NEMAA 5,000m and 10,000m Championships

Although attendance was poor this year, there were some great performances from the athletes who took part, with a thrilling battle taking place between George Routledge and Paul Bentley in the 5,000m. George sat behind Paul for ten laps, then in the last 200m swooped in for the kill, overtaking Paul on the last 100m stretch to cross the line in 36:31.3. In the preceding 10,000m there was also a battle going on, with masters athlete Greg Jayasuriya competing against senior Jordan Bell in the NECAA 10,000m champs, which were combined with our own championships. Although Jordan pulled clear of Greg in around lap 15 or so (I lost count!), Greg showed his usual determination and made up so much ground in the last lap or two that he came in 40 seconds clear of Jordan, to take the win in 32:46.3. 
The NEMAA 10,000m Champs saw John O'Reilly (M60) of Tynedale Harriers cross the line first in 40:16.6, followed less than a minute later by Iain Goff (M50) of S Shields. Paul O'Connor, Jesmond Joggers was second M60 to finish with Michael Jones  third M60, finishing just behind George Henderson (M55) of NEVAC. Guest athlete Peter Brown (M65) of Steel City Striders completed the finishers for this 10,000m race, with a time of 50:27.2.
NEMAA 10,000m Champs results
1st M50 Iain Goff, S Shields 41:10.3
1st M55 George Henderson, NEVAC 47:03.7
1st M60 John O'Reilly, Tynedale 40:16.6
2nd M60 Paul O'Connor, Jesmond Joggers 46:44.4
3rd M60 Michael Jones, S Shields 47:16.4
NEMAA 5,000m Champs results
1st W35 Carys Samuel, Quakers RC 23:37.6
1st M65 Andy Talbot, Aycliffe AC 21:27.8 (winner of the Eric Appleby Trophy)
1st M70 Malcolm Thirlaway, Gateshead Harriers 24:22.9
1st M75 George Routledge, Heaton Harriers 36:31.3
1st M80 Paul Bentley, Morpeth Harriers 36:42.1

Andy Talbot, winner of the Eric Appleby trophy