Stevenson leads Harriers home (From The Northern Echo)

Stevenson leads Harriers home

12:00am Wednesday 28th December 2011 in Athletics News By Frank Johnson

NEWLY-CROWNED North-East cross country champion Ricky Stevenson finished third as he led New Marske Harriers to team victory in yesterday's Ribble Valley 10K, which incorporated the North of England Championships, at Clitheroe.

Stevenson clipped ten seconds off his previous best time as he clocked 29 mins 17 secs to finish behind Liverpool's Jonny Mellor, who set a new course record of 29 mins 10 secs and Bingley's Alistair Brownlee (29 mins 15 secs).

Andy Wiles also ran his fastest-ever 10K, slicing 71 seconds off his pb to take fifth place in a time of 29 mins 46 secs, while New Marske's third counter, Russ Best, also ran his fastest time for the distance, 31 mins 10 secs, to finish 32nd.

Results: 1 J Mellor (Liverpool) 29 mins 10 secs (course record); 2 A Brownlee (Bingley) 29.15; 3 R Stevenson (New Marske) 29.17; 4 M Clowes (Staffs) 29.58; 5 A Wiles (New Marske) 29.46; 6 D Hawkins (Kilbarchen) 29.48; 7 S Deakin (Leeds City) 29.50; 8 P Hurst (Elswick) 29.59; 9 M Barnes (Altrincham) 30.01; 10 S Mitchell (Bristol) 30.09; 21 M Scott (Richmond & Zetland U20) 30.48; 25 M Crawley (Durham City) 30.55; 32 R Best (New Marske) 31.10; 38 T Cornthwaite (Northumberland FR) 31.29; 47 S Hepple (Loftus & Whitby 32.13; 58 J Askew (Dur C) 32.44. M40 I Twaddle (North Shields Poly) 32.56.

Shildon's Great Britain international Kate Avery finished ninth overall in the Christmas Pudding Run at Whitley Bay, finishing three and a half minutes clear of the next woman to finish. The 3½ mile event was won by Leeds City's Carl Smith in 15 mins 55 secs, just pipping Gateshead's Calum Johnson, who was credited with the same time.