HUNDREDS of runners came under starter’s orders in Teesdale AC’s annual Raby Runs on Sunday.
Four races were staged, ranging from a 1.2k fun run for the U8s to the main event – a 10k which covered a testing course around the castle grounds.
The warm conditions added to the runners’ difficulty.
Despite this, there were some excellent performances across the runs.
The 10k, which attracted a field of 201 athletes, was won by James Wilkinson, of Middlesbrough and Cleveland Harriers, in 33mins 12secs.
He finished 33 seconds ahead of Crook and District Sports AC's Chris Auld, with Darlington Harriers’ Colin Taylor coming home in 37.40 for third place.
First female was 55-year-old Darlington Harrier Sue Phillips in 44.40mins.
The 5k proved to be a triumph of youth over experience as the first ten finishers were all aged 16 and under.
Joshua Wraith, of Durham City Harriers, aged 14, was first in 20.01mins, with Sunderland Harriers’ Dillon Ruvell, 13, second in 20.26.
In one of the stand-out performances of the day, 13-year-old Katie Francis, of Birtley AC flew home in third place overall and first female in 20.33, after putting up a great battle with Ruvell.
Three runners from Teesdale AC finished in the top ten. Joshua Mawer, 16, was sixth in 21.02, younger brother Nathan, 14, was eighth in 21.32, and 15-year-old Jonathan Proud was tenth in a new personal best of 21.48.
In all 120 runners lined up for the 5k race.
The 3k is a relatively new event, introduced last year after a rule change by UK Athletics which meant U11s could no longer take part in 5k races.
There was a decent turnout for this race, with good numbers from Evenwood Road Runners and Teesdale AC taking part. First past the post was unaffiliated runner Finlay Rose.
In the 1.2k race, seven-year-old Noah Hoyle, from Evenwood, outpaced the field to come home first.
Fellow Evenwood Road Runner junior Jay Horner wasn’t too far behind in third place.
A Teesdale AC spokeswoman said the event had gone well.
“There were marshals and volunteers in abundance – a great turnout to help from members of The Clique and members and friends of Teesdale AC.
“It was very hot, which made for even more challenging conditions during the three hill climb, and reaching the wooded area was a welcome breather from the head before levelling out towards the finish.”
