FIVE of Stroud and District Athletic Club's teenagers have entered the 23rd Stroud Half Marathon, sponsored by Griffiths Marshall Accountants, on Sunday, October 24.

This talented group of athletes, coached by Derek Hough, are not only top county runners but also among some of the best in the country.

Seventeen-year-old Tom Russell is rated in the top 20 in the UK for 5000 metres; Iain Whitfield, also 17, is a schoolboy international and was second in the English Schools' 1500 metres; 18-year-old Julian Hough ran last year's race in 78 minutes; Seb Duffy, previously club number one junior, is coming back to form after injury; and Jo Hill Pemberton, an 800 metres runner, is moving up to longer distances.

This quintet will be hoping to finish among the top Stroud runners and challenging the senior team members.

Entries are still flooding in and, with no entries on the day, competitors are advised to enter as soon as possible.

Entry forms are available from Stroud News and Journal office, Batemans and Stroud Information Centre or you can send your details direct to Stroud and District Athletic Club, PO Box 108, Stroud, GL5 5YT, enclosing an SAE.

Entry fees are £10 for club athletes, £11 for unattached. Cheques should be made payable to Stroud and District Athletic Club.