JAMES ASKEW was in sparkling form last week to take the Year 7 athlete of the year award at Sedgefield Community College, following his excellent tactical performances on school sports day. He won both the 1500 metres and 800 metres. James has also had a tremendous year on the track and road races for Newton Aycliffe.

NYSD Track League meeting

At the Eastbourne track Amy Flemming had a good day showing her ability as an all round u13 athlete. She won the shot putt with an excellent throw of 7.14 metres, came 2nd in the high jump with 1.15 metres and a very good 4th place in the 200 metres in 30.6 secs.

In the u13 boys we had three competitors, with newcomer Adam Little 2nd in the 200 metres in a time of 31.4 secs. In the 1500 metres race, rising star Chris Gaffney set a new club record and a P.B. for his outstanding time of 5 mins 21.6 secs, ahead of James Askew who was a place behind for his 5 mins 44.4.

The Senior men's races saw Adam Harker return after breaking his wrist to win the 400 metres in 56.4 secs, with only 20 mins rest after this triumph Adam managed a very useful 4th place in the 200 metres in 26.2 secs. In the u17 mens race Lewis Moses again looked impressive in the 1500 metres, leading from gun to tape to win emphatically in a time of 4 mins 18 secs.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

Five Harriers competed in the 50th Anniversary running of the Roseberry Topping Fell Race, which was won by Joe Blackett of Mandale in 11.52 minutes. Peter Wilkin came 5th in 12.58, John Yates 19th in 15.42, Caroline Pollard 19th, and 1st lady to finish, in 16.24, Alan Wikeley 31st in 16.49 nd Ernie Huck 43rd in 18.15. The men's team finished in 3rd place.

John Yates finished 11th in the Victorian 10k at Saltburn, in a time of 37.57.

Bolton Castle was the starting point for the first running of the James Herriot Trail Race, over a distance of about 9 miles. In excess of 150 runners completed this scenic course and Richard Soper finished in 14th place in 61.13 minutes. Ernie Huck was 24th in 64.05, Alan Harman 74th in 71.58, Pat Kirby 78th in 72.20 and Maureen Gibbs 85th in 75.27. There were 344 finishers in the Eccup 10 mile race round Eccup Reservoir and Ian Codling finished 224th in 1.29.40, Marian Codling 326th in 1.48.06.

Newton Aycliffe AC

Newton Aycliffe AC runners set off in all directions for racers on Sunday 27th July. Eight runners went off to the coast for the New Marske Victorian 10k road race, John Burnside ran his best 10k this year to finish in a good time of 42.10, Paul Upton who we don't see enough of at races due to work commitments also had a fine run in the hot conditions to finish in 42.41, Regular racer Kevin Greenall ran well and came back in 46.30, Dave McKenzie finished in 47.10,The ever improving Linda Connelly had the best performance of the day to set a new personnel best time of 47.14,Dave McDonald finished in 51.06,Lindsey Kay dug in to finish in 52.40, Margaret Greenall another regular racer for the club finished in 53.00.

On the same day at the James Herriot trail race at Bolton Castle four of the clubs in form runners took part on what is known as a very gruelling nine-mile course. Peter Milburn who thrives on the tough course's ran superbly to finish fourth overall in a time of 56.02, not far behind Malcolm Ingram a regular trainer with the Aycliffe club, ran strongly and finished in 58.10,Sue Milburn fourth lady finisher came home in 65.00,Ray Todd the clubs only over 65 runner ran a magnificent race to finish in a very good time of 75 minutes Michael O'Sullivan went of to Burton Leonard again on Sunday 27 July for another race in the black sheep series of races. There are no easy races in this series and this one proved to be no exception, the race this time a multi-terrain 10k race.

The very tough undulating course made it very difficult for all runners and Michael's finishing with a very credible time of 41.31.

Quakers RC

Middleton in Teesdale Gala Fell Race will be held. Registration and start is from the Market Place opposite the Teesdale Hotel, Middleton in Teesdale. GR 947 255. The race comprises of 2.5 miles over 551 feet commencing at 7.30pm. Entry fee is £3.00 payable on the evening. Over 14's only.

To continue with the carnival celebrations a new road race will also be held on the Sunday, 3 August. The NE-Quest road race is a 1 lap 10K course on scenic roads around Middleton in Teesdale. Start time 11.00 am, entry forms available through the Quakers Running Club or enter on the day in Middleton in Teesdale. The race is sponsored by NE-Quest Limited, building and maintenance of horse boxes. Prizes will be awarded to the total of £200.

