AFTER THE success of last week’s North East Masters Athletics Association (NEMAA) track and field events, the men and ladies teams were hoping to maintain their positions at the top of each division.  Once again, another strong turnout saw members competing in the 100m, 800m and 1500m and field events such as long jump and javelin.

The men scored the same amount of points as last week (157 points) and further strengthened their lead with 314 points after two meetings putting them 89 points clear of second place North Shields Poly while the ladies also maintained their position at the top of the league with 197 points - 32 points clear of second place Heaton Harriers.

Markhim Lonsdale travelled to Watford to compete in the 800m at the BMC Gold Grand Prix event and came home with a fantastic new PB of 1.49.07.

Elizabeth Wood and Sue Chadwick travelled north of the border to run the Edinburgh Half Marathon with Elizabeth finishing in 1.36.50 and Sue in 1.46.34.  Meanwhile, Gerry Hehir and Jane Henderson travelled to the capital to compete in the London Vitality 10K.  Gerry managed a season’s best on 47.01 while Jane ran a new PB of 48.55.

The first Friday night 5K at Temple Park in South Shields saw Chris Auld run 16.34 finishing in pos 16 while Caroline Teasdale, just back from injury ran 20.51 finishing in pos 50.

Graham Spowart headed up to Northumberland to run the Druridge Bay 10K finishing in 39.11 in pos 17 while a few Crookites headed to Wynyard to run in the Whitsun Trail race with Steve Manifold first Crook AC runner home in 56.11 in pos 81 closely followed by daughter Lynsey in 56.15 in pos 82 knocking over two minutes off last year’s time.  Matthew Hargraves finished in 59.38 in pos 103.  Michael Lloyd competed in the Trail Outlaws Fulwell Quarry 10K finishing in 49.57 in pos 42.

In the Saturday morning parkruns, Victoria Manifold finished in pos 216 in 36.53 at Finsbury while at Dalby Forest, Paul Brennan finished in pos 7 in 19.32.  At Hackworth, Chris Clynes finished in pos 7 in 24.29 followed by Jessica Hague in pos 21 in 31.04, Steve Manifold in pos 22 in 31.05, Allen Purdham in pos 24 in 31.44 and George Cawkwell in pos 30 in 39.29.  At Durham, Paul Smith finished in pos 61 in 22.03, Graham Laverick in pos 118 in 24.08 and Brian Ford in pos 148 in 25.02.

In the Junior parkrun at Sedgefield on Sunday, Evon Domville was first home in 8.56 (pos 5), Caitlin Carr in 9.10 (pos 8), Ethan Welsh in 9.59 (pos 16) and Iris Welsh in 11.51 (pos 45).

This year’s Clive Golledge Relays will be held on Tuesday 19th July and for the first time, there will also be a junior event.  Please contact the club if you would like to enter teams.

Crook AC meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Peases West, Crook at 6.15pm.  Junior sessions are held on Thursday’s at 6.00pm.  For more information, please visit www.crookac.co.uk or follow us on Twittter at @crookac

Submitted by Craig Downs