THE exciting news this week was a return to racing for Richmond and Zetland athletes. On Sunday, August 23, under strict UKA Covid-19 guidance there was a tentative return to competitive athletics with the first NECAA Track and Field in Morpeth.

Taking part in the 800m track event, which was limited to grade heats only, was Joe Reeve who ran an impressive PB of 2.10. On the same day but a different part of the North-East new member Paul Ellis took part in the Dalton Park 10K, a socially distance race with groups of six runners setting off every five mins in this hilly and muddy course. Paul ran a fantastic time of 39:54 in 40th place overall and second in the V50 category.

A week later on Sunday, August 30 Carl Jones returned to racing, taking on the tough Stanhope 10 miler which raises money for the charity Man Health. The course ascends out of Stanhope with great views of the Durham Dales with more than 1,000ft of elevation. Carl made light work of the race, finishing in first place and a time of 58:06, setting a new course record whilst he was at it.

On the same day Paul Ellis travelled to Leeds to take part in the Temple Newsam Dash Half Marathon, on a mixture of road and trail the course was far from flat. Paul achieved a time of 98:48 which placed him in sixth overall and first in his age category.

A midweek event on Wednesday, September 2 had Josh Lincoln and Ken Harker attend the Autumn Coast 3K Time Trial in Redcar. In blustery conditions on this flat coastal course there were some great times with Josh running 9:38 in eighth place and Ken finishing in 10:47 for 25th position.

Further afield, Dan Upton was back out competing for the first time in five months, with a pleasingly solid start at Nuneaton Open Events. Dan threw 12.70m in the shot-put and 38.50m in the discus. He was back again at Nuneaton on August 16 for another enjoyable event, this time throwing 12.12m in the shot and 37.88m in the discus. Dan then travelled to Doncaster on Thursday, August 20 with 12.48m in the shot-put placing him second in pool A, followed by 37.30m in the discus with a first place in pool B.

Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk