Pickering's James Buck competes in McCain City Challenge in Sheffield (From Gazette & Herald)

Pickering's James Buck competes in McCain City Challenge in Sheffield

10:46am Friday 5th February 2010

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CITY of York Athletics Club duo James Buck and Les Richards will do battle with Britain’s best in this weekend’s McCain City Challenge in Sheffield.

Buck, the 17-year-old brother of top 400 metre runner Richard, will run over one-lap and then also in the relay medley, while Richards has been selected for the shot putt.

The pair will compete for Newcastle Angels in the eight-team competition against sides representing Birmingham, Cardiff, London North, London South, Glasgow, Sheffield and Manchester.

The Newcastle team draws in a mix of established athletes and rising stars from the North-East, including North and East Yorkshire.

The highly-rated Buck, of Pickering, earned his place by winning the under-20s title at the Northern Indoor Championships 400m – running a faster time than the winner of the senior event.

The McCain City Challenge is a two-date event, but Norton Sixth Form College student Buck will miss the second leg on February 27.

He is due to compete in the National Indoor Championships instead.

Meanwhile, shot putter and discus thrower Richards is fully fit after missing large chunks of the 2009 campaign with a back injury.

He is hoping to build towards a place in the England squad for the Commonwealth Games in India in October.

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