EIGHT members competed in the London Marathon. This year saw a record number of participants, including Alasdair Tatham who was competing as an elite runner.

He completed the course in an excellent time of 2:36:05. Next Quaker home was Gordon Richards, 3:01:08, followed by first time marathon runners were Steve Snook 3:27:19 and Caroline Davies, 3:52:21. Helen Hancock completed the course in 3:54:14, Pat Murray 4:03:35, Diane Vaughan 4:38:54 and Harry Manuel, who following a fall at 17 mile finished in 4:53:00.

On Sunday, April 7, the final Castle Eden Winter Handicap was ran.

First home was Paul Weall in a time of 32:49.

Other Quakers: Colin Gibson, 34:11, Ian Williams, 34:27, Roger Wilson, 35:27, Mark Robinson, 36:20, Norman Pratt, 37:01, Jez Smith, 39:31, Dave Thompson, 39:41, Danny Gordon, 39:43, Paul Younghusband, 40:15, Dave Middleton, 41:07, Terry Deary, 41:20, Richard Wall, 42:26, Ian Melville, 43:50, Mike Horan, 46:42, Paula Leslie, 50:17, Christine Routh, 50:34.

This year's overall series winner was a tie between Dave Thompson and Ian Melville, both with 382 points, third was Richard Wall, 376 points, 4th Terry Deary, 370 points and 5th Gordon Richards, 361.

The winter series will return again in November, however, the summer White Horse Handicaps commences Thursday, May 9 at 7:15pm from the White Horse Hotel, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington. Once again, it is a five and a half mile rural course, north of Darlington.

Ian Scott competed in the Doncaster Half Marathon on April 7 finishing ninth in a time of 1:16:48.

The Quakers are proud to announce their fixture list for the Deadly Durham Fell Challenge 2002.

Dates are: 5 May, Cronkley Fell Race, 10 miles, 1752 feet, starting from the Strathmore Arms, Holwick, near Middleton in Teesdale, 10am.

June 16, Chapelfell Top Fell Race, 4 miles, 1322 feet, starting from the Golden Lion, St Johns Chapel, Weardale, 11am.

July 21, Monks Moor Fell Race, 13.5 miles, 3413 feet, starting from Middleton in Teesdale, 11am.

September 29, Stanhope Common Fell Race, 10 mile, 1526 feet, starting from the Stanhope Ford, Stanhope, Weardale, 11am.

November 3, Ayhope Skyline, 13 miles, 2155 feet, starting from the Grove Car Park, Hamsterley Forest, 11am. Doctors Gate Hill Race to be rescheduled for October.

In conjunction with Forest Enterprise, the Quakers are once again staging their popular Hamsterley Forest Run and Fun Run. This year the event is being timed to coincide with the Golden Jubilee weekend and is being held on Sunday, June 2.

The race is one of the club's community events with all proceeds raised going to the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland. Last year almost 200 people took part in both events and raised over £1200 for the Hospice. A sum of over £6 per runner. This year's target is to raise £2000.

The main race is approximately 10k in length and is open to all runners over the age of 16. The fun run is 3k long and again is open to all runners although an adult must accompany entrants under the age of eight around the course.

Entry forms can be obtained direct from the Hospice at Macmillan House, Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JU or from Harry Manuel, Hamsterley Forest Run, 18 Arkle Crescent, Darlington DL1 5AW