NFR: 2008 NECAA / NEHRA results

> NECAA Fell Running Championships 2008

North East Athletics Association / North East Hill Running Association
Fell Running Championships 2008: Final

This was the fourth year the championships have been run in their present form. Whilst the total 149 men scoring points in the senior men’s event was slightly up on previous years there were only 39 ladies who were eligible for the 2008 championship. This can be compared with 66 ladies who scored points last year. As in previous years few managed to complete the four races required to count in the championships. To try to address the problem of a lack of runners completing the required number of races it is likely that the number of races chosen will increase slightly whilst the number required to qualify will remain the same. In addition the 2009 races will continue be distributed throughout the year. It is hoped that this may encourage people to start earlier in the season and that those who might miss races for whatever reason, will be able to catch up later in the year.

North East Athletics Association: Senior Men

It was a closely fought contest this year with the final race being the decider in both the senior men and women’s and the MV60 categories. At Clay Bank West Will Horsley was able to gain and hold an early lead from Elliott Jackson (New Marske Harriers), Joe Blackett (HBT) and Phil Sanderson (NFR). Will had set his sights on finishing first in this year’s championship and succeeded against tough competition from Joe and Phil.

North East Athletics Association: Senior Ladies

Claire Bagness (Wooler RC) also made a determined effort to do well in this year’s championship. In the final race at Clay Bank West, Claire succeeded in securing the senior ladies title from an equally competitive, former champion, Denise Tunstall (DFR).

North East Hill Running Association: Veteran Men

There was a reversal of fortune for Joe Blackett, who was second overall, in the MV40 category, to Phil Sanderson with Graham Burns of DFR finishing third.

MV50 Peter Reed finished well above joint second place competitors George Adamson (NSP) and Dave Beaumont (NFR).

In the MV60 category, Terry Hart (NFR) was also keen to win his category but Eric Whittaker (Elvet Striders) narrowly secured first place by one point thanks to two category firsts at Simonside and Clay Bank West, compared to Terry’s one at Cheviot Summit.

Joe Garbarino (NFR) finished first in the MV70 category having taken part in two races. Alex Menarry, last year’s category winner was second.

North East Hill Running Association: Veteran Ladies

Claire Bagness and Denise Tunstall were neck and neck all the way to the final race at Clay Bank West. In the end Claire’s second place in the race and Denise’s fourth place made all the difference. Claire finished first overall with 196 points and Denise was second with 193 points. They were the only LV40’s to complete the required four races.

Pat Cooper completed three races to finish as the first in the LV50 category and third in the senior ladies open category.

Kath Dallinson was the only lady vet 60 in the region who competed in a championship race and so takes the LV60 title for yet another year.

Male
1st Senior	Will Horsley (Northumberland FR)
2nd Senior	Joe Blackett (Dark Peak FR)
3rd Senior	Phil Sanderson (Northumberland FR)
1st O40	Phil Sanderson (Northumberland FR)
2nd O40	Joe Blackett (Dark Peak FR)
1st O50	Peter Reed (Northumberland FR)
2nd= O50	George Adamson (North Shields Poly)
2nd= O50	David Beaumont (Northumberland FR)
1st O60	Eric Whittaker (Blackhill)
2nd O60	Terry Hart (Northumberland FR)
1st O70	Joe Garbarino (Northumberland FR)
Female
1st Senior	Claire Bagness (Wooler RC)
2nd Senior	Denise Tunstall (Durham FR)
1st O40	Claire Bagness (Wooler RC)
2nd O40	Denise Tunstall (Durham FR)
1st O50	Pat Cooper (Northumberland FR)
1st O60	Kath Dallinson (Northumberland FR)

Keith Cooper