RELAY THRILL FOR OVER-55S
Sunderland Harriers came away from the North East Masters’ Road Relay Championships at Jarrow with four sets of medals.
Competing over a twolap circuit of approximately 3000m in Bedewell Park, the royal blue vests were well to the fore in both relays.
The Wearsiders were emphatic winners of the men’s over-55 race and their B team finished third, they were second over-65 team and third in the over-45s.
The Sunderland M55s, who beat Morpeth by nearly four minutes to lift the title, were Paul Collins (11min 7sec), Paul Merrison, the fastest runner overall (10.55) and anchorman Steve Coxon (12.16).
The Sunderland B team, in third, featured Peter Richardson (12.37), Tony Thompson (12.18) and Len Christopher (14.14).
The over-65s runners-up to Elswick were Jim Wightman (14.17), Billy Bittlestone (14.13) and Dave White (13.32).
Tim Field (10.36), Micky Thompson (10.12) and Alan Knebel (10.53) were the over-45 bronze medallists behind winners North Shields. The fastest runner on the course was Elswick’s Lee Bennet (11.07).
Jarrow and Hebburn won the women’s relay and the improving Sunderland Harriers women’s team finished ninth .They were Vikki Cotton (12.58), Coleen Compson (13.37) and Vicky Younger (13.05).
The club’s over-45 team finished seventh, thanks to Kim Fox (15.15), Debra James (14.56) and Denise Forster (15.06).
North Shields’ Carley Maleywasthefastestwomanon the course (11.28).
Houghton Harriers opened their Northern Athletics League Division Four East campaign with fifth place at Whitley Bay on Saturday.
They had two A-string winners, with Ben Mitchell in the javelin (35.51m) and Thomas Bowden in the triple jump with a leap of 11.68m.
There was a highly competitive 1500m, won by Middlesbrough’s Greg Jayasuriya (4.05.0,) with last Sunday’s Sunderland half marathon winner Tadele Geremew (Elswick) second in 4.08.9 and 18-year-old Alex Brown of Houghton finishing third (4.11.2). Lee Dover set a personal best (16.19.8) for second place in the 5000m.
Result: 1 Richmond & Zetland 430pts, 2 Blaydon/ Elswick 419, 3 Chester-leStreet/Darlington 396, 4 Heaton 334, 5 Houghton 288, 6 Tyne Bridge 245, 7 Middlesbrough & Cleveland 171.