Defending senior men’s champions Sunderland Harriers had to settle for the runners-up position in the First Division of the Start Fitness North Eastern Harrier League at the final fixture at Alnwick on Saturday.
But there was disappointment for the club’s women, who just missed out on promotion to the First Division, after a nail-biting conclusion to their league campaign.
With the backdrop of Alnwick Castle in the distance, the traditional cross country course of farmers’ fields, testing hills and mud proved a course for even the stronger runners.
And with promotion and relegation to be resolved, clubs turned out runners in their droves for the handicap races for all age groups.
With Tyne Bridge Harriers out of reach at the head of the senior men’s league, Sunderland wanted to ensure that they held onto second spot.
And they did so comfortably, holding off third club Heaton by four points.
They finished fourth team on the day, with their six team counters headed by medium pack man Jake Jansen in 19th in an actual time of 40min 53sec.
Veteran Ian Dixon, running from the fast pack, finished 28th (38.54), then came Aidan Crowe (medium) in 34th (41.36). Slow pack man Mark Head was 36th (44.12), Graham Lancaster(slow) was 92nd (45.42), and Paul Redman (medium) ended 197th (45.17) .....