Darlington Harriers: A DOZEN athletes took part in the biggest event of the winter calendar last weekend when the English National Cross-Country Championships was held at Herrington Country Park, Sunderland.

Although many of the country's leading internationals missed the event in preparation for the world championships in Mombasa, the races lost nothing of their prestige.

Local athletes had a chance to practise for the event in December when the North-East Championships were held on the same course. Mud was the major obstacle on that occasion. Last weekend it was a biting cross-wind that affected the runners.

Beth Ward, who has enjoyed a busy cross-country season at club and regional level, finished 84th in the Under-13s girls' race.

Rosie Clarke, another cross-country regular, was 95th in the Under-15s girls' race.

In the senior ladies' race, Georgina Rutherford, who doubles as an extremely-promising triathlete, was an impressive 39th. The race was won by leading GB international Liz Yelling.

Two Harriers youngsters took part in the Under-15s boys' race. Paul Clifford was 77th and Josh Phillips 91st. Seven senior athletes took part in the senior men's race over 12kms. Simon Rutherford was first home for Harriers in 299th place followed by Ben Wilson in 377th.

Steve Hutchinson crossed the line in 526th position and Ronnie Read was 543rd. Kevin Grainger was 617th and Paul Smith 720th. John Brant was 893rd. Harriers finished 50th in the team positions. The race was won by Frank Tickner of Wells City Harriers.

* Harriers train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Eastbourne Sports Complex at 6.15pm when new members of all ages are always welcome.

* www.darlingtonharriers.co.uk

New Marske Harriers

NEW Marske Harriers competed in the English National Cross Country Championships held at Sunderland on March 10.

In the Under-13s Boys Harriers only had Mark Shaw who finished 2nd in a very close finish and Charlie Pascoe who finished a creditable 219th in 13.14. In the Under-15s Girls Aylish Stephen finished 196th in 21.23 and Vicky Jackson 238th in 23.35.

In the Under-15s Boys Ralph Pearse was 115th with 17.10, Michael Mitchell 196th in 18.15, Richard Best 253rd in 20.19 and Paul Blowers 254th in 20.21 to finish 25th team.

In the Under-17s Girls race Jessica Russon was 45th in 19.57 and in the Under-17s Men's race Adam Blowers was 122nd with 24.18 and Elliot Hills 149th in 25.05.

In the Junior Men's race Lewis Gamble Thompson was 65th in 35.48 and Wade Goodall 139th in 47.14. In the Senior Men's race Jon Pearse was 689th in 54.37 and Iain Povey 695th with 54.54. Rob Cole was an excellent 111th in 41.50.

The Harriers did well in in the N.Y.S.D Cross Country held at Richmond on March 4.

In the Under-13s Boys Charlie Pascoe was 19th in a time of 11.36 and in the Under-13s Girls Harriers had Maisie Buckley 20th in 12.13 and Nadia Ammor in 28th with 13.09.

The Under-15s Boys performed well to earn 3rd place team with Ralph Pearse leading the boys home in 8th with 13.46, Michael Mitchell 14th in 15.28 and Paul Blowers 17th in 16.14.

The Under-15s Girls were Aylish Stephen 12th in 17.07 and Vicky Jackson16th in 18.35.

The Under-17s Boys were in fine form to finish 1st Team with Russ Best 2nd with 23.29, Adam Blowers 3rd with 24.45 and Elliot Hills 6th with 26.29.

The Senior Men equalled the Under-17s achievement with a fine 1st Team finish, Lewis Gamble Thompson was 5th in 33.16, B.McClean 8th in 33.24, Tony Livingston 12th in 33.57, T.Danby 13th in 34.16, Mark Gamble Thompson 14th in 34.19, Tom Graham 19th in 35.15, Andrew Sugden 53rd in 39.22, Jon Pearse 65th in 40.39, V.Rutland 66th in 40.41 and John Smith 101st in 50.50.

The Senior Ladies ran well to claim 3rd Team Finish with Katie Livingston 3rd in 25.33, Jess Russon 5th in 26.25, Abi Topliss 29th in 31.56, Louise Tinsley 30th in 32.20 and Cheryl Hepples 36th in 35.15.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

IT is a quiet season for races just now and Dusan Svoboda was the only entrant from the Club for the Commondale Crossing Fell Race, Race 9 in the Winter Series. Dusan put in another excellent performance, finishing 18th in a time of 42.35 minutes.

Preparations are well underway for the Thirsk 10 Road Race, to be held on December 2 this year instead of its usual date in June.

The high June temperatures in some previous years have made conditions especially difficult.

The weather should be far more amenable for running in December, and the start time will be 11am, with a Fun Run of 2+ miles beginning at 10am.

*Anyone requiring further details can contact the Club's website on www.thirskandsowerbyharriers.co.uk