Chester-le-Street Harrier Morag MacDonnell finished off her track season with a fine third place in the 5,000 metres at a midweek track meeting at Solihull on August 5.

She clocked a time of 16.26 , behind winner Debbie Robinson in 15.47. The race was run with a pace maker for the first four laps (the event is run over 12.5 laps). This marked the close of a long and highly successful track season for Morag (currently North East 5km Road Champion) who has recorded pbs in the 1500m, 3,000m and 5,000m, as well as representing both Great Britain and England. Most recently she achieved her first England vest on the track in County Cork. In addition to all this Morag became the first UK athlete to receive sponsorship from leading Swiss based sports company Odlo, who sponsor many leading athletes on the continent.

After the event Morag declared herself happy with the result, feeling confident that next season she will be able to break 16 minutes for the same event.

Now her focus shifts to preparations for the cross country season, where it is hoped she will represent both Great Britain and England.

Crook & District

Former champions Crook & District Athletic Club just failed to regain the North East Veterans Track League title due to lack of numbers in the fifth and final round at the Monkton Stadium, Jarrow.

Leading by 31 points after the first four rounds, Crook's depleted squad was heavily outscored by defending champions NEVAC who retained the championship by ten points, 335 to 325. Birtley AC easily retained the women's title.

Crook's World Masters silver medallist Kevin Archer topped the mens 45-49 year age group in the distance events, while clubmate Chris Foote-Wood was top points scorer in the distance and sprints events in the mens 60-64 year age group.

Age group winners: Men: 40-45 yrs., Rob Anderson (Birtley) sprints, George Harden (Sunderland) distance, jumps, Steve Donkin (Birtley) throws; 45-49 yrs., Alan Readman (Houghton & Peterlee) sprints, jumps, Kevin Archer (Crook & District) distance, Trevor Cornwell (Birtley) throws; 50-54 yrs., Dean Morris (North Shields Poly) sprints, Archie Jenkins (Morpeth) distance; 55-59 yrs., David Tate (Newburn) sprints, S Ecclestone (Houghton & Peterlee) distance, Terry Hudson (Jarrow & Hebburn) throws; 60-64 yrs., Chris Foote-Wood (Crook & District) sprints, throws; 65-69 yrs., George Smith (Gateshead) distance, Hugh Ryan (NEVAC) jumps, throws; 70+ Eric Appleby (Heaton) distance, Bob Laidler (Sunderland) throws.

Women: 35-39 yrs., Ann-Marie Larkin (Gateshead) throws; 40-44 yrs., Lesley Smith (Morpeth) sprints, Lynn Marr (Tynedale) distance, Jan Anderson (Birtley) throws; 50-54 yrs., Lesley Inwood (Birtley) throws; 55-59 yrs., Nadine Garnham (Birtley) sprints.

Shildon

Shildon athletes were out in force at the weekend's Darlington 10km road race.

In the main event, Chris Bowran was first back for the club in 43.22. He was followed by one of the club's junior coaches, Dave Owens, recording a personal best of 44.55. Another coach, John Hewitson was next home in 45.22, with Mick Horan 34 places behind in a time of 45.30.

Others: Ian Rudge (46.50), Kevin Thornton (48.30), John Gibson (49.34), Phil Crow (50.20), John Gray (51.25), and Peter Lawson (54.23) completed the club picture.

In the first race of the day, Simon Hewitson showed a clean pair of heels to his competitors in the junior fun run over one mile, with a comfortable victory. In the older age group fun run, Khalil Thompson warmed up for the national track and field championships this weekend by finishing in third place behind older rivals. Matthew Hewitson in 6th place and Jalal Thompson in 7th completed the team.

This weekend, the club have four athletes competing in the AAA national championships at Sheffield. Khalil Thompson, and Durham schools champion, Warren Roberts compete in the U15 boys 1500m. Alex Todd, Durham schools 100m champion competes in both 100m and 200m, whilst Durham schools high jump champion, Michael Wilkinson competes in his specialist event.

The club's junior section return to training next week. Both the middle distance and sprint groups resume on Monday, August 18 at 6pm, and continue every Monday and Wednesday throughout the winter months. The popular primary schools group (8-11 years) begins on Wednesday, August 20 at 6pm and continues each Wednesday. All three groups will resume their training at the Stadium 2000 arena in Shildon.

For further details contact Neil Stockley on 07855 029645.