A RUNNER came within seconds of setting a new course record as he powered to victory in a popular 10k.
Indelbu Wondiye Fikre completed the 3M Aycliffe 10K race today (Sunday, June 15) in 30 mins and 51 seconds.
The runner, who was not attached to a club, was 13 seconds short of setting a new course record, which has been held by Martin Scaife, of Chester-le-Street Athletic Club, since 2001.
Alan Kellett, secretary of Aycliffe Running Club, helped to organise the event.
He said: “He really tried to beat the record and he was gutted when he didn’t.
“The race has been running since 1998 and it’s a well established race. It was very successful today and the temperature was about right for the runners.”
The race which sees runners pound the round three loops in Newton Aycliffe attracted 333 entries from across the North-East plus some from London and Northamptonshire.
The first woman to finish was Dawn Richardson, of the Quakers Running Club, who completed the race in 40 minutes and 43 seconds.
The time was around six minutes slower than the course best for a female set by Rosie Smith, of Durham Harriers, in 2012.
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