Durham City Harriers

MEMBERS of Durham City Harriers were out in force to support the Auckland Castle 10km road race at Bishop Auckland for what was the final event in the three-race Fila series.

The race began in the Market Place in sunny conditions with very little wind, and ended in the splendid grounds of Auckland Castle.

At the finish, Robert Hand was the first counter for the Harriers, finishing 28th in 34.01.

Other Harriers: Stephen Nesbitt 83rd 38.23; Elwyn Baldwin (Y50) 84th 38.28; Alan Rowell (V50) 92nd 38.45; Ian Marshall (V40) 101st in 39.22; Malcolm Heslop (V50) 107th 39.39; David Unsworth (V40) 128th 40.32; Graeme Armstrong (V40) 146th 41.10; Roger Wright (V55) 164th 41.44; Palash Hussein 167th 41.40; Bill NcMneil 212ths 43.40 (1st O70); John Hampson (V55) 296th 46.40; Joe Harker (V60) 302nd 46.50; Steven Luke 322nd 47.59; Glen Malvern (V40) 327th 48.05; Neville Rutherford (V60) 344th 48.42; Brian Brown (V50) 388th 49.56 and Stan Hodgson (V70) 441st in 53.18. A total of 562 competitors finished.

The race was won by Julian Kimtai (Kenya) in a support time of 28.45, with fellow Kenyan Timothy Chepigat second in 29.07. Morpeth Harrier Ian Hudspith came an excellent third in 29.31.

In the Lanedale half-marathon, veteran Bob Brown ran well to finish 19th in 1hr 30mins.

Elvet Striders

The club was well represented at the Bishop Auckland 10k where Keith Wesson ran 37.33, Barry Bird 41.14, Alan Smith 43.18, Jim Hall 51.12, Mike Elliott 51.55, Vicky Kerr 52.14, K Larkin-Bramley 57.20, Maureen Blackett 60.30 and Gail Raynor 60.52.

Striders' ladies enjoyed success in the Jelly Tea 10 mile road race. In form Fiona Shenton ran 65.06, finishing second to Houghton and Peterlee's prolific racer, Sheila Allen. With Roz Layton first fv45 in 72.08, the ladies claimed second team prize. Phil Layton again led the club home in 60.31 followed by Allan Seheult 76.37, Alan Purvis 82.49, Jackie Smith 91.00 and Maggie Thompson 94.44.

Eight club members travelled South west to take part in the Mendip Muddle 20k trail race. Paul Dunn demonstrated his speed over rough terrain, finishing fifth place in 1.29.04.

Others: Dave Smith 1.55.00; Dave Shipman 2.02.17; A Seheult 2.04.01;

J Shipman 2.09.15; Paul Gibson 2.12.37.

In the ladies race Lynn Laird had a good run, finishing fifth female in 1.50.05, with R Layton seventh in 1.52.27.

P Dunn tackled muddy conditions and crossed Bedburn Beck three times in the Hamsterley Forest six mile race earlier this month. He finished in a well earned second place in 36.11.

Mandale Harriers

LONG distance runner Patricia Thwaites of Mandale Harriers was First Lady in the Ellerburn Experience event held near Pickering. She completed the 26-mile check pointed route through Newtondale and Dalby Forest - deep in mud after heavy rain - in 4hrs 44mins to finish overall seventh with her husband Vince. They were pursued by a contingent of Lincs ladies finishing ninth in 4.52, Julie Roach, Diana Phillips and Jane Catley.

Mandale's Steve Hudson was sixth, in 4.39, following leaders Gerry Orchard (York), who came first in 3.37 and Graham Hodges (Lincs), who finished second, also in 3.37. All 129 starters finished.

On the short 16-mile route, David Thompson from Carlton, Stockton was second in 3.10, behind first placed David Finyes from Lincs in 2.28. First lady was Julie Bushell (York) in 3.40, finishing overall third, followed by William Myers (Scarborough), who came fourth in 3.45. All 66 starters finished.

This was the last of three events in the unique 2000 challenge series staged by the Scarborough and District Search and Rescue Team. 108 competitors completed all three events. Full details of these, and future events, can be obtained by sending a SAE to 9 Greensward, Stockton Lane, York, or by visiting the website, www.sdsrt.org.uk.

Shildon R and AC

The club competed at the Nike Youth Athletes cross country races held at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday, October 14.

Shildon results: U-11 Girls: 14 Rachael Lindsey 6.52, 15 Laura Armstrong 6.58, 20 Louise Hodkinson 7.27. U-13: 8 Lyndsey Dodsworth 9.27. U-15: 7 Natalie Owens 9.09, 11 Georgette Reid 9.40, 13 Donna Robinson 9.49, 14 Kelly Turnbull 10.14.

U-11 Boys: 11 Neil Pennock 6.16, 14 David Bowen 6.22, 17 Simon Hewitson 6.42, 20 Billy Armstrong 6.57. U-13: 5 Andrew Thompson 8.30. U-15: 4 Matthew Lomax 7.35, 24 Marc Costello 10.03.

Youths: 11 Stephen Brown 10.45, 13 Adam Ingram 11.50, 14 Michael Dunn 13.06.

On the same day at the Bridlington half-marathon Joe McCreadie had an excellent run finishing 33rd in 79.39, the winner was Dave Bond (Askern and District AC) in 68.21 and the ladies winner was Jeanette Wilson (East Hull Harriers) in 84.20.

Anyone from aged eight upwards can join the club which holds training sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday evenings and competes in indoor spring competitions and cross country over the winter months as well as road race competitions. Friday training is for senior members and people are invited to come and try with no obligation. For more information contact club secretary Mr N Stockley on (01388) 776083.

Spectrum Spartans

The club, based in Willington, have just started their league season with a trip to Halifax where they played Manchester.

Unfortunately, the Spartans had a very depleted and were beaten heavily.

Their next game is agin at Halifax where they will play Moss Side.

Spectrum Club Coach Mike Richardson completed his internation Referee test when he took charge of the Columbia versus Egypt game at the Ladies World Roller Hockey Championship held in Marl, Germany.

The club is desperately looking for players aged 11 and 12, so anyone interested should contact the club via Spectrum Leisure Complex on (01388) 7474000.