On Sunday, 29 June, Ian Scott participated in the Rainton 10K road Race. Ian finished 7th out of 267 runners in a time of 35:47 and won the 1st Vet Over 50 prize. John Edmondson also competed and finished 97th in a time of 45:34. Ian continued to represent the club at Skipton 10K on Sunday, 6 July finishing 11th out of 281 runners and again taking the 1st Vet Over 50 prize to finish 34:54 smashing the existing club Vet 50 record in the process. The next White Horse Handicap will be held on Tuesday, 5 August. Registration is at The White Horse Pub, Harrogate Hill, Darlington. Registration closes at 6.45 pm, race commences 7.15 pm. The course covers 5.5 miles over footpaths and bridleways north of Darlington. Prize to all competitors.

The next Durham Dales fell race will be held on Sunday, 28 September. Stanhope Common Fell Race consists of 10 miles over 1526 feet. Registration is from the ford in Stanhope. The course is partially marked. Experience/local knowledge/ navigation skills required. Full kit may be compulsory depending on weather. Over 18's only.

Start time 11:00 am.

The Quakers Running Club train on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings, 6.30 pm from Hummersknott School, Darlington. All abilities and ages welcome. For further details see www.quakersrunningclub.co.uk

50th Anniversary Roseberry Topping Race

O22nd July 2003 the 50th addition of the Roseberry Topping Race took place in dry warm conditions. The route is simple to the summitt and back to the car park any route you like. There are two distinct routes the 'tourist path' and the gully. Joe Blackett, of Middlesborough AC proved that his resent second place on the Classic Wasdale Race in the lakes (21 miles

9000ft Ascent in 3hrs 55min) hadn't curtailed his descending speed. Charles Stead from Northumberland Fell Runners lead to the summit with Joe Blackett lying only 5th. Stead's choice of descent was the 'Tourist Route' Blackett chose the more daring Gully descent. Which after a bit of free fall and the odd slide lead him to a victory of 14 seconds over Stead. Ian Ellmore of Scarborough took the third spot and was first veteran home as well. The ladies race was won with some ease by Caroline Pollard of Thirsk and Sowerby who ran 16-24 to 2nd place Cath Worth's (Middlesborough AC) 17-54. This race is part of the Northern Runner Summer Fell Race Series. The next race is Langdale End on the 7th August. For more info see www.mandaleharriers.com or www.northernrunner.com.

Men's

1: Joe Blackett (Middlesborough AC) 11-52; 2: Charles Stead (Northumberland Fell Runners) 12-06; 3: Ian Ellmore (Scarborough AC) 12-39 (also first veteran).

Ladies

1: Caroline Pollard (Thirsk and Sowerby) 16-24; 2: Cath Worth (Middlesborough AC) 17-54; 3: Kay Neesam (New Marske) 17-55.

New Marske Harriers

The annual running of the 10K Victorian Road Race, from Bydales School in Marske took place last weekend.

The race was won with a commanding run by Rickie Wilson Scarborough AC with Michael Thompson in a close second. Rob

Hand, the third placed runner was nearly three minutes adrift of the leading pair. The race produced another outstanding performance in the Vet 60+ men's race with Ronnie Sherwood taking yet another category win.

North East Counties Relay championships Jarrow

4x800m senior men: 1 Morpeth 7:48.4 (record)

4x100m sen men: 1 Jarrow 45.8; 4x400m sen men: 1 Morpeth 3:39.1; 4x100m U17 men: 1 Gateshead 45.7; 4x400m U17 men: 1 Gateshead 2:21.9 (UK club record).

4x400m U15 boys: 1 Morpeth 48.1; 4x100m U18 boys: 1 Gateshead 53.6; 4x400m sen women: 1 Gateshead 4:01.3; 2 Morpeth 4:12.7; 3 Middlesbrough AC 4:14.2; 4x100m Sen women: 1 Gateshead 51.8; 2 Middlesbrough AC 51.7; 4x100m U17 girls: 1 Gateshead 49.7 (record); 2 Middlesbrough AC 51.1; 4x100m U15 girls: 1 Middlesbrough AC 52.1; 4x100m U13 girls: 1 Gateshead 56.8.

Middlesbrough AC's U13 girls team of Adele Hall, Scarlett Crowe, Stacey Daniel and Faye Winspear won the gold medal in the 4x100m at the NEC relay championships at Jarrow. The U17 team of Emma Payne, Debbie Forster, Alanda Crowe and Laura Stevens took silver behind Gateshead's record breaking team.

The senior squad of Amanda Lappin, Frances Hubbard, Angela Beadnall and Denise Knox picked up a silver medal in the sprinting relay and a bronze medal in the four-lap event