Relay great result for Wearsiders as they retain crown
SUNDERLAND Harriers repeated last year’s victory in the second running of Gosforth Harriers’ Drew Graham Multi-Terrain Relay at Great Park, writes BILL McGUIRK.
The Wearsiders were in control from the first of the 3x2-mile contest after Ian Dixon, with the second fastest overall time of the day, brought his team home in pole position.
Tyne Bridge, who finished runners-up last year, were lying second (Michael Hedley) just eight seconds behind with host club Gosforth (Zack Wylie) in third a further37 seconds adrift.
The standings remained the same on stage two though Gavin Massingham, back home on holiday from his Hong Kong base, extended Sunderland’s lead after eclipsing team-mate Dixon for the fastest time by a mere four seconds.
Tyne Bridge were holding on to second place at the final changeover with Gosforth still in arrears in third spot.
On the last leg Mark Smith pulled Sunderland even further ahead to come home with a total time of 30min 05secs.
Gosforth (Donald Patrick) moved into second place, albeit two minutes behind the winners, with Tyne Bridge (Rory Tait) slipping back to cross the line in third position a further 28 seconds behind. Ponteland and Claremont finished in fourth and fifth respectively while Ashington Hurst, who, like Ponteland and Claremont, lined up a superb six teams, finished in seventh position.
Sunderland also celebrated victory in the women’s event, Alice Smith posting the overall fastest time to bring them home in 37:20.
Gosforth finished in second place, Olivia Hanlon their quickest, ahead of Tyne Bridge though Sunderland women’s veterans team finished ahead of them both.