The Shildon club competed at the first Cross Country event of the season at the Sunderland Harriers Open XC Races held at Farringdon on Saturday.

The club started on the right foot with an excellent display of front-running from the gun from Abby Suffield in the Under 13 girls race.

Abby came home 13 seconds ahead of her next rival in a time of 12.52 on a tough 1.8 mile course.

Clubmate Natasha Heslop also had a very encouraging run to finish 11th in a time of 14.14 while new girl Laura Armstrong giving a good account of herself in 19th place in a time of 15.10.

In the Under 13 boys race, also over 1.8 miles, Khalil Thompson had a fine run to finish sixth in a time of 12.19. Another newcomer to the Under 13 Boys' ranks, Andrew Cummings, finished in ninth place in a time of 12.32.

The winner was Richard Cunningham of Birtley AC in a time of 11.22.

A new event at the meeting was the Primary Schools and Under 11 Boys and Girls Open Mile race with Scott Thornton representing Shildon.

Scott, eight, had a good run to finish in 11th place in a time of 10.14.

The winner was J Foggin of the host club in a time of 9.02. In the Under 15 Girls race Natalie Cross was the only Shildon runner.

She had a fine run to finish in 18th place in 13.27 with winner Mary Ferrier of Gateshead Harriers coming home in 11.45.

The club had four runners in the Under 15 Boys event, with Warren Roberts first back in tenth place in a time of 11.15. Right on his heels was Jalal Thompson in 11th place in a time of 11.16.

Close behind was Andrew Thompson in 14th place in a time of 11.44 and finally Matthew Hewitson in 21st place in a time of 12.28.

The winner was J Young of Morpeth Harriers in 10.39.

Meanwhile, Ruth Cooper geared up for the Great North Run with a good performance in the Tynedale ten-mile road race.

Ruth finished in 18th in the ladies race in a time of 1.16.06 - second in the over 40s category.

The junior middle distance group, who compete in cross country events over the autumn and winter season, have resumed training at the Stadium 2000 Shildon.

Old and new members are welcome on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm.

The seniors cater for both men and women of all standards wishing to take part in road races, especially those training for the Great North Run in next month, and cross country. Also on a Wednesday evenings the 8-11 year olds train at the stadium from 6-7pm.

Anyone requiring more information should contact the Club Secretary Neil Stockley on (01388)776083.