Athletics

Cleveland Finals Sportshall Athletics

There were again some fine performances in the Cleveland finals at the Sportshall Athletics at Thornaby Pavilion. In the Under-15 boys section John Baines was in top form with three victories in the two-lap sprint, standing long jump and 4 x 2 relay with James McCarthy and Chris Jones also winning two events. Stars of the girls section were Joanna Ibhadon with wins in the sprint and long jump and speed bounce.

Anna Kirby and Marise Barclay each won two events.

Gary McSweeney was top scorer in the Under-13 boys age group winning the standing triple jump and both four and six-lap races while Ben Wilson won the sprint and long jump. Zoe Verrill was top performer in the girls section, also winning the four and six-lap races and teaming up with Holly Scrafton in the paar lauf (pair running). Naomi Lowery and Scrafton also claimed a brace of victories in the Under-13 age group.

Results - U-15 boys: 2-lap, John Baines 23.2; four-lap, James McCarthy 49.2; paar lauf (pair running), Chris James, Kavicet Glag 1.42; 4 x 2 relay Jane McCarthy, Stuart Hall, John Caines, Martin Borwick 1:33.8; Shot, Charlie Jones 77; Speed bounce, Chris Jones 77; S L Jump, John Baines 2.51; S T Jump, Chris Sherrington 7.42.

U-15 girls: 2-lap Joanne Ibhadan 25.8; 4-lap Anna Kirby 56.1; paar lauf (pair running) Anna Kirby, Hannah Cook 1.11; 4 x 2 relay, L Caines, Leanne Ellis, Marise Barclay, Sarah Robinson; shot, Marise Barclay 9.2; Speed bounce, Joanna Ibhadon 71; SL Jump, Zoe Escrit 2.21; V Jump, Joanna Ibhadon 60cm.

U-13 boys: 2-lap, Ben Wilson 24.6; 4-lap Gary McSweeney 5.38; 4-lap Gary McSweeney 1:26.2; ; paar lauf (pair running), Craig Aitken, Nick Wilham 1:53.9; 4x2 relay Rab Bell, Sharn Bruce, Alex McGill, Phil Giblin 1:46.1; ST Jump, Gary McSweeney 6.68; SL Jump, Ben Wilson 2.33; Shot, Debi Parker 9.90; V jump, Nicholas Pearson 59.

U-13 girls: 2-lap, R Warburton 26.8; 4-lap, Zoe Verrill 55.8; 6-lap, Zoe Verrill 1:30.1; paar lauf (pair running), Zac Verrill, Holly Scruton 1:51.3; 4 x 2 relay, Katherine Liddle, Holly Scruton, Claire Burnside, Naomi Lowery 1:51.6; ST Jump, Nicola Hodgson 6.38; SL Jump, Gemma Phillips 2.02; Shot, Carly Smith 8.01; V Jump Naomi Lowery 51cm.

Elswick Harriers

The club has been affected by the foot and mouth epidemic as several of the nearby training routes are out of bounds due to the close proximity of farmland.

Last weekend's, Gosforth relays were the latest victims of the restrictions but the previous weekend Elswick were in action at the English National cross country championships held at Maiden Castle, Durham.

The ladies team was the first North-East club home in 16th spot. Sophie Milburn 86th, Judith Nutt 87th, Yvonne Swinhoe 171st and Claire Ure 202nd.

The senior men were 59th overall with Jim Bell, Martin Connelly, Tony Hall, John Baker, Phil Leaf and Tom Hanson with Bob Wilson in 728th spot out of 1,228. Ryan McLeod had a fine run in the Under-17 men's race to finish 31st out of 181 finishers in 21:55.

Sarah Dodd was the club's lone representative in the Under-13 girls in 220th position while the Under-15 girls' Sam Crowe was 56th with Ashley Gibson 94th and Fay Wilkinson 159th out of 213 finishers.

l Elswick's Good Friday road races takes place on April 13 10am start in Netherby Drive, Fenham, Newcastle, seven races in all with the senior men's 4 x 2.2 mile relay at 11.15am. Details from Frank Watson, 224 Newburn Road, Throckley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 9AE.

