Cross country athletes take conditions in their stride

HUNDREDS of young athletes from across the North East descended on a snow-bound Barnard Castle School at the weekend for the Durham County Schools’ Athletics Association (DCSAA) cross country championship.

Teams representing South West Durham, Darlington, Derwentside, Durham Central, Easington, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Wearside and West Wearside took part in the event. Races ranged in length from 2.43km for the Y7 boys and girls to 6.97km for the senior boys.

As well as racing for glory in the championships, the runners were also aiming to qualify for the DCSAA team which will compete in the Northern Schools’ inter-county cross country event on Saturday, February 3.

It is the Durham association’s turn to host the inter-county, which will also be staged at Barnard Castle School.

There were some notable performances by local athletes in Saturday's races.

Barnard Castle School’s India Pentland won the intermediate girls’ race, while Daniel Richardson, also from Barnard Castle School, was first home in the Y7 boys’ event.

Teesdale School’s Josh Mawer secured his place in the inter-county team with a top ten finish in the intermediate boys’ race.

Other local athletes to qualify for the inter-county team were Adele Dry, Y7 girls; Beth Wilson, junior girls; and Freddie Langton, junior boys.

Results

Y7 Girls: 1, Freya Clarkson, Gateshead; 2, Jessica Peart, Durham Central; 3, Ara Local, Durham Central.

Y7 Boys: 1, Daniel Richardson, South West Durham; 2, Dylan Wilson, Darlington; 3, Angus Milne, Gateshead.

Junior Girls: 1, Emily Chong, Durham Central; 2, Amy Leonard, West Wearside; 3, Jess Graham, South West Durham.

Junior Boys: 1, David Race, West Wearside; 2, Chris Perkins, West Wearside; 3, Adam Russell, Darlington.

Intermediate Girls: 1, India Pentland, South West Durham; 2, Catherine Roberts, Darlington; 3, Lydia James, West Wearside.

Intermediate Boys: Henry Johnson, West Wearside; 2, Sam Gibson, Durham Central; 3, Cameron Thomas, South West Durham.

Senior Girls: Lucy-Erin Hunter, Darlington; 2, Sarah Knight, Wearside; 3, Eve Quinn, West Wearside.

Senior Boys: 1, Cameron Allen, Durham Central; 2, Max Harris, Darlington; 3, Jack Brown, Gateshead.