Inter Counties Cross Country Championships
It was a successful day at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championship at Cofton Park, Birmingham as the best cross country runners in our region competed against the best runners from every other county.
The teams were selected from performances from the Harrier Leagues, North East Cross Country Championships and Northern Championships and it's a chance to compete in the same team as those who would normally be rivals on the north east circuit.
The men's team went into the race as reigning team champions after fielding big guns Ryan McLeod, Ross Murray and Andy Wiles in 2011 but how would a new look field fare this year? Well, when you look at the start line and see Ricky Setevenson, Johnny Taylor and Lewis Timmins in the same team, you know that you are in with a chance.
Not long after the start, Stevenson and Taylor settled in a large group at the front of the field which included National Cross Country Champion Keith Gerrard and International triathlete Jonathan Brownlee. The North East team were packing tightly with Lewis Timmins, Matty Nicholson and Peter Newton all in the top 40. At about halfway Gerrard turned the screw and powered away but the North East duo of Stevenson and Taylor hung on and as the field started to get strung out and Gerrard increased his lead there were 2 battles still to be resolved for the minor places. Sub 4 minute miler Stevenson outkicked Phi;l Wicks (who has ran 63 minute for a half marathon this year!) for 2nd place and Taylor eased away from Brownlee in the closing stages to come home 4th.
Behind them it was a case of trying to count in the North East runners to see if we were in with a chance of regaining the team title. Amazingly, Timmins had worked through the field to finish an incredible 11th. It wasn't long before our next counter, another Morpeth Harrier, Peter Newton fiinished in 28th followed by ANOTHER Morpeth Harrier Matty Nicholson in 31st. The team title looked to be in the bag, it was just a case of making sure our 6th counter ran to his potential. Sure enough, just a few places back in 48th came Leeds City's Carl Smith. The likable Smith was born and raised in the area, is a former member of Chester le Street Harriers who now resides in Whitley Bay so was eligible to compete for the North East.
The counters were backed up by Ryan Stephenson, making his first Senior appearance and young Michael Grimes from Durham City (winner of the Wreckenton Harrier League). The North East won the title by an amazing 100 points. It's worth mentioning that from the team that won last year, only one runner competed this year - Matty Nicholson. It shows that the North East has huge strength in depth as they could field almost 2 completely different teams in 2 years and win both times! Well done lads!
Not long after the start, Stevenson and Taylor settled in a large group at the front of the field which included National Cross Country Champion Keith Gerrard and International triathlete Jonathan Brownlee. The North East team were packing tightly with Lewis Timmins, Matty Nicholson and Peter Newton all in the top 40. At about halfway Gerrard turned the screw and powered away but the North East duo of Stevenson and Taylor hung on and as the field started to get strung out and Gerrard increased his lead there were 2 battles still to be resolved for the minor places. Sub 4 minute miler Stevenson outkicked Phi;l Wicks (who has ran 63 minute for a half marathon this year!) for 2nd place and Taylor eased away from Brownlee in the closing stages to come home 4th.
Behind them it was a case of trying to count in the North East runners to see if we were in with a chance of regaining the team title. Amazingly, Timmins had worked through the field to finish an incredible 11th. It wasn't long before our next counter, another Morpeth Harrier, Peter Newton fiinished in 28th followed by ANOTHER Morpeth Harrier Matty Nicholson in 31st. The team title looked to be in the bag, it was just a case of making sure our 6th counter ran to his potential. Sure enough, just a few places back in 48th came Leeds City's Carl Smith. The likable Smith was born and raised in the area, is a former member of Chester le Street Harriers who now resides in Whitley Bay so was eligible to compete for the North East.
The counters were backed up by Ryan Stephenson, making his first Senior appearance and young Michael Grimes from Durham City (winner of the Wreckenton Harrier League). The North East won the title by an amazing 100 points. It's worth mentioning that from the team that won last year, only one runner competed this year - Matty Nicholson. It shows that the North East has huge strength in depth as they could field almost 2 completely different teams in 2 years and win both times! Well done lads!
In the Senior ladies event, despite the absence of names such as Justina Heslop, Sonia Samuels and Kate Avery (who helped the North East win silver last year), a strong field was assembled that included North East Champion Rosie Smith from Durham, British Army Champion Danielle Hodgkinson and Jane Hodgson, fastest at Alnwick last week.
European Cross Country silver medalist Gemma Steel got the better of Steph Twell in the closing stages of an enthralling race which was packed with quality. Rosie is quickly establishing herself as one of the country's top distance runners as she showed true grit and determination to finish in 10th position. The race was also the finale to the McCain Cross Country Challenge (a series of races around the country where runners accrue points from their finishing positions) so it was a double celebration for Rosie as she finsihed a magnificent 3rd in the overall series and went home £500 richer!
European Cross Country silver medalist Gemma Steel got the better of Steph Twell in the closing stages of an enthralling race which was packed with quality. Rosie is quickly establishing herself as one of the country's top distance runners as she showed true grit and determination to finish in 10th position. The race was also the finale to the McCain Cross Country Challenge (a series of races around the country where runners accrue points from their finishing positions) so it was a double celebration for Rosie as she finsihed a magnificent 3rd in the overall series and went home £500 richer!
A great battle was going on behind her to see who was going to be next counter and it was Wallsend's Danielle Hodgkinson who just got the better of Jane Hodgson in 38th and 43rd respectively. It has to be said that Hodgson had been suffering from a cold yet still ran her heart out and squeezed out every bit of energy she had as she collapsed across the line at the end. After a bit of medical attention Hodgson recovered to cheer the rest of her team across the line.
The team was closed in by Alex Snook and Claire Simpson to finish in a creditable 7th place overall.
It was a great day and a great atmosphere and just reward to those who have ran so well this winter and were selected. A huge thanks must go to the all the team managers and Bill McGuirk for not only arranging travel, and accommodation for the North East athletes but also for making sure they had everything they needed on the day.
Full results to follow
See below for amateur video footage of the day.
The team was closed in by Alex Snook and Claire Simpson to finish in a creditable 7th place overall.
It was a great day and a great atmosphere and just reward to those who have ran so well this winter and were selected. A huge thanks must go to the all the team managers and Bill McGuirk for not only arranging travel, and accommodation for the North East athletes but also for making sure they had everything they needed on the day.
Full results to follow
See below for amateur video footage of the day.