Shaw triumphs at Marina 5-mile road race

The New Marske Harrier clocked a record time of 24 minutes, 24 seconds to triumph around the seaside route, finishing in front of the Wingfield Castle near Hartlepool Historic Quay.

It was a majestic performance from the Middlesbrough man to bring home the record 550-strong field, beating last year’s champion Greg Jayasuriya by more than a minute and a half.

The Middlesbrough & Cleveland runner was runner up in 25-57, just in front of Quakers Running Club’s Mike Joyeux (26-07).

Shaw took charge of the annual event from around the mile-mark, opening up a commanding lead before sprinting down the finish straight in the sky blue vest of New Marske.

The former Hartlepool Mail reporter, now writing on Premier League-chasing Middlesbrough for the Evening Gazette, was thrilled with his victory.

“I was really pleased with that,” the 27-year-old told SportMail.

“It was pretty slow early on but got faster as it went on.

“I’ve ran three races in four weeks and ran a PB in all of them, a 10K, 10 mile and now this.

“It’s the time of year as an athlete you want to be in some kind of form ahead of going on the track in a month or so.

“I’m happy with that. Greg has had a great year in cross country, he’s been flying over the mud.”

Shaw clinched a prize from sponsors, Pearts Fencing, for setting a new course record.

It came as a pleasant surprise given he was away enjoying himself on a stag do last weekend with Hartlepool runner, Richard Morrell.

And Shaw had word of praise for the event, again staged superbly by Burn Road Harriers.

“It’s class, it always is,” he said. “There were 550 runners here, it’s a must-do race for anyone in the area.”

Darren Armstrong was the first runner in from host club, finishing in 15th in 28-02, just in front of team-mate, Simon Bennett.

“I’d done 65 miles in the week and the last quarter here was a bit of a struggle,” said the 39-year-old.

“I’m over the moon with how it went.

“I’m from Shotton so they class me as a yakker, but I love running for this club and I’m pleased to be the first Harrier home.”

Durham City’s Joasia Zakrzewski was the first female in a course record of 28-56 and New Marske’s Hassan Ben-Tiba was the first U20 finisher.

To complete a good day for New Marske, the East Cleveland club clinched the team prize.