Miller sails in to win Blyth Sands race

Dec 6 2010 The Journal

ALNWICK Harriers’ Lesley Miller easily won yesterday’s 51st Blyth Sands Handicap race, repeating her victory in the same event, two years ago.

In the surprisingly good conditions, with the temperatures thankfully above freezing, 120 runners took part in the, covering a route from Blyth to Seaton Sluice and return.

The former North Shields Poly athlete, running in the Over 50 age-group off a handicap of 12 minutes, soon headed the field, pulling away to a 59-second victory over Morpeth’s Paul Waterston.

The runner-up, competing in the over-45 age group off a 3mins handicap, finished 4 seconds ahead of Claremont’s Tracey Etherington, running in the over-40 age-group off a mark of 9 mins.

Heaton’s James Buis took fourth place and as a senior, starting off scratch, clocked easily the fastest time of the day.

Twenty-four hours earlier Buis had clocked a respectable time, given the poor underfoot conditions, to win the Newcastle Park Run.

In fifth position, Linda Bone of South Shields was the fastest lady, running in the over-35 age group off 7 mins.

Morpeth won the team title, taking the Trophy off host club, Blyth.