Despite the valiant efforts of the Welsh contingent, who made the long trek up to the North East, the Inter Area Challenge was definitively won by NEMAA, with an overall age graded average of almost 82% for the men, and an amazing over 86% for the women. 
Whilst Stan Owen (NMAC) went home with the Men's age graded award, NEMAA athlete Carole Page won the award for highest age graded athlete overall, with an astounding 88.66% - huge congratulations to her, and all the NEMAA athletes who together helped the North East come out top in this XC Challenge. 
We hope to have more inter area events in future, and look forward to seeing our athletes taking part again (and hopefully winning too!) Also, a big thank you to Alex Rowe for processing the results for this challenge.

​Full Inter Area results (age gradings for all competitiors) can be seen on this link

Jane Hodgson of Morpeth Harriers (NEMAA), overall winner of the Women's Race

Stan Owen of Salford Harriers (NMAC), winner of the Men's O65+ race

Jarlath McKenna of Bristol & West (NEMAA),  winner of Men's 35-64 race

I know we all have our eyes on the upcoming Masters XC Champs on the 5th Feb, but that is also the closing date for the NECAA/NEMAA Indoor T&F Championships - don't miss out on your chance at an age group medal, entries HERE.

For those competing in the XC, the very best of luck to all of you - let's try and win the Inter Area Challenge too! No extra entry required, just turn up and run your hardest! The forecast seems to be for typical cross-country weather, so wrap up warm if you're spectating and spare a thought for your hard working officials who will be stuck out there for several hours! All entrants should have had an email with full details for the event, but for anyone else wanting to come and watch, the postcode is NE28 9JJ and full directions are given on the event page.