Jackson 26th overall at Great North Run for new best time
Sunderland Harrier Stephen Jackson claimed a personal best in the Great North Run on Sunday, finishing 26th overall and fourth from the North East.
In what was regarded as a tough course, he recorded 68.47 to slice eight seconds off his previous best of 68.55, recordedintheGreenwichVitality Big Half Marathon in 2020.
He said: “It was a quick start. I went through the first mile in under five minutes but the pace settled down off the Tyne Bridge and I attached myself to a group as we made our way towards Gateshead. My first 5k split of 15:50 was a littlequickerthanplannedbut I felt in control.
“We turned around and quickly passed the 10k mark. Not long after, I passed clubmate Liam Taylor at around halfway. There were a few downhill sections back towardsNewcastleandIwasfeeling really comfortable during the middle third, passing a few people.
“At 10 miles I started to feel the undulations of the course and had to dig deep as we climbed back through the city centre. The atmosphere got louder during a difficult part of the course so that helped to keep me going.
“I was really pleased to run a small personal best on what was a tough course in places anditwasgreattobepartofthe 40th anniversary race.’’
The race was won by the NorthEast’sMarcScott(61.22), who competes for Richmond and Zetland AC.
Gateshead Harrier Calum Johnson, the national crosscountry champion, took 10th placein64.36andKieranWalker of North Project finished in 67.16.
Sunderland Harrier Liam Taylor took 37th in a time of 70.42 that equalled his previous best set in the 2011 GNR.
Over-40SamThurlbeckimproved from 83.44 to 78.23 to finish 133rd and over-55 Paul Collins came home in 1.26.15.
EddieMaddison,anover-70 andoneof69tohavecompeted in every GNR, kept his record intact by finishing in 2.11.24.
Other Sunderland Harriers that made the club’s first 10 to finish were Graeme Pullan 1.25.51, Chris Bell 1.30.04, Nicole Hufton 1.31.48, Steven Irvine-Duffy 1.34.14, Craig Gunn 1.35.24 and Jenifer Tomlin 1.35.35.
Andrew Forbes was first Sunderland Stroller, finishing in 78.44, with the club’s double Olympian over-40 Alyson Dixon taking 18th place in the women’s race with 79.42
Sunderland Strollers’ first 10 home included John Halligan 1.24.02, Ritchie Gerry 1.24.47, Luke McCormack 1.24.50 Julie Pescod 1.27.19, Neil Proctor 1.28.20. Christopher Parker 1.31.59, Jason Clement 1.36.51 and Robert Morris 1.41.17.
LeadingHoughtonHarriers were Eva Hardie 1.28.57, Ciaran Lines 1.33.31, Lara Greggs 1.39.53, Wayne Greggs 1.39.57, Lyndsey Page 1.43.54 and Lee Carruthers 1,48.20.
On Saturday Sunderland Harriers, Houghton Harriers and Sunderland Strollers travel to Redcar to contest the Northern Six-Stage Senior Men’s Road Relay Championship.
The event has attracted 93 teams and 1,211 athletes.
Sunderland will be missing their best two athletes in Stephen Jackson, who is on holiday, and Liam Taylor, who is recovering from his Great North Run exertions.
The team is: Owen Walpole, Craig Gunn, Steve Rankin, NathanReed,ScottArmstrong and Michael Edwards.
The relay starts at 2pm and is over six legs of 6km approximately. The venue is Redcar Coast Road.