MORE than 1,000 young people took part in a gruelling cross country run in Derwentside over the weekend.

Various age groups set off on runs of different lengths from Meadowfield Sports Centre as part of the Durham County Schools Athletics Association Championship.

There were 16 in each team from nine local authority areas, and those competing have represented their school to earn a place in the district squad.

The best have earned a place in the Northern Schools Inter County Championship, which will be held at Meadowfield on February 4.

Organiser Max Coleby said: "The conditions are beautiful. It is very high up there and when it is windy and rainy it is horrendous but it was like a spring day on Saturday.

"There were no serious medical problems but there were a few drama queens who thought that because they were breathless they were having an asthma attack.

"They just need more training and there were a couple of outstanding performances.

"The atmosphere was great and you always get parents and teachers there to cheer their kids along.

"The event is a stepping stone for a lot of champions, and Brendan Foster and Steve Cram both ran these races.

"It makes the athletes of the future."

The results are as follows:

Year Seven Boys

1, Cameron Boyek, Bishop Auckland, south-west Durham; 2 Jack Liddle, Chester-le-Street, Durham Central; 3 Reece Wooley, Spennymoor, Durham Central.

Junior Boys

1 Liam Wintrip, Peterlee, Easington; 2 Michael Grimes, Durham Central; 3 Kyle Chirnside, Lanchester, Derwentside.

Inter Boys

1 Carl Smith, Chester-le-Street, Durham Central; 2 Michael Foggin, Wearside, 3 Khalil Thompson, Durham Central.

Senior Boys

1 Michael Crawley, Durham Central; 2 Sean Hall, Gateshead; 3 Jack Martin, Wearside.

Year seven Girls

1 Charlotte Strong, Durham Central; 2 Megan Reed Farringdon, Wearside; 3 Elizabeth Ward, Hurworth, Darlington,

Junior Girls

1 Kate Avery, Woodham, near Newton Aycliffe, South-West Durham; 2 Sigourney Bell, Gateshead; 3 Emma Toogood, Wolsingham, South-West Durham.

Inter Girls

1 Helen Gertig, Gateshead; 2 Ashleigh Ewen, Farringdon, Wearside; 3 Rebecca Shield, Lanchester, Derwentside.

Senior Girls

1 Alex Snook, Darlington; 2 Lyndsey Dodsworth, Durham Central, 3 Jennifer Stephenson, Gateshead.