MORPETH Harriers took the bronze medals at Saturday’s National 12-Stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Coldfield.
Ian Hudspith had edged Morpeth, who also finished third in 2002, into a narrow lead over Tipton after stage 11, with defending champions Newham & Essex 28 seconds adrift in third.
However, on the final leg Matt Nicholson was unable to hold Tipton’s Ian Rawlinson and was also passed by Newham’s James Shane, with Tipton taking the title.
Morpeth started well with Mongolian international Serod Batochir finishing second to Holmfirth’s Mark Buckingham. There were also good runs from Sunderland’s Patrick Martin (third) and Gateshead’s Chris Parr (sixth).
Gateshead finished in a creditable 18th position, with a weakened Sunderland team in 30th place.
Aldershot, Farnham & District easily retained the Women’s Six-Stage title, with top international Charlotte Purdue clocking the fastest time on the final leg. Sadly no North Eastern teams completed.
ELSWICK Harrier Paul Turner was a runaway winner of yesterday’s South Shields Sand Dancer 10km Multi Terrain event. Tynedale’s Sonia Morley, now in the Over-45 category, repeated her 2009 victory in the Women’s race, finishing in 24th position overall.
South Shields lost out on both team titles to near-neighbours Sunderland Strollers.
