Four Quakers had an early start on June 22 travelling to Blackpool to compete in road races.

David Thompson was the only Quaker to represent the club in the full marathon. He completed the 26.2 mile course in 4:11:55 to finish in an excellent position of 214th out of 448 competitors. Nick Millar had another tremendous run to finish 28th out of 1147 runners in the half marathon in a time of 1:22:49, followed by Wayne Bramley, 34th, 1:23:28 and Caroline Davies finishing 16th lady, and 257th overall in 1:40:51.

There was a good Quaker turnout at Ripon's Mid Summer Races on Wednesday, 18 June. The junior females led the way with Alex Marie Snook taking first lady and 4th position overall in the fun run in a time of 9:14, followed by Stephanie Millar,13th, 10:55, Seraphina Kelvey-Brown, 25th, 11:55 and Jared Kelvey-Brown, 32nd, 12:37.

In the main 10K trail race, Nick Millar gained a new PB despite the course being underdulating and was first home for the club finishing 11th overall in 37:45, next home was Dawn Richardson, finishing 3rd female and 24th overall in 39:53, Stevie Snook, 38th, 41:37, Jes Smith, 62nd, 44:58, Denise Kelvey-Brown, 101th, 47:36 and Graham Park, 119th, 50:22. The mens team finished in 6th place.

On Monday, 9 June, nine Quakers travelled to Blaydon to compete in their annual 5.7 mile road race. First home for Quakers as usual was Alasdair Tatham who finished 33rd out of 3,541 competitors in a time of 30:24, followed by Ian Scott who was first over 50 and 58th overall in 32:01, Michael Gaskill, 348th, 38:02, Andrew O'Hare, 482nd, 39:46, Lee Coles, 589th, 40:39, David O'Hare, 614th, 40:53, Jes Smith, 662nd, 41:20, Trevor Archer, 1315th, 46:32 and Robert Kirby, 2173rd, 52:39.

On Sunday, 15 June, the Quakers Running Club assisted Hummersknott School with their 10K trail race. First home for the club and first overall was Nick Millar in 36:21, followed by Lawrence Streits, 36:35, despite having a late start nearly caught Nick up. Steve Snook, 39:37, Julia Orr, 41:49, Phil Rutter, 42:51, Dave Mason, 44:02, Denise Kelvey-Brown, 44:27, Beverly Moss-Grey, 46:04, Dave McLachlin, 48:12, Steph Millar, 48:30, Julie Giblin, 48:32, Vickie Wilson, 48:50, James Snook, 50:34, Lara Lill, 51:13, Christopher Thomas, 53:24, Tom Mason, 56:03, Esther Kelvey-Brown, 61:41, Kathryn Innis, 72:59, Seraphina Kelvey-Brown, 90:30.

In the 2 mile fun run, Alex Snook pipped Andrew Robinson to the line taking first place overall, both recording a time of 15:40. Laura Millar, 19:45, Josh Giblin, 20:29, Jack Mason, 21:08, Becky Millar, 22:40, Oliver Robinson, 22:53, Helen Robinson, 22:57, Thomas Adkins, 23:41, Michael Whinn, 23:45, Bethany McLachlan, 26:10, Samantha Whinn, 26:20, Rhiann McAlister, 27:07, Wendy Glasper, 38:11, Nina Glasper, 38:17 and Rachael Thomas, 42:40.

More club records fell and a number of PB's were recorded at the latest North Yorkshire and South Durham track and field league meeting which was held at Darlington's Eastbourne sports complex.

In the under 15 girls age group Emily Ayto competing for the club for the first time finished 4th in the 200 metres with a time of 30.7s, Stephanie Millar was 9th in the 1500 metres and crossed the line in a time of 6:16.1 and Rachel Carter in her first attempt at the discus threw 15.54m to finish 4th.

The under 17 girls age group saw three club records broken, in the 200 metre event Leanne Hall and Kimberley Adamson both recorded identical times of 28.3s in their respective heats to share the club record and finished 2nd and 3rd repectively. Julia Orr smashed her own club record in the 1500 metres winning the event in a time of 4:48.0 and Alex-Marie Snook finished 4th in the 200 metres to record a new PB and then went on to claim 2nd place in the 1500 metres crossing the line in 5:18.5. Helen Scott continues to improve in her throwing events winning the Discus with a throw of 22.23m (PB)

Andrew Robinson the clubs only competitor in the under 15 boys age group was 4th in his 200m heat finishing in 27.1s.

Alan Carter jumped 4.30m (PB) to finish 5th in the under 17 boys long jump with younger brother Simon close behind in 6th place having cleared 4.21m (PB), Simon then venturing out onto the track to compete in the 1500m where in a time of 5:12.8 (PB) he finished 8th.

Gemma Bramley home for the summer break from York St. John university made a welcome return to competition winning the senior ladies Discus having thrown 26.46m.

