Sampson, 32, who has risen through the ranks at his club, and has had to contend with a fair share of injuries and disappointments is regarded as a hard worker who richly deserves to achieve this success in the later stages of his Senior career.

His latest effort puts him 16th currently in the country's rankings for the event, and the improvement on his previous best by nearly three seconds which he achieved exactly a year ago in Watford is outstanding.

On the Morpeth Harrier front, Chris now ranks fourth in the club records for the Men's Steeplechase behind European representative Dave Camp, and Scottish representative Archie Jenkins and Nigel Reeves, with only Gary Woods a nearer challenger previously.

At the same meeting there was both satisfaction and despair for two of Sampson's club colleagues.

Jonathan Taylor was just over a second outside his lifetime best when he finished 11th in the 'A' race of the Men's 1500m in 3m46.22s, but was only four seconds adrift of race winner and seasoned International James Thie of Cardiff.

It was not a happy night for Ian Hudspith, who doesn't seem to have recaptured his form since illness forced him to pull out of April's London Marathon.

Hudspith finished an unlucky 13th in the Men's 5000m and one place behind fellow North Easterner Ryan Mcleod. His time of 14m27.94s, still well short of what he would have wished for on the track.

• Nick Swinburn of Morpeth Harriers ended Sunderland Harrier Brian Rushworth's impressive record of five successive wins in his own club's Penshaw Hill Race when he stole victory by seven seconds with his clocking of 16m18s.

Rushworth finished second, with Morpeth Harrier Neil Wilkinson claiming third spot in 17m42s.

Swinburn became the second Morpeth Harrier to taste victory on the tough demanding course.

Terry Wall had preceeded Rushworth's incredible five when in 2002 he had clocked 16m03s.

Archie Jenkins of Morpeth was 23rd in 20m29s and was first home in the Over 55 Veteran Men's category.