HUNDREDS of 10K road race runners pounded the streets yesterday.

About 1,200 runners of all ages took part in the annual Darlington race, as well as a junior competition and a family fun run.

The 10k runners competed for the first time on a new two- lap course, introduced after police concerns about the safety of athletes on the old route.

The new course, set up by Darlington Borough Council, also accommodated the 13 to 16 year-old junior race over 3.5k and the 2km fun run.

Jeff Dawson, of the council's leisure services department said: "We have never had any problems with the course, but the police wanted to make sure it was as safe as possible, which meant more roads had to be closed this year.

"The whole thing went very well. We had about 900 people in the main race and another 300 taking part in the other two runs.

"Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was definitely a successful event. We were very lucky with the weather, especially after all the recent rain. There was a bit of drizzle but nothing too bad."

The first athlete across the line in the 10k road run was Martin Scaife who won for the second year in a row.

Mr Scaife, a Darlington bakery manager, crossed the line in 30 mins 21 secs, closely followed by fellow Chester-le-Street AC member Stewy Bell.

In third place was Andrew Kilding, of Sheffield.

The Darlington Harriers took the top three places in the women's race, with Susie Rutherford coming in first in 35 mins 49 secs. She was followed by Bernadette Taylor and Jo-Ann Short.

Winner of the junior race was Matthew Bell, of Newton Aycliffe, in 11 mins 46 secs.

The road race was sponsored by Darlington's CD Bramall Ford Dealership and supported by The Northern Echo and Alpha 103.2 FM and Asda, which supplied the athletes with drinking water.

* A full list of results from the race will appear in Local Heroes in The Northern Echo on Friday.