A TOP North-East athlete enjoyed a jog through a town centre to promote a road race next month.

Morag McDonnell, the inter-counties 5,000m champion, ran along Darlington's High Row.

She will be one of more than 1,000 people expected to take part in the Sherwoods Chevrolet Darlington 10K Road Run around the town next month.

She was also promoting a shoe lab which will be set up in Darlington's market square on the day.

The shoe lab, run by sport company Saucony, looks at athletes' running style and advises them about how to improve.

Experts recommend footwear which will suit individuals, and can also warn competitors if they are risking injury with their running style.

Ms McDonnell races for Chester-le-Street Harriers and can run 10km in under 34 minutes.

Jeff Dawson, events manager for Darlington Borough Council, said he was pleased athletes of her calibre were taking part in the race. He said only a handful of men would be able to beat Ms Donnell's time.

The deadline for entry forms is on Monday - but competitors have been told they can also sign up on the day of the race - Sunday, August 14.

Mr Dawson said 750 people had already registered and they were expecting a bumper race this year.

Proceeds from the race will be split between Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital and St Teresa's Hospice.

Entry forms are available from the Dolphin Centre or log on to www.runners world.co.uk

Full speed ahead: Inter-counties 5,000m champion Morag McDonnell runs along High Row to launch the Darlington 10K

Picture: SARAH NICHOLSON