Sunderland athletes take bronze medals in Durham races

Nearly 2,000 runners chased though the narrow streets and along the banks of the Wear to finish in front of the Cathedral.

Injury-prone Mark Hood, emerged after weeks on the sidelines, with third in the 5k (17.14) and Alice Smith finished in the same position in women’s race in the 10k (40.56)

In what were challenging races for the competitors, with cobbled streets to negotiate and a mountain of a climb to the finish at the World Heritage site, times overall were on the slow side.

Chris Parr, the winner of the Sunderland 5k at Silksworth last week, won in a time of 15.37 – 40 seconds slower than what he recorded seven days previously.

In second place was Durham City Harrier Robert Eaton (16.43).

Sunderland Harriers also had Paul Collins first over-50 in sixth (19.06) and Ritchie Kemp eighth (19.07).

Emily Chong, just 12, and competing for Chester-le-Street, won the women’s race in 13th overall (20.19).

British fell running international Nick Swinburn of Morpeth, used all his strength to scale the final hill and win the 10k (32.56) to see off his closest rival.

Elswick Harrier Tadele Geremew was second just three seconds behind and local boy Dan Jenkin was third (33.36).

Sunderland Harriers had Steve Gordon in 23rd (39.35) and Martin Blenkinsop finished 25th (39.45)

Rosie Smith won the women’s race (37.08).