The next White Horse Handicap will be held on Tuesday, 15 July. 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, 27 July. Monks Moor Fell Race consists of 13.5 miles over 3413 feet. Registration is from the side of road 1 mile above Middleton in Teesdale, GR 948 264. The course is partially marked. Experience/local knowledge/navigation skills essential. Full kit compulsory. Kit checks will be in force. Over 18's only. Start time 11:00 am. Toilet facilities one mile from start in Middleton in Teesdale. Monks Moor also includes 2 mile Junior fell race start time 11:15 am.

The club's 4th annual presentation night is being held this Saturday, 28 June. For further details and tickets, contact Dawn Richardson on 07950 529312. The Quakers Running Club train on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings, 6.30 pm from Hummersknott School, Darlington. All abilities welcome. For further details see www.quakersrunningclub.co.uk

Darlington Harriers

At the Blaydon race held on Monday June 9 Alison Raw finished as second female 40 winning herself the Federation Brewery Blaydon Belle trophy from a field of 3540,. Martin Grainger finished 27th and third male 40 in 29.55 Nigel Orr 35th and fifth male 40 30.25. Ben Wilson 81st 33.03, Hon Lee 199th 35.31, Alison Raw 201 35.32. At the Ripon Midsummer 10km race Martin Grainger finished a well deserved second and first male 40 in 33.57. Ben Wilson eighty 36.56, Paul Kelly 12th 37.55, Alison Raw 19th and first female 39.18. Hon Lee 23rd 39.37, Paul Smith making a return from injury 29th 40.27, Brian Hannah 50th 43.10, Julie Peacock 127th 51.08, Philippa Smith 155th 54.06 Annette Hubert 211th 64.49.

The Harriers train at Eastbourne sports complex from 6.15pm Tuesday and Thursday, and are holding its own Pitstop 10km race at Croft circuit on Wednesday July 9. Contact John Brant on (01325) 257672 for further details.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers

Irecent weeks, athletes from Richmond and Zetland Harriers have competed on and off-road and in track and field with great success.

Philip Fitzpatrick's name has appeared in the results regularly, with first place in the Melmerby Fun Run and second place in the Fun Run at Thirsk the following week.

Andrea Woodvine competed for Nottingham University in the BUSA T&F Championships at Bedford and placed 5th in her heat of the 1500m in 4:48. She missed making the final by 0.8 second and, although naturally disappointed, this was a season's best time and a good pointer for the future.

Shaun & Katey Purkiss and Ian Scott travelled to Bowderdale in Cumbria to compete in the Eden Valley 15K Trail Race. The race was won by Morgan Donnelly of Northumberland Fell Runners; Shaun and Ian were 6th and 8th respectively and, on a hot day, Katey was 123rd out of 144 finishers with 80 runners dnf.

Twins Jessica & Scarlett Gray were first and second females in the Kirby Malzeard Fun Run on Saturday 7th. Their Dad, Shane Gray, made his official debut (although he had previously run a leg of the NYSD Road Relays) in the 10K Road Race, finishing 53rd out of 196 in an excellent time of 43:55.

Fell runner Gary Bastow ran his first race in this year's BOFRA series, the Coniston Gullies, on Sunday 8th, finishing 7th overall and 2nd Veteran. With the cancellation of the Sharphaw Race last Monday, his next outing is at Kettlewell on Sunday 29th.

On the same Sunday, Andrea Woodvine ran "second-claim" for Notts AC at Bristol in a Midlands T&F League fixture and was 2nd in the 3000m in 10:38 - a PB by some margin. Later that afternoon she tackled the 1500m and finished 5th in 5:07. Shane Gray probably still had the remains of his first 10K in his legs when he competed in his second, five days later at Otley in the abbreviated Midweek League. The Otley course is a tough 10K, worth about two minutes against something flat, and only eight Harriers made the journey. Ian Fisher of Otley made his comeback from injury with a fine win in 33:17 but wasn't able to relax as Jon Orange's Peacocks of Richmond vest was never much more than 100 yards adrift..

Results: 2nd Jon Orange 33:41, 9th Shaun Purkiss 36:02, 12th Scott Wardman 36:35, 33rd (& 2nd MV55) Mike Brooks 39:35, 37th Chris Peacock 40:07, 64th and welcome back Paul O'Mahoney 42:50, 80th Shane Gray 44:37 & 117th Sarah Gregory 48:34. There were a total of 168 finishers and Sarah's 117th place gave her 14th female out of 42, a fine performance after only six week's training with the Club. The Open Team Trophy is now out-of-sight as Harrogate and Ilkley have opened-up a margin of more than 1600 points but RZH had three runners in twelve meaning the Elite Team Trophy is still up-for-grabs - Otley are just 30 seconds ahead. The County Schools T&F Championships were on Saturday 14th - North Yorkshire at Huntington Stadium, York and County Durham at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow. Again there were many excellent performances from Harriers past and present and the Club now has four Champions - Jessie Roberts NY Junior Girl 1500m, Jason Flannery NY Junior Boy 1500m, Kim Bartram NY Senior Girl 200m and Matt Prosser CD Senior Boy 200m. RZH results at York: Junior Girls - 200m Sophie Broadway 28.4, 800m Jo Adams 2:32.0 & Jessica Gray 2:34.0, 1500m Jessie Roberts 5:03.9 & Scarlett Gray 5: 29.6 & high jump Becky Rennison 1m35; Junior Boys - 75m hurdles James Bell 12.7, 1500m Jason Flannery 4:27.8 & Chris Andrade 5:07.9; Inter Girls - 800m Leah Jackson 2:40.9, discus Laura McLellan 21m43 & shot Amy Poulter 8m07; Inter Boys - 200m Peter Akers 24.4, 1500m Simon Pinkney 4:55.6, triple jump Sam Stanislaus 11m97 & hammer Carl Outhwaite 38m22; Senior Girl - Kim Bartram 200m 27.8 & long jump 4m39; and at Jarrow Georgina Zissler ran a PB 42.7 to place 2nd in the IG 300m, Nick Zissler placed 5th in the IB 1500m and Matt Prosser doubled-up, winning the SB 200m and finished 2nd in the 400m. All those who competed earned their County colours and those who finished in the first two places made the team for their Schools Inter-County matches the following Saturday.

