Knavesmire Harriers struck gold in the Morpeth-Newcastle New Year's Day Race.

PRIZE PERFORMANCE: Knavesmire runner Jane Shelmerdine collects her shield after winning the over-35 race at Morpeth

In the ladies race, won by Jill Boltz (Blaydon Harriers) 85 min 52 sec, Knavesmire Ladies team of Jane Shelmerdine, Fiona Strange and Beverley Hodgson upset the form book by winning the Lucozade Sports Shield in front of the Morpeth teams, who were second and third. Last year Morpeth Ladies took all three team awards.

Jane Shelmerdine (first prize 0/35) also won a race silver medal (under 100 mins) and finished 7th lady overall, ahead of Fiona Strange 13th lady and Bev Hodgson 14th lady (1st prize 0/45).

The event saw nearly 1,000 runners climbing the steep hill out of Morpeth, Northumberland on their way towards Newcastle just over 14 miles away.

First held in 1904, this famous race is a fiercely contested event in the North East and attracts many spectators even along the exposed three mile section of the A1.

The race winner Mark Hudspith (Morpeth Harriers) completed the course in 71 mins 23 secs, just six seconds ahead of Malcolm Price (Sunderland) and 34 seconds in front of last years winner, brother Ian Hudspith.

The first athletic from outside the north-east was Neil Strange (Knavesmire Harriers) who ran a superb race to place 33 overall in 82.30, easily qualifying for a coveted silver medal (runners under 89 mins) as did Matthew Turner (Knavesmire) and brother Paul Turner (York Post).

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