IT WAS back to the track and field events this week for the third meeting of the North East Masters Athletics Association (NEMAA) at Monkton Stadium.  Both men and ladies teams were hoping to cement their positions at the top of their respective league tables and they didn’t disappoint.  The men’s team although depleted in numbers due to work commitments and injury, still put in a sterling performance to score 131 points topping the league with 455 points overall – 136 points clear of second place North Shields Poly.

The ladies also managed to secure their position after scoring a brilliant 86 points and top their league table with 283 points – 46 points clear of second place Tyne Bridge Harriers.  With three fixtures to go and hopefully a few returning from injury, its looking promising for the club.

A handful of members ran in the 6.5m Newburn River Run on Wednesday evening.  First Crook member home was Bill Ford in 49:09 followed by Tracey Scott in 55:20, Jill Ford in 56:40, Matthew Hargraves in 59:33 and Gemma Henderson in 59:33.

Markhim Lonsdale was in action in the England Athletics U20 Championships at Bedford on Sunday and finished sixth in the 800m race in a time of 1.50.79.

On Sunday, the club was represented at the Newton Aycliffe 10K road race. First Crook runner home was Peter Clough in 37.34 in pos 13 closely followed by Mike Simpson in 37.44 in pos 14.  Geoff Hewitson finished in 41.49 in pos 48, Brian Ford in 49.30 in pos 167, Steve Manifold in 51.32 in pos 191, Lynsey Manifold in 52.59 in pos 210 and Colin Everson in 59.26 in pos 280.

Our juniors competed in the district trials on Friday at Shildon.  Megan Hauxwell qualified in the 800m while Emilie Clark also qualified in the 60m. 

In the Saturday morning parkruns, Paul Smith finished in pos 158 in 30.44 at Sunderland while Craig Downs finished in pos 22 in 21.14 at Gateshead.  At Durham, Chris Clynes finished in pos 140 in 26.32 followed by Victoria Manifold in pos 219 in 33.25, Lynsey Manifold in pos 220 in 33.26 and Steve Manifold in pos 221 in pos 33.26.  At Riverside, Paul Brennan finished in pos 43 in 21.59 while Caroline Teasdale finished in pos 38 in 21.40 at Darlington.  At Hartlepool, Michael Lloyd finished in pos 20 in 22.58 and at Sedgefield, George Cawkwell finished in pos 95 in 28.52 followed by Sarah Giles in pos 144 in 33.11.

In the Junior parkrun at Sedgefield on Sunday, Ethan Welsh was first home in 9.07 (pos 8), Evon Domville in 9.31 (pos 13), David Edwards in 9.53 (pos 17), Neve Watson in 10.32 (pos 24), Jacob Pratt in 10.53 (pos 28), Iris Welsh in 12.07 (pos 49) and Milly Pratt in 17.13 (pos 104).

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