Kevin Jeffress and Paul Merrison led the way with individual titles at the North-East Masters Cross-Country Championships at Wallsend last Saturday, but there was plenty of medal and team success to celebrate throughout the age groups.

Jeffress retained his M35 title by a 15-second margin over Durham City's Matthew Hornsby, whilst Merrison was even more dominant, winning the M55 race by a full 27 seconds!

Ian Dixon and Tim Field took individual bronze medals in the M40 and M50 age-groups respectively.

Jeffress, Dixon and 11th placed Paul Blakey gave the Royal Blues team gold in the 35-44 men's age group, and amongst the 45-54's Field, Alan Knebel and Alan Hodgson finished runners-up to Heaton Harriers.

The Harriers women continued their impressive start to 2016 with Nicola Woodward (L35) and Susan Clughen (L60) taking individual bronze medals and the L35 trio of Woodward, club captain Colleen Compson and Vikki Cotton clinched silver medals in the team race behind champions North Shield Poly.

Pushing Vikki all the way for the third-scorer spot was Emma North, and the other Royal Blues finishers in the men's race were Steven Gordon, Dean Phillips, Peter Richardson and Alan McManus.