THIS WEEKEND saw the welcome return of North East Harrier League Cross Country with the third meeting held at the new venue of Thornley Hall Farm near Peterlee.

A total of 36 members including 16 men, 5 ladies and 15 juniors turned out for the club on a testing course.  First up were the juniors who put in a sterling effort.  In the Under 11 boys, William Henderson finished in second pos in 8.27, followed by Harry Rose in 10th pos in 8.53, Jamie Wilson in pos 22 in 9.30, Owen Flockton in pos 23 in 9.39, Ethan Welsh in pos 29 in 9.58 and Kian Domville in pos 50 in 10.49.  In the Under 11 girls, Leah Aldworth was first Crook runner home in pos 7 in 9.29 followed by Megan Hauxwell in pos 14 in 10.04, Lucy Wilson in pos 35 in 11.34 and Iris Welsh in pos 36 in 11.46.

In the Under 13 boys race, Evan Domville finished in pos 49 in 16.29 while Under 13 girls, Bethany Iveson finished in pos 33 in 15.33 (from fast pack) and Emilie Clarke in pos 41 in 18.35.  Adam Wilson ran a superb 12.58 finishing in pos 3 in the Under 15 boys race while Sophie Hauxwell finished in pos 34 in 23.40 in the Under 17 girls race.

In the senior and vet ladies race, the first four runners home to score for the club were Jane Henderson in 32.55 followed by Joanne Raine in 29.27 (from fast pack), Lizzie Wood in 32.04 from the medium pack and Eleanor Spencer-Regan who picked up an ankle injury during the race but still managed to complete two laps finishing in 35.00.  Joanna Wilson finished in 38.36 and Ken Cawkwell finished in 43.46.  After three meetings, the ladies currently sit in sixth position of division 2 with 19 points.

In the senior and vet men’s race, the first six counters were Robert Teasdale finishing in 38.20 (from the medium pack earning him promotion) followed by Graham Spowart in 40.53 also earning himself promotion to the medium pack. Jason Bridgewater finished in 41.29, Chris Auld in 36.52 (from the fast pack), Peter Clough in 39.33 (from the medium pack) and Wayne Pearson in 40.52 (from the medium pack).  They were followed by Paul Brennan in 41.40 (from the medium pack), Kevin Saville in 44.35, Geoff Hewitson in 45.31, Mark Nichol in 43.27 (from the medium pack), Gerry Hehir in 51.03, Jason Marr in 52.29, Paul Wragg in 53.00, Michael Robinson in 54.01 and Percy Parkin in 54.12.  The men’s team currently sit in ninth position of division 1 with 23 points.

Saving her legs for Sunday, Angela Knox ran in the Run Northumberland Big 10 mile race at Kirkley Hall completing the route in 1.40.25 finishing in pos 215.  

In the Saturday morning parkruns, Paul Smith finished in pos 33 in 21.19 at Durham followed by Graham Laverick in pos 108 in 25.35 and Brian Ford in pos 230 in 31.43.  At Riverside, Craig Downs finished in pos 14 in 21.16 followed by Tracey Scott in pos 49 in 24.41.  At Hackworth, Steve Manifold finished in pos 8 in 25.04 followed by Chris Clynes in pos 20 in 27.12.

In the Junior parkrun at Sedgefield on Sunday, Leah Aldworth was first Crook finisher in 5th pos (also first girl overall) in 9.05. 

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