NECAA CROSS COUNTRY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
JANUARY 16th 2021
THORNLEY HALL FARM,
​PETERLEE, DH6 3LY

NECAA Junior Cross Country Relays Saturday 12th December
IT’S BACK, cross-country running that is. Albeit with a different slant. Yes, the miserable weather was there as usual, as was the ankle-deep mud but the competitors, and there were many, ran in isolation as parents/guardians and team managers were kept well away from the action due to the continuing safeguarding restrictions put in place by National and Local governing bodies.
 
Thornley Hall Farm, Peterlee was the venue for the inaugural North Eastern Counties Cross-Country Relay Championships thanks to land-owner Jon Taylor’s generosity, with NECAA cross-country secretary Archie Jenkins, the prime front-runner in seeing that the event went ahead, delighted at the end of a long day that things went smoothly despite encountering many obstacles in the weeks and days beforehand.
 
‘’We realised from day one that there would be lots of restrictions put in place for the fixture to go ahead. In fact up and down the country cross-country, including major events like the National and Inter-Counties Championships, were put on the back-burner so we knew we had to meet the criteria 100 per cent and more,’’ said Jenkins.
 
‘’I know that many of those who came along were disappointed to be placed so far away from the action despite many finding the best vantage points on the top of the hill but I hope they realised that it was paramount to have social distance in place.
 
‘’Our athletes have been void of cross-country competition since March so by giving them the chance to compete, in what was a new event, I hope they all appreciated how much went into making it happen.
 
‘’It certainly was a tough baptism for many of the youngsters but then cross-county running is tough sport. However, I do hope everyone enjoyed the experience even those who had the misfortune of making it across the finish line carrying their shoes!’’
 
Jenkins also had time to give thanks to all those who had volunteered as marshals on what was a challenging day. ‘’We couldn’t have staged the event without the services of our technical officials and the support of volunteers to which I’m extremely grateful. I’d like to especially thank Val Baxter who had the results on line within an hour of each event finishing.’’
 
Jenkins won’t be letting the mud set under his feet for he has already set the wheels in motion for a senior/masters xc relay meeting which looks likely to be at the same venue on January 16 with entries set to go live during the week.                                        
 
The collection in aid of the Ellen Timney Foundation Christmas Appeal raised £200.
 
Full results here;
NECAA XC Declarations and Results - NEMAA (weebly.com)

RACE REPORTS
 
Under-13 Girls (3x2,850m)
Darlington’s Zara Jones led the field home on the opening leg in 13min 30sec, a time which proved to be the fastest of the day. Unfortunately, Jones was the only Darlington representative so it left second-placed North Shields Poly’s B team (Hannah Atkinson just ahead of Elswick (Poppy Wilde) as the athletes set off for the second leg.
However, the Poly’s A team quickly moved into pole position on the second circuit thanks to Darcey Tullis – with the stage’s fastest time - with Elswick (Louisa Hamilton) and Durham City (Alex Jardine) also moving ahead of the Poly B-string.
The positions stayed the same on leg three with Katy Otterson, with the day’s second quickest time of the day, bringing the Poly A-team home exactly two minutes clear of Elswick (Erin Blight) with Durham City (Grace Carter) claiming the bronze medals.
 
Under-13 Boys (3x2,850m)
Thanks to the fastest time of the day of 11:59 by Alex Lienard, Gateshead were leading at the first changeover with North Shields Poly (Adam Feenan) in second place seven seconds behind with Durham City (William Jardine) in third place. The Poly moved into the lead on stage two thanks to Oscar Makepeace as Gateshead (Johan Haniffa) slipped to second while Houghton (Isaac Anderson) moved into third place. The positions stayed the same on the final leg with Aidan Turner binging the Poly home for their second success of the day. Gateshead (Harry Hunter) came home in second place with Houghton (Ryan King) completing the one-two-three. Despite posting the fastest time on leg three Morpeth (Oliver Tomlinson) were just run out of a medal place in finishing fourth.
 
Under-15 Girls (3x2,8505m)
Charlotte Dillon, with the fastest time of the day of 12:24 wasn’t enough to bring Durham City into a podium finish. Blackhill Bounders (Hannah Bowyer) were in second place followed by Chester-le-Street (Freya Clarkson and Elswick (Poppy Old). The lead changed on stage two with Gosforth (Alice Lewis) moving into the lead with Elswick (Imogen Bungay) moving into second ahead of Gateshead (Millie Watson). The lead changed for a final time on the last leg which saw Jessica Milburn, with the day’s second best time, bring Gateshead home to claim the gold medals. Elswick (Lucy Millburn) consolidated second place with Gosforth (Emma Ashman) completing the podium places.
 
