Athletics News

Susie Rutherford, one of Harriers' England International cross-country runners, returned to local competition with an emphatic win in the Great North Cross Country Open 3.5 mile race at a very snowy Consett on Saturday.

Rutherford, who is at university in Arizona and runs in the American university cross-country circuit, was over a minute ahead of her nearest rival over a very tough course, in a time of 20min 51 sec.

Ian Barnes, club president and another England international, also completed the race alongside clubmates Jack Mason and Simon Rutherford. Mason used the race as part of his build-up for the London Marathon. Jamie Rutherford completed the junior race which had to be rerouted due to the atrocious conditions.

Results: Susie Rutherford 20:51, Simon Rutherford 21:08, Jack Mason 22:42, Ian Barnes 23:53, Jamie Rutherford 9:28.

Elswick Harriers

THE ladies took the plaudits in Monday's Morpeth to Newcastle road race. Judith Nutt was second overall lady in 1:33:55 over the tough 14.25-mile course and she was well supported by Andrea Banner in second spot in 1:40.23 with third counter Yvonne Swinhoe finishing in 1:42.37.

Banner had a busy holiday weekend as she was third lady home in the Queens Head 5km race in Belper, Derbyshire, on Saturday.

Their placings enabled the club to easily take the ladies team prize.

Ieuan Ellis took the male 40 veteran prize in 1:18.05 to claim ninth overall. Jimmy Bell, who continues to impress, was 17th in 1:21.16. Third Elswick counter was John Bell in 23rd spot in 1:22.51. Alan Hetherington was 28th in 1:24.94 with Alan Thompson one place behind in 1:24.21. Bob Wilson just failed to gain a silver medal - awarded for a time of 1:29 and under - in finishing 61st in 1:29.18.

Other finishers: Harvey Taylor 1:29.53 65th; Nigel Barnes 85th in 1:32.15; Bob Philipson second O-60 in 1:37.38, Paul Addison 1:49.28 (323rd), John Jackson (2:0.3.04 (477th), Felicity Pullen 2:06.13 (507th) and Tony Mitcheson 2:18..50 (577th).

Guisborough Woods Hill Race

Paul Lowe (Mandale) won the Guisborough Woods Hill race for the fifth time when winning by 50m from Kevin Sheppard, formerly of New Marske Harriers, now with Tipton Harriers, with Charlie Stead (Saltwells) in third place. Both Lowe and Sheppard had won the event as juniors several years ago.

In the ladies race Alison Raw (Darlington) returned her title ahead of Kendra White (Quakers).

Although finishing second in the U-16 race Paul McNally (Mandale) won the North-East Counties fell running championship with his teammate Andrew Dent the runner-up.

Hannah Bruce won the U-14 girls race in 22.10.

Results - Senior men six-mile 1,000 feet of climbs: 1st P Lowe (Mandale) 39.00; 2nd K Sheppard (Tipton) 39.12; 3rd C Stead (Saltwell); 4th M Burn (Thirsk) 40.34; 5th A Capel (Knavesmire) 40.43; 6th F Smith (Saltwells) 40.50.

O-40: F Smith (Saltwells) 40.50.

O-50: J Winder (Scarbnorough) 45.43).

O-60: R Sharwood (N Marske) 51.39.

Team: 1st Mandale A; 2nd Knavesmire; 3rd Mandale B.

Senior Ladies: 1st A Raw (Darlington) 47.52; 2nd K White (Quakers) 50.17; 3rd M Gibb (Thirsk) 56.34.

O-40: S Jemson (N Marske) 54.05.

O-50: M Gill (Thirsk) 56.34.

Junior race 2 miles: U-14 B 1 L Kelton (Quakers) 14.56; U-14 1 H Bruce (Mandale) 22.10; U-16 B 1 C Maynard (Quakers) 16.50; 2 P McNally (Mandale) 17.07.

N-E Junior U-16 champion: P McNally (Mandale); runner-up A Dent (Mandale). U-14: L Kelton (Quakers).

Shildon R & AC

At the Great North Cross Country runs held at Consett, Dersentside in the Junior U-11 Great North Winter Run Khalli Thompson was representing Dean Bank school Ferryhill.

Khalli had an excellent run on the two lap 2k course. He was in the first three from the gun then approaching the second lap he took the lead and was never headed coming to the last 100 metre had a ding-dong battle with second place Matthew Foggin of Sunderland Schools and Paul Graham of St Mary's Primary.

Results: 1st Khalli Thompson 7.33; 2nd Matthew Foggin 7.25; 3rd Paul Graham 8.10.

