (Darl, M40) 33:01; 4 J Murray (Newc U) 33:58; 5 M Smith (unatt, M40) 34:09; 6 A Lawrence (Dur U) 34:20; 7 J Moore (Heat) 34:21; 8 A Mace (unatt) 34:40; 9 M Frost (NSP, M40) 35:01; 10 N Rooke (Dur U) 35:24; 11 Mark McLeod (Els) 35:27; 12 C Ridley (SSh, M45) 35:43; 13 A Combe (Dur U) 35:56; 14 C Hainsworth (Gate) 35:57; 15 S Hilton (Blay, M45) 35:59; 16 C Robson (J&H) 36:00; 17 G Dixon (Morp, M45) 36:01; 18 D Anderson (Walls, M45) 36:02; 19 P Turner (unatt) 36:07; 20 S Hargreaves (Walls) 36:08; 21 D Robins (Heat) 36:24; 22 Z Scott (Birt) 36:32; 23 J Mason (Darl, M45) 36:34; 24 C Dentice (Morp, M55) 36:42; 25 D Nicholson (Low F, M50) 36:45
M50: 2 T McPhail (Walls) 37:20; 3 G Pemberton (NE Vets) 38:57  M55: 2 B Cook (CleS) 40:27  M60: 1 M Walker (Gosf) 40:00; 2 H Gold (Heat) 42:07  M65: 1 B Cordes (Morp) 45:22; 2 J Conaghan (N Marske) 45:29
Teams: 1 Durham University 43; 2 Elswick 63; 3 Wallsend 88; 4 Morpeth 111; 5 Heaton 112; 6 Blaydon 140
Women: 1 K Chapman (Morp) 38:10; 2 A Hunter (J&H) 38:38; 3 C Freeman (unatt) 41:08; 4 H Finch (Dur U) 41:11; 5 H Lambert (NSP, W45) 42:09; 6 H Astley (Heat) 42:39; 7 A Mason (Gosf, W45) 42:43; 8 J Dooley (Tyne) 42:52; 9 R Sills (Heat) 43:20; 10 A Banner (Els, W35) 43:27; 11 J Greaves (unatt) 43:29; 12 A Lorenzi (Heat) 43:34; 13 L Chapman (Gars, W50) 43:36; 14 G Barry (Sun) 43:56; 15 A Easoz (Clare) 43:57
W40: 1 J Cross (Clare) 43:59; 2 J Walker (Morp) 44:37  W50: 2 H Ross (unatt) 44:27  W55: 1 J Kilgour (Clare) 46:37; 2 S Gibson (Darl) 46:57  W65: I Conaghan (N Marske) 54:00
Teams: 1 Heaton 23; 2 Morpeth 42; 3 Claremont 49; 4 Tynedale 59; 5 North Shields Poly 68;  6 Gateshead 90
Junior Men: 5km. 1 R Balmbra (Morp, U17) 16:35 (rec); 2 S Brewis (H&P) 17:40; 3 D Watt (NSP, U17) 17:53; 4 R Kirkup (Morp, U17) 18:56; 5 G Heppell (H&P) 19:12; 6 M Wallace (H&P) 19:46  Team: 1 Houghton and Peterlee 13; 2 Morpeth 13
Under 15 Boys: 3km. 1 N Reed (Sun) 10:42; 2 J McWilliams (Wool) 10:48; 3 L Baister (Blyth) 11:03; 4 G Ritchie (J&H) 11:06; 5 S Aubrey (H&P) 11:47; 6 A Smith (Blyth) 11:59
Team: Blyth 19
Under 13 Boys: 3km. 1 M Hardy (Gate) 11:38; 2 S Pratt (Gate) 11:45; 3 D Rutter (Gate) 11:53; 4 T Beattie (Morp) 12:00; 5 N Newton (Gate) 12:17; 6 G Lowry (J&H) 12:54  Team: Gateshead 6
Junior Women: 5km. 1 C Graham (Newc U) 22:16; 2 C Potts (H&P, U17) 23:54; 3 S Horrell (unatt) 27:24
Under 15 Girls: 3km. 1 Z Armstrong (Morp) 11:39; S Goodfellow (Morp) 11:58; 3 S-K Crowell (J&H) 12:06; 4 B Curran (Gate) 13:00; 5 E Murray (J&H) 13:11; 6 L Macdonald (Morp) 13:20
Team: Morpeth 9
Under 13 Girls: 3km. 1 R Oldham (Gate) 12:05 (rec); 2 M Simpson (Morp) 12:06; 3 C Samuelson (Gate) 12:09; 4 H Rank (Morp) 12:11; 5 A Watt (CleS) 12:24; 6 S Robinson (Blyth) 12:33  Team: 1 Gateshead 11; 2 Morpeth 17
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 14th November 2005).

