A SIXTY-five year age gap separates the oldest and youngest contestants in this year's Darlington Road Runs.

Harry Prince and Will Todd will be at opposite ends of the age spectrum when they take to the streets next month.

On August 12, the town will host the Darlington 10km Road Run, the 3km Junior Race and a Fun Run.

When Mr Prince, from Harrowgate Hill, competes in the 10km road run it will be the sixteenth time he has entered the race.

The 70-year-old ran the very first Darlington 10km run in 1988 and hopes to carry on competing for at least another five years.

He first took up running after a minor stroke when he was 45 and now regularly runs 15 to 20 miles each week with the Darlington Harriers.

He said: "I really like the camaraderie of it all and going to the club for the company of the men and women there.

"It does get a bit harder as I get older.

"If I can do it in 54 minutes I'll be over the moon.

"I hope to keep doing the race until I get to the hour mark and then I'll stop."

Five-year-old Will will be taking part in the road runs with his parents, brother and sister.

It will be the second time he has taken part in the Fun Run.

The Mowden Infant School pupil will be competing in the fun run with his sister Naomi, 10, while brother Ryan, 12, is entering the junior race and parents David and Suzanne will be running the 10km road race.

All the family regularly run with Darlington Quakers Running Club.

Mr Todd said: "Will's really looking forward to the race, he's all up for it and loves running.

"It's always a really good day out."