Another great north run from Turnbull

Gareth Turnbull retained his 4k title at Durham

Belfast student Gareth Turnbull has retained his 4k title at the Bupa Great North cross country event.

Turnbull stormed home ahead of England's Spencer Barden on a snow covered course at Consett in County Durham.

His winning time as 11 mins 12 secs.

It is the third time Turnbull, now studying at Loughborough, has won this race.

"It must be the time of year which suits me," said Turnbull.

"I can always get my act together early in the season.

"But it was a unique way to run a race in all that snow.

Paula Radcliffe won women's 6k race

"I have never experienced anything like that."

Turnbull races in Belfast in the Stormont cross country event on 20 January but his main target in the world cross country championships being held at Leopardstown in the Republic of Ireland in March.

In the women's 6k race at Durham, Paula Radcliffe of Britain maintained her dazzling end-of-year form by easily beating Olympic 10,000 metres champion Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia.

Radcliffe dominated the race from the start and finished completely on her own in a time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.

Geurra wins

Radcliffe's latest win followed her gold medal in the world half-marathon in Mexico in November.

In the men's Energizer CrossCup, Paul Kosgei of Kenya beat European cross country champion Paulo Guerra by 20 seconds.

International 4km: 1 G Turnbull 11min 12secs, 2 S Barden 11:22, 3 K Farrow 11:30, 4 A Graffin 11:36, 5 J Mayock 11:40, 6 N Bruton 11:42, 7 P Tulba 11:44, 8 G Stewart 11:46, 9 S Stokes 11:49, 10 C Bolt 11:55.