TEENAGE runner Charlie Daley continued his impressive start to 2019 with a high-placed finish at the North of England Cross Country Championships.

The youngster finished 13th out of a 201-strong field in the U15 boys’ race at Pontefract Racecourse.

Daley’s latest eye-catching performance at the weekend came just two weeks after the Tynedale Harrier finished third in the U15 boys’ race at the North Eastern Harrier League’s Sherman Cup event in South Shields.

Daley, who has been a consistent performer in recent years, was the highest placed Tynedale Harrier at Pontefract, although the Hexham-based club was well represented in West Yorkshire.

They were up against a high class field with competitors travelling from as far afield as Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.

Slaley’s Daniel Joyce, who earned a third place finish at the Durham Schools Cross Country Championships a fortnight ago, was 44th in the U17 boys’ race, with a time of 21m 16s in the 6.3k run.

Joe Green was 120th with a time of 24m24s, as the Tynedale pair finished behind winner Sam Charlton of Wallsend.

Nathaniel Henderson also took on over 200 competitors in the U13 boys’ race, earned 37th place, running a time of 10m 45s in the event, over 3.1k.

There was a top 50 place for Kate Salthouse, out of 196 finishers, in the U15 girls’ race. Her 15m 12s effort earned her 49th place over 4k.

Jaycee Shotton was 62nd in the U20 men’s race, with a time of 34m 56s over 8k, in a race which was won by Morpeth’s Rory Leonard.

Jeannie Brady found her way into the top 100 in the seniors’ race, which was was won by Morpeth’s Mhairi MacLennan, who finished ahead of Olympian Jess Judd in third.

Brady’s fine run of 34m 32s in the 8k race, earned her 96th place out of 376 runners.

The men’s race was won by Emile Cairess from Leeds, with Morpeth’s Carl Avery in second place.

There were over 700 finishers in the 12k run, and Tynedale’s Ben Heathcote performed admirably while recovering from a virus to finish 192nd.

Teammate Andy Green was 233rd with a time of 46m45s.

Tynedale Harriers’ Kim Bluck said: “Well done to all Tynedale Harriers at the Northern XC champs at Pontefract on a fast course.”

Based at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre, Tynedale Harriers has been active in the district since the 1970s. For more information visit https://www.tynedaleharriers.com/