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Here’s a quick report on the Signals Relays on Saturday 15th February (results link HERE). Around 1,000 senior and Masters competitors descended on Hetton Lyon’s Park for the relays, hosted superbly once again by Houghton Harriers, led by Peter and Maureen Dodsworth. The opening event of four legs over approximately two miles was for senior women, masters women and masters men over-50. For the third time in a row victory in the senior women’s contest went to North Shields Poly (50:55); followed by Morpeth (52:15) with Tyne Bridge finishing third on 53:53. 35 teams closed in. Fastest legs: 1 Charlotte Penfold (NSP) 12:12; 2 Lydia Turner (Birt) 12:17; 3 Charlotte Dillon (Hough) 12:21. The masters women’s relay was won by Jarrow and Hebburn (55:49); Elswick were a close-up second (55:52) and Sunderland Strollers third (56:34). 32 teams closed in. Fastest individual: Aly Dixon (Sunderland Strollers) 12:41. In the masters over-50 it was NSP who claimed there second victory of the day with an 18 seconds cushion over Elvet Striders, 52:00 against 52:18 with Darlington a further 15 seconds (52:33) back in third spot. 31 teams closed in. Fastest individual: John Clifford (Darlington) 11:58.

RACE TWO

The senior men and masters 30-49 men was over the same course but of six stages with the senior’s event going to Morpeth once again with a winning time of 65:22; Gateshead followed the Northumbrians home in second place in 66:22 with Tyne Bridge finishing third in 67:34. 42 teams closed-in. Fastest individuals: 1 Peter Smallcombe (Morpeth) 10:23; 2 Chris Coulson (Houghton) 10:29; 3 Michael Wilson (Sunderland) 10:33. The Masters event went to Gateshead with a winning time of 69:54; Sunderland finishing runners-up in 71:32. Tyne Bridge finished third in 72:38. 11 teams closed-in. Fastest leg: Conrad Franks (Gateshead) 11.11.

**ONCE again the NECAA is grateful to Houghton Harriers; all the technical officials and marshalls; ProTay Timing; the first aid team and to Sunderland Council for the use of the park for making it an excellent event on the NE circuit.

Below are a small selection of the fantastic pictures taken by Stuart Whitman on the day – you can purchase prints and view the full galleries HERE