Stephen Brown had a hard act to follow in the senior Great North Run over four miles after just watching Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe's devastating run in the IAAF Womens Cross Country Challenge over 6k. However, Stephen finished in 71st position in a time of 23.08. The winner was Gary Blackman of Harrow SC in a time of 17.19.

The following day on New Year's Eve Kevin Chester competed at the Jolly Holly Jog over 10k multi-terrain, which started and finished at Ripon Cricket Club. Kevin finished in 142nd place in 50.43. The winner was Nigel Orr of Darlington Harriers in 34.42 and the lady winner was Emma Latto from Herne Hill Harriers in a new course record time of 39.10.

Three senior members put the New Year's Eve celebrations on hold to prepare themselves for the annual Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race on New Year's Day over 14.1 miles. First back for then club was Ruth Cooper in 149th place and being the first over 35 veteran lady in a time of 1.37.39. Next came Scott Ellwood in 338th position in 1.50.12 then Ray Halton in 461st position in 2.01.18 both tackling the distance for the first time. The men's winner was Mark Hudspeth of Morpeth Harriers in 1.13.04. The ladies winner was Sheila Allen 54th overall in 1.28.02.

l The club holds training sessions at the Sunnydale Leisure Centre and athletics track. Anyone from eight years upwards can join the club and training sessions are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.

The club competes in indoor sprint competitions and cross country over the winter months as well as road race competitions.

The Friday evening is an extra night senior members come and try night with no obligation to join the club. Anyone interested should contact club secretary Mr N Stockley (01388) 776083.

Ripon Jolly Holly Jog

OFFICIALS of Ripon's 10k Jolly Holly Jog came close to breaking with tradition and changing the date of their annual race when it fell on New Year's Eve.

Ripon Runners, whose chairman Peter Carver spearheaded organisation of the event, was told few people would bother to turn out so close to New Year celebrations. But the club eventually stuck to its guns and the 12-year-old race went ahead with a record-breaking entry of 390.

So many wanted to take part that 90 would-be competitors had to be turned away when the official limit was exceeded.

"We have always held the event on the first Sunday after Christmas but some people had serious doubts about that when it fell on New Year's Eve. We were told very few people were entered but in the end we were simply amazed that so many people wanted to take part," said Carver.

A hard frost and slippery conditions made for difficult going on parts of the course which left Ripon Cricket Ground, went through the Studley Royal estate, over the Seven Bridges, down Whitcliffe Lane and back through Ripon to the Cricket Ground for a final circuit. There was only one minor casualty - an injured lip - when a runner fell on a steep hill left treacherous by the frost

For the first time finishers were presented with a three inch miniature champagne class engraved with the race's name.

First home was Darlington's Nigel Orr (34 mins 41 secs), second came Andrew Wade from Ilkley (35.29) and third was Mike Siddall from Pocklington (35.41).

The shield for the best local finisher went to Harrogate runner Paul Stockburn who came home in fifth place.

First three home in the women's section were; Emma Latto (Hearne Hill) 39.10; Alison Raw (Darlington) 39.54; Diane Kitchen (Ilkley) 43.13.

In tandem with the main race was a fun run which attracted a record entry of 80. Their course involved two circuits of the combined cricket ground, rugby field and soccer pitch between Studley Road and Mallorie Park.

Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers

Oa cold misty start to the New Year, 160 hardy souls came out of festive hibernation to tackle the Captain Cooks Fell Race on New Years Day.

The tough five mile race, on the mist-bound snow-laden tops from Great Ayton to Captain Cook's Monument, was for the first time ran in reverse.

The first two and-a-half miles consisted of a lung-busting climb through the forest to Cook's Monument, followed by an exhilarating descent down snow-laden paths and farmland.

It has become a tradition for some Burn Road athletes to endure this tough course each year and first home for the Club was Karl Edwards (V1) who put in a good performance and thoroughly enjoyed the downhill escapades in the snow and finished in 20th position (37.59).

Chris White (V1) put in an unexpected appearance for his club and finished happy in 42nd position (41.12). Bob Stonehouse, still on his way, to fitness finished 72nd (44.37). Another veteran of this event, Peter Johnson blew the cobwebs off and finished 114th (48.45), The only lady member to compete in this event was Patricia Edwards (V2) who slipped and skidded around this course in the festive spirit of the event and was happy to finish 153rd in 59.15.

l Another event attended by two Burn Road Harriers took place on Friday December 29, when Karl Edwards and Patricia Hanson ran away to Northallerton Register Office and got married to the surprise of family and friends