The final fixture of the harrier league season was held in the grounds of Alnwick Castle on 4 March. Although overnight rain created a heavy course, the weather stayed fair during the day.
The first race saw a Gateshead win with Noah Curran taking first place. He was ably followed up by Luca Shaw in 10th position, Oliver Ezeoke, 12th, Sonny Lewins, 16th, and 8 year old Alfie Cook, 49th.
We had no runners this time in the under 11 girls.
In the under 13 boys, from the fast pack, David Race finished 6th to secure 3rd position overall, Liam Easthaugh was 18th, 11th overall, Oliver Douglass, 29th (despite falling twice), 70th overall, and Jack Garrett 40th and 16th overall. Continuing to improve, Oliver Eltringham was 61st, giving him 41st position overall. They were 7th team on the day and 5th overall for the season. A special mention also to Liam and Jack for turning out regularly during the cross country season while training for other events.
Ines Curran maintained her high standard in the under 13 girls to finish second. Willow Morris also ran strongly, finishing 20th from the fast pack. Ines was 2nd and Willow was 14th overall for the season. The team was 9th overall.
The under 15 boys saw a fine performance by Charlie McMillan, who was 3rd, running from the fast pack. Although clearly below form, Harry Morris finished 21st, also from the fast pack. Charlie and Harry were 7th and 8th overall respectively. The team was 9th overall.
Chloe Wellings was 4th in the under 15 girls, a strong run from the fast pack giving her 9th position overall despite missing some races. She was backed up by Jasmine Craig, 12th, 39th overall and Amy Baker, fast pack, 24th and 19th overall. The team finished 4th, 5th overall. Amy, in her first season, has competed in every fixture.
The club’s strongest team performance in the league this season has been in the under 17/20 womens races. This time Nicole McIlvaney was 4th from the medium pack, Jessica Leslie, fast, 9th, Elisha Tait, fast, 10th and Emma Dixon, medium, 23rd. They finished 2nd in the team race and 2nd overall. Jessica, in her first season with Gateshead, was 2nd individual overall. Nicole was 10th overall, Emma 21st and Elisha 27th.
The under 17 boys also have had consistent team performances, finishing 3rd on Saturday and 3rd overall. All running from the fast pack, Alex Armstrong was 6th, James Morris, 10th, and Will Dixon, 22nd. All are in their first season in this age group. James was 7th overall with Alex 22nd and Will 27th.
Gateshead Senior Men were lead home on the day once again by Conrad Franks, working his way through to a superb 9th place from the Fast Pack. He was followed by fellow counters Kevin Connolly in 48th place (Fast pack), then Peter Grimoldby in 67th (Medium), Steven Medd 78th (Fast), Chris Paton 163rd (Medium) and finally Steve Wellings 277th (Medium).
Despite being mainly reliant on a small band of regular athletes, mostly running from fast or medium packs, our men managed to finish the season in a creditable 5th place in Division 1, level on points with Morpeth above them. Next season we could really do with a greater pool of athletes making themselves available to represent the club in cross country, especially those who would be running from the slow pack.
Huge congratulations must go to Conrad Franks, winner of the individual Grand Prix, which is testament to his excellent cross country performances this season. Special mention as well to Kevin Connolly who finished in 11th place and Steven Medd in 20th place, out of more than 500 competing athletes.
Full results, including overall Grand Prix positions for those who didn’t run on Saturday, are on
Well done to all runners who have competed this season and thanks to parents and helpers.
Thanks also to the league officials and course marshalls at each venue.