HOUGHTON HARRIER LEE DOVER REVELS IN FIRST EVER WIN IN LAMBTON RUN

Houghton Harrier Lee Dover knocked up the first win of his short athletics career with victory in yesterday’s Lambton Run.

After just two years in the sport, the 28-year-old showed positive intent from the off on his journey around the Earl of Durham’s vast estate.

He showed real aggression as he led throughout the tough multi-terrain race of approximately 10k.

Houghton Harrier Lee Dover Revels In First Ever Win In Lambton Run.

At the finish, in which he reached in 35min 52sec, he was a comfortable nine seconds ahead of runner-up Liam Taylor.

Dover, who finished third last year, said: “I decided to go from the start and see what I could do. Last year, I started too cautiously.

“It wasn’t until I was challenged at the top of the final hill that I came under threat at around the 8k distance."

“I found a bit of speed in my legs and managed to pull away. I’m delighted to have won.’’

It was Taylor, runner-up in the Penshaw Hill race just over three weeks ago, that provided the late challenge. The former Sunderland Stroller said: “I just didn’t have the strength and speed at the top of the hill.’’

Dover has been making gradual progress this summer by posting personal bests for 10,000m (33.49.5) and 5000m (15.57.44) and this win is just the sort of result he needs as he looks for further improvement.

Sunderland Harrier Michael Heskett had a good run to finish sixth in 39.40, just in front of club-mate Alice Smith, who was first woman home in seventh (40.05).

She had racing doubts before the start as she was nursing twinges in her calf, on which she had been receiving treatment.

The 34-year-old said: “I have come early so I can do a long warm-up. It feels fine and hopefully I will be okay. I don’t want a hard run as I intend to race the Tynedale 10k on Tuesday.’’

The prolific racer just finished a few seconds outside her winning time of last year and was happy with her run to claim her third road race victory this month.

The second woman to finish in 17th overall was 45-year-old Sunderland Stroller Wendy Chapman, who was also first veteran (42.23)....

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