A regional daily sports writer and keen runner has set a new course record for a race on his patch.

Dominic Shaw, who works for the Teesside Gazette, won the 30th Darlington 10k road race in a record time of 30 minutes and two seconds.

Sports reporter Dominic, who represents New Marske Harriers Atheltics Club, was among more than 2,000 to take part in the race.

He came agonisingly close to breaking the 30 minute barrier for a 10k road race for the first time in his career, having recorded 29.48 on the track.

Dominic told the Gazette: “I hadn’t even thought about the time so to get a course record was an added bonus.

“It’s always special to win a local race with such a rich history.”

HTFP reported earlier this month how the Gazette had decided to boycott the press box at Middlesbrough Football Club after Dominic and his colleague Jonathon Taylor were denied access to a pre-season friendly.