Allan eases to Durham win ahead of championships
The Events of the North Durham City Run Festival, spanning three days, got off to a good start on Thursday with the staging of the 10km and 5km races.
The World Heritage site provided a stunning backdroptothisexcitingeventthat chased through the narrowcobbled streets and along the River Wear with views of the imposing900-year-oldCathedral along the course.
Houghton Harrier Cameron Allan warmed up for the EnglandAthleticsChampionships, on Saturday at Bedford, by having a comfortable win inthePrinceBishopsDurham City 10km.
TheUnder-23athletecompetes in the senior championships where he goes in the 1500m. He looked very comfortable throughout and was never challenged over the 10km tough course and won as he pleased in 32.25.
BehindhimcametwoSunderland Harriers in Liam TaylorandStephenJackson,who were having their own private battle, about 20 seconds behind Allan.
Taylor was always in front of his club-mate on the course which was a mixture of grass and road, but an incident as they passed the finish for the first-time risked disqualification.
TaylormistakenlyledJackson onto the wrong side of the course, missing out a timing mat and both runners did not
appearintheresults.Thiswas later corrected as they did not gain an advantage. At the finish, Taylor beat Jackson by four seconds, clocking 32.44.
Infourthplacewasanother Houghton Harrier Luke Pickering who finished in 33.20. Birtley’s David Young was
fifth (33.59) and Will Lindsay, of Durham City Harriers, was sixth 34.46.
Emma Bramley won the women’s race in 40.10 followed by Gateshead Harrier Kimberley Simpson in 40.59 and in third was Elvet Strider Emma Thompson (41.48).
Richmond & Zetland Harrier Liam Rabjohn won the 5km race in a fast time of 15.13. Tom Slane was second (16.33), Simon Fell (Peterborough)third(16.44)andGeorge Hebden(ElvetStriders)fourth (17.04).
Sunderland Harriers had
Alexander Seed in fifth (17.12), Michael Rodenby 17th (18.56) and Sam Thurlbeck 21st (19.22). The Women’s Race was won by Charlotte Dillon in 18.05, Freya Clarkson was second (18.55) and Houghton Harrier Angela Pigford third (19.09).