SIX members of Tynedale Harriers have received medals after excelling at a regional cross country run.

Carol Marshall, Rhiannon Robinson, and Steph White overcame blustery conditions to win gold medals in the over 55 women’s category (F55) at the Cathedral Relays in Gateshead.

In the over 45 women’s race (F45), Charlie Pinkney, Louise Griffin, and Kim Bluck were silver medallists in their category, after crossing the finish line in 21st place overall, out of 62 teams from across the North-East.

The annual cross country run is usually held in Durham, but this year it was organised by Birtley Athletics Club, and took place at the town’s Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy.

Kim Bluck said it was a memorable day for all who took part.

“Tynedale’s women were delighted to come away with medals,” she said. “It was a great course, with a couple of short but testing hills on each of the two 1.5km laps ran by all three members in each team. The strong, blustery wind in fact helped the runners up the hills.”

Tynedale were represented by a total of five teams at the event. The two veteran women’s teams were complemented by two teams in the veteran men’s race, and an incomplete team in the senior men’s race.

In the men’s race, the first Tynedale team to cross the line was made up of Darren Towart, Lewis Balfour and Ben Heathcote.

The over 35 men’s team (M35) finished in an impressive 12th place overall out of 68 teams.

Chasing them down was Tynedale’s over 45 men’s team team of Bernard Kivlehan, John O’Reilly and Andy Green, who finished two places behind in 14th overall, and fiftth in their age category.

Jaycee Shotton and Joe Green ran as an incomplete team in the senior men’s race.