Vets shine as Harriers produce strong finishes

Sunderland Harriers staged the first cross-country promotion of the season in the North East when their 42nd Farringdon Cross-Country Races took place on Sunday, writes Kevin Carr.

- by Sport Reporter

The Ken Jefferson Memorial event covers all age groups from Under-11s to veteran men and women, where all competitors race over the same distance of approximately 3000 metres - apart from the Under-11s who opened the event with their race over a course of 1000 metres.

The senior men's race, which has been on the fixture list since 1983, saw Sunderland Harriers finish outside of the medals in fourth place in a total time of 27:45.

And it was the team's youngest competitor, Under-20 Joe Willis, who clocked the club's fastest time (8:56), and the fourth fastest leg of the day.

Alex Seed clocked 9:22 on the opening lap, and Chris Thornley brought the team home in 9:27.