TYNESIDE fireman Graeme Taylor won the big Redcar Half Marathon yesterday at the third time of asking.
The 25-year-old Jarrow and Hebburn runner battled against a headwind in the second part of the race to beat Alnwick Harrier David Kirkland by an emphatic 1 min 15 secs.
Taylor went round the new course, starting and finishing at The Stray on the sea front, in a time of 71 mins 7 secs, just under a minute slower than the 70.09 personal-best he clocked winning the Edinburgh Meadows Half Marathon in March.
Taylor had finished a modest 18th on his first visit to Redcar in 2009, in a time of 77 mins 53 secs, improving by over six minutes to place eighth last year in 71.36.
Runner-up Kirkland, a prolific racer in previous years over the marathon and half marathon distances, had the distinction last year of being the first North-East finisher at Redcar in fourth place behind three Kenyan runners in a time of 70 mins 1 sec and was making his first road race appearance since finishing fourth in the Teviotdale 10K in Hawick last August.
The 40-year-old had the consolation of winning the veteran's crown ahead of Redhill's Bill Bennett, who was third in 74 mins 22 secs.
Third veteran Vic Brudenell, in sixth place, led North York Moors to victory in the team race, assisted by Gareth Wilson (32nd) and Alasdair Tatham (39th).
Middlesbrough and Cleveland Harrier Carolyn Summersgill, the reigning North Yorkshire and South Durham cross country champion, was a comfortable winner of the women's race in a time of 84 mins 59 seconds, 20 second slower than her half-marathon personal best when finishing 7th at Redcar in 2008.
She had over four minutes in hand over runner-up Gemma Frost, of Blackhill Bounders (89.01), with Swaledale veteran Jacqueline Keavney third in 90 mins 53 secs.
Results - Men: 1 G Taylor (Jarrow & Hebburn) 71 mins 7 secs; 2 D Kirkland (Alnwick M40) 72.22; 3 B Bennett (Redhill) 74.42; 4 A Chadfield (Billingham Marsh House) 75.08; 5 J Prest (Trafford) 75.12; 6 V Brudenell (North York Moors) 75.29; 7 P Turner (Elswick) 75.43; 8 G Jones (Morpeth) 75.50; 9 G Dunn (Thirsk & Sowerby M40) 75.51; 10 M Likeman (Heaton) 75.54. M50 G Hetherington (Sedgefield) 79.00. Team: North York Moors 78 pts.
Women: 1 C Summersgill (Middlesbrough & Cleveland) 84.59; 2 G Frost (Blackhill Bounders) 89.01; 3 J Keavney (Swaledale W45) 90.53; 4 S Lemon (Heaton) 91.02; 5 V Booth (Sunderland Strollers) 91.32.
W50 F Shenton (Elvet) 92.30.
Team: Sunderland Strollers.
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