Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers: Six Harriers undertook the journey to London to take part in this year's London Marathon where conditions were dry and mostly still, though rather hot for running. A minute's silence to remember Christopher Brasher was held before the race, and was scrupulously observed. Ernie Huck was the first Harrier to finish in a time of 3 hours 18 minutes.

Alan Harman took 3 hours 33 minutes, William Barker was 3 hours 42 minutes, Nigel Morgan 3 hours 55, Paul Iley 5 hours 17, Pamela Sherlock 5 hours 38 and Marian Codling 5 hours 41. Although not in Paula Radcliffe's league, all were very satisfied with their performances.

Richmond and Zetland Harriers: Athletes from Richmond and Zetland Harriers have competed at several early-season-meetings across the North of England in recent weeks. When winter training turns into spring, athletes feel the need to test themselves ahead of the coming League competition - in the NYSD, YAL and NML.

Philip Fitzpatrick and Kim Bartram opted to compete at an Open meeting at Sheepmount Stadium on Sunday, March 30 hosted by Carlisle Aspatria. Phil, in his first track race as an under 17, placed third in the 800m in 2:12.0 and now knows he has a little more work to do in order to break the two-minute barrier. Eighteen-year old multi-eventer Kim competed in three events with the Senior Women - she placed third in the 100m hurdles in 20.1, third in the javelin with 24m59 and was fourth in the 200m in 27.3.

On the same day, James Wardman and Ken Harker travelled to SportCity, Manchester for an Indoor meeting on what was the warm-up track for last year's Commonwealth Games. Both competed in the 800m with James finishing third in 2:02 and Ken fourth in 2:06, showing that two minutes is quite a target.

Border Harriers hosted the next early-season-meeting in windy conditions at Sheepmount Stadium on Sunday, April 6 and three Harriers made the journey. Matt Prosser competed for the first time as a Junior in Senior competition and enjoyed a successful return to the track from injury by finishing second in the 100m in 11.3, the same time as the winner. He then went on to compete in the 400m, finishing third in 56.6 and the long jump which he won with a PB 5m02. Leanne and Rebecca Shaw also competed as U13s and U9s respectively. Leanne won both her races; the 100m in 14.7 and the 200m in 30.12, easily ahead of the rest of the field. Rebecca competed in the 600m and was 5th in a time of 2min.17.

James Wardman and Ken Harker made another trip across the Pennines on the same Sunday to kick-off their outdoor season. In an Open meeting organised by Sale Harriers at Longford Park Stadium, both again competed in the 800m and again finished third and fourth respectively; but whilst Ken "ran-out-of-steam" and was timed in 2:06, James managed to "keep-on-running" and finished in 1:58.

Last Sunday 13th, six Harriers went to Shildon to compete in the LinPac sponsored, Anne Marie Readshaw Memorial Open Meeting. Although the turn-out was not the biggest, there were encouraging performances throughout. Matt Prosser continued his good start to the season by finishing fourth (and second Junior) in the Senior Men's 100m race in 12.5 in very windy conditions. He was then second in the 200m in 25.9, being beaten only by D Vickers of MAC (Mandale), a Senior who has a Northern vest. Philip Fitzpatrick was third in the 800m, improving his season's best time to 2:11.6; Andrea Woodvine won the 3000m in 10:47.8; Leanne Shaw was fifth in the 100 in 15.1 and then won the 200m in 31.2 and the long jump with 4m18; Sophie Broadway was sixth in the 100m in 14.6 and fifth in the 200m in 30.2 and, last-but-not-least, Rory Wadsworth made his debut as a Harrier with third in the 100m in 16.3, was 4th in the 800m in 2:48.7 and 3rd in the long jump with 2m88.

The Club continues summer season training, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm at The Athletics Stadium, Catterick Garrison unless there is NYSD T&F competition that night - Fixture details are in the Newsletter.

* www.rzh.org.u