Alyson Dixon made her first steps towards World Championship marathon selection with her winning performance in Saltwell Harriers’ 10k Road Race on Saturday.
Although far from being on top form in Gateshead, she was first woman to finish in 18th overall in 35min 50sec in a record field of 476.
Jacqueline Penn (North Shields Polytechnic) was second (36.52) and Alex Sneddon of Jarrow and Hebburn took third (38.09). Sunderland Stroller Dixon returned to competition following a whirlwind round of public appearances at events up and down the country following her Olympic marathon performance in Rio in August.
The demands on her time had a significant bearing on her training and racing timetable where she was forced to reduce her programme.
Since Rio she had won the Kielder 10k in October before dropping out of the Great South 10-mile Run and then jogged round the Disneyland half marathon in Paris with Paula Radcliffe.