Just 24 hours after battling the wind and rain round Silksworth at the Northern relays, several hardy Harriers laced up their racing shoes once again to be part of a 22-strong Royal Blue contingent tackling the Hartlepool Marina 5-miles race in somewhat more pleasant conditions.

Perhaps the story of the day came in 88th place. Showing no ill-effects from his cycling exploits round the hills of Silksworth the previous day, club stalwart Tony Thompson, running his first race in some 18 months, and not that long since a heart scare put paid to exercise of any description, clocked a more than respectable 32:29. Typically, Tony was not entirely satisfied with the run “only second Over-60 Vet, bit of work to do yet” was his initial post-race analysis, but in the cold light of day he ought to be very happy!

Following his efforts on the anchor leg for the A team the previous day, Michael Thompson was at it again as first Harrier home in 9th place, his time of 27:21 also earning him the prize for first over-45. Next through in blue was Noel Hitchcock, with a solid 29:02 clocking in 28th place.

Chasing Tony down in 90th and 91st came first ‘Harriet’ Michelle Avery (32:32 – fourth woman overall) and Tony Allinson (32:34), followed by Peter Richardson (108th in 33:37) and Judith Thirlwell (110th, 33:37), just missing out on a top 100 finishes. Next home was 188th placed Shaun Bagley, with 34:02, seven seconds and six places clear of Alan McManus (34:09). Barry Marlee snuck inside the top 150 by two places with his 34:36, followed by a battle royal between Gary Fox and Vikki Cotton, another Harrier running her second race in two days. Gary edged it by one place and two seconds to finish 158th in 35:18.

Vince Emmett and Vicky Younger both made the top 200 with 36:32 and 36:48 for 193rd and 196th places respectively.

Catherine Purdy (218th, 37:37) and Rachael Moore (243rd, 38:34) were next to cross the line, before Helen Higgins comfortably dipped below eight-minute mile place in 267th, stopping the watch at 39:30.

Next home was Kim Fox, 314th in 41:34, just ahead of Debra James whose 41:49 earned her 323rd place and Sunderland’s representation amongst the 533-strong field was rounded out by Dennis and Maureen Hern, 363rd and 364th with 43:56 and 43:57 amid suggestions they may have been running together, and Lucie Forster, 330th in 42:05.