Richmond and Zetland Harriers have had a busy month in races stretching from 800m up to marathon distance.

On Saturday, April 15 Nicola and Paul Simpson took part in the Wensleydale Wander. With two distances to choose from they did the shorter 12 mile route which takes in beautiful scenery from Leyburn, Preston Under Scar, Redmire, Bolton Hall and back to Leyburn. Paul finished first overall in 1hr 43mins and Nicola was second overall in 1hr 44mins.

The following day, Pauline Whittaker and Kimberley Reeve were amongst stunning scenery too in the Swainby Sweep seven mile race. They both had strong runs with Kimberley finishing ninth overall, second female in 57m 54s (PB) and Pauline was 26th overall, first in age category in 1hr 06m 36s.

John Gray and his dog Pippa finished second in the Consett Canicross Allensford 5k on a tough, challenging and technical course.

Victoria Christon was in Manchester for the marathon and had a great run, shaving 25 minutes from her last marathon time finishing in 4hr 47m (PB). Victoria is all set to take on the Rob Burrows Leeds marathon later this month as well.

With the start of the track and field season, The Kieran Maxwell Memorial Open at Middlesbrough saw Benedict Simpson-Alexander (U20) finish third in the senior men's 800m in a time of 2m 05s (PB).

Joseph Reeve (U20) was racing in the BMC Regional races in Leeds (season opener) on April 20 in the 800m A race finishing in 1m 59s.

The TCS London Marathon took place on Sunday, April 23 and the day before was the London mini-marathon, with Benedict Simpson-Alexander racing in the 2.6km distance on a course that covers part of the iconic marathon course and finishes on The Mall. Benedict ran for Yorkshire & Humberside, and was 43rd in a time of 8m 01s.

The marathon itself saw wet conditions but an ideal temperature. Steve Middleton had an incredible run and finished in 2hr 49m 10s. This was Steve's third marathon in six months. Another sub three-hour time came from Paul Ellis, who finished in 2hr 55m 18s, Paul Simpson finished in 3hr 06m 22s and Ian Hepworth, in his 27th time running London, finished in 4hr 48m 26s and 12th in the M75 age category.

Lauren Eadon raced in the Terry O'Gara memorial 5k at Wallsend and finished 152nd overall and first in age category in 21m 20s (SB).

Ollie Middleton (U17) raced in the New Marske Spring Coast Road 5k on April 26 and finished 11th overall in 17m 19s, a personal best for the 5k distance.

There was a good turnout of Harriers for a new monthly event at Darlington South Park, hosted by Darlington Harriers on Thursday, April 27. The Monthly Mile is a series of six races and ten Harriers took part in the first one. Anthony Jefford was first in 5m 37s, Ken Harker third in 5m46s, Rebecca Smith seventh and first female in 6m 04s, Matilda Ellis ninth in 6m 14s, Nicola Simpson 11th in 6m 22s, Lauren Eadon 14th in 6m 34s, Paul Simpson 18th in 6m 54s, Gail Smith 22nd in 7m 25s, Mollie Ellis 27th in 8m 05s and Peter O'Mahoney 29th in 8m 15s. The next mile race will take place on Thursday, June 1. 

Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk