INSIDE TRACK They Started so they’ll finish as season ends
HARRIER LEAGUE CLOSES ON COLD NOTE AT ALNWICK
THE curtain came down on the region’s cross-country season at a bitterly cold Alnwick Pastures, leaving a number of clubs celebrating and a number receiving commiserations.
The Start Fitness-supported North East Harrier League is unique in many ways and it’s that which attracts talented athletes of international standard as well as the not so talented whatever the weather.
However, everyone – irrespective of their ability – agrees that the harrier league’s fixtures are there to be enjoyed.
Close to 8,000 competitors have tackled tough, hilly terrain as well as less demanding courses over the six meetings spread throughout the winter months.
No other cross-country league anywhere in the country has an extraordinary handicap system in place like the NEHL which has the effect of compressing the line-up for a massive run to the finish.
The cry of ‘bring on the mud’ was barely in evidence throughout the campaign until the turn of the year when competitors at the Herrington Country Park fixture were really tested.
Even the course at the re-arranged Alnwick Pastures was fairly dry despite the snow and heavy rain during the build-up to the event.
All in all it’s been another highly successful season, much to the delight of everyone involved especially the hard-working NEHL committee and, of course, to those clubs who stepped forward to host a fixture.
Vicki Thompson, one of the backroom personnel who helps keep the wheels of the HL running smoothly, is delighted that another season has gone by without too many headaches.
Thompson, who regularly puts her results input to one side so that she can line up in the senior women’s race, said: “We are delighted that we managed to complete the six fixtures after experiencing difficulties with the postponing of the Alnwick promotion.
“Thankfully, while appreciating that the re-arranged Alnwick date clashed with a number of other events, notably the English Schools’ Championships, we can proudly say that once again cross-country running is as popular as ever with huge numbers turning out at every fixture.
“That, of course, would not be at all possible if it wasn’t for the fact that we depend on everything from a hardcore of volunteers including the unseen work done by the league’s committee.
“The officials who man the finish area whatever the weather – and we have had a bit of everything this season – deserve a huge pat on the back and you never hear a grumble from them.
“Then there are the clubs who come forward to host a fixture – without them we wouldn’t have a league to be proud of.
“So the committee, and I’m sure all of the athletes who have competed this winter have to say a big thank you to Saltwell, Blyth, South Shields, who hosted the Sherman Cup and Davison Shield, Derwentside, Sunderland Strollers, Blackhill Bounders and Alnwick, for making it another season to remember.’’
For the record, Morpeth came out on top of Division One, relegating title-holders Tyne Bridge into second place, while at the other end of the table newly-promoted Wallsend escaped a quick return to Division Two by the skin of their teeth leaving North Shields Poly and Birtley relegated.
Gosforth and Jarrow and Hebburn take their places in Division One while at the other end of the table Crook, who were a Division One club two seasons ago, drop down another division together with Blyth.
Blaydon were convincing winners of Division Three and are subsequently promoted together with Low Fell.
Meanwhile, in the senior women’s contest, newly-promoted Morpeth led the way at the top of Division One with Elvet Striders finishing runners-up.
Gosforth and Durham City are relegated with Heaton and Sunderland taking their place.
Wallsend are relegated together with Low Fell despite the Gateshead outfit pulling out all the stops to overtake Birtley in the final fixture.
Saltwell, who came out on top in five of the six fixtures, topped Division Three and are duly promoted together with Blaydon. SUNDERLAND Harriers’ Eddie Maddison was a man on a mission last Saturday.
The Wearsider, one of Sunderland’s unsung heroes, was up at the crack of dawn, heading 50 miles up the A19 and A1 to Alnwick Pastures, the venue for the final local cross-country fixture of the season.
Once there, the club’s team manager, who had cajoled as many of his senior women athletes to take part in their quest for promotion, eagerly set about erecting the club tent – no mean feat on your own – so that it was in place for the club’s early arrivals.
Maddison, however, was not around to meet and greet any of his charges because he had already made a quick retreat on his way to his second rendezvous of the day.
Back on the A1, the club stalwart settled in for a 130-mile journey south to Temple Newsham, Leeds, for the English Schools’ Cross-Country Championships where he made it just in time to see the first of the six races get under way at 12.30pm.
There were a number of the Sunderland club’s younger athletes taking part and Maddison wanted to make sure they had at least one of their members cheering them on.
There are many dedicated people up and down the country giving their lot to athletics, but Maddison’s efforts take some beating. And I’m sure all at Sunderland Harriers’ appreciate his efforts, even more so now after his long day of endurance.
At the end of the day Maddison had a lot to be thankful for as his efforts helped in no small way to ensure the Sunderland senior women’s squad duly did the business in Alnwick to make it into the top division for next season.