AFTER an enforced three-month break, the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League hosted the third fixture at Newcastle’s Town Moor yesterday.
Runners braved the driving rain and muddy conditions, but thankfully the strong winds had abated.
Gosforth teenager William Buswell was successful in the Senior Men’s race, holding off the challenge of Blackhill’s Robert Bee. Morpeth’s Peter Newton moved strongly through the 270-strong field to take third place.
The course’s severity and extra distance meant many of the fast pack runners found it easier to finish in high positions.
Heaton, led by fifth-placed James Buis, took the Division 1 team title and with league leaders Morpeth sixth on the day, the top of the table is very tight.
Morpeth’s Jane Mooney maintained her excellent record of fast pack victories winning the Senior Women’s race.
Mooney made mincemeat of her four-minute handicap, pulling away to a 41-second victory over Tynedale’s Fran Little.
Another fast pack runner, Danielle Hodgkinson of Wallsend, finished third.
Defending champions Heaton won the team event to extend their lead at the top. The fields in the youngster’s races were affected by the previous day’s schools match. North Eastern champions Lydia Turner of Birtley and Philippa Chambers of host club, Elswick, gained fast pack victories in the Under 15 and Under 13 Girls’ races, respectively.
Elswick gained another victory thanks to Joe Walker winning the Under 13 Boys’ race.
Gosforth’s Rachel Lundgren recovered from a disappointing run 24 hours earlier, to easily win the Junior Women’s race.
l NORTH Yorkshire proved to be the strongest overall team at Saturday’s annual Inter County Schools meeting at Haydon Bridge School.
On the tough hilly course, hosts Northumberland provided the two Minor (Year 7) winners in Michael Jackson and Kate Waugh, both pupils at Newcastle Royal Grammar School.
They proved to be the strongest Girls’ squad, and had the easiest team victory in the Senior Girls’ event.
Durham were the top male squad with victories in the Senior Boys’ race with Cameron Boyek and in the Junior Girls’ event, Lydia Turner retaining her title.
