Jackson puts in a masterful performance to secure bronze
Stephen Jackson is Sunderland Harriers’ leading distance runner with many a fine performance to his name.
This was shown at the British Masters’ Athletics Federation Cross Country Championships at Wallsend on Saturday. Jackson said: “Afteralongcross-countryseason it was great to get a medal at the weekend.
“The plan had been to have an easy few days training wise to coincide with the end of the cross country season, and then I heard I had been called up to race at the Inter Counties Championships, so that was deferred for a week.
“I spoke to my coach Glenn after the race in Loughborough and I ran easy all week, just 30 minutes each day. That actually meant that I felt pretty fresh for the British Masters’ despite having raced four consecutive weekends, including the National in Chester.”
This was Jackson’s final year as aV 35 before he turns 40 in May. The race started with Jarlath McKenna and Greg Jayasuriya hitting the front. Jackson said :“I knew they were both in good form having raced with them the previous weekend so I was happy to let them go along with Grant Bail lie, who joined them in the lead group.”
Jarlath continued to build a significant lead, but Jayasuriya and Baillie were never out of Jackson’s sight, admitting: “I became aware I was closing in on third place by the time we started the final lap. I always back myself from an endurance perspective, so I was determined not to make it easy for anyone. I managed to overtake third place around midway through the third lap and close the race out.”
Jackson is hoping this performance will transfer into some quick times on the roads and on the track this summer, starting with the Northern 12 Stage Relays in Redcar next week.
Men’s Results: 1 Jarlath McKenna (Bristol and West) 29.12. 2 Gregory Jayasuriya( Middlesbrough )30.01.3 Steven Jackson (Sunderland )30.31.4 Grant Bail lie( East Kilbride )30.43.5 Conrad F ranks( Gateshead )30.52.6 Jonathan Tipper (Kent) 30.58. 7 Phillip Tedd (Thames Hare and Hounds) 31.11.
In the team race, Sunderland Harriers finished fourth with Stephen Jackson M35 (30.31), M40 Michael Barker (32.39), M50 Steven Gordon (37.41). Other Sunderland Harriers were M 55 Paul Red man (41.20), M60 Paul Merrison (36.42).
Women’ s Results :1 Juliet Potter( Cha rn wood )22.04.2 Jane Potter( Cha rn wood )23.42.3 Samantha Davies (Easingwold) 24.03. 4 Caoimbe Nic Fhogartaigh (Kent) 24.08. 4 Kathryn Stevenson (Tyne Bridge) 24.08.
Well done to all those who participated in the cross-country competition and congratulations to the prize winners. Special mention goes to Jessica Fox, who has defended her title for a second time in a row. Prizes will be presented after the Penshaw Hill Race in May.
1st: J Fox 50 points (£150), 2 nd: PR ed man 48(£125),3 rd: D Wilkinson 48(£100),4 th: TB arrs 46 (£50), 5th: S Jackson 43 (£25), Adam Hughes 42, C Lawton 39, CStidolph39,DLash36,MHead 33, Andrew Hughes 33, A Seed 30, M Barker 27, M Rodenby 26, D Dickinson 25, L Mud ford 25, D Defty 19, N Steel 18, A McCourt 17, ES wee ney17,CDwy er 17, ST hurl beck 17, V Has well 15, S Gordon 15, R King 15, S Rank in 13, DR eve ll 13, L Taylor 11, P Merrison 10, C Comp son 10, V Cotton10,MCh erring ton 9, J Ridding 7, A Graham 7, I Ritchie 6, D Stoker 6, K Carr ahar6,D Phillips 6, AM cM an us 6, C Cook 4, B Martin 4, S Potts 4, K Johnson4,LFlaxen3,SGraham3,M Makav eli 3, MO' Neill3,CP ur dy 3, K Robinson 3