Sunderland Harriers men’s team sealed the North-East Harrier League Division One title with a dominant performance in the final fixture of the season at Wrekenton last Saturday.
Less than a week after the M35 team took National honours, the regional title was confirmed in an impressive display of quality and depth on the undulating mix of grassland and paths over wasteland just a couple of miles from the Angel of the North.
Well into the second half of the race a Royal Blue one, two, three looked possible as Matt Devlin, Jake Jansen and Michael Thompson drew clear of the 454-man field. Going into the second lap, however, it became evident that Abraham Tewelde, Saltwell’s Eritrean import whose victory at Alnwick had advanced him only as far as the Medium pack, was moving relentlessly through and would eventually overhaul the Sunderland trio.
Tewelde eventually caught and passed Michael Thompson, the last of the gallant blue vested pacesetters, and ran out a comfortable winner in 33:17. Thompson held on for second, 33 seconds behind, followed by Devlin, a further six second back, and Jake Jansen, fourth in 34:40.
Thompson, Devlin and Jansen laid the perfect platform for a convincing team win, and soon this was confirmed in emphatic style as first Andy Powell appeared, revelling in the firm, fast conditions and enjoying a cross-country race for the first time in a long while, coming from the Medium pack to finish seventh in 35:23, then Nathan Reed scythed his way towards the front from the Fast pack to place 11th with 36:09, the fourth fastest time of the day. Newly-crowned National M35 Champion Kev Jeffress, also from the Fast pack, closed out the scoring six in 15th place on 36:32, seventh fastest overall, to give Sunderland 28 points amongst the Division One teams, more than a hundred better than runners-up Tyne Bridge, and the Harrier League title was on its way back to Wearside for the first time in six years.
Behind Jeffress, Royal Blues were queuing up to challenge for the sixth counter spot, with David Lash (30th), Ian Dixon (35th), Al Knebel (38th) and Alan Hodgson all within 74 seconds, and any one of those finishers would have ensured team victory on the day.
On a great day for the club a total of 30 Senior Men took part, and that the Ladies and Juniors who had competed earlier stayed after their races to cheer every one of their teammates home, shows the great spirit developing within the ranks. Along with the athletes who competed at earlier fixtures, every single club member has made a significant contribution to the successful campaign and can feel justly proud to be part of a club going places.
Winning the Harrier league is not just about getting six runner out to try and gain the fewest points six times every winter, however, and huge credit must go to Albert James for his shrewd management of squad selection, ensuring through clever manipulation of Slow, Medium and Fast pack eligibility that the team had the strongest chance of victory at every venue.
The 2016 North-East Harrier League Division One title is a terrific start, however loftier goals lie ahead for this ambitious club and further improvement will be needed to take it to the next level. The coaching and management team are already planning for this, but for now let’s enjoy the win and bask in the glory of a tough but successful winter and a job well done!