Morpeth on track to retain Harrier League honours

DEFENDING champions Morpeth Harriers went a step closer to retaining their Senior Mens’ Division One title at the penultimate Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League fixture at Thornley Hall Farm in Peterlee.

Gateshead Harriers went into a seven-point lead in the equivalent womens’ competition.

Conditions, although windy, were better than usual at this venue with milder temperatures and mud only on sections of this challenging course.

Morpeth also provided the individual winner in the mens’ race through their new recruit Adam Pratt.

Clubmate Philip Winkler led on the first of the three laps before being overtaken on the second circuit. Pratt’s margin of victory was 35 seconds.

Fastest time went to guest runner Jarlath McKenna of Bristol and West - now residing in the North East - who finished fifth. Morpeth easily won the team competition.

Another guesting athlete, Steph Lawrie of City of Glasgow, gained an emphatic victory in the senior womens’ race by two minutes from Hannah Mainprize of Claremont.

Morpeth’s Emma Holt clocked the fastest time when finishing fifth - just ahead of fellow Fast Pack runner Danni Smythe of Heaton. Elvet Striders won on the day from Gateshead.