Newton Aycliffe: The Darlington fun run over 3.5k on Sunday, August 11, saw Matthew Bell in blistering form.

Matthew recorded a time of 11.46 to win the race, and show again what an emerging talent he is. Teammate Adam Harker's progress continued with a fine time of 13.06, to make it a one-two for the Aycliffe club.

In the main 10k race over the new two lap course, Brent Morfoot was the first club runner home in 131st place in 41.37. Mick Beadle set a new PB of 42.57 and in 168th place, Linda Connelly back after injury ran an excellent 48.48. Dave McDonald came home in 51.35, Fay Moore running her first competitive race managed a good time of 57.59.

At the White Horse 5.5 mile handicap race on August 6, the in form Peter Milburn was second fastest on the night in a time of 34.26 while Brent Morfoot managed 37.20.

The last of the White Horse handicap race took place on August 15. Peter Milburn again first back for the club in 34.22. Brent Morfoot put in a fine run and PB time of 36.42, Michael O'Sullivan ran a time of 40.30, Dave Thompson had a good run and came home in 47.30. A lot of credit must go to the Quakers Club for organising and staging such a series of races, well done everybody involved.

* Further information about the club can be found on website www.newtonaycliffeac.com.

Durham Harriers AC

Three runners from Durham Harriers AC will be amongst the elite field of athletes for the first ever npower dash round Palace Green in Durham on August 26.

The Durham Dash, sponsored by npower, is a race for a field of invited athletes to sprint against the noon chimes of Durham Cathedral which takes just 52 seconds.

They are Steve Clifford, Peter Coates and Shaun Moralee and a fourth athlete with a Durham connection is Tom Curry, who is President of the Durham University Athletics Union.

Organiser, Kevin Wilson, said: "We hope that as many people as possible will come to show their support and cheer them on."

As well as the dash, there is a family 5k run that starts at 10.45am on Prebends Bridge with proceeds going towards St Cuthbert's Hospice, supported by Bannatynes Health Club in Durham whose staff will be conducting a mass warm up for the run on Palace Green at 10.30am. There is also face painting and balloon modelling for the children and the Pedal Power Challenge to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice.