Wilson secures sub-four-minute mile first in American race
Michael Wilson became the first athlete from Sunderland to dip under four minutes for a mile on Sunday in the US.
The Sunderland Harrier recorded 3:59:79 competing in theNewBalanceIndoorGrand Prix mile in New York.
Thatknocked10secondsoff his previous best, although his fastest1,500mtimeof3:43.19is much closer to beating the hallowed time A change to his racing and training plans certainly seemed to do the trick. He made his first appearance in theNorthEasternCross-Country Championships in December and finished ninth before clocking 32:03 in the Ribble Valley 10k.
He had won the North East Harrier League race at Lambton Estate in October and won by a street. And this, together with extra training miles, improved his overall fitness, ensuring he went into the race in his best ever shape.
His last race before this one was a 1,500m in early January indoors at Sheffield where he won in a time of 3:48:93. The previous club record for 1,500m was held by Gavin Massinghamwith3:42:36from 2009.
A slip-up by Sunderland Harriers cost them the team title in the North East Masters Cross-Country Championships at Wallsend on Saturday.
They did not forward the pre-declaration sheet for the nominatedthreerunnerswho were to make up their team.
The team that would have won the over-35 title was Stephen Jackson, Michael Barker and Darren Stoker.
Jackson, 35, won the title comfortably (28:11) although he had a guest runner, Bristol and West’s 40-year-old Jarlath McKenna,aheadofhim(27:53).
Jackson, though, defeated
Gateshead’s Conrad Franks, who beat him in the Northern Championships the previous week. Franks clocked 29:19 in second.
Michael Barker finished runner-up over-40 (30:24) behind Hartlepool’s Simon Bennet (30:15). Darren Stoker was 46th (35:26).
Paul Merrison was second fastest over-60 (35:24), Paul Redman was fifth fastest over-55 (36:22) and Michael Cherrington was 77th (38:6). The team finished second. In the women’s race won by Morpeth’s Jane Hodgson (21:28), with Durham’s Kim Simpson second (22:13), Sunderlandover-45ColleenCompson was 40th (28:00), over-40 Vikki Cotton was 50th (28:48) and Alyson West 63rd (30:18). They took third team place.
Houghton Harrier CameronAllanledStMary’sUniversitytothebronzeteammedalsin the British Universities CrossCountry Championships at Greenford in Middlesex.
Hewasteamcaptainforthe dayandfinishedanimpressive 10th to signal that he is gradually getting back to his best following injury. Morpeth’s Sam Charlton, running for Leeds University, was 14th.
In the men’s short race 8k, Houghton’s Will Bellamy marked his return to the sport following long-term injury problems by finishing 72nd.
The event sees many of the runners wearing face-paint in the colours of their university.
Jimmy Johnson took time off from his Sunderland Harriers team manager duties to compete in the Dewsbury 10k and was pleased with his run, recording40.49inpoorconditions. The race was won by Joe Sager (30.37) of Spenborough.
OnSaturdayatTemplePark theShermanCupandDavison Shield takes place. The competition is based on the overall strength of clubs through all age groups. The competition starts at noon.