The 119th running of the North Eastern Counties Cross Country Championships returned to Stewart Park in Middlesbrough on Saturday 13 December 2025, drawing a strong field of runners from clubs across the region.
The annual fixture, organised by the North Eastern Counties Athletic Association (NECAA) and hosted this year by Darlington Harriers, once again provided a stern test of stamina and speed on the undulating grass and trail course that stretches across the scenic 120-acre parkland.
This year’s championships were highly anticipated within the North East cross country community. After entries closed in late November, clubs from across the region confirmed strong squads across all age categories — from Under-11s to Seniors — with team managers keen to secure county and inter-county honours. The course at Stewart Park, noted for its mix of rolling grassy climbs and technical forest sections, was expected to reward tactical acumen as much as pure speed.
In the weeks leading up to the race, athletes focused on fine-tuning their autumn and early winter training blocks. Clubs competing in the North East Harrier League, North Yorkshire South Durham and regional school championships had already seen several promising performances that hinted at potential Championship success. Senior teams, in particular, emphasised strength work and long runs to handle the challenging Senior Men’s 10km loop and the Senior Women’s 8km course.
Race officials released final logistical information ahead of the event, including race timetables, parking arrangements, and safety reminders covering UKA cross-country regulations. Participants were reminded that the first three places in each age group would be particularly important with respect to automatic inter-county selection for the forthcoming Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham in March 2026.
The event was in danger of not going ahead this year after a host club could not be found. Darlington Harriers offered to step in at the last minute and were able to secure Stewart Park in Middlesbrough as a venue.
Despite wet weather in the weeks leading up to the Championship, the course was in pretty good condition. Weather on the day was bright and sunny with temperatures around 8C, deteriorating into colder, windier conditions as the day progressed.
A well organised event and some excellent races on the day, with hosts Darlington Harriers dominating the majority of the Junior races. They took team and individual Gold in the U13G race with Lucy Hellewell taking her first regional win. Team Gold was also secured in the U15B, U17M and U17/U20W categories, with Silver in the U20M and Bronze in the U13B. Zara Jones took her 3rd Regional Championship when winning the U20 race, to add to previous success at U13 and U17 level. Kirstin-Kyle Sridhar also took Bronze in the U17M race for Darlington.
Elsewhere in the Junior races, Gabrielle Pinder once again showed her class by taking the U15 Girls crown and George Hunter of Tynedale won the Boys race. Noah Penfold of North Shields Poly won the Boy’s U13 race. Alfie Cook (Gateshead) won his battle with Zander Gribbon (Mandale Middlesbrough) in the U17 Men’s race, as the North of the region took on the South.
In the U17 Women’s race, Molly Roche of Morpeth beat Matilda Owens of Darlington Harriers. Zak Kettle of Tyne Bridge Harriers dominated the U20 Men’s race, beating Liam Roche of Morpeth by 46 seconds.
Into the Senior Men’s race, it was a battle from the gun between Chris Coulson of Morpeth and Josh Blevins of Gateshead. A couple of laps in, Coulson had pulled out a decent gap over Blevins which never looked like being closed. Coulson’s constant quick cadence never faltered and the more rangey Blevins had to settle for Silver, losing out by 37 seconds in the end. The excellent V40 Masters athlete from Tyne Bridge, Jarlath McKenna, was a further 42 seconds behind as he secured his place on the podium.
Gateshead took the team honours, 10 points ahead of Morpeth Harriers who were a further 15 points ahead of Tyne Bridge Harriers. North Shields Poly, Sunderland Harriers and Darlington Harriers completed the Top 6.
In the final race of the day, the sun was dipping and the wind was picking up for the Women. Megan Stenhouse dipped sub 30 running 29:58 and was a class above from the start, finishing 56 seconds ahead of Helen Warburton (Tyne Bridge) in 2nd. Millie Breese of Morpeth took the final podium position in 31:25. Morpeth also dominated to take the team Gold with 32 points. Tyne Bridge 2nd on 58 points and Sunderland Harriers taking an excellent Bronze with 95 points. Crook AC, Jesmond Joggers and Birtley AC rounded out the Top 6.
The final standings are still to be officially announced but the excellent Junior showing cemented the Male, Female and Overall Championship win for the hosts, Darlington Harriers.
Results available here – NE XC 2025 Results
