Evenwood Road Runners

Four members were able to finally stretch their legs at the Redcar half marathon, putting behind them their disappointments when previous races were cancelled due to the foot and mouth outbreak. In overcast and drizzling conditions, Kimberly Crowther showed the way home with a strong run in 1.34 (pb). Hard work paid off for Neil Douthwaite as he earned a personal best of 1.35:01, an improvement of 54 seconds. Donna Douthwaite was pleased with her non-stop performance despite a nagging hip injury towards the end, finishing in 2.05 as did her trainer guru Kenny Sams. Guest runner Gary Atkinson, using the event as part of a London marathon programme, completed the race in an excellent 1.22. Darren Fairclough turned spectator for the day as he forgot that the clocks went forward by an hour.

Elswick Harriers

Elswick runners got back into action at the Dixon Sports Lunchtime Road Races at Gateshead Stadium. David Anderson easily recorded the fastest time over the 5k course in 15.10 with Mark McNally fifth fastest in 17.40, Tom Hanson was fifth overall with Steve White tenth. The ladies took the honours at the Enron Recal Half Marathon by taking the team prize. Andrea Bannel was sixth in 1.28.58, Kim Davison 15th in 1.31.41 with Suzanne Morton finishing in 12th place in 1.32.58. Bob Phillipson was second Over-60 in 1.28.45. Martin Connelly, training for the London Marathon, was 18th in 1.14.21 with Jimmy Bell taking 20th spot in 1.14.19 and first Over-50 man home.

l THE Elswick Good Friday road races (April 13) are still on, 10am start start. For more details contact Frank Watson (0191) 2673088.

New Marske Harriers

Oa cold, damp and windy day, the Enron Redcar and Cleveland half-marathon took place on a new course because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Over 60 New Marske Harriers and friends, including six pupils from West Redcar School, marshalled the course and manned the two water stations. In the race, 43 Harriers completed the course with Alan Stimpson finishing in third place in 1:09.56, Stuart Dickinson fifth in 1:11.01 and Paul Welham 13th in 1:13.32 to clinch second team prize behind the all-powerful Morpeth team.

Other Harriers: 58th David Craggs, 84th Andy Sugden, 106th Peter Craggs, 107th Julian Bunn, 113th John Rymer, 135th Nigel Barnbrook, 146th David Jones, 164th Richard Oliver, 169th Bill Gayter, 185th Robert Enderwick, 199th Ron Sherwood, 201st Matthew Willis, 236th Geoff O'Grady, 243rd Stuart Edwards, 251st Kay Neesham, 253rd David Stimpson, 268th Brian Allen, 307th Jim Conaghan, 309th Lynn Woods, 345th Colin Scollay, 373rd Trevor Taylor, 405th Sandra Jemson, 424th John R Smith, 420th Steve Dockeray, 442nd Lorna Sproates, 461st Jeff Moulder, 463rd Doug Scott, 488th Philip Readman 517th Louise Macrae, 519th Lorraine Allamby, 562nd Martin Hogarth, 563rd Martin White, 567 Abi Silcock, 593rd Gary Turnbull, 598th Robert Beetham, 623rd Paul Waugh, 667th Douglas Wilson, 689th Colin Cook.

There were 724 finishers. New Marske ladies team finished fourth with counters Kay Neesham, Lynn Woods and Sandra Jemson