Elvet Striders

The national cross country championships held this year at Maiden Castle were well supported by Striders who were keen to do well on home ground. There were fears that the event might have to be cancelled due to the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease, but the all clear was given.

However, since the event, all public footpaths and bridleways around the Maiden Castle area which go near or across farmland are closed to the public until further notice.

First off were the senior women's team on the 8k course. Judith Battersby, in great form at the moment, was the first counter back in 33:47 then F. Shenton 34:53, R Adams 37;39, L Laird 37:56, J Young 39:08 and Y Jones 41:00. The ladies team were 17th overall. In the senior men's 12k race, Paul Dunn was first counter back for the club in 46:58 followed by M Bennet 48:21 K Wesson 49:02 A Adams 50:23 PO Hara 50:50 A Scaife 52:05 P Loftus 52:22 B Bird 52:38 D Shipman 55:54 T Fawcett 58:22 M Hall 1:00:10 A Purvis 1:01:53 J Shipman 1:02:24.

Darlington Harriers and AC

A total of 11 runners took part in the English National Cross Country Championships held at Maiden Castle, Durham, in cold, wintry conditions.

Results - Under-15 girls: 4k, Natasha Springett, 196th, 19.04.

Under-17 girls: 5k, Georgina Rutherford, 50th, 21.56.

Junior men, 10k: Simon Rutherford, 112th, 39.10.

Senior men, 12k, (six to count): Nigel Orr, 219th, 42.56; John Best, 256th, 44.45; Martin Grainger, 465th, 46.24; Ben Wilson, 660th, 48.56; Ron Read, 717th, 49.45; Paul Smith, 905th, 52.33; Steve Hutchinson, 1081st, 56.41; John Brant, 1120th, 60.38. There were 1228 finishers.

Team position: 58th out of 108 completed teams.

l Harriers, supported by Cleveland Bridge, are holding their annual presentation night on Saturday, April 7 at Cleveland Bridge Social club. Anyone wishing to attend should contact John Brant on (01325) 257672. Guest speakers will be Max Coleby and Charlie Spedding.

l Training nights are Tuesday and Thursday 6.30pm to 8pm at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Durham City Harriers

Over 2,500 athletes converged on Durham City's Maiden Castle playing fields to take part in the English National Cross Country championships. It was previously the venue for the World Cross Country championships six years ago so it had been tried and tested by some of the best runners in the world.

In the Under-17 women's 5k race, Durham international Rosie Smith had an outstanding run finishing seventh out of 134 finishers in a very good time of 19.59 with teammate Joanne Ritson in her first year in the age group doing well to finish 56th in 22.03 with Aida Geragusian 99th in 23.45.

Jeni Page also had an excellent run in the Under-15 girls 4km race finish 23rd out of 213 finishers with Sarah Davison 134th in 17.19.

In the Under-13 girls 3km race Kirsty Walker finished 173rd in 14.36 with Briony Rose 193rd in 14.51 out of 243 finishers.

Aaron Hodson was the Harriers sole representative in the Under-17 men's race over 6k and finished 145th in 25.12.

Veterans Caroline Ratcliffe (O-35) and Val Hancock (O-55) competed in the senior women's 8k race with Ratcliffe finishing 109th in 34.57 and Hancock 147th in 36.29 out of a large field of 336 athletes.

Robert Hand was the first counter for the club in the large senior men's race over 12km finishing 211th out of 1,228 finishers and with Ian Crampton 286th in 43.51, Steve Marshall 445th in 46.05, Steve Nesbitt 495th in 46.48, Geoff Davis 655th in 48.50 and Elwyn Baldwin 661st in 48.57 counting the team finished 46th out of 103 teams.

Other City athletes to finish were: Alan Rowell 842 in 51.41; Joe Harker 1,134th in 58.15 and Brian Brown 1,169th in 60.36.