The Championship is also used as the main selection race for the Inter Counties Championships in Birmingham next March. The first 3 finishers in every race would automatically gain selection to represent the North East in the prestigious National event.
The course obviously churned up throughout the day but even on the first race, the U13 boys, the going was tough. The race was won by Tynedale's Max Pearson who became the first champion of the day. In a very close finish, he just got the better of Middlesbrough Mandale's Josh Allen to win by 1 second. A great race and it certainly set the scene for some more exciting races.
It certainly was going to be a good day for the Middlesbrough Mandale club. Just 15 minutes later and after seeing her clubmate gain a silver medal, Libby Hedger became U13 girls Champion with a commanding display in the 3.2km race. She gained selection for the Inter Counties with an 8 second win over Darlington's Stella Jones.
The exciting races kept on coming with Gateshead Harriers taking a 1-2 in the U15 girls race. Phillipa Chambers beating clubmate Kate Waugh by 6 seconds to take the title with MIddlesbrough Mandale's Phillipa Stone continuing the Teesside's successful day by taking the bronze.
As noon arrived the U17 / U20 women went to battle over 5.6k which was one medium lap. Due to lack of numbers and time restrictions, the 2 Championships were ran together but it was actually two U17s that took the first 2 places. Birtley's Lydia Turner has been the dominant force in Norh East running for a number of years now and surely it's only a matter of time before she shows her class at National level. Leading from the early stages she won by 23 seconds from Sophie Montgomery from Blaydon with 3rd place and the U20 title going to Gosforth's Racheal Lundgren.
The U17 mens race was the final race of the Championship and despite having to wait 3 and a half hours from the start of the first event it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes. Over 5.6km it was Gateshead's Luke Clarke that led another display by Gateshead with a 26 second victory over Middlesbrough's Jack Willis. As with the U20 race, 1st, 3rd and 4th places went to Gateshead and obvious team victory.
The youngsters put on some great performances and provided the spectators with some top races. Well done to all that took part in very testing conditions.
For full results click here.