When most people were sitting down to watch the Queen's Speech with a cuppa and cake, two Darlington Harriers, Alison Raw and Paul Kelly were packing their kit for a Christmas running feast.

On Boxing Day they were at Guisely for the Chevin Chase, a seven-mile trail race over a very muddy course. In a field of over 800, Paul was 31st overall and Alison was first vet lady.

The next day they went to Guisborough to run the Guisborough Woods fell race which was even muddier than the Chevin Chase. After 5.5 miles Paul finished tenth and first vet, and Alison was the first lady home.

After a well-earned rest they were off down to Ripon for the Jolly Holly Jog a 10k race where Paul was second vet 45 and Alison was second lady.

On New Years Eve they headed for Bronte country near Haworth for the Auld Land Syne race. This was a very hard race over the bleak moorland and peat of the area and a large field of over 500 but the toll of the previous days was telling and they finished down in the pack.

But they picked themselves up for the Captain Cook's race on New Years Day. A multi terrain race around the monument which started and finished in Great Ayton saw Paul finish in 11th place and second vet and Alison was once again second lady. At the Durham Schools X-country championships at King James school in Bishop Auckland at the weekend, Lauren Peacock qualified for the Schools Inter Counties Championships at Hexham next weekend by finishing in an excellent 13th position in the Under-13 girls race.

The next event in the cross country racing calendar is the Northern Championships at Manchester o Saturday and a strong field of senior men are making the journey for that race.

* Train with Darlington Harriers at Eastbourne Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm. Ring Robin Rutherford on (01325) 252834 for further details.

Quakers

The first of the Castle Eden Walkway series was held on Sunday, January 12. This handicapped race over 5.5 miles of bridleways and footpaths saw Stephen Johnson finished first in a time of 00:51:32.

Others: Chris Knock (U/A) 00:46:10; Alexander Barlow (U/A) 00:38:50; Richard Cooke (U/A) 00:42:30; Paula Leslie (U/A) 01:00:37; Tommy Hurworth (Quakers) 00:41:37, Graham Tyerman (U/A) 00:43:52; Barrie Emmerson (Billingham) 00:51:58; A. Wood (U/A) 0:42:05; Barrie Kirkley (Quakers) 00:42:14; Hugh Bell (Middlesborough) 00:41:05; Lynne Hatton (Quakers) 00:49:49; Barry Durham (U/A) 00:44:02; Ian Melville (U/A) 00:49:10; John Close (U/A) 00:40:19; John Sandywell (Durham Police) 00:43:31; Chris Wright (Middlesborough) 00:35:44; Tim Groom (U/A) 00:43:25; Ross Chisholm (Quakers) 00:53:03; Mike Horan Quakers 00:53:03; Keith Richardson (Quakers) 00:39:04; Ian Wade (U/A) 00:46:07; Angela Wade (U/A) 00:54:10; Ken Sams (Evenwood) 00:44:29; Martin Dolby (U/A) 00:43:37; Jane Matthew (Middlesborough) 00:49:52; John Tully (U/A) 00:55:04; Mark Eady (U/A) 00:39:25; Andy Henderson (Quakers) 00:35:10; Leslie Gordon (Billingham) 00:55:15; Wendy Glasper (Quakers) 01:05:29; Norman Pratt (Quakers) 0:41:05; Gordon Richards (Quakers) 00:41:35; James Sowerby (Evenwood) 00:46:12; David O'hare (U/A) 00:43:25; David Mason (Quakers) 00:42:28; John Edmundson (U/A) 00:41:35; Michael Gaskill (U/A) 00:43:42; Andrew O'hare ((U/A)) 00:43:47; Alan Theakston (U/A) 00:51:03; Glynn Frith (Evenwood) 00:51:02; Claire Reed (Durham Police) 00:50:25;Caroline Mackenzie (Quakers) 00:53:46.

Race two of the Castle Eden Walkway Handicaps will be held on Sunday, February 9. Start time 10.30am from The Castle Eden Walkway Visitors Centre, near Thorpe Thewles, off the A177. £50 in series prizes. Competitors must be at least 16-years-old on the day of the race. Entry fee £4 per race (unattached £5 per race).