NEMAA XC Feb 1st 2025 - report

The weather gods were reasonably kind to our masters athletes yesterday, and although there was a bit of a chill wind blowing, the sun showed its face now and then and there was none of the wet (or white) stuff coming down on our stalwart competitors. Race 1 was won very convincingly by Jen Berry of Wallsend Harriers, romping home in a time of 23:02, closely followed by Sarah Attwood of Crook (23:09) and a fellow team-mate Lucy Wallace (23:56). Unsurprisingly with a third team-mate Emily James crossing the line in 9th place, Wallsend ladies also took the honours for first F35 team, with Crook AC in second place and Darlington Harriers in third. New Marske Harriers took the F45 team prize, with Jesmond Joggers and Elvet Striders coming in second and third.

First of the O65 men to cross the line was Paul Merrison of Sunderland Harriers with an impressive time of 24:17, and Crook AC took the M65 team prize with a collective time of 1:31.46. 

In race 2, Sunderland Harriers were again victorious, with Stephen Jackson taking the win for a second consecutive year in a time of 27:21. Fittingly, Stephen then received back the new trophy that his father had bought and got engraved to replace the original one, which had got a bit shabby over the years. Thank you to both father and son for the kind gesture. In close second place was Conrad Franks (27:34) whilst team-mate Daniel Alexander crossed the line in third with a time of 28:05. Sadly there was no third Gateshead athlete to make up what would probably have been a winning team!

First M35 team was Wallsend Harriers, completing the V35 double with their ladies team! Second M35 team were the host club Middlesbrough and Cleveland, to whom thanks must be given for providing our athletes with a first class course and organisation, and Crook AC's team came home in third place. First M45 team were Sunderland Harriers, with the host club Middlesbrough again taking second place. Finally, the winning and second place teams in the M55 category were Jesmond Joggers, with the host club being relegated to third place in this age group. 

Full results with individual and team times can be seen on our results page 

Huge congratulations to our winners and indeed everyone who took part yesterday - feedback has been that the course was very enjoyable with enough mud to keep the cross country enthusiasts happy! We hope to see you all again next year, and don't forget our road relays will be taking place on May 7th so start getting your teams together!
Stuart Whitman kindly attended the race yesterday and took some excellent shots - here are the links to his galleries. Consider buying one of his photos if you like what he's done - they really are outstanding shots and he spends a long time standing around in the cold (and often wet) to capture you in action!

Race 1 photos

Race 2 photos

Overall winner of race 2 Stephen Jackson of Sunderland Harriers

Overall winner of race 1 Jennifer Berry of Wallsend Harriers

Overall winner of O65M race Paul Merrison of Sunderland Harriers