HUNDREDS of entries have been rejected for the 25th Blaydon Race as the 4,000 limit was passed six weeks before the big Tyneside event on June 9.

This year's event in being held in memory of long-time organiser Dr Jim Dewar, who died two days after directing last year's race, which attracted a record entry of 4,600.

After consulations with the police the race officials have decided to drop the limit - but already 600 extra entries have been posted to new organiser Bob Houston and some will have to be balloted out.

Houston said: "The number of entries we have received over the last few weeks has been phenomenal and it was just impossible to accept any more.

"The popularity of the race goes from strength to strength and it is a great shame that many athletes will miss out.

"Club athletes are notorious for leaving their entries until the last minute and I am sorry to say that those who have not already entered are wasting their time if they think they can get into the race now."

* Sunderland Harriers filled four of the first five places in the New Marske Harriers Spring 5K.

They were led home by Mark Hood, who clocked 15 mins 17 secs to beat Loftus AC's Alec Duffield by an emphatic 31 seconds. Duffield won a sprint finish with Lee Browell - both being credited with the same time - and he was followed home by Wearside clubmates Jack Martin and Mark Donkin.

The women's race was won by Tyneside's Angela Hunter (Jarrow and Hebburn), who recorded 16.04 beating Swaledale veteran Erika Johnson by seven seconds.

Results - Men: 1 M Hood (Sunderland) 15.17; 2 A Duffield (Loftus) 15.48; 3 L Browell (Sund) 15.48; 4 J Martin (Sund M17) 15.50; 5 M Donkin (Sund) 15.53; 6 N Williams (North York Moors) 16.04; 7 M McDonald (Low Fell) 16.04; 8 S Potts (Sund) 16.11; 9 D Middlesmas (Loftus) 16.32; 10 N Orr (Darlington M40) 16.36. M50 A Jenkins (Morpeth) 17.44.

Women: 1 A Hunter (Jarrow & Hebburn) 18.25; 2 E Johnson (Swaledale W35) 18.32; 3 C Summersgill (Middlesbrough & Cleveland) 18.34.