Morris paves path for Morpeth

Nov 19 2007 The Journal

MORPETH Harrier Michael Morris made a late surge to victory in Saturday’s Brampton to Carlisle Road Race.

Ricky Lightfoot from Ellenborough took the lead from the start, opening up a 50-second lead at the halfway point (25:49).

His efforts in the windy conditions started to tell in the final three miles with Morris, along with previous winner Michael Scott of Border, catching the leader.

Morris kicked away with 800m remaining with Lightfoot holding on to second place, ahead of Scott who was the leading veteran. Morris, supported by Paul Waterston in an excellent 12th position and David Swinburne 26th, led Morpeth to a narrow team victory over Border.

Scottish international Hayley Haining, winner in 2004 and 2005, finished in an excellent eighth position in the 600-strong field to easily win the women’s race.

Morpeth again took the team title. Morpeth completed a successful weekend, taking the overall team title in the senior men’s event at the first fixture of the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League at Shibdon Pond yesterday.

The individual race was won by 800m specialist Andrew Teate, who pulled away from guesting runner Matthew Coffer and Gareth Lloyd of Durham on the last of the three laps.

Morpeth’s Mark Brown clocked the fastest time, finishing in 26th position. Morpeth also provided the fastest medium pack runner in Ross Floyd who, showing some of his old form, finished in 15th place. Michelle Holt of Sunderland reversed Sherman Cup placings with Gateshead’s Kim Simpson to win the women’s race. Simpson built up a sizeable lead early on but Holt caught her rival halfway round the final circuit.

Alyson Dixon of Chester-le-Street clocked the fastest time, finishing in seventh position. Sunderland took the team title from Chester-le-Street.

Holt’s time was surpassed by Blaydon’s Helen Gertig who was quickest in the junior race when finishing third.

Tynedale’s Tristan Venus, last season’s Under-15 champion, won the Under-17 race clocking the quickest time.

Marcus Cram of Morpeth was the fastest Under-15 runner finishing in 10th position.

In the corresponding girls’ race Rachael Lundgren of Gosforth clocked the quickest time in seventh position.

Barry Maskell of Gateshead and Zoe Hewitson of Shildon were fastest in the Under-13 age group.

LES VENMORE