SUNDERLAND Harriers won their second national championships medal of the year finishing third in the British Masters Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield, writes FRANK JOHNSON.

The Wearsiders, who were second in the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Bournemouth in March, were forced to make a late change at Sutton Park when stalwart Martin Armstrong was unable to travel because his son was taken ill during the night. But reserve Rob Rush came into the eight-man team and won his first-ever veterans' medal with the club.

Sunderland struggled early in the 24-mile event and their star runner, 43year-old Brian Rushworth, took over in eighth place on the sixth leg.

The ten-times North-East senior men's cross country champion proved to be in scintillating form, overtaking five athletes to lift his team into a medal position behind Bristol and West and southern club Herne Hill Harriers. Rushworth's time of 14 mins 51 secs for the three mile circuit was the third fastest of the day.

Sunderland's last two runners, Tom Doughty and Brian Bewick, fought hard to battle their way into second place, but their Herne Hill rivals hung on to take the silver medals by 23 seconds.

Result: 1 Bristol & West 2 hours 4 mins 41 secs; 2 Herne Hill 2:07:14; 3 Sunderland 2:07:37.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers THERE was a rather disappointing turnout of Harriers at the second race in the summer road race league at Starbeck and previous heavy rain made the course difficult in places.

It was, though, mostly dry during the race, which was, as ever, won by Ian Fisher of Otley AC in 33.14 minutes.

Richard Hall put in his usual solid performance, finishing 14th in 37.28 with Dusan Svoboda 42nd in 40.19, Robert Barker, in his first outing for the club, 78th in an excellent 43.18, Angela Hall 100th in 44.30, Ernie Huck 118th in 45.56, Ken Evitt 128th in 47.02, Nigel Morgan 153rd in 48.57, Ian Codling 206th in 53.45, Pat Kirby 218th in 55.29, Maureen Gibbs 239th in 59.36 and Pamela Sherlock 246th in 63.21.

Six Harriers were mixing with the elite of Fell Racing on Sunday when they entered the very competitive English Championships fell race at Lordstones, where the starter was Lord Stone himself. A window of good weather just allowed the race to take place and the winner was Rob Jebb of Bingley in 53.58. Gary Dunn finished a very creditable 33rd in 61.50 with Peter Wilkin 61st in 64.54, Alasdair Thorpe 187th in 78.37, Mark Ludiman 230th in 86.45, Alan Wikeley 233rd in 86.58 and Ernie Huck 264th in 96.28.

Alan Wikeley finished ninth in the V60 category - a wonderful effort.

The same window of fair weather just allowed the Yorkshire10k at Newby Hall to take place, over a course much improved on last year, but still multiterrain, with a "lake" to negotiate in one place.

Tony Lambert of Swaledale was the winner in 35.52, the ever-present Ken Evitt 59th in 46.10, David Shorrocks 62nd in 46.20, Simon McKeown 118th in 50.12, Ian Codling 134th in 51.38, Fiona Wilson 154th in 53.43, Charlotte Robinson 159th in 53.57, Pat Kirby 161st in 54.06, Pamela Sherlock 303rd in 64.36, and Maggie Allison 312th in 66.35. There were more than 360 finishers in this charity race in aid of Cystic Fibrosis.

Arrangements are well in hand for the Thirsk 10 Mile Road Race on June 11 for which entries are still welcome.

People who are entering the charity Run for Life race at Thirsk on July 9 might like to consider entering the Mini Marathon which precedes the main race on June 11 as a trial run. Forms for both races are available at Fox's Copy Shop or from the club website: www. thirskandsowerbyharriers. co. uk.

New Marske Harriers NEW Marske Harriers had a really good turn out for the X-Country and Fell Awards presentation night, held at New Marske Sports Club. Paul Lowe, Harriers' guest of honour, presented the awards.

In the Fell Running category the awards went to Ronnie Sherwood and Sharon Gaytor in the senior men and senior ladies respectively.

Harriers also have three cups that have been donated in remembrance of three special men who are no longer with us who have contributed much to the club and deserve to be remembered and honoured.

The Bernard Foulkes Trophy was presented to Colin Scollay, The Terry Henderson Memorial Cup was presented to Daniel McBride for the Multi Event Competition and the Brian Williamson Memorial Cup presented by Mrs Williamson to Beth Enderwick also for the Multi Event Competition.

