JACK Gleave won the North of England under 15s 800m title after a superb run at Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday.

Seven Warrington Athletics Club members took part over the two days of competition but 14-year-old Gleave was the star of the show.

He won silver in the under 15s 400m on day one of the meet in a new personal best time of 53.26secs.

After a steady start, Gleave trailed the field at the 200m point before making his move and almost running down the eventual winner along the home straight.

On day two, Jack took part in a very competitive 800m where it was necessary to run a swift time of 2mins 5secs to qualify for the final.

In the final itself, he showed a cool head as he tracked the early leaders before hitting the front with 200m to go.

He crossed the finishing line in 2mins 3.6secs, matching his personal best, and added the north of England outdoor title to the indoor crown he won in January.

There were no other medals for Warrington but several personal bests were set as Matt Hulse, 10mins 18.49secs, and Chris Smith, 10mins 47.85secs, finished fifth and seventh respectively in the under 15s boys’ 3000m.

Matt Pontifex also set a new personal best figure in the under 17s 1500m with 4mins 30.13secs.

Last season’s under 15s 400m and 800m double champion Sam Dykes has now moved into the under 17s age group, competing against older athletes, but still gave it his best shot.

Sam qualified for the finals of both events in his new age group, finishing fourth in the 800m in 2mins 0.4secs and fifth in the 400m, setting a new personal best time of 51.5secs en route to the final.

Adam Nicholls took part in two events, narrowly missing a medal in the under 17s long jump, where he finished fourth with a jump of 6.04m, and running 11.95secs in the 100m heats.

In the under 17s 1500m steeplechase Tom Jervis was just outside the medals, finishing fourth in 4mins 46secs.

Meanwhile, James Gladman was commended for his sportsmanship by race officials.

Leading at the midway point of the under 17s 100m hurdles final, northern indoor silver-medallist Gladman caught a hurdle with his leading leg, causing him to pull up and ending his chances of victory.

James composed himself and made his way to the finish line where he shook the hand of each of the finalists.

This display of sportsmanship caught the eyes of the north of England officials and the north of England president was compelled to make an announcement at the close of the championships to single out James’ outstanding sportsmanship.

* WARRINGTON Athletic Club’s Liam Thompson finished fourth in the Walton Park Road Race in a time of 26mins 58secs and Louisa Wood finished 23rd and was first woman in an excellent 29mins 35secs.