Additional Comments:  Most of info used. 306 finishers in Senior race (226 Men and 80 Women). Ted Joynson finished 306th on time with 93mins 22secs. He started 33mins before due start (alarmingly he had "negative splits" as he clocked 49:04 at 5km). Poor turn-out for Junior/Under 17 race and I know there were a few ran in Senior event. Other "personality" performances included: 192 F Strand 46:13; 240 M Stephenson 49:44; 246 S Edwards 49:54 (3rd M65); 258 D Whitmore 51:20; 305 D Tait 68:13
Other Heaton performances were: 48 A Sutherland 38:37; 54 M Gibson 38:51; 59 C Auld 39:04; 95 J Gibson 41:04; 114 J Richardson 42:02; 116 H Gold; 128 H Astley; 137 R Sills; 139 E Baty 43:20; 140 D Wright 43:26; 147 A Lorenzi; 153 D Brignall 44:01; 158 D Strewart 44:04 (3rd M55); 160 S Aulld 44:12 (17L); 175 A Mulliss 45:05; 181 S Hardwick 45:24; 221 J Brignall 48:28 (38L); 230 S Allan 48:59; 232 D Parker 49:03 (40L); 238 P Gold 49:34 (44L) (3rd W55); 239 M Finn 49:42 (45L); 249  A Tunmore 50:20 (49L); 251 G Sarson 50:36; 285 N Marsh 56:25 (68L); 289 A Benbow 57:44 (71L)
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Saucony National Cross Country Relays.
Berry Hill Park, Mansfield.  Sat. 12th Nov.
Morpeth Harriers successfully defended the Senior Mens' title at Saturday's National Cross Country Relay Championships at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield. Once again, Morpeth had to rely on a fine last leg, by Commonwealth Games bound 1500m runner, Nick McCormick. In the glorious conditions, Michael Morris finished 8th on leg 1, with Neil Wilkinson dropping to 17th on leg 2. Ian Hudspith moved to 6th on leg 3 handing over to McCormick, who was 44secs down on leaders Altrincham. He moved quickly through the field bringing Morpeth to a 25secs victory. McCormick's time was the fastest of the day by 8secs. Morpeth have now won the event 6 times.
Results.
Senior Men: 4 x 5km. 1 Morpeth 60:34 (M Morris 15:18, N Wilkinson 15:45, I Hudspith 15:10, N McCormick 14:21); 2 Aldershot, Farnham & District 60:59; 3 Altrincham 61:07; 4 Tipton 61:09; 5 Newham & Essex Beagles 61:19; 6 Sale 61:31;12 Sunderland 62:34 (M Hood 15:17, B Rushworth 15:37, G Massingham 15:52, P Martin 15:48); 20 Morpeth B 64:09 (M Brown 15:24, D Samuels 16:24, C Sampson 15:56, D Swinburne 16:25)  Fastest: N McCormick 14:21; M Farah (N&EB) 14:29; M Skinner (B'hth) & C Davies (Telf) 14:36
Junior Men: 3 x 3km. 1 Aldershot, Farnham & District 26:54; 2 Trafford 26:59; 3 Trafford B 27:05; 7 Morpeth 27:59 (J Young 9:26, N Shrub 9:08, S Kirtley 9:25)
Under 17 Men: 3 x 3km. 1 City of Norwich 26:32; 2 Aldershot, Farnham & District 26:35; 3 Westbury 26:43; 6 Chester Le Street 27:07 (C Smith, D Ellis, A Stanton)
Under 15 Boys: 3 x 2km.  1 Warrington 19:14; 2 Hallamshire 19:39; 3 Aldershot, Farnham & District 19:43 ; 7 Gateshead 19:59 (C Bell 6:29, R Murray 6:14, J Beaton 7:16)  Fastest: R Parker (Bed) 6:09; R Murray 6:14
Senior Women: 3 x 3km. 1 Charnwood 29:57; 2 Sale 30:28; 3 Charnwood B 30:32; 7 Chester Le Street 31:36 (A Dixon 10:16, S Robson 10:51, S Wilkinson 10:29); 17 Morpeth 32:38 (A Fox 10:41, J Mooney 10:47, K Chapman 11:10); 21 Chester Le Street B 32:51 (M Czarnecka 10:58, K Matthew  11:05. E Waterhouse 10:48)
Under 15 Girls: 3 x 2km. 1 Aldershot, Farnham & District 21:21; 2 Scarborough 21:34; 3 Kettering 21:38; 7 Morpeth 22:06 (Z Armstrong 7:38, N Young 7:22, L Weightman 7:06)
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 14th Nov 2005).

