Sunderland Harriers male veterans produced a dominant performance as they cruised to victory in two age categories at the North East Masters road relay championships at a sun-kissed Bedewell Park in Jarrow.

The men's 35-44 A team led from gun to tape, and it was Liam Taylor who got the Royal Blues off to a flying start as he blitzed round in the night's fastest time of 9:34 on the two-lapped 3k course. Franks (Gateshead), Young (Heaton) and McKenna (Tyne Bridge) were the chasing pack.

Stephen Jackson on leg 2, carrying a tickly cough extended our lead to 30 seconds over Tyne Bridge with a time of 9:47. Gateshead and Heaton were now in a battle for bronze medals.

It was then over to Steve Rankin to bring home a convincing win as he scuttled round in a time of 9:46, as we won by 54 seconds.

Tyne Bridge Harriers claimed silver medals, whilst Gateshead Harriers pipped Heaton Harriers on the line to grab the bronze medals.

The B team of Sam Thurlbeck (10:20), Chris Dwyer (11:12) and Craig Gunn (9:48) finished 5th. The C team of Andrew Hughes (11:21), Darren Stoker (11:27) and Dean Phillips (13:26) finished 19th.

In the M55-64 race our sole representative team of Tim Field (11:13), Paul Collins (11:18) and Mike Cherrington (12:23) cantered to victory as they finished 59 seconds ahead of Morpeth Harriers.

In the women's race, our M35-44 team finished 5th, Claire Cook (13:10), Doreen Dickinson (15:16) and Vicky Haswell (12:53).