Crook and Distict AC - INSTEAD of going to an individual athlete, the performance of the year award for the Crook and District Sports and Athletic Club went to the club's veteran team which won the Durham Dales Challenge series of races.

The awards were announced at the club's annual presentation evening in Bishop Auckland.

Team: Mike Mallon, Geoff Hewitson, Graham Bradshaw, Gerry Hehir, Martin Lowrie, Kevin Archer and Colin Everson.

Kevin Archer was named athlete of the year for his medal-winning performance in national and European veteran events. Gerry Hehir was named club member of the year and he shared the marathon trophy with Martin Lowrie.

The club has expanded its range of activities and has members from teenagers to 70 plus. Regular training sessions are held at the Peases West track, Crook, on Tuesday evenings.

Vets invitation meet

North-East veteran athletes are challenging men over 40 and women over 35 to show what they can do at an evening track and field meet open to allcomers next Wednesday.

Anyone who fancies a go on the track or at throwing or jumping or all three, will be able to compete against others of their own age at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, one of the region's top athletics venues. Entries are taken on the night. For the £2 entry fee anyone can take part in as many events as they wish at no extra charge. Both sexes compete in five-year age groups with no maximum age limit. There are track races for all age groups at 200m, 800m and 3,000m. The throwing events include discus, javelin, hammer and shot. There are long jumps and triple jumps in all age groups. Qualified athletics' officials will be on hand to record each individual performance in each event.

"Everyone is welcome to come along and see what they can do under competitive conditions, said registrar Geoff Wood. "It's much more fun competing against people of your own age, there is the thrill of competition and also the chance to set your own standards.

"You don't have to be a member of any athletic club to take part but we hope that people will enjoy our friendly competition and may join us for the future. This open event is a curtainraiser for our series of track and field meets throughout the summer," he added.

Competitors should arrive at Monkton Stadium no later than 6.15pm for a 6.45pm start. The event is being organised by the North of England Veterans' Athletic Association. For more information Mr Wood can be contacted on (0191) 3840711.

Elvet Striders

Hard training paid off for a group of Elvet Striders who ran in the London Marathon. First home was Roz Layton in 3.28 followed by Barry Evans in 3.41 and Alan Sheult in 4.02, Mike Elliot 4.45, Katherine L Bramley 5.25.

In the Blyth ten mile road race those who ran for the club were Alan Parnaby 1.03, Peter Fahey 1.07, John Hutchinson 1.10, Vicky Kerr 1.22, Jean Bradley 1.27 and Jill Hall 1.28