Regional round-up

Sep 15 2008 The Journal

MORPETH Harrier Nick Swinburn won yesterday's Tynedale 10-mile road race from Hexham to Ovingham.

In the dry, but breezy conditions four runners soon headed the record field of 600, with Swinburn joined by David Kirkland of Alnwick, Stewart Bell of Chester-le-Street and Jon Archer of Low Fell. Swinburn made two unsuccessful early efforts to break way and the quartet were together at halfway (26:56). Kirkland made his bid for victory in the sixth mile covered in 5mins 10secs, with only Swinburn covering the move.

Kirkland held a slight advantage at nine miles (48:02) before Swinburn kicked away on the final downhill section to the finish at Ovingham Middle School. He won by 11 seconds, while Bell finished another 37secs adrift in third. The first three also took the medals in the North Eastern Counties Championship, while Bell won the British Masters title. Morpeth took the team prize.

Angela Hibbs of Claremont won the women’s race finishing 55th overall.

Fiona Shenton of Elvet was the leading veteran in second with Aiveen Fox of Morpeth finishing third.

The first three again took the counties' medals and North Shields Poly took the team honours. The Poly were led home by Heather Lambert in sixth.

She was also first in the British Masters Championship and won the over-50s title.