Lambton's '˜Paradise' Run looks wide open

The race run in the private grounds of the Lambton Park Estate, not normally open to the public, is a mixed terrain event over approximately the 10km distance.

It is a rural undulating course, taking in countryside scenes from where the BBC drama The Paradise was filmed.

With last year’s winner Sunderland Harrier Andy Powell not defending his title, the way looks clear for another name to be added to the list of champions.

As well as Powell, there has been two other Sunderland Harriers that have won the race. Brian Rushworth won in 2012 and Mark Hood was successful in 2014.

There is no one yet on the entries received so far that look likely to follow them onto the top of the podium.

In the women’s race, Sunderland Harriers’ improving Alice Smith could win her first race and Durham City Harrier Kim Simpson could be her main rival.

Clubmate Michelle Avery, a winner four consecutive times from 2011, has not yet entered.

Prize winners will be invited to a SAFC game at the Stadium of Light and presented with their awards pitch side. There will be no presentations on the day.

Entries are still open where you can email: cherie.lauder@foundationoflight.co.uk or by telephone on 551 5153. There will be entries on the day.

Houghton Harrier Henry Johnson squeezed under the English Schools’ 1,500m junior boys’ entry standard (4.22) in the Inter County Schools match at Middlesbrough.

The Durham schools champion was eight tenths of a second under the mark when finishing second in 4.21.2. Clubmate Ben Mitchell won the senior shot (12.88) and cleared 37.67 in the discus.

Alex Brown was second in the senior boys’ 3,000m (9.06.5) and Phillipa Ellis was third in the junior girls’ 75m hurdles (13.00). Easington’s Tia Anderson won the junior girls’ 200m (27.00)

Sunderland Harrier Jess Fox recorded a personal best in the senior girls’ 1,500m in second place (4.50.8) and Sarah Knight was second in the inters 3,000m (11.14.5).

Houghton Harriers have three athletes heading the North East Track and Field Grand Prix in their age groups after two of the six meetings have been held.

They are senior women Michelle Hahn, under-17 Jack Bittlestone and under-15 Philippa Ellis.

With the top six in each age group awarded prizes, Houghton also have three others in a prize winning contention.

They are under-13 Nicole Phillips (fourth), under-17 Thomas Bowden (joint sixth) and senior man Phil McCluskey (third).

Sunderland Harriers best comes from under-20 Mark Smith (second), under-17 Declan Murray (fourth), under-20 women Jess Fox (fifth) and senior man Sparrow Morley (sixth).

The next Grand Prix takes place at Gateshead next Wednesday where the feature race will be the Stan Long Memorial Mile.

The North East Masters’ track and field championship takes place at Monkton on Saturday at 11am.