Brian in seventh heaven (From The Northern Echo)

Brian in seventh heaven

9:17am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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NEWLY-CROWNED British Masters over-45 champion Brian Rushworth will be hot favourite to land his seventh consecutive North-East Veterans Cross Country title at Branksome College, Darlington, today.

The 47-year-old Sunderland Harrier, who went into the record books after winning ten senior men’s North-East championships, has not looked back since joining the ranks of the over-40s, winning five British Masters gold medals in the 40-44 and 45-49 age categories.

Rushworth is unbeaten in the North-East Veterans Championships, despite competing against younger rivals, and will be looking to maintain his 100 per cent record as he tries to lead the Wearside club to team victory.

His main challengers are expected to be Durham City’s Rob Hand, runner-up last year, Ken Harker (4th) and Michael Thompson (5th).

Chester-le-Street’s Kathryn Foley will not be defending her women’s title and the leading contenders are expected to include Joanne Lee (Tynedale), who was third last year, and Claremont’s Mandy Herworth.

■ Chester-le-Street will be seeking their fifth consecutive women’s team title in tomorrow’s Northern Road Relay Championships in Manchester.

■ European Cross Country Championships junior bronze medallist Kate Avery, of Shildon, has been selected for the GB World Cross Country Championships team in Poland next weekend.