Stacey Smith takes 4.5secs off 1500m best

Jun 1 2009 The Journal

GATESHEAD Harrier Stacey Smith took 4.5secs off her previous best to gain the 1500m qualifying time for the European Junior Championships later this year.

Smith, now top of the UK Under 20 rankings for this event, was third in the BMC A race on Saturday at Manchester, behind seasoned international Helen Clitheroe.

Ricky Stevenson of New Marske and Jon Taylor of Morpeth also gained personal bests in the mens’ event, behind Cheltenham’s James Brewer, both achieving European Under 23 Champ- ionship qualifying times.

Gateshead’s Ross Murray beat North Eastern champion Andrew Teate of Gateshead in the D 800m, both runners clocking bests. Elswick’s Philip Hurst won the E 1500m, taking five seconds off his previous figures.

Birtley’s Lee Millmore comfortably won the second Low Fell Watergate Trail Race, yesterday. In the unusual heat Millmore dropped his main rivals after 3km, pulling away to an 11secs victory over Elswick veteran, Stephen Grey. Crook’s Patrick Duffy took third ahead of the first lady, Aiveen Fox of Morpeth. Fox’s clubmate Jane Mooney took second, finishing seventh overall. Blackhill’s Sarah Lister came home in third position.

Jonathon Stephens of Low Fell won Saturday’s Allendale 8M Road Race, coming home 40secs ahead of his father John.

Tynedale’s Sonia Morley (9th) and runner-up Dawn Richardson of Quakers, were well inside the old record in the women’s race.