Kevin Jeffress led from start to finish to complete his hat-trick of wins in the North East Masters’ Cross Country Championships at Wallsend on Saturday. On a glorious day for Sunderland Harriers, Jeffress was one of two individual gold medallists.
On top of that, the club won three team titles.
The 38-year-old, competing in the 35-44 year category, clocked 29min 53sec to win by 23 seconds from John Clifford of Evenwood Road Runners.
With Jeffress’s family watching from the sidelines, they had much to cheer as the Seaham athlete looked effortless as he took the tough conditions in his stride around the undulating three-lap course.
He said: “It’s my favourite cross country race. This is why I missed last week’s Northern Cross Country Championships and saved myself for this. “I was determined to win and get my hat-trick.’’
Jeffress led Sunderland to the team title, with Michael Barker the second counter after being close to the leaders on the first lap, before slipping back to finish fourth (30.39).
Steven Gordon closed the team score in 27th (35.21). Carl Chapman (Crook) took third place (30.30).
Sunderland’s back-to-form Tim Field finished eighth and first Over-50 (32.53) to grab another gold medal.
Over-55 Paul Merrison, returning to competition after illness, was third Over-55 in 18th (33.49).
Sunderland Harriers retained the women’s Over-35 team title with a comfortable victory over North Shields and Durham.