In the X-Country male awards the U11 boys winner was Jacob Waller, Under-13s boys Ralph Pearse, Under15s boys Elliot Hills, Under-17s men Ricky Stevenson, Senior men Rob Cole, Vet 1 Iain Povey, Vet 2 shared by Terry Jackson and Colin Scolley and Vet3 went to John Kettle.

In the X-County female awards the Under-11s girls winner was Beth Enderwick, Under-13s Katie Templeman, Under-15s Jess Russon, Under-17s Rebecca Chislett, Senior women Andrea Henderson, Vet 2 Carole Phinn, Vet 3 Lynn Woods and Vet 4 Isabel Conaghan.

The X-Country male champion was Rob Cole and the female champion was Jess Russon.

New Marske Harriers also had a new award - the Exceptional Performance Award, which was shared by Ricky Stevenson and Mark Shaw who have had excellent seasons.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers SEVERAL junior athletes took part in the Yorkshire Track and Field Championships, held at Cudworth on May 13 and 14, producing some excellent results in the process and returning with a total of six medals.

Ruth Hill and Leanne Shaw once again set the precedence in the sprints, collecting four medals between them. Competing in the Under-17s Women's category, Leanne took double bronze in the 100m and 200m races, with first-rate times of 13.14 and 26.35.

Ruth Hill had a rather mixed bag of fortune, as she has set some outstanding times in her age group already this season. She finished second in the Under-15 Girl's 200m, after running exactly the same time as the winner in 26.59, but was finally awarded the runners up position.

She was quite disappointed with her third place in the 100m race, after setting the fastest times through the heats and semi-finals. Getting off to a disastrous start, she managed to claw her way back up to the bronze medal position, finishing in 13.24. Brogan Fraser also ran a solid 100m in a time of 13.6, making the semi-final.

Charlotte Dinsdale once again had a busy afternoon, competing in the Under-13s Girl's Long Jump, with team mate Amy Coulson, taking 13th and 21st positions respectively. She then went on to take the bronze medal in the Shot Putt, with a distance of 6.33m, as well as pairing up with Amy again to compete in the 800m.

Charlotte also managed to make the semi-finals of the 80m sprint.

Jo Adams had a consistent afternoon's competition, making the Under-17s Women's 800m final and finishing in a fantastic time of 2.29.09 to take 8th place overall.

Thomas Allen and Sam Wood flew the flag for the boys, both easily qualifying for the Under-15s Boy's 1,500m final, where they placed 7th and 11th respectively, with brilliant times of 4.45.32 and 5.11.99. Sam then went on to finish 7th in the 400m final and Thomas took 6th in the 800m final, rounding off a successful day.

Three senior athletes were also in action on the track, accomplishing some excellent results. James Wardman and Ken Harker comfortably made the Senior Men's 800m Final, taking fourth and fifth positions respectively, with highly competitive times of 2.03.74 and 2.11.59. Andrea Woodvine put in a superb performance in the Senior Women's 3,000m race, running not only an outstanding PB of 9.55.33, but coming away with no less than a silver medal for her efforts, crossing the line in second place overall.

RZH Results: Under-13s Girls - Charlotte Dinsdale 4th 800m (heat 1) 2.47.67 & 13th Long Jump 3.60m & 6th 80m (semi-final) 12.14 & 3rd Shot Putt 6.33m, Amy Coulson 21st Long Jump 2.63m & 5th 800m (heat 2) 2.51.54. Under-15s Boys - Thomas Allen 7th 1500m 4.45.32 & 6th 800m 2.17.90, Sam Wood 11th 1500m 5.11.99 & 7th 400m 69.38. Under-15s Girls - Brogan Fraser 6th 100m (semi-final) 13.6, Ruth Hill 2nd 200m 26.59 & 3rd 100m 13.24. Under-17s Girls - Jo Adams 8th 800m 2.29.09, Leanne Shaw 3rd 200m 26.35 & 3rd 100m 13.14.

Ripon 10 mile road race had its annual running on Sunday, May 14, which took place in mainly dry conditions, despite poor weather conditions over the weekend. Paul Scott is undertaking the Black Sheep Race series throughout the summer, comprising of four 10k races, a half marathon and the event at Ripon. He started in great form, finishing in 83rd