Under-15 Boys (3x2,850m)
Morpeth certainly have a strong squad at this age group with their first string of Ryan Davies, Joseph Dixon and Bertie Marr coming home in pole position ahead of their second string of Joseph Close, Will de Vere Owen and Liam Roche. Davies posted the quickest time of the day of 11:02. Unfortunately for the B team there was no award for the rules stated that only one set of medals can be won by each club. That meant the runners-up medals went to the Darlington trio of Harry Lyons, Alex Boyer and Elwood Kelley while the bronze medals went to Durham city’s Samuel Terry, Aiden Wilkinson and Ethan Stokes.
 
Under-17/20 Women (3x2,850m)
This event was held in tandem with the men. Gateshead’s Ines Curren led to the first changeover with the day’s fastest time, however, she was the only team member on the day which left Birtley (Katie Francis) in the lead ahead of Houghton (Anna Pigford) with North Shields Poly (Holly Waugh) in third. Houghton moved into the lead on stage two thanks to Amy Leonard. Birtley (Abigail Thwaites) were now second with the Poly (Megan Fisher) still in third. The positions stayed the same on the final circuit with Eva Hardie bringing Houghton home in first place followed by Tess Graham (Birtley) and Hannah Meares North Shields Poly).
 
Under-17 Men (3x2,850m)
Despite Darlington’s Adam Russell posting the fastest time of the day of 10:50, it was the Gateshead outfits who stole the show. Russell led the field home on the opening leg but had no one to pass onto which left Gateshead A (Josh Blevins) and Gateshead B (Oliver Douglass) in the leading two places. However, it was Gateshead’s B (Euan Gray) which  reached the final changeover in first place 22 seconds clear of their A-string (Ethan McGlen) with Morpeth in third place. With the second-fastest time of the day Chris Perkins moved Birtley up into fourth spot. In-form David Race quicky moved the Gateshead A team to the front and claim the title while their B team (Jack Garrett) crossed the line in second place. Morpeth, who finished third, claimed the silver medals while Birtley were awarded the bronze awards.

NECAA Senior/Masters Cross Country Relays​
The NECAA are hoping to put on a Senior Men/Senior Women/Masters Men/ Masters Women Cross Country Relay Championship at Thornley Hall Farm, Peterlee on Saturday January 16th. At this stage this is only provisional as future planning can obviously change very quickly. Further information will appear on the NECAA website as soon as possible.

Covid19 update
08.01.21 guidance from England Athletics

​All within the athletics community will be well aware of the current situation, and we suggest you familiarise yourself with the guidance from England Athletics. 

Personal Statement From George Patterson
On behalf of Hudson Stoker’s immediate family, Sheila, and Jeff Lee, (Sister and Brother-in-Law), and his two nephew’s, Great Nieces and Great Nephew, and myself, I would personally wish to thank our many friends at Morpeth Harriers & AC, North East Counties AA, and Northern Athletics, and friends, for the many cards and kind wishes expressed at the time of our very sad loss.
We were all very much overwhelmed by the number of people who showed their very kind concerns at a time when we very much needed you.
Hudson was, and still is a most wonderful friend, whom I will never be able to forget, and I will continue to treasure the memory of his wonderful friendship for the rest of my days.
I was very lucky in life to have met and known him, and our 52 years that we spent as friends, and close companion, will always be held most dearly to my heart.
He was very much a gentle, gentleman, something unique, who is thankfully now out of the pain that he very much bravely bore, without a grumble, and with the determined grace and dignity that was very much true to his character.
Neatness, and the need for everything in its place was very much Hudson’s forte, lessons I learnt from him throughout our lovely life together.

He will always be very sadly missed, God Bless.
 
Kind Regards
George Patterson


John Keefe and Hudson Stoker
The NECAA is saddened to hear of the passing of two of it’s leading lights over the weekend. Jarrow and Hebburn’s John Keefe and Hudson Stoker of Morpeth Harriers died within 24 hours of each other. Bill McGuirk has written his own personal memories in his reports section

NECAA Winter Statement
​Read HERE

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NECAA 2020 CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SEDGEFIELD DECEMBER 12th CANCELLED

It is with regret and reluctancy the NECAA have decided to cancel the 2020 cross country championships in their established form to be hosted by Sedgefield Harriers. The publication of the England Athletics `Return to Cross Country Competition` makes planning a championship with a big entry difficult plus the ongoing uncertainty during the pandemic and specifically procedures to keep everyone safe.

The NECAA are looking into possible alternatives including split championships. Dates and venues will be advertised when known.
In the meantime, the NECAA encourage clubs to stage small local inter club events under the EA guidelines to keep athletes competitively fit and motivated. The sport evolved from local inter club competitions.

2021/22 NECAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, SEDGEFIELD DECEMBER 11th.
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For further advice and information contact the NECAA Cross Country secretary Archie Jenkins.