Sedgefield Harriers fielded a record number of eight athletes in this year’s London Marathon, all of whom did a brilliant job of representing themselves and the club. First to finish in a new club record time of 2:31:29 was David Bentley. Justin Cox and Gary Thwaites also crossed the line in under three hours, followed in short order by Mark Raine, Jane Spink, Lisa Darby, Colin Gandy and Ray Carmichael, who fulfilled a long held ambition of running in London.

Like every runner in the London Marathon, each Harrier took a distinct and personal story with them to London, along with one or two injuries that had threatened participation. Well done to all of them!

Away from London, it’s been a very busy few weeks for Sedgefield Harriers. The summer road running season is now well underway. There were more ‘marathoners’ on duty in early May in Gateshead, with Roger Whitehill (third in his age category), John Haycock and David Porter all running really well, while Aidan Maloney, Ben Smale, David Wase, Sue Dobson (third in age category) and Trina Price (first in age category) all completed a half marathon at the same event.

On the same day, Chris Lines (second in age category) and Paul Cowell took part in the Hartlepool Marina 5 Mile race on a flat but windy course. A week later, a big group headed to Wearside for the Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K races.

On a warm morning, Mark Raine, Declan Munnelly, Lisa Darby (third in age category), Ian Hedley, David Porter, Mark Chapman, Helen Hedley and Anna Haycock all completed the half marathon. Meanwhile, in the 10K, Sadie Abel continued her great recent form by finishing in a new club record time of 39:24. In the same race, there were more great performances by David Walker, Gary Forster (who set a new personal best), Claire Lee, Matt Cooke, Chris Ward, Victoria Fawcett, Andrew Swinbank, Trina Price and Graham Darby.

On top of all of this, Sedgefield Harriers also recently hosted the annual Neptune Relays event in Hardwick Park. Over 100 teams of all ages took part this year, enjoying the glorious weather and surroundings of the park, as they took on a series of four-leg relay races, with each runner completing 1.7 miles. The senior men’s event was won by a team from Elvet Striders.

Crook AC won the senior women’s race. The home club took both junior titles. The Neptunes attracted teams from all over the region, with category winners receiving the traditional prizes of fruit. Along with participants from many of the North East’s leading clubs, there were also non-club and mixed teams, and even a team of youngsters from Fishburn Community FC’s U13s.

Staging the Neptune Relays is only possible thanks to a huge team effort by volunteers from within Sedgefield Harriers, and the support of the team at Hardwick Park. The club is grateful to everyone who helped, and to all of those who supported the event by taking part.

The pinnacle of Sedgefield Squash Club’s season is the Club Championships, the finals for which took place on 9 May. This year, the club tried a new format where players were graded, the outcome being more prizes for a wider range of people. Results on the night were:
U11 winner - Oscar Allen, runner up Flynn Probart
Junior Champion- Huey Lamb, runner up Magnus McKay
Junior Plate winner - Josh Bunting, runner up Samuel Lines
C Grade winner - Richard Flanagan, runner up Craig Weatherspoon
C Plate winner - Colin Pearce, runner up Jimbo Evans
B Grade winner - Phil Best, runner up Tom Hartburn
B Grade Plate winner - Chris Rowsby, runner up Neil Kime
A Grade winner - Ben Storey, runner up Gary Ankers
A Grade Plate winner - Peter Redshaw, runner up Ian Williams Club Champion - Rob Pearce, runner up Oliver Walls
Club Championship Plate winner - Colin Langley, runner up George Peden
Ladies Champion - Karen Naunton, runner up Emma Allen.

Two nights later, representatives from the club went to Norton Squash Club for the county’s annual presentation event. All of the season’s winners picked up their trophies, including the first team who were runners up in the Boss League Cup.

In addition, awards announced on the night included Huey Lamb who won County Junior of the Year, Oliver Walls who was named County Player of the Year, and Julia Rowsby, who is on the County Committee and picked up the unsung hero award for all the work she does on top of being treasurer.

In all, it has been a hugely successful season for Sedgefield Squash Club. Although the club’s leagues are at an end for the season, members can continue to play competitive squash by participating in the Summer Ladder.

If you would like to get involved in squash or racket ball, you can contact the club at info@sedgefieldsquashclub.co.uk.

The driest spring in living memory has allowed the 2025 local cricket season to get underway without a single abandoned match anywhere in the region to date.

The picky types may point to the often cold conditions, but that doesn’t seem to have bothered Sedgefield Cricket Club’s junior teams who have all made excellent starts to their seasons. The senior teams have also made solid starts to their league campaigns, with the 1st XI picking up the notable scalps of Darlington and Thornaby in consecutive games.

With home matches being played almost every day and the bar open, residents are encouraged to pop along to join or renew memberships. With member discounts making prices notably cheaper, the club remains a great place to enjoy your social time, whether that’s to watch the cricket, televised sport or join the growing contingent of darts players who base themselves there.

Sedgefield District RUFC finished the season on a high, with the team securing their status in Durham and Northumberland League Division 2. To celebrate, and with an eye on the future, the club will host a family fun day on the pitch next to the cricket club, from 4pm on Saturday 7 June. See poster on page 5. Everyone will be welcome.

In addition, Sedgefield District RUFC puts on touch rugby sessions on Monday evenings at the same venue, from 7pm to 8pm. Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, go along and get involved. To find out more about the club, you can find it on Facebook and at pitchero.com/clubs/sedgefielddistrictrufc.

It's been a busy start to the year for Fishburn Chi Taekwondo at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, with a Kup grading (belt promotion) in early March, when 16 students were successful in obtaining their next level-coloured belts.

Also, students took part in a British Taekwondo sparring competition at Newton Aycliffe leisure centre, where Haydem Ali from Sedgefield won a medal in his weight category, fighting for the first time. At the time of writing this, the club is busy practicing for an in house poomsae (pattern) competition at the end of April and getting prepared for a demonstration at the Mediaeval Fayre, followed by a Taekwondo workshop in Ceddesfeld Hall grounds.

Taekwondo is a martial art for everyone and contrary to popular belief, young people who study it do not spend their time looking for a chance to show off their skills and what they know. Instead, in realising their capabilities, they search to avoid conflict at all costs. The serious atmosphere in which classes are conducted instils a sense of respect for the art in all students, young and old.

Fishburn Chi Taekwondo Club is continuing to grow, with over 40 students now meeting every Tuesday and Thursday night, from 6pm to 7:30pm. If interested in giving the sport a go, please contact: Mike Britton on 07743455065 or 07368818372. All instructors are DBS checked and Kukkiwon certified.

The Fishburn Bowls Club green is now open for the summer and residents are welcome to pop along and try the sport. The club is keen to attract new members. To find out more, contact Dave Sayers on 07970 629013.