ATHLETICS DIARY

road races, seven in all, with her fastest coming in 2014 in the prestigious Fifth Avenue Mile in New York - where she posted at time of 4min 27secs.

So, how would Weightman, as well as the current leading British metric milers, including Laura Muir, perform over four 400 metres circuits plus a few added metres.

Well, the crowd packed into Olympic Park certainly got behind the athletes, Muir intent on chasing down Zola Budd’s British record of 4:17.57 which was set in 1985 in a race in Zurich, Switzerland.

However, the Scot fell agonisingly short to finish in a time of 4:18.03, a time many male club athletes would be rightly proud of.

Muir is now Britain’s second fastest female miler with Weightman, whose first attempt posted a time of 4:20.88, slotting into fifth place ahead of many illustrious names from the past including Gateshead’s Christina Boxer (4:22.64) and world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe (4:24.94).

Weightman, though, cannot claim to be the North East’s fastest miler as that honour goes to former Blaydon Harrier Kirsty Wade, who ran a time of 4:19.41 in Oslo in 1985.

Weightman returns to reality this weekend when she lines up in the Diamond League meeting in Morocco.

Before setting off for North Africa, she said: “It was great to be back racing again in the Olympic Stadium and I really enjoyed it.

“It was fun racing over a mile and even though it is only 109 metres further than your 1,500m race it certainly seemed longer.

“I am back racing over the metricmile distance this weekend in Rabat which will be my final 1,500m race before the World Championships, though I may try to fit in an outing over 800m somewhere as well.” ■■THE fourth fixture of the North Eastern Grand Prix takes place at Monkton Stadium tonight with registration from 6.00 and the first action scheduled for 7.00.

There are graded 100m 200m, 800m and 3,000m on the programme as well as age group hurdles, 200m and 800m, while field eventers have the choice of pole vault, shot, triple jump, javelin, high jump and long jump. ■■SUNDERLAND Harriers’ annual 5k road race, again incorporating the North East Counties and North of England Championships, will be staged at Silksworth tomorrow night.

Due to the huge numbers expected, there are two races – the first at 6.45 for women and over-50 men, followed at 7.20pm by the senior men and veteran 40-50 men.

Entries taken online at runbritain.com/races and also sportsoft race results. ■■THE Hexham Half-Marathon, which starts adjacent to Hexham Abbey, is held on Sunday, July 16 with a 9.00 start.

The organisers have secured a 99% new traffic-free course which passes through Sandhoe and Corbridge.

Entries taken online at runbritain. The programme also include a 5k event. ■■THE Durham City 10k and 5k Run, which has a spectacular finish outside the cathedral, takes place on Wednesday, July 19 with a 7.15 start.

Entries via the Durham City 10k webpage. ■■JARROW and Hebburn AC’s annual Cock Crow 5k multi-event is on Tuesday, July 25.

The progamme opens with 2k junior run at 6.45 with the main event scheduled for 7.15.

Entries for the junior run are accepted on the night at the race headquarters, entries for the 5k taken online at runbritain.