Darlington Harriers: Ten Harriers took part in the Harrogate 10km in August and continued to pick up a selection of prizes.

From a field of 770 first home for the Harriers against strong opposition was Martin Grainger in ninth place in a fast time of 33.41 and taking home the third Male Veterans prize. Ben Wilson followed next in 27th place in 36.08, Jack Mason 30th, 36.25, Paul Kelly 34th 36.43 and third Male Vet 45.

Bernadette Taylor 52nd 37.38 and fifth Female, Ronnie Read 71st 38.28, Alison Raw 95th, 39.33 and First Female Vet. Ken Hudson 191st 43.14, John Brant returning to home ground 396th 48.43 and Steve Dauber 509th 52.542. Martin, Ben and Jack took the second male prize.

At the Tartan Games held at Gateshead International Stadium on August 23, Tara Kennedy competed in the U15 girls competition high jump ninth is 1m.30, long jump fifth 4mt. 21 and 75m hurdles third in 14.91.

Younger sister Leah Kennedy was first in the U14 girls 60m heat and sixth in the final in 10.00sec.

Dean Collins competed in the U17 men's long jump and was sixth in 4mt.91.

* The Harriers train at Eastbourne Sports Complex, Hundens Lane, on Tuesday and Thursday from 6.15pm. The North Yorkshire South Durham Cross Country league starts in October, anyone wishing to compete contact John Brant on (01325) 257672 for further details.

Thirsk and

Sowerby Harriers

There were 600 finishers in the Auckland Castle 10k Road Race on a fine morning for running. The first four finishers were Kenyan and one of the British guest runners was John Mayock who came 5th in 29.37 minutes. Alan Harman was 188th in 43.46, Ian Codling 375th in 49.57, Marian Codling 538th in 61.13 and Pamela Sherlock 579th in 65.26.

Two Harriers faced the monsoon conditions of the Darlington 10k Road Race and Alan Harman came 173rd in 44.08 with Peter Scanlon 336th in 48.54 minutes. 480 runners completed the very wet course.

Shildon

Local athletes from the Shildon club took to the banks of the River Tyne at Hebburn on the evening of August 19 competing in the ever popular Dougies Tavern six-mile road race.

First runner back for the club was Chris Griffith in 57th place closely followed by coach driving Mark Martindale in 79th place then Chris Bowran in 197th just behind was Mike Horan in 111th. Club member for only a day, Graham Naylor, had a good run to finish in 130th place with nothing separating Peter Roe 138th and John Gibson 140th. Another newcomer David Borrowdale finished well in 147th place and first lady for the club was Viv McGlade in 152nd with John Gray 161st and finally Jean Best in 174th.

The following Sunday 14 club athletes competed at the high profile Auckland Castle 10k, first back for the club was Paul Best in an excellent time of 41.52 his first run for several months due to injury, recent new member Mark Martindale finished 247th in 45.56, another new member Mike Horan in 250th place in 45.56. First lady for the club was Angela Roxeby in 267th with a time of 46.38 next came Graham Naylor 281st in 47.06 just behind was Chris Bowran 286th in a time of 47.24. Next came Ian Rudge in 316th in 48.20. He was just ahead of John Gibson in 319th in 48.23. Close behind was Peter Roe in 322nd in 48.25, then Kevin Thornton 361st. Second lady for the club was Viv McGlade in 380th place in 50.02, then came John Grey, one of the few to run every Great North Run. He finished 415th in 51.30 and finally Peter Lawson 457th in 54.13.

l The junior section have returned to training in readiness for the winter fixtures.

Both the middle distance and sprint group are welcoming new members to their already successful groups on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6pm, the primary schools group have recommended training on Wednesday nights at 6pm.

All sessions take place at the Stadium 2000 in Shildon. New members are ask to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and junior athletes should be accompanied by an adult on the first evening.

For further details contact Neil Stockley on 07855 029645