Wall flowers to triumph again

May 28 2007 By Bill Mcguirk, The Evening Chronicle

Terry wall bounced back to winning ways but narrowly missed out on a record-breaking run in the Raby Castle 10km.

The former North of England 10,000m track champion was having his first 10km race for 12 months after easing back on competition, but he showed signs of his old self as he led the 400-strong field home in 33 minutes 11 seconds.

Wall's winning time was just three seconds outside Jon Orange's 2002 mark, denying the Morpeth Harrier the £50 bonus on offer for a new course record.

"I knew about the record and I thought I had a chance," said 36-year-old Wall, who was well on target at halfway, which was reached in 16min 11sec.

"With a kilometre to go I knew it was going to be close, but in the end I just ran out of steam as my legs began to buckle.

"I'm still pleased to have won after finishing third behind Nick Swinburne and Michael Openshaw last year.

"The course is quite tough and it was really windy on the open stretches, but I think the record is there to be beaten. Perhaps next year I can come back and defend my title and run four seconds quicker!"

Wall took an early lead and stretched the field out as it weaved its way through the castle's picturesque grounds.

By halfway he had a 30-second advantage over Jonathan Powell of Durham City, with Pocklington's Tom Danby, Dave Kesterton (Bromsgrove and Redditch), Morpeth's Alan Shepherd and Jonathan Archer, of Low Fell, battling it out behind.

It was a race against the clock for Wall, and, although he extended his advantage to 63 seconds at the finish, there's no doubt he would have dipped under the old figures had he been pushed.

Archer proved the stronger on the second circuit and moved through for a comfortable second place ahead of Danby, Kesterton and Shepherd.

Durham University, who support the event in great numbers, once again had a huge turnout and they were led home by Andrew Lawrence in ninth place as they picked up the team award.

Former Durham University student Aiveen Fox recorded her third victory in four years as she denied in-form Louise Noble (Sunderland) the chance of retaining her title.

Fox was way off her own course record but was nevertheless happy to keep her unbeaten run going in the event.

"I like this race. I've now won it three times and it's in such a lovely setting," said the Morpeth Harrier, who works as an assistant forensic psychologist at Durham's Frankland Prison.

"It's always nice to win any race, but especially pleasing when you are returning after a lean spell away due to work and other commitments.

"I'm now looking forward to running the Blaydon again and also the Tynedale race in the next few weeks."

Noble came through on the second circuit to grab runners-up spot from Middlesbrough and Cleveland's Carolyn Summersgill.

RESULTS - Men: 1 T Wall (Morpeth) 33:11; 2 J Archer (Low Fell) 34:14; 3 T Danby (Pock) 34:24; 4 D Kesterton (Broms, M40) 34:26; 5 A Shepherd (Morpeth) 34:54; 6 A Chadfield (Bill MH) 35:05; 7 J Powell (Dur U) 35:26; 8 J Prest (Traff) 35:34; 9 A Lawrence (Dur U) 36:04; 10 A Combie (Dur U) 36:10; 11 M Coffer (Dur U) 36:25; 12 L Talbot (Blyth) 36:29.

Women: 1 A Fox (Morpeth) 38:20; 2 C Summersgill (M&C) 39:23; 3 C Jackson (Allen V, W40) 40:23; 4 J Mastrolanardo (Loft, W35) 41:34; 5 V Finch (Dur U) 42:04; 6 J Dooley (Tyne) 42:30.