Additional Comments: All info used. As results (I gather there were problems) were late on website (Sat pm), I only used minimum info. Congratulations to Morpeth. Wish this event was back in March. Surprised some clubs have not complained about this, nearly always, clashing with Schools' Cup (footnote: Good letter in AW re this subject).
Extra results included: SM: 28 Gateshead 64:45 (C Parr 15:07-3rd, A Buckley 15:16-2nd, M Elliott 16:37, C Paton 17:45); 44 Chester Le Street 67:25 (D Purvis 16:35, S Pigford 17:02, M Tomlinson 16:28, S Laws 17:20)  U17M: Chester Le Street corected splits were: C Smith 9:23, D Ellis 9:32, A Stanton 9:43  SW: Leg 1: 4 S Thomas (Sale) 10:00; 5 S Maude (Charn B) 10:00  U17W: 15 Morpeth 28:57 (A Porteous 9:29, L Dixon 9:53, R Adams 9:35)
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Weekly Round-up
(to 6th Nov).
John Moore finished 2nd in the Billericay 10km in a time of 34mins 43secs, behind N Houlton (unatt) (34:27). Original info from JM and them Bill Str website. There were 554 finishers (last time: 72:33).
Steve Hepples finished 2nd in the Derwentwater 10M in a time of 51mins 48secs, well behind Salford's Andy Jones (49:38). Mike Scott finished 5th (55:14). Rebecca Robinson (12th overall) won the Womens' race in a fast time of 58mins 43secs, by a massive margin of 8mins 21secs.
At an International Cross Country meeting in Belgium, Delyth James finished 9th in the U20 race in a time of 16mins 49secs (winner: L Byrne of Ire in 15:52).
At a 24hour Track Race in East Hull, Sharon Gayter was 2nd overall (first lady) with a distance of 198.673km. She was only 5km behind winner.
Result from Guy Fawkes 10 at Harrogate (6th Nov): 1 P Green (Hall) 53:44; 2 G Dunn 54:54; 3 P Best 55:17; 5 T Field (1st M40) 56:03. Result of the Gosforth Club Handicap (6th Nov) was: 1 L Smith (U17W); 2 L Buswell (U15)  Fastest: P Hutton 15:03; L Timmins 15:08; T Bird 17:29.
Leadng results from the UK Challenge Cross Country at Birmingham (5th Nov) included: U13B: 1 D Scott (Newq) 12:24; 6 J Robson 12:55  SW: 1 H Yelling 21:18; 2 H Dean 22:01; 3 R Ryan (Ire) 22:09; 5 S Thomas 22:29  U15G: 1 K Avery 12:56; 2 S Hopkinson 12:58  U13G: 1 M Hartin (Ox) 10:36; 7 S Bell 11:22
Rosie Smith competing for Edinburgh Univ, won the Braid Hill Race in a time of 17mins 32secs, by a 17secs margin.
Info courtsey of AW, where the UK U17 Womens' rankings for 2005 were published. Leading North East performers were: 300H: 5 L McMichael 43.31; 14 S Coleby 44.60  400H: 2 L McMichael 64.1  PV: S Scott omitted for some reason (should have been 5th with 3.30m)  SP: 6 K Hutton 11.82; 17 K Wilson 10.94  HT: 15 K Wilson 39.50  DT: 12 A Maddison 36.50  Hept: 4 S Coleby 4439
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Blackhill Bounders Fruit Bowl 7 Trail Race.
Gibside Estate, Rowlands Gill.  Sun. 6th Nov.
