Miller makes a winning return on the sands

Dec 8 2008 The Journal

NORTH Shields Poly’s Lesley Miller improved on her third place in 2007 to win yesterday’s 49th Blyth Sands Handicap, run on a return route from South Beach, Blyth, to Seaton Sluice.

Miller, in the over-50 category, was off the maximum mark of 12 minutes and was never headed. For good measure, she was also the fastest lady overall. In second was Wallsend’s Terry O’Gara, in the men’s over-65 category, who finished two minutes adrift, off nine minutes. Cath Young of Blyth, who finished second in 2007, came third, starting off on the same time as the winner.

Ash Henderson, of the host club, clocked the fastest overall time finishing in eighth place off scratch.

Blyth retained the team title.

Robbie Loraine (Whickham HS) put in the best individual performance by a North East athlete at Saturday’s English Schools Cross Country Cup Final in Leicestershire.

Loraine finished third in the junior boys’ race. Best team performance came from Newcastle Royal Grammar School, who finished eighth in the intermediate boys’ event.

The Cumbria pair of Abbie Hetherington and Hannah Bethwaite occupied the first two places in the junior girls’ race.

The Norman Woodcock Five-mile Road Race due to be held at Gosforth Park on Saturday was cancelled for safety reasons, due to parts of the main route being covered in black ice.

A new date is being sought.

LES VENMORE