SUNDERLAND Harriers’ British Masters international Kevin Jeffress took the honours with a clear-cut victory at the annual North-East Masters Cross Country Championships in Darlington.

The former Tyne Bridge Harrier, who won last summer’s Northumberland Coastal Run, beat Low Fell’s Jon Archer in the 35-39 section by 35 seconds, winning the 8K race in a time of 24 mins 6 secs. Elswick Harrier Mark McLeod, son of former Olympic 10,000m silver-medallist Mike McLeod, finished third on his veterans debut in a time of 25 mins 16 secs.

There was a tight finish in the men’s 45-49 section, with Crook’s Chris Auld just getting the verdict over former Great Britain international Stewy Bell (Blackhill), with both athletes credited with the same time.

New Marske Harrier Kath Aspin showed her younger rivals a muddy pair of heels when she won the women’s race from the 45-49 section, beating Heaton’s Nina Cameron by 43 secs in 22 mins 14 secs, with over-35 winner Lorna Graham (Birtley) third over the 6K course in 23 mins 47 secs.

Results – Men (8K): 35-39 1 K Jeffress (Sunderland) 24 mins 6 secs; 2 J Archer (Low Fell) 24.41; 3 M McLeod (Elswick) 25.16. 40-44 M Tomlinson (Tyne Bridge) 26.31; 2 P Dalton (Quakers) 27.37; 3 S Maly (North Shields Poly) 27.44. 45-49 1 C Auld (Crook) 25.32; 2 S Bell (Blackhill) 25.32; 3 F Bates (Morpeth) 25.54. 50-54 1 K Smith (Tyne Bridge) 26.44; 2 L Johnson (Low Fell) 27.01; 3 J Blackett (North York Moors) 27.34.55-59 1 P Merrison (Sun) 26.42; 2 K Maynard (Sunderland Strollers) 27.32; 3 B Martin (Quakers) 28.16. 60-64 1 P Richardson (Sun) 30.48; 2 G Pemberton (NEVETS) 30.59; 3 P Walker (South Shields) 31.21. 65-69 (6K) 1 W Fraser (Saltwell) 24.06; 2 A Wilks (Aycliffe) 24.41; 3 W Doidge (Low Fell) 26.16. 70-74 1 B Hull (Claremont) 26.11; 2 P Parkin (Crook) 27.10; 3 M Stephenson (South Shields) 29.54. 75-79 1 R Checkley (Heaton) 32.58; 2 A Purdham (Crook) 34.51. 80-84 I Barnes (Darlington) 28.14. Teams 65+ 1 South Shields; 2 Heaton.

Women (6K): 35-39 1L Graham (Birtley) 23.47; 2 C Marley (NSP) 24.28; 3 J Zoppi (Heaton) 24.45. 40-44 1 L Trainor (Quakers) 24.14; 2 V Thompson (Jarrow & Hebburn) 26.55; 3 M Joblin (J&H) 27.06. 45-49 1 K Aspin (New Marske) 22.55; 2 N Cameron (Heaton) 23.38; 3 M Smailes (Birtley) 25.11. 50-54 1 A Telform (Blaydon) 24.06; 2 H Robinson (J&H) 24.16; 3 K Bentley (Houghton & Peterlee) 24.21. 55-59 1 A Cummings (NSP) 24.33; 2 M Lorraine (Gateshead) 24.58; 3 S Davis (Elvet) 25.29. 60-64 1 J Young (Elvet) 27.49. 65-69 1 M Kift (Low Fell) 32.50. Teams: 1 North Shields Poly; 2 Birtley; 3 Jarrow & Hebburn.