Harriers victorious in league opener

Nov 30 2009 The Journal

MORPETH Harriers gained victory in the senior men’s event at the first fixture of the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League, whch was held at Farringdon on Saturday.

For good measure Terry Wall, running from the Slow Pack, gained a hard-fought victory, passing early leader Philip Sanderson of Elvet on the second lap and holding off the late challenge of Sunderland’s Jason Waite.

Morpeth also provided the fastest Medium Pack runner, Ross Floyd in fifth place and the fastest overall runner, Matthew Nicholson (27th).

Sunderland finished second team ahead of Heaton, while Gateshead were first in the Division 2 competition.

The senior women’s race attracted a record field of 124 runners. Alison Dargie of Elswick led all the way, coming home ahead of Tynedale veterans, Sonia Morley and Kirstie Anderson. Tynedale also gained victory in the team event.

Morpeth’s Jane Mooney clocked the fastest time of the race in fifth position. Another Elswick Harrier, Phillipa Williams won the combined under-17 and under-20 race.

Laura Weightman from Morpeth clocked the day’s fastest overall women’s time in fifth position.

Tynedale newcomer Callum Mitchell maintained his excellent form to win the under-15 boys’ race.

And Birtley’s Lydia Turner, moved through from the fast pack, ended up winning the under-13 girls’ race. Other victories came from Cameron Boyek of Shildon (under-17 men), Chloe Loredo of Shildon (under-15 girls) and Toby Routledge of Tynedale (under-13 Boys).

Meanwhile, four North East athletes booked their places on the Great Britain team for the European Cross Country Championships at Dublin in December, after Saturday’s Trial Races at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Freya Murray of Chester-le-Street took second place in the senior women’s event to Hayley Yelling (Windsor). Shildon’s Kate Avery finished second in the under-20 women’s race to under-17 athlete, Emilia Gorecka of Aldershot.

In the senior men’s race, won by Blackheath’s Mike Skinner, New Marske’s Ricky Stevenson (4th) and Lewis Timmins of Morpeth (12th) were the leading runners in the under-23 age group.