YORK Acorn Running Club finished in a club record 17th place in the North of England 12-stage relay, easily qualifying for the national final later this month.

Hywel Care gave Acorn a good start as he came in 20th in the tough opening leg at Heaton Park, Manchester.

Acorn dropped back to 26th over the next few legs but Andy Hilton ran a storming seventh leg to move them up four places.

Sandy Cowan and Steve Simpson each improved a place before veteran Andy Normandale overtook three teams on the penultimate leg to leave Paul Goble to anchor the team with the club's fastest short leg.

In the women's race Knavesmire Harriers came 28th with Margaret Brown the fastest runner.

York's junior runners were in action in the National Junior relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

The Under-17 girls team finished 19th with Emma Willits having a good run on the first leg to finish 17th.

Good runs from Charlotte Maxted and Gemma Bell maintained the team's top 20 slot.

Vicky Needham ran a great opening leg in the U15 girls team to place 11th out of 80 runners. The team eventually came 41st

Updated: 10:23 Tuesday, April 12, 2005