Durham City Harriers - THE club's youth athletes continued their run of success in the Durham County Schools track and field championships at Harrow.
There were tremendous victories by Rachel Abbs in the junior girls long jump (5.04), Sarah Davison in the junior girls 800m (2.24), Rosie Smith in the inter-girls 1500m (4.55) and Joanne Ritson also in the inter-girls 800m (2.24).
All girls then represented Durham County Schools in the inter-counties schools championships at Carlisle with further victories for Abbs in the long jump (5.16), Davison in the 800m (2:20.1), Smith 1500m (4:50.5) and Ritson finishing third in the 800m (2:23.4). They all improved their times and have gained selection for the English National Schools championships to be held at Exeter.
Rebecca Armstrong did extremely well at the county schools, finishing first in the senior girls long jump (4.50) and won the 100m hurdles while David Adamson finished second in the senior boys long jump (5.86) with Jeremy Mason doing well in the long jump.
Unfortunately, all three did not achieve the qualifying standards on this occasion. However, the future of Durham City Harriers looks in very good hands with the talent of the aforementioned athletes and others doing well and progressing through the ranks.
Shildon R and AC
Oof the club's junior athletes, Khalil Thompson, a year six pupil in Dean Bank Primary School, Ferryhill, competed for Spennymoor Youth Club in the 65th annual county finals at Gateshead Stadium, organised by the Durham Association of Clubs for Young People.
Khalil shaved 11 seconds off his personal best when he won the Under-13s 1500m final in a time of 4:56.4 from Richard Cunningham (5:01.6) of Birtley AC and Stephen Brewis (5:09.6) of Chester-le-Street.
If selected for the county team, Khalil will compete in the National Athletics championships on Saturday, July 14 at Cwmbran Stadium, Cwmbran, South Wales.
The same day at the Eastbourne Sports Complex, Darlington, a small party of senior members competed in the first round of the Northern inter-club champions.
Results: hammer, 4th, Dave Preston (23.39m); long jump, 4th, Stephen Brown (4.74m); 400m hurdles, 2nd, Stephen Merrifield (64.4); discus, 4th, Mike Hodgson (23.5); 800m, 4th, Martin Turnbull (2:16.8); 100m, 5th, Adam Rogers (22.7); 400m, 1st, Richard Turner (52.8); shot putt, 5th, Mike Hodgson (8.08); javelin, 1st, Gareth Preston (42.90); 1500m, 5th, Martin Turnbull (4:48.2); 200m, 6th, Richard Turner (25.2); 4x100m relay, 3rd, Martin Turnbull, Richard Turner, Adam Rogers, Stephen Merrifield (49.00).
l Anyone requiring details about joining the club, which trains at the Stadium 2000 Athletics track, Shildon, should contact secretary, Mr N Stockley (01388) 776083.
The Blaydon Races 5.7 mile race proved highly popular with 15 Aycliffe runners taking part on the night, despite the heavy rain and floods. Ian Monkman was the club's leading light with a top 30 finish in 30 mins, followed by Peter Milburn (31), Karl Edwards (33), Brent Morfoot and Michael O'Sullivan managing 36 mins, Sue Milburn (37), John Burnside (38), Mick Beadle (40), Jed Hodgson (42), Dave Thompson and Pat Edwards (43), Dave McKenzie (45) and a new PB, Karen Newbould and Rachel Scholey (46) mins and Karen Collinson a magnificent (49) mins in her first ever race.
The Quakers Five Archers Flyer saw Peter Milburn back to his best to win in a time of 12.15 secs. O'Sullivan in his highest placing ever took seventh in 13.43, Sue Milburn ran 14.12 for 12th place and Pat Edwards came an excellent 22nd overall.
The Castle Eden 5.5 mile handicap saw Sue Milburn dominate with an outstanding tenth as first lady in 36 mins, with Kevin Greenall close behind in 38 mins and Pat Edwards in 31st place for 42 mins.
The Thirsk 10 mile road race saw Peter Milburn again in good form to finish in 60 mins, with Sue Milburn as first O-35 vet in 68 mins, Burnside managing 70 mins and O'Sullivan running 71 mins.
In the Newton Aycliffe two mile fun run the talented Michael Rippon was first Aycliffe runner home - with latest recruit Mathew Bell finishing in second place about to join the club.
Darlington Harriers
Athletes from the club struck gold at the weekend not only at different ends of the country but also the age groups.
A group of juniors were at the Ron Hope memorial meeting in Carlisle and came away with three gold medals, two silver and two bronze and in Eton at the British Vets National Track championships, Ian Barnes won two golds in the M65 category.
In Carlisle, Jamie Rutherford won the Under-13 boys 400 metres in 76secs and set a PB in the long jump of 3.13 metres. Stephanie Weddell won gold in the Under-13 girls 100 metres 15.1 secs and 200 metres 30.1 secs, and silver in the high jump with 1.20 metres. Natasha Springett was third in the Under-15 girls 1500 metres with 5 mins 55.49secs and third in the triple jump with 8.44 metres. Laura Noble was second in the Under-15 girls triple jump with 9.1 metres.Sophie Weddell ran the Under-15 girls 100 metres in 15 secs and Kelly Woodward ran in the Under-17 girls 100 metres in 14.5 secs, the 200 metres in 30.1 secs and the long jump with a distance of 3.43 metres.
At Eton, Ian Barnes decided not to run the 10,000 metres in the heat of the day on Sunday, and followed up his win in the 1500 metres with a win in the 800 metres to bring home two gold medals.
l THE club are running the Pitstop 10k race and 2k fun run, sponsored by Harrison Insolvency Practitioners, at Croft circuit on the July 11. The fun run starts at 7pm followed by the 10k race at 7.30pm. Entry forms are available from John Brant, (01325) 257672 and entries will be accepted on the night.
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