YOUNG runner Dyllan Pickavance-Clarke has her sights firmly set on Olympic glory after winning her latest title.
And members of her club, the Blackhill Bounders in Derwentside, hope her victory in the Great North Winter Run will inspire other people to join up.
Dyllan, 11, of Dipton, won the junior girls section of the 1,500m cross country event, finishing in 5min 21sec - and sixth overall.
Dyllan said: "I am delighted. I have been running since the age of eight and my heroine is Paula Radcliffe. My aim is to one day run in the Olympics."
Dyllan, who attends St Bede's RC School, in Lanchester, has won both the junior section of the London Cross Country and an 800m race in Wales, while representing County Durham.
Her mother, Allyson, a spokesman for the Blackhill Bounders said: "The club has gone been through a rocky time since the retirement of coach Harry Bartrope, who founded the club in 1994. But it is now firmly back on track and we are hoping Dyllan's success and that of others will inspire more young people to join the club."
The club's other leading lights include Philip Brown, 14, of Villa Real Consett, who is national discus champion for under-15s; Tina Breen, 11, national shot-put champion for under-13s and Emma Wood, 16, who is NE sprinting champion and represents Durham County English schools.
The club meets at 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at Blackfyne School in Consett. Call Allyson on 07779 83562.
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