Cross Country: Military Competition at Newsham
Transcript from Newcastle Journal
By “Ixion”
An inter-company competition was held on Saturday afternoon, from Newsham Camp, under the auspices of the NECCA. The course was via the Astley Arms, Lysdon Quarry, Laverock Hall, Delaval Hall and back to camp – a distance of about five miles,
The following units entered teams, eight counting for each company: 5th Duke of Cornwall’s L[ight] I[nfantry]; A, B, C and D Comanys of the 7th N[orthumberland] F[usiliers]; A, C, D and E Companys of the 18th DLI, and Third Scottish Light Horse. The following were the officials: Starter, Major Gillespie, 7th NF; referee, Brigadier-General Robinson; judges, Major Maxel, Scottish Horse; Captain Liddell, Lieut. Kinahan, Captain Mason, 7th NF, Staff-Major Weddell and Lieut. Heriott, 4th NF. The North Eastern Counties Cross-County Association was represented by Mr W T Rainbow, president; Mr G M Todd, timekeeper; and Messrs J Farries, C S Creighton, G Allinson, J A Allinson, R G Tate, E Noble, S G Richardson (Press steward), and J Craig.
Altogether the field consisted of over 120 runners, all of whom presented a sturdy appearance. They traversed the course under excellent climatic conditions. Private Frank Reay, of the 18th Durham Light Infantry, quickly drew to the front, and increasing his lead at almost every stride, the popular Wearside athlete ultimately gained an easy victory by about 700 yards. Reay was a leading member of the Sunderland Harriers for a number of years. he was perhaps the most powerful runner of his day over a distance of ground on Wearside. He won the Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race in one of the best times recorded for this event. That he is still an athlete of fine physique and resource was unmistakably demonstrated by his splendid performance on Saturday. He will doubtless take a prominent part in the Military Championship at Gosforth Park on 29th inst. While the individual honours rested with the Durhams, the Scottish Light Horse secured the company prize with a highly praiseworthy performance. They were represented by a team of brawny sons of Caledonia, who ran well together, and headed the team placings with 128 points or 33 less than E Company of the Durham Light Infantry.
Date: 17-May-1915
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
