Runners at the 2020 North East Masters Cross Country Championship

North East Masters Open XC Championship 2020

In Running by Stuart Whitman

200 athletes with ages up to 85 participated in the North East Masters Athletics Associated open cross country championship held at the East Cramlington Nature Reserve. The undulating course and blustery conditions in the exposed areas proved a tough challenge both mentally and physically.

Andy Powell of Sunderland Harriers led from the start of the mens race and went on to take a convincing win with Conrad Franks overcoming Jarlarth Mckenna to take second.

First home in the women’s race was Morpeth’s Jayne Hodgson followed by Gillian Manford of Gateshead Harriers and Jarrow’s Alexis Dodd.

Course Map and Profile

North East Masters cross country course map
NEMAA Course Map

North East Masters XC Photos

A group of people next to tents at a nature reserve
With a smaller number of competitors the masters is a bit more relaxed and easy going that the usual harrier league events
Start line of the North East Masters cross country women's race
Preparing for the start of the women’s race
A group of ladies racing across grassy fields during a cross country event
Morpeth’s Jane Hodgson leads the women’s race at the start of the opening lap
Wendy Chapman of Sunderland Strollers races against the cross wind at North East Masters cross country championship
Wendy Chapman (Sunderland Strollers) races against the cross wind coming back to complete the first lap.
Two ladies racing down a grass hill during a masters cross country event
Jane Giles (Gateshead Harriers) heads Claire Collinson (Blaydon Harriers) as they head back towards the finish on the opening lap.
Woman running cross country race along muddy grass
Alison Jane French (Blyth RC) exits the woods for the more exposed fields
Jane Hodgson of Morpeth Harriers crosses the line to win the 2020 North East Masters Athletics Association open xc womens race
Jane Hodgson of Morpeth Harriers takes the win in the women’s race.
A cross country runner stops her sports watch as she cross the finish line
Gillian Manford (Gateshead Harriers) stops the clock as she takes second place in the women’s race.
Andy Powell of Sunderland Harriers leads the mens race at the start of the North East Masters open cross country championship
Andy Powell (Sunderland Harriers) leads Conrad Franks and Steve Rankin at the start of the mens race.
Men running cross country across open land during the North East Masters open championship
Constant cross winds batter the runners across the open fields during the masters mens race
Steve Everett of Durham City Harriers cross country running
Steve Everett (Durham City Harriers) winner of the MV55 category
Darren Purvis of Birtley athletics club
Darren Purvis (Birtley AC) rounds the end of the loop and prepares for the return across the windswept fields
Cross country runner Michael Littlewood looks across an open field
Michael Littlewood (Elvet Striders) looks back across the open field as he makes the return journey
David Moir
David Moir (Tyne Bridge Harriers) on his way to winning the MV50 category.
Conrad Franks of Gateshead Harriers
Conrad Franks (Gateshead Harriers) came back on the last lap to take second position.
Andy Powell of Sunderland Harriers charging downhill
Andy Powell of Sunderland Harriers attacking the course during the second lap on his way to winning the mens open cross cross championship.
Wesley Tarn of Darlington Harriers sprinting to the finish line of the North East Masters cross country championship at East Cramlington Nature Reserve
Wesley Tarn (Darlington Harriers) beats Steve Rankin (Sunderland Harriers) to the finish line

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