Stewart Bell of Chester Le Street repeated his 2004 victory, when comfortably winning yesterday's ninth Blackhill Bounders Fruit Bowl 7 Trail Race, in the grounds of Gibside Estate. Luckily the heavy rain which had prevailed over the previous two days had abated, and conditions although heavy underfoot, were pleasant for the runners. Bell soon headed the 450-strong field gradually pulling away from his main rival and 2001 winner, Alasdair Tatham of Quakers. It was Bell's 4th win here, having previously been successful in 1997, 1999 and 2004. Former Chester Le Street athlete, Steven Armstrong took third place. Jeffrey Ross of Nortumberland Fell Runners, led home a strong veteran challenge in 4th. Darlington's Alison Raw, whose form over the Fells would have helped on the course, won the Womens' race finishing in 42nd place overall. Veterans occupied the first 3 places, with Tynedale Harriers Sonia Morley and Karen Robertson taking the minor awards. Proceeds for the event went to the Friends of Gibside Restoration Fund.
Results.
1 S Bell (CleS) 40:31; 2 A Tatham (Quak) 41:27; 3 S Armstrong (unatt) 42:11; 4 J Ross (North'd FR, M40) 42:40; 5 C Morley (T&W FB, M40) 43:05; 6 T Wylie (Ryton Tri, M40) 43:24; 7 W Knox (Dur, M40) 43:46; 8 S Coxon (Tyne, M40) 44:04; 9 M Jones (SSh, M40) 44:05; 10 C Hainsworth (Gate) 44:17; 11 P Waterson (Morp, M40) 44:19; 12 A Gaskarth (N Ayc, M40) 44:23; 13 S Grey (CleS, M40) 44:24; 14 W Horsley (North'd FR) 44:27; 15 D Steel (Morp, M40) 44:35; 16 J Dobson (Sun) 44:37; 17 P Guy (N Ayc) 44:43; 18 N Morris (Low F, M40) 44:50; 19 B Harding (Dur) 44:54; 20 D Burn (Heat, M40) 45:15
M50: 1 C Dentice (Morp) 45:45; 2 M Miles (Heat) 48:04; 3 M Bennett (Elv) 49:59  M60: 1 R Wilson (Sun) 51:34; 2 I Morgan (unatt) 54:05; 3 M Relton (NE Vets) 54:50  M70: W McNeil (Dur) 61:13
Women: 1 A Raw (Darl, W35) 47:53; 2 S Morley (Tyne, W35) 48:15; 3 K Robertson (Tyne, W35) 48:35; 4 J Smith (Heat) 50:07; 5 F Shenton (Elv, W45) 50:41; 6 K Weatherhead (unatt) 51:25; 7 D Elliott (CleS, W45) 51:54; 8 K Davis (NSP, W35) 52:20; 9 F Little (unatt, W35) 52:31; 10 S Milburn (N Ayc, W45) 53:50; 11 J Dooley (Tyne) 53:55; 12 V Butler (Els) 54:35; 13 S Thurlbeck (N Ayc, W35) 55:16; 14 C Bruce (NSP, W35) 55:21; 15 E Palleschi (Bill MH, W35) 55:26
W55: 1 S Cain (Blay) 59:31; 2 S Gibson (Darl) 60:47; 3 S Kirkup (CleS) 62:22  W65: E Armstrong (Tyne) 65:56
(Newcastle Journal:  Mon. 7th November 2005).

Additional Comments: Most of info used. Results courtesy of George and Audrey. 456 finishers (last time: 82:58). 571 entries (500 limit) but a large number of about 300 returned (30 was most previously). Weather was fine after start of race, though showery beforehand. Very heavy rain in early hours but cleared up. Must admit I did not recognise a large proportion of first twenty runners. Veteran results only in 10-year age-groups. Other personality performances included  206 N Osborn 61:29; 451  D Tait 81:43. Famous parents included: 224 C Baudouin 58:15 and 405 V Ferrier  62:29. Heaton fielded 17 runners. Further details: 44 M Miles; 56 C Auld 48:50; 65 M Gibson 49:53; 66 J Wilson 49:57; 68 P Bhogal 50:01; 71 J Smith; 137 E Baty 53:44; 160 J Gibson 55:17; 169 J Marshall 55:45; 173 A Nott 55:55 (18L); 197 A Mulliss 57:09; 213 S Auld 57:50 (26L); 287 R Kane 61:38 (52L); 293 F Warnell 61:50 (54L); 358 L Swanson 65:47 (78L); 409 G Routledge 70:39.
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