A TRIO of local athletes have excelled at the Scottish Indoor National Championships.

Tynedale Harriers Kate Smith, Jack Maxwell, and Darren Towart flew the flag for the district at the event held north of the border in Glasgow.

It was a successful day at the Emirates Arena. Towart won gold in the M40 (over 40) 400m with one of his best performances of the season.

The achievement was the perfect tonic for the 41-year-old Towart, who is preparing to travel to Sheffield to have a go at breaking his own 400m hurdles record, at M40 level.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Smith enjoyed a memorable day in the 60m hurdles at U17 level. The Prudhoe High School student won her heat with a storming performance, and a time of 8.97s.

Smith was second in the semi-final with an ever better time of 8.91s, which secured her a place in the final.

The teenager ran a personal best time of 8.88s in the final which secured her a bronze medal.

Maxwell took part in his first indoor event, and competed in the 200m.

He finished second in his heat with a time of 24.59, before finishing third in the semi-finals.

Unfortunately for the pupil at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School, his time of 24.57 saw him miss out on a place in the final.

l Hexham Middle School’s Will Ainsley competed in the North East Youth open indoors event at Gateshead. In the U13 boys’ 60m hurdles, he finished second with a time of 11.27s.