The opening round of 2023 North East Harrier League kicked off at Wrekenton and the damp conditions and intermittent showers provided competitors with some more challenging conditions than the usual sun-bleached grasslands.
A bright autumnal morning welcomed the 106 teams to Gosforth race course on the annual running of the Norman Woodcock relays hosted by Elswick Harriers.
The weather did nothing to dappen spirits as 1,500 competitors faced the undulating multi-terrain course of the former lion park at Lambton Castle Estate.
Thornley Hall Farm was once again the venue for the 100 plus teams competing in the North Eastern Counties XC Relay Championships. A bright and breezy autumnal day of competition for juniors, seniors and masters with only a short section of the two-mile course what you would call muddy.
Blustery conditions and some tough terrain kept the competitors on their toes at the North East Harrier League only Sunday fixture at Druridge Bay Country Park.