Sunderland Harriers’ women upset the applecart to triumph in the Northern team championship in their own Sunderland 5k Road Race at Silksworth Sports Complex last night.
This was easily their best ever performance in the short history of the women’s team, who have been managed to glory by 70-year-old Eddie Maddison.
They placed their three counters inside the first 10 runners home to score 26 points, with Tyne Bridge second on 33 and North Shields third with 34.
Alice Smith led the team home in a solid sixth position (18min 32sec), then came 20-year-old Jess Fox in seventh (18.48) and the third and final counter was 17-year-old Sarah Knight (19.14).
Maddison said: “It was a great performance from the girls as they went into the race as the underdogs, but surprised many with their gritty runs.’’
The race was won by runaway winner Danielle Hodgkinson in the superb time of 16.31.
North Shields athlete Charlotte Penfold was second (17.10) and Jarrow and Hebburn’s Georgia Campbell filled third (17.39). Heaton Harrier Danielle Smyth finished fourth (17.48) and Robyn Bennett (Morpeth) was fifth (18.25)....