Wearside runners made it a double success in Sunday's inaugural Raby Castle 10K multi-terrain race, writes FRANK JOHNSON.

Sunderland Harrier Tim Field gave himself an early birthday present with a runaway victory in the men's event, while Houghton and Peterlee's top veteran Sheila Allen bounced back to winning form after a string of second placings.

Field, beaten in a sprint finish at the end of the previous week's Pier to Pier race, made no mistake as he quickly took the lead and after establishing a half minute lead at the halfway mark went on to beat Quakers' Alasdair Tatham by 37 seconds. Field, 38, said: "It's nice to bounce back after the disappointment of losing out last week - now I'm looking forward to next month's Blaydon Race."

Double World Veterans' Championships gold medallist Allen turned the tables on Quakers' Dawn Richardson, who beat her in the coastal race, winning by a comfortable 23 seconds.

Prolific racer Allen, now 45, said: "It seems ages since I won a race and I felt a lot better than when I raced last week and Dawn beat me. I knew from what people were shouting that she was chasing me but I just concentrated on a steady pace."