Aycliffe youngsters fly at Harrier meeting (Athletics)

Chris Gaffney was first up in the 800m, in his usual style led from the start and quickly opened up a 20m lead after 200m and went through the bell in 62 secs, he continued running strongly throughout to record an ESAA qualifying time of 2.08 and a new PB for 2006.

Chris is ranked nationally in the top ten under-15 at 800m and is still only 13.

Abby Wilson, always well positioned throughout, decided to take up the running at the bell and pushed on strongly, however was passed with 200m to the finish, she stayed on strongly to record a time of 2.22. A gutsy performance.

Neil Robinson, while still recovering from injury, ran a gritty race. Sitting in second at the bell in a time of 60 seconds, Neil decided to kick on and opened up a 4m lead only to be passed with 200m to go, however with 100m to go changed gears to regain the lead and ran on very strongly to record a new PB 2.02.

Newcomer, Thomas West, while having missed significant training due to injury made his track debut at the first NYSD of the season at Darlington in the 800m, very well placed throughout went throughout he bell in 70 secs' only to fade in the latter part of the race, he recorded a time of 2.31in very windy conditions.

Coach Paul Harker was delighted with the youngster's performances and is great reward for their commitment shown in training.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers

SHILDON was the venue for the opening match in the Young Athlete's League on April 29 where Richmond and Zetland's junior athletes recorded some excellent results; many coming away with graded times and distances and third team place overall.

The Under-13 Boys once again fielded a strong team, with wins for Nathaniel Frankland in the 100m, Ryan Richardson in the 200m, Rob MacLean in the 800m and Shot Putt and Marc Scott in the 1500m.

Calum Wadsworth also took the honours in the High Jump, as the team rounded off a successful day with a win in the 4x100m Relay.

The Under-13 Girls also had a good opening match, with Charlotte Dinsdale and Amy Coulson having a busy afternoon. Charlotte recorded 2.42.9 in the 800m and also won the Shot Putt and Long Jump, while Amy ran some great times for the 150m, 1200m, as well as competing in the Long Jump.

The Under-15 Boys also faired well, with Jack Thomson and Rory Wadsworth winning their 200m races, Sam Wood competing strongly in the 800m and Long Jump and Tom Allen and Jack Thomson winning again in the 400m races. The team also finished second in the 4x100m Relay to keep them on a sound footing. Ruth Hill was in action once again for the Under-15 Girls, taking titles in the 100m and 200m, strongly backed up by Brogan Fraser in the sprints and Long Jump, while Rachel Holloway tackled the 1500m and won the Javelin.

The Under-17 women likewise, had a successful outing, with numerous first and second places across all the events. Leanne Shaw competed in the 100m and 200m taking two second places, then a win in the 300m, along with Jo Adams, who also won her 800m race, as did sister Rosie Adams. The two sisters also took wins in the discus, while Katie Roberts took first place in the 1500m and fourth in the Shot Putt. The team rounded off the day with second place in the 4x100m Relay in a time of 55.8; only 1 second outside the club record.

RZH Results: Under 13 Boys - Nathaniel Frankland 1st 100m 14.4, Rob MacLean 3rd 100m 15.3 & 1st 800m 2. .54.5 & 1st Shot Putt 4.85m, Daniel MacFarlane 3rd 200m 30.4 & 3rd 75mH 16.8, Ryan Richardson 1st 200m 29.4, James King 3rd 800m 2.43.7, Marc Scott 1st 1500m 5.05.3, Rob Scott 2nd 1500m 5.27.0, Joseph Chapman 2nd 75mH 18.7 & High Jump 1.10m, Jon Bentley 4th Long Jump 3.38m, Tom Targett 4th Long Jump 2.73m, Calum Wadsworth 1st High Jump 1.21m & 3rd Shot Putt 5.31m, Team 1st 4x100m Relay 57.9. Under 13 Girls - Amy Coulson 3rd 150m 23.5 & 4th 1200m 4.33.4 & 1st Long Jump 3.34m, Charlotte Dinsdale 2nd 800m 2.42.9 & 1st Long Jump 3.53m & 1st Shot Putt 5.93m. Under 15 Boys - Jack Thomson 2nd 100m 13.5 & 1st 200m 26.4 & 1st 400m 60.7, Rory Wadsworth 2nd 100m 15.3 & 1st 200m 30.3 & 2nd 800m 2.45.3, Tom Allen 1st 400m 61.7 & 2nd 1500m 4.55.8, Sam Wood 2nd 800m 2.35.3 & 3rd Long Jump 3.89m, Team 2nd 4x100m Relay 56.8.

Under 15 Girls - Ruth Hill 1st 100m 13.4 & 1st 200m 26.5 & 5th 800m 2.44.1, Brogan Fraser 1st 100m 14.2 & 3rd 75mH 14.0 & 4th Long Jump 3.50m, Rachel Holloway 2nd 200m 29.8 & 2nd 1500m 5.50.0 & 1st Javelin 12.34m.

