Cross-country grand prix now near season’s halfway stage
Sunderland Harriers’ crosscountry grand prix is at the halfway stage of the season, with the penultimate Harrier League fixture being held at Thornley Hall Farm at Peterlee on Saturday.
Following that come the Northern championships at Pontefract Park on Saturday, January 29; the Sherman Cup and Davison Shield at Temple Park in South Shields on Saturday, February 12; national championships at Parliament Hill in London on Saturday, February26;andthefinalHarrier League meting at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland on Saturday, March 5.
Three athletes lead the competition, with Alyson West, Paul Redman and MichaelEdwardsallon20points.
Others in with a chance of getting among the prizes are
Jessica Fox with 19 points; AndrewHughesandDaleWilkinson on 18; Mark Anderson and Dave Lash on 17; Linda Mudford, Michael Rodenby, Chris Bell and Michael Wilson on 16; Cameron Lawton, Nathan Reed and Alex Seed on 15; LiamTayloron12;OwenWalpole and Steven Jackson on 11; and Connor Prior on 10.
Scoring is three points for the Harrier League, Sherman Cup and Davison Shield, six points for the North East championships, eight points for the Northern championships and 10 points for the national championships, with team counters offering an additional one point.
Prizes are awarded to the first five, with the first receiving £150, second £125, third £100, fourth £50 and fifth £25.
The cross-country grand prix is open to all Sunderland Harriers men and women.
The Harrier League on SaturdayseesSunderlandattempt to close the gap on Morpeth at the top of the First Division. Morpeth head the table on eight points, with Sunderland second on 11 points and Tyne Bridge third on 12. With just twofixturesremaining,itlooks like the title will be fought out between those three clubs.
Sunderland’s slow pack are DavidLash,PaulMerrisonand JordanLatimer;theirmedium pack being Chris Bell, Michael RodenbyandJoePomfret;and their fast pack Michael Edwards, Sam Thurlbeck, Stephen Jackson, Nathan Reed and Craig Gunn.
Sunderland are the only club able to boast that they have never been outside the First Division.
Their women are hanging on to a promotion spot in Division Two after having their worst result of the season at Aykley Heads, finishing eighth out of 10 competing clubs.
Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers former president Alf Walsh passed away on Friday, December 3, at the age of 102. Walsh began offering his supportasanathleticstimekeeper in the 1960s after his son took upthesport,butwhileAlfJnr’s interest in running waned, his father’s involvement grew, leading him to travel the country as he put his skills to use through the National Association of Boys and Girls’ Clubs.
Alfwaspartofthebackbone of local and regional athletics for decades. He was official timekeeper at Burn Road racesupuntilhisretirementfrom the sport at the age of 97. He officiated at road, track and field and cross-country races and also gained England honours.
Walsh would have been a proud man on Sunday as Burn RoadHarriershadthetwowinners of their Old Monks Race at Hart Village. Simon Bennett won the men’s race in 32.37 and Charlotte Perkins won the women’s in 41.40. Over-50 SunderlandStrollerMikeHobson finished 38th in 42.53, and over-60 Houghton Harrier James Croft was 68th in 49.21.