Athletics

Kevin Archer consolidated his position as one of the country's top O-45 track athletes by producing two of his best performances last weekend at the British Masters indoor Championships at Kelvin Hall Glasgow. Despite being close to the top of his age group, he finshed fourth in the 1500 metres in a time of 4.24.19 and then ran 9.26.93 the following day in the 3000 metres to be second and win a silver medal, beating not only British but World champions. This 3000 metres result will keep Kevin high up in the World rankings which two years ago saw him as second fastest O-45 in the World.

Shildon

Five club athletes represented the North East at Nottingham last Saturday in the Reebok UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships with excellent performances from them all.

Khalil Thompson had a great run in the Under-13 Boys race, when he finished 27th overall and first finisher for the North-East in a time of 11.38 over the 3k. course.

In the Under-13 Girls race over 3k, Abby Suffield had a excellent run to finish 58th overall and third finisher for the North-East in a time of 13.00.

Abigail Wilson had a much improved run than last year when she finished in a excellent 131st place and sixth back for the North East in a time of 17. 39 over the 4k. course.

Natalle Owens put in a good performance in the Under-17 girls event over 5k when she finished 128th overall and eighth finisher for the North-East in a time of 21.53.

Finally, performance of the day went again to Matthew Lomax in the Under-17 Boys race over 6k when he had a brilliant run to finish 53rd place overall and fourth counter for the North-East team and earn him a bronze medal in a super time of 22.19.

The following Sunday at the North Yorkshire & South Durham Cross Country fixture held at Whitby, in the senior men s event debutante runner Rob Dobson had an excellent run to finish in 57th place in a time of 35. 47, other finishers were John Dennis 30th, Adam Ingram 42nd, Malcolm Ingram, 46th, Chris Griffth 59th, Dave Anderson 85th, Chris Bowran 88th and Gary Bainbridge 115th.

In the Under-13 Boys Shaun Hewitson had an improved run to finish seventh in 10.29 as did older brother Matthew Hewitson in the Under-15 Boys event when he finished fourth in a time of 12. 21 just behind club mate Warren Roberts who had an excellent run to finish second in a time of 11.41.

The club's only girl runner of the day was Natalie Cross in the Under-15s event when she had a steady run to finish in 20th place in a time of 15.40.

* Anyone interested in athletics can come and try with no obligation to join at the Stadium 2000 Sunnydale Leisure Centre, on Monday and Wednesdays at 6pm, or contact Mr N Stockley on (01388) 776083 or (07855) 029645.

Thirsk and

Sowerby Harriers

The latest in the Fell Race series, at Danby Beacon, was entered by just five Harriers, on a cold but dry morning, though it had been very wet the previous night. Second, in a time of 57.21, was Angela Hayward as the first Harrier home, and first in the V1 category, in a time of 73.29. Oliver Harrison was 44th in 78.23, Alan Wikeley 45th in 79.20, Pat Kirby 57th in 84.36 and Steve Harrison 60th in 86.18. Pat Kirby was first finished in the FV3 category.

The following Sunday saw eight women and six men running in the fourth race of the NYSD Cross Country series of races, on a cold bright afternoon, with conditions underfoot good for running. The Ladies' race was won by Louise Jackson of Richmond and Zetland in a time of 19.18 minutes. Angela Hayward finished in seventh place in 20.32, only a split second ahead of Catriona Goudie in eighth in 20.33. Angela was again the winner of the V1 category. Jill Soper was 24th in 22.22, Pat Kirby 29th in 23.18, new member Emma Passman 32nd in 23.44, Nicola Thorpe 38th in 24.48, Fiona Wilson 44th in 26.56 and Marian Codling 47th in 30.53.

Stephen Hepples of Loftus AC won the men's event in a time of 28.55 minutes. Walter Busuttil, having lost his shoe part way round and losing time in replacing it, finished in 25th place in 33.06, Richard Soper 63rd in 36.09, Ernie Huck 81st in 39.13, Alasdair Thorpe 94th in 40.45, Alan Wikeley 102nd in 42.21, and another new member, David Shorrocks 112th in 45.12.

The next competitive event in the calendar is the Snake Lane 10 at Pocklington next Sun, which is one of the Club Championship events.