Swinburn masters the tough conditions

Jun 2 2008 The Journal

MORPETH Harrier Nick Swinburn was an emphatic winner of the first Watergate Trail Race at Watergate Park yesterday, writes LES VENMORE.

The persistent heavy rain made parts of the course very demanding, which suited the Bangor University student.

Swinburn came home over a minute clear of club-mate Michael Morris, who pulled away from Heaton’s James Buis in the closing stages.

Buis had the consolation of leading his club to the team title, while Elswick’s Stephen Grey was the leading veteran in fifth place.

Morpeth’s Jane Mooney easily won the women’s race, finishing 11th in the field of over 100 runners.

Angela Hunter, of Chester-le-Street, finished a distant second ahead of Heaton’s Claire Buis.

Reigning English Schools intermediate 1,500m champions Ross Murray, of Gateshead, and Laura Weightman, of Morpeth, clocked personal best times in the Nike British Milers’ Club Grand Prix at Sport City, Manchester on Saturday.

Murray set new figures in the 800m, taking second place in the E race, while Weightman took her opportunity in the women’s 1,500m A race as she finished 12th behind Havering’s Faye Fullerton – taking 1.2 seconds off her previous best time.

Kendal’s Gemna Miles narrowly defeated top junior Emily Pigeon in the 5,000m, while Liverpool’s Vicki Griffiths gained a surprising victory in the 800m over established international Jenny Meadows.

Gateshead Harriers overcame the wet and windy conditions – and the Yorkshire opposition – to win their third Premier Division National Young Athletes League fixture at the International Stadium yesterday.

Border Harriers held off the challenge of Jarrow & Hebburn to win the Division Two match at the same venue.

JESSICA Ennis will have an MRI scan on her injured right ankle today. The Commonwealth heptathlon bronze medallist was lying in second place in the IAAF World Challenge Hypo Meeting in Götzis on Saturday when she decided to pull out as a precautionary measure.

MARLON Devonish is refusing to concede Tyrone Edgar will be first choice for the 100m in the Norwich Union GB side in the SPAR European Cup later this month.

Edgar demonstrated his credentials to compete in Annecy after scorching to a personal best of 10.06 seconds in Geneva on Saturday.

But, despite clocking just 10.18secs when sixth in yesterday’s Golden League meeting in Berlin, Devonish says there is “plenty of room for improvement” before the side is announced on June 9.