Sunderland Harriers enjoy success at Cutlers Relay and Northern Athletics Cross Country Relay Championships

The Wearsiders’ senior men finished in the top 10 in ninth (45.50) and their B team claimed a top 20 spot in 18th (49.10).

Team manager Jimmy Johnson said: “It was a good result for us. We were the second North East team to finish, so we have to be happy with that. All the team ran well and surprised many.”

It was 1500m specialist Michael Wilson who led off for Sunderland over an undulating course at Graves Park of just over two miles, finishing ninth with the club’s fastest time of the day (10.59).

Andy Powell on the next leg recorded 11.25 in dropping to 10th before Nathan Reed and Steve Rankin both clocked 11.43 to seal ninth position.

The Sunderland B team was Michael Edwards 27th (12.12), 21st Craig Gunn (11.44), Chris Bell 21st (12.58) and Steve McMahon 18th (12.16).

Birtley finished 10th (46.06) with Thomas Goulding 11th (11.04), Zak Scott 15th (12.08), Lewis McConnell 14th (11.45) and Adrian Bailes 10th (11.09).

Houghton Harriers took 24th position through Luke Pickering (11.13), Rory Graham (12.35), Adam Middleton (12.45) and Dave Gibson (14.47).

The winners were Lincoln Wellington (42.54) from Hallamshire (43.21) and surprise package Middlesbrough took third (43.52).

Middlesbrough Under-20 athlete Josh Cowperthwaite was the fastest runner of the day with his 10.23 circuit.

Sunderland Harriers senior women made their debut at the event and finished 16th (42.49) and the B team was 23rd (45.28).

The club’s A team was Gemma Frost 18th, (13.54) Amy Callaghan 21st (15.05) and Jenna Wilkinson 16th (13.50). The B team comprised Vicky Haswell (14.33), Judith Thirlwell (15.42) and Jennifer Tomlin (15.31).

Houghton Harriers finished eighth in the U17 Women, with Nicole Phillips 15th (9.25), Laura Greggs (10th) 9.24 and Anna Pigford 8th (9.06).

The U17 Men finished 12th with Henry Johnson the third fastest time of the day in third (7.15). The U13 Boys were 24th with Thomas Pigford 18th (6.18).