SUNDERLAND Harrier Mark Hood finished a superb fourth in his best-ever run in the North of England Cross Country Championships at St. Helens.

The 28-year-old England international, whose previous highest finish was fifth five years ago, completed the demanding 12K course in 35 mins 21 secs behind Stockport winner Steve Vernon (34.10), David Webb (Leeds 34.56) and Gareth Raven (Sale 35.05). Fell racing champion Nick Swinburn was the region’s next finisher in 13th (36.05), leading Morpeth to sixth in the team race.

New Marske’s World Junior Cross Country Championships international Ricky Stevenson scored a commanding victory in the Junior Men’s 8K, with an emphatic winning margin of 28 seconds.

But the Teesside club were pipped for the team gold by Liverpool.

England international Alyson Dixon was sixth in the senior men’s 8K, leading Chester-le-Street to silver in the team race.

The Cestrians, without cross country star Freya Murray, the Scottish 4K champion, finished only 12 places behind the winners, Hallamshire. The other Chester-le-Street counters were Maxine Czarnecka (14th), Melissa Turner (21st) and Kathryn Foley (28th).

Shildon’s Kate Avery, who won her sixth title in the recent Durham Schools Championships, finished runner-up in the under-17 4.5K race.

Shildon clubmate Cameron Boyek – also Durham Schools champion – was third in the under-15 4K. Chester-le- Street’s Anna Fawcett was third in the under-13 girls 3K.