Sunderland go strong in bid to retain Harrier League honours
Sunderland Harriers go into the third fixture of the North Eastern Harrier League with a strong team as they launch their bid for the league title at Lambton Park.
Going into the third fixture of the season, the defending champions are in third place behind Morpeth and Tyne Bridge Harriers. The Wearsiders’ are on five points, just two pointsbehindleadersMorpeth and one point adrift of Tyne Bridge, with Wallsend fourth on eight points.
Lambton marks the halfway stage of the season and Sunderlandneedawintochallenge their rivals.
Team manager Jimmy Johnson said: “It's a fixture we need to win to keep our chances alive of retaining the Harrier League title. We have a very good team out, the strongest of the season, so I am expecting a good result from the lads.’’
The team will be led by Michael Wilson, who makes his senior Harrier League debut. He will be running from the slow pack in the handicap race and enjoys a five-minute start over the fast pack. He is moreathomeonthetrackthan the country, with best times of 3.43.19 for 1500m and 1.48.27 for 800m. Joining Wilson in the slow pack are Paul Blakey, Paul Merrison, Dave Lash and Mark Head.
The medium pack will be headed by Sunderland club captain Nathan Reed, who takes a break from competing in relays to move over to cross country to support the team. He will have plenty of company in the 10k race with Michael Edwards, Chris Bell, Michael RodenbyandStevenMcMahon joining him.
The club’s fast pack will have Liam Taylor at the head as he continues his quest for the individual league title.
Michael Barker, Craig Gunn, Chris Jackson, Steve Rankin, andStephenJacksonwillallbe pushingforoneofthesixteam counting places, despite their five-minute handicap.
Time table: 12.00 Under 11 Boys,12.05Under11Girls,12.15 Under 17 Men, 12.20 Under 17 and Under 20 women, 12.35 Under 15 Boys, 12.40 Under 15 Girls,12.50Under13Boys,12.55 Under13Girls,13.05Seniorand Veteran Women, 13.50 Senior and Veteran Men.
Sunderland Harriers travelledtoGravesParkinSheffield on Saturday for the Northern AthleticsCrossCountryrelays.
They were the only representatives from the North East andtheSilksworth-basedmen wereaimingtomatchtheirtop10 finish from the last time the event was held in 2019.
Craig Gunn, runner-up in last week's North Tyneside 10km, led the Wearsiders’ charge on leg one. In what were near-perfect underfoot conditions, the first two athletes home dipped under the 10-minute mark for the undulatingtwo-mileloop.Gunnwas disappointed with his performanceinbringingSunderland homein21st(11:12).Hehanded over to new recruit Scott Armstrong, running only his second race for the Royal Blues and second ever cross country race. He appeared at home on the country and stormed around the course, gaining 10 places in the process and recordingthefourthfastesttime (10.43) on the second leg.
Nathan Reed then maintained 11th place on the third leg with his stint of 11:13. Anchor man Steve Rankin (11:24) broughttheWearsiders’home in ninth (44:32), having gained two places thanks to his rapid downhill sprint finish. The race was won by Hallamshire (41:47) from City of Sheffield (42:28) and Vale Royal (42:57).
In the Leeds Abbey Dash, Amy Callaghan knocked two minutes off her PB with her time of 39.04.