Gordon Smith Relays 2010
A hugely impressive Sunderland Harriers trio won the fifteenth Gordon Smith Relays, promoted by Wallsend Harriers, on Wednesday evening 5th May at Hadrians Way cycle path, Wallsend. Improving by one place from their runners-up spot in 2009, the win was all the more spectacular for Sunderland, given that all three runners were veterans in a race where clubs have the option of fielding two senior runners in a three-man team. This was Sunderland’s first-ever team victory in this race, with defending champions Morpeth choosing to miss the fixture.
Heaton Harriers led after the first leg – Ian Robinson’s 9.57 was the second-fastest time on the night – just in front of North Shields Poly with Sunderland in third, but Brian Rushworth’s 9.42 second-leg – fastest on the night – moved the Wearsiders to the front with the Poly still in second and Claremont moving to third. With Mick Thompson on third leg, however, Sunderland were determined to hold onto their lead and they comfortably held off all challenges to come home with forty seconds to spare over fast-finishing runners-up South Shields. Elswick Harriers came home in third place.
Wallsend’s men were twelfth – with Sean Kelly (10.43) quickest runner for the club – in a race in which there were forty-nine complete mens and womens teams, marginally down on 2009, but still a hugely impressive turnout in a race that is now firmly established on the north-east calendar.
In the Womens race – ran at the same time as the Men in a combined start – Chester le St won for the fifth consecutive year, the trio of Angela Hunter, Sarah Wilkinson and Claire Simpson finishing eleventh overall and some three minutes ahead of runners-up Elswick. Heaton were third, with fifteen complete Womens teams finishing the race.
Wallsend – missing Danielle Hodgkinson – finished fourth Womens team, with Vicky Hindson’s 11.44 the quickest of the club’s runners.
With the closure of the Ship Inn, race headquarters moved to St Columbas Church hall, with a customary post-race buffet available to all runners. Thanks to all teams who came along, and of course, to those officials and marshals who voluntarily gave of their time to help the event go smoothly. Results will be posted onto the race-results website, but if anyone would like a copy, please use ‘Contact Us’ and they will be sent by reply.
Results:
Men
1 Sunderland H 30.13 (B Bewick 10.06, B Rushworth 9.42, M Thompson 10.25)
2 South Shields 30.56 (C Muir 10.08, G Arthur 10.36, L Adams 10.12)
3 Elswick H 31.24 (P Turner 10.14, K Stephenson 10.42, L Bennett 10.42)
Fastest Senior: J Archer (Low Fell) 9.56
Fastest Vet: B Rushworth (Sunderland H) 9.42
Women
1 Chester le St 33.11 (A Hunter 11.03, S Wilkinson 11.03, C Simpson 11.05)
2 Elswick H 36.23 (Y Thiru 11.35, A Dargie 11.21, S Blight 13.27)
3 Heaton H 37.19 (J Zoppi 12.08, S Rogers 11.57, J Critchley 13.14)
Fastest Senior: A Hunter (Chester le St) 11.03
Fastest Vet: S Wilkinson (Chester le St) 11.03
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