Darlington Harriers

HARRIERS' junior athletes have done the club proud at cross-country in recent weeks. The quartet of Paul Clifford, Josh Phillips, Charlotte McGarry and Beth Ward all had impressive runs in the Durham Schools' Championships at Meadowfield to qualify for the Schools Inter-Counties Championships.

Running for Durham at South Shields, Beth staged a determined sprint over the last 400 metres to clinch the fifth counter spot for her team. Jamie Rutherford was fourth counter in the senior boys' race and Paul and Josh were fourth and fifth counters in their race after a typically-close tussle.

The club's juniors were also in good form at the Monkton Indoor Grand Prix meeting. Paul Clifford came first in the 600m and second overall. Lorna Goldsmith was first in the 60m and also ran in the 600m. Faye Bowles finished second in the 60m final.

Kate Blaylock was third in the 60m final and fourth placed overall. Emma Clifford was first in the 60m final.

Ben Wilson came agonisingly close to a personal best in the Dewsbury 10k in West Yorkshire last weekend, transferring his training form to a major road race. Ben was 45th out of more than 1,000 runners over a flat and fast, out-and-back course. He clocked 35 mins 8 secs, just five seconds outside his best. The race was won by Bill Farquharson, of Notts AC, in 30:11. Women's winner was Alex Gostling, of Leeds City, in 35:20.

First finisher for Harriers was Martin Grainger in 19th position in 33:31. Further down the field, Jack Mason finished 104th in 37:24. Linda Noble was 301st in 42:15 and Emma Morley 524th in 47:09.

There was a depleted line-up in the fifth and penultimate round of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League at Stockton on the same day. The club had two finishers in the Under-15s girls' race, with Rosie Clark eighth and Nicole Marsh 15th. Sue Phillips was 14th in the senior ladies' race.

The senior men managed the minimum of six finishers for team-counting purposes. Steve Hutchinson was first home in 31st place, followed by Ronnie Read in 40th position. Paul Smith was 43rd and Kevin Grainger 51st. Ian Barnes was 88th and Dave Wardman 95th.

* Harriers meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Eastbourne sports complex when new members of all ages are always welcome. www.darlingtonharriers.co.uk

Quakers Running Club

Brass Monkey Half marathon

TWENTY-THREE members of the Quakers Running Club made the journey to York for this popular half marathon. Ian Scott and Fiona Bailey were the star performers for the Quakers running club, Ian finished 25th overall and 1st in the Mens (0/50) category in 1:18:39 and Fiona was 95th overall and was 4th in the Ladies (0/35) category in 1:25:24.

Other Quakers: Steven Snook 1:27:47 (133rd), Dave McLachlan 1:32:52 (227th), Dave Whittle 1:33:54 (257th), Robin Towns 1:34:55, Annette Clarke 1:34:57 (286th), Peter Smith 1:36:26 (320th), Charles Bogg 1:37:53 (354th), Graham Park 1:39:32 (380th), Phil Rutter 1:40:27 (409th), Diane Vaughan 1:42:27 (451st), Peter Rowley 1:43:55 (476th), Sharron Towns 1:44:16 (485th)PB, Bev Snook 1:50:46 (616th), Wendy Colling 1:54:59 (709th), Julie Whinn 1:58:20 (764th)PB, Richard Hughes 1:58:20 (765th), Clare Francis 2:00:06 (795th), Diane Adkins 2:01:06 (815th), Julie Giblin 2:05:43 (859th), Melanie Fenner 2:12:23 (917th), Gill Wallis 2:17:58 (952nd)

NY&SD X-Country League Blakeston School

ELEVEN members of the Quakers Running Club took part in the Fifth event in the North Yorkshire and South Durham X Country League. Fiona Bailey was an impressive fifth place in the Senior ladies race in 16:14 Quakers Ladies:Beverley Snook 21:22 (31st), Diane Adkins 22:59(34th)

Quakers Men: Tim Makin 32:38(44th), Steve Snook 32:41(46th), Peter Smith 34:22(61st), Dave McLachlan 34:38(63rd), Graham Park 34:59(66th), Rob McSherry 37:34(87th), Jonathan Eccles 38:01(90th), Danny Gordon 40:18(96th)

* If you are completely new to running or a just want to improve Quakers Running Club meets at 6:15 Tuesday & Thursdays at Hummersknott School newcomers are always welcome. www.quakersrunningclub.org.uk