Shaun & Katey Purkiss and Ian Hepworth competed in the Swaledale Marathon on Sunday 15th, one of the year's hottest days of the year, so far! The race is a serious test of strength and stamina for all competitors - up Fremington Edge, through Arkengarthdale and back down Swaledale - 24 miles and a few thousand feet of climbing. Shaun had won this race back in 1986 but this year his intention was to finish inside 3 hours. First place was a foregone conclusion when last year's winner took-off from the start. Shaun sat-in and ran steadily for the first half of the race; after Great Punchard Head he started to overtake the over-ambitious and novice runners and by Surrender Bridge there was a group of five which was slowly reducing. Shaun lost the sprint finish back to Reeth but was made-up with 3rd place and a time of 3:17; Ian Hepworth made the top 100 finishing in about 4:45 and Katey Purkiss was 179th in 5:54.

The third NYSD T&F fixture was at Eastbourne Track, Darlington on Tuesday 17th and Shaun Purkiss added the word speed to his other assets with a 4:53.5 clocking for 1500m - his third race in five days - full results next week. The Fixture List for the coming week shows Yorkshire Vets Fell Race Championships at Wadsworth Old Town near Hebden Bridge on Saturday, Match 3 in the YAL at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow plus the Rainton 10K on Sunday and the fourth NYSD T&F fixture at Stadium 2000, Shildon on Tuesday 1st July.

For more information on Richmond and Zetland Harriers, click on www.rzh.org.uk.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

The ever popular Midsummer 10K at Ripon attracted the usual good field, with almost 220 finishers. The multi terrain course through lovely countryside was both scenic and testing in places, and conditions were ideal for running. Trevor Wilks of Leeds City was the winner in a time of 33.41 minutes. Stephan Tomaszewski finished in 30th place in 40.30 with Emma Tullett close on his heels in 40.32. Emma won the U21 Females Race. Ben Tullett was 39th, and 2nd U21 Male in 41.41, Ernie Huck 44th in 42.32, Alan Somers 46th in 42.46, Alan Harman 59th in 44.41, Oliver Harrison 64th and 3rd U21 Male in 45.15, David Shorrocks 69th in 45.34, Steve Harrison 80th in 46.05, Neil Mechie 95th in 47.13, Nicola Thorpe 122nd in 50.35, Ian Codling 142nd in 52.38, Fiona Wilson 149th in 53.04, Sarah Somers 152nd in 53.33, Sally Harrison 168th in 56.14, Paul Iley 174th in 57.07, Jo Fambely 186th in 58.02, Chris McAleenan 188th in 58.09, Pamela Sherlock 196th in 60.06 and Marian Codling 203rd in 61.22.

An altogether larger field of about 4000 competed in the annual Blaydon Race of just less than 6 miles, including Will Barker In 36.56 minutes, Lesley Welford in 48.56, Judith Seaton in 49.55, Jo Fambely in 53.03, Chris McAleenan in 53.52 and Pamela Sherlock in 54.40 minutes.

There was a disappointing Club turnout for the Harrogate League fixture at Otley, with Cameron Choules in 30th place in 39.06, Ernie Huck 55th in 42.18, Steve Harrison 119th in 48.53 and Anthony Riley 120th in 48.54 being the only Thirsk and Sowerby runners in a field of 168 finishers. The next League Fixture is on July 9th at Thirsk when it is hoped for a better Club turnout.

Three Harriers enterd the two lap Scarborough Fayre 10K and Alan Somers finished 39th in 44.39, Alan Harman 46th in 45.19and Sarah Somers 113th in 57.24

On the same day, in the 3M Centenary 10K at Newton Aycliffe, Ian Codling finished in 207th place in 54.58 and Pamela Sherlock and Marian Codling finished in 243rd place in an equal time of 63.44 and were joint 1st in their age-group! 267 runners completed the course which was again over 2 laps.

Meanwhile, David Grainger travelled to Prestatyn in North Wales to compete in the Eddie Fauve 10K and finished in 24th place in 38.53 minutes.