Ellie Edwards, 14, achieved the English Schools qualifying standard in winning the junior girls 200 metres title in the Greater Manchester School Championships at Stretford, recording 26.20. She will now represent Greater Manchester in the English Schools Championships in July.

Manchester High pupil Edwards said: "I have been working towards the English Schools Championships for two years now. I can hardly wait."

Richard Goodman, 18, tested himself against top quality senior opposition over 1,500 metres at the British Milers Club meeting in Watford.

Having spent much of April at high altitude in Font Romeu, together with Olympian Paula Radcliffe MBE, his time of 3:46.84 in 11th place was one second outside his personal best.

Goodman said: "I was very satisfied with my performance in what was effectively my season opener. Together with my new coach, Andrew Hobdell, I have been focusing on endurance rather than speed in my training, and I am taking a long view over the season. I am confident I can shave a few more seconds from my time."

Goodman tackles the UK trials for the European Junior Championships next weekend, immediately after his final A-level exam.

Ben Lewis, 18, took the Greater Manchester Schools senior triple jump title, recording 12.64 metres. In the Middlesex Schools Championships in Hendon, Leo Kaye, 15, placed third in the Under 17 400 metres in 54.16.Sam Shindler-Glass, 14, set a personal best of 4:20.89 in coming fourth in the Under 17 1500m.

USA Olympian Deena Kastor, on her return to racing three months after the birth of her daughter, recorded 35:00 in the New York Road Runners 10K in Central Park, finishing in 25th place. NYRR also staged a four mile 'Celebrate Israel' Run, in which Londoner David Peters, 39, finished 3rd in 20:44.