ATHLETE Darren Towart has capped a memorable year with an impressive performance at a Gateshead Indoor Series meeting.

The Tynedale Harrier took on junior and senior competitors from across the North-East in two 60m flat races, finishing third in one with a time of 7.93s, and winning another in 7.83s.

He also took on the 60m hurdles, and was second senior (age over 20) to cross the finish line.

Tynedale were also represented at the event by Oliver Hunter and Ellis Leonard in the high jump.

Hunter won the U13 boys’ category with a jump of 1.40m, while Leonard took the junior male category with a jump of 1.80m.

The event was hosted by Gateshead Harriers, and attracted participants from clubs across the region, and as far afield as Kidderminster.

Towart said: “This is a great event which enables athletes to test themselves during the winter months.

“It also sees junior and senior athletes compete against each other in races.

“It’s good for competition and to spur each other on to achieve the best we can.”

Towart was pleased with his efforts, after running the shorter 60m races for the first time since March.

He added: “One of my races was delayed by 45 minutes. Trying to keep yourself warm and ready to go is not easy, but overall I was very happy with how I did.”

Towart received a nomination for sportsman of the year at the Sport Tynedale Awards two weeks ago.

It followed an outdoor season in which he represented Great Britain at the World Masters Championships in Spain, last September.

Towart recorded a personal best time in the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles, in the 40-45 age category, in Malaga, and qualified for the final. In August, he won gold at the British Masters Championships in Birmingham, also in the 400m hurdles.

Towart will compete at the New Year Sprint in Edinburgh, on December 30, as he prepares for the World Indoor Championships, in Poland, next March.