GOLDEN oldie Brian Rushworth, one of the North-East's best-ever cross country runners, will be chasing his sixth title in today's British Masters Cross Country Championships at Herrington Country Park.
The Wearside college lecturer, who is competing in the over-50 age category for the first time, has won two over-40 and three over-45 masters titles after winning a record ten North-East senior men's cross country championships.
Rushworth, who has never been beaten in the North-East veterans' cross country championships since joining the ranks of the over-40s ten years ago, goes into today's 8K race a little apprehensively after struggling with hamstring and knee injuries.
He admitted: "It is a concern but I couldn't miss out when these championships are on my doorstep.''
Rushworth's main North-East rival is likely to be Durham City GP Rob Hand, who was only three seconds behind the Sunderland Harrier in the recent Royal Signals North-East road relay championships.
Over 400 athletes will be taking part in today's championships and the programme is: noon Women and over-65 men (6K); 1.00 Men 35-64 (8K).
Teams from Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland will be competing in the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Catton Park, Derby, today.
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