Under 17 Women - Leanne Shaw 2nd 100m 13.0 & 2nd 200m 26.5 & 1st 300m 42.9, Jo Adams 1st 300m 45.0 & 1st 800m 2.23.5 & 1st Discus 20.70m, Rosie Adams 1st 800m 2.42.3 & 1st Discus 15.59m & 1st Shot Putt 5.39m, Katie Roberts 1st 1500m 5.40.1 & 4th Javelin 15.48m & 3rd Shot Putt 5.76m, Team 2nd 4x100m Relay 55.8.

Neil Piper has once again swapped the road for the fells and headed off on the Wensleydale Wander on April 23;

a 22 mile challenge walk/run, which takes a circular route from Leyburn.

Neil reports that "this is one of the easier challenge events and was won in 3.12 hours, while myself and wife Liz completed the course in 4.40 hours."

A week later, he was back on the fells again for the infamous Three Peaks Race, which took place in excellent conditions. It is a gruelling event, which has cut-off times for those taking part, to ensure the safety of competitors and this year saw 36 people forced to withdraw. Neil beat the cut-off times comfortably to finish in 313th position, with a very respectable time of 5.02 hours.

Paul Roberts meanwhile opted for the road and took part in the Kirkbymoorside 10K race on Sunday, April 30, which is a scenic, fast, undulating course, winding its way through local villages. Finishing in a superb time of 36.55, Paul claimed 9th place overall and third in the M40 category.

www. rzh. org. uk

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

THE summer season of the Harrogate and District Summer Road Race League got underway at Otley on a balmy Thursday evening last week. A total of 262 runners from 12 clubs completed this testing 10k course which contained some long climbs in the latter stages.

Regular winner Ian Fisher of Otley finished 1st again in 32.27, but Gary Dunn came a very creditable 2nd in 33.33. Stephan Tomaszewski, in a good vein of form, was 19th in 38.50, Phil Utley 26th in 39.31, Dusan Svoboda 32nd in 40.00, Sue Busuttil 58th, and 4th lady finisher, in 42.42, Nigel Morgan 174th in 51.20, Ian Codling 187th in 52.41, Pat Kirby 209th in 54.40, Maureen Gibbs 245th in 61.40, Pamela Sherlock 249th in 63.30 and Marian Codling 258th in 68.41.

The previous weekend, Ken Evitt, not content with doing the Kirbymoorside 10k on the Sunday, joined the 332 finishers in the inaugural running of the David Lloyd 10k at Stockton on the Monday, finishing 96th in 46.47 in this very enjoyable race.

New Marske Harriers ON SATURDAY the club's senior athletes competed in the North of England Div 3E Track meeting at Carlisle and both the senior men and women did really well, the club second place out of the six teams.

In the ladies events Hannah Conroy (u20) excelled with three first places out of three events and Phil Cole in the men's had two firsts out of two events.

RESULTS: MEN: Chris Waugh 5th 100m string 1 in 12.7, 5th in 200m 1 26.3, 1st in long jump 1 6.20, 1st in triple jump1 with 12.43 and 3rd in the high jump string 2 with 1.40.

Phil Cole was 1st in 110m hurdles 1 with 20.4 and 1st in the 400m hurdles 2 with 69.3.

Charlie Burke (grandfather) was 1st in the hammer2 with 21.79, 3rd in the discus 2 with 21.21 and 5th in the javelin 2 with 21.01.

Malcolm Maher was 4th in 100m 2 with 12.5, 4th in the 200m 2 with 37.1, 4th in 400m 2 with 61.5, 2nd in 110 m hurdles 2 with 30.3, 2nd in the long jump2 with 4.80 and 2nd in the triple jump 2 with 9.60.

Stewart Hart was 1st in the pole-vault 2 with 2.10, 2nd in the discus 1 with 29.84,4th in the shot 1 with 8.10, 5th in the 1500m 1 with 6.11.4.

Andrew Hart was 1st in the hammer 1 with 23.34,5th in the 400m 1 with 63.5, 5th in the 800m 1 with 2.75.6 and 5th in the 1500m 2 with 6.32.9.

Andrew Sugden was 2nd in the pole vault 1 with 2.40, 6th in shot 2 with 4.82 and 5th in the 800m 2 with 2.40.8.

Alistair Watts was 1st in the 400m hurdles 1 with 64.4, 4th in the 3000msteeple chase 1 in 12.47.4, 4th in the high jump 1 with 1.60 and 5th in the javelin 1 with 29.34. The senior men were 5th in both 100 and 400m relays with 54.3 and 4.20.3.

Crook and District

THE Killhope Wild Race over 10km of demanding terrain saw Peter Carden finish an excellent tenth overall in a time of 51.21 and Julia Steele was fourth lady in a time of 61.06 .

The club's May handicap Alan Welsh continued his improvement by winning in 24.27 over a tough 31/4 mile route; fastest on the day was Mike Mallen in 20.07.

Joint leaders in the series are Helene Rusby and Alan Welsh.