NEWLY-CROWNED North-East Harrier League champion Terry Wall added another trophy to his growing collection when he scored a runaway victory in Sunday's 22nd Redcar Half Marathon.

The 33-year-old Morpeth Harrier, who is preparing for his third Flora London Marathon next month, broke away from former winner Stewy Bell after three miles and stormed off on his own to win by an emphatic 2 mins 17 secs and take the North-East Half Marathon crown.

Wall, who has also held the regional ten-mile and 10K titles, was delighted with his victory on a wind-swept course, conditions which kept his winning time down to 69 mins 12 secs.

The Durham City baker said: "I am training for London and have been on 100 miles a week for the past four weeks. I haven't eased down at all and I just hoped my legs would hold out.

"I took it easy for the first few miles and then I picked up the pace without any problems, even though it was hard going at times in the wind.

"Now I'm looking for better things in London - I've had two disappointing runs and I hope it will be third time lucky."

Wall, who is coached by former Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Jimmy Alder and is sponsored by his employers, Peters Cathedral Bakers, has only clocked 2:26 and 2:30 on his two previous London attempts and he is aiming to break 2:20 on April 18.

"In the past I've been going well until 20 miles and then the wheels have come off - I'm determined to do better this time around."

While Wall had things very much his own way at the front of the race, leading Morpeth to the team title, Durham City Harrier Rob Hand was involved in a keen tussle with Darlington's Martin Grainger for the over-40 crown. The Durham GP, who won the race in 2001 and 2002, broke his rival over the later stages to win by 41 seconds.

Darlington Harrier Bernadette Taylor marked her half marathon debut with a comfortable victory, beating clubmate Alison Raw - second last year - by over three minutes.

The 28-year-old, who also won the North-East championship, admitted: "I think the half marathon distance is a bit too far for me - I found it pretty tough."

* Morpeth Harrier Kirk Wilson led Northumberland to the team title when he won the senior boys' race at the English Schools Championships in Maidstone - the North-East's only medals.