Wallsend closing in on title

Mar 16 2009 The Journal

WALLSEND Harriers took a step closer to winning the Senior Men’s Division One title at Saturday’s penultimate Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League fixture at Prudhoe High School.

The North Tyneside club now hold a six-point lead over Heaton, the pair occupying the first two places on the day. Sunderland, champions for the last ten years, lie another point adrift in third.

In the Individual race, Blyth’s Gary Jones held off the challenge of Ryton’s Phil Addyman. Given the conditions and the nature of the course, it was not surprising that the leading pair are experienced Fell runners.

Graeme Taylor of Jarrow and Hebburn finished third from the medium pack, while Heaton’s James Buis clocked the fastest time, finishing in fourth place from the fast pack.

Low Fell’s victory in Division Two means they now join Gateshead at the head of the table, while Jarrow and Hebburn extended their lead at the top of Division Three.

Gateshead’s Kim Simpson easily won the Senior Women’s race from the fast pack. Second-placed Samantha Scott led host club Tynedale to the team title.

They now hold a two-point lead in the table over defending champions Heaton, who were led home by third-placed Anna Turvey.

The timing of the event, plus the conditions, meant that six of the eight races were won by fast-pack runners. Liam Johnston of Jarrow and Hebburn (Under-17 Men), Josh Brown of Tynedale (Under-15 Boys), Caitlin Lloyd of Jarrow & Hebburn (Junior Women), Steph Bruce of Tynedale (Under-15 Girls) and Sophie Forster of Birtley (Under-13 Girls) were also successful.

Arren Skipsey of Blaydon broke the sequence with a slow-pack victory in the Under-13 Boys’ event.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s Carolyn Summersgill easily won the Senior Women’srace at the final North Yorkshire and South Durham fixture at Richmond Racecourse. Former Newcastle student Anghared Owen of Loftus took second place.

Tom Bean of City of York won the Senior Men’sevent, overhauling early leader Gary Dunn of Thirsk, now a veteran, after halfway.

l World record holder Usain Bolt posted a wind-assisted 9.93 seconds on his season debut over 100 metres at the GC Foster Classics in Jamaica.

In his first 100m since winning the Golden League meet in Brussels in September, the Olympic champion comfortably won his heat ahead of training partner Daniel Bailey.

Bolt is expected to make his international debut at the Jamaica International Invitational on May 2.