By Steven Dawson
It has been another busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with some unique races this week.
On Wednesday, July 17, one member took part in the Run Nation Hexham 10k, with Ian Stothard (1:19:02) the sole representative for the club.
On Thursday, July 18, 16 members took part in the Durham City Run Festival.
Seven members took part in the 5k race with Tamara Kirk (28:01), Alan Kellett (33:17), Jayne Rudd (33:30), Em Flynn (34:08), Anne Kellett (34:16) Steph Colvin (35:26) and Christina Lambert (40:05) representing the club.
In the 10k race, nine members represented the club including Sam Keenan (in a new 10k PB of (41:23), Max Todd (44:13), Sarah Gill (54:33), Trish Kay (56:35), Jean-Pierre Hupin (1:02:23), Sue Podmore (1:02:28), Kirsty Cameron (1:02:49), Richard Tonge (1:05:52) and Sam Harding (1:06:45).
On the same night, two members travelled to Flatts Lane to take part in the fourth race of the Muddy Roads series of races, the Pine Forest 5k. Representing the club were Melanie Varley (34:21) and Peter Varley (36:08).
On Saturday, two members completed their fourth ultra marathon of the year, an amazing achievement.
Salv (8:57:14) and Cath McDonnell (8:57:18) took part in the 50k Boudicca Way Ultra which follows a beautiful trail through historic South Norfolk Villages where Boudicca, The Queen of Iceni, once ruled with the race finishing in Norwich.
On the same day one member took part in the Dalesrunner 30 which is a 31.7k trail race that ascends almost 3,000ft from Swaledale up to the Tan Hill Inn (Great Britain’s highest pub), taking in part of the Coast to Coast path and a section of the Pennine Way. Paul Dalton continued his training for an upcoming Ultra, finishing in a time of 4:27:27.
On Sunday, three members took part in the Run Northumberland Super-Fast 10k, with Angela Sutheran (49:31), third female overall and first in the over 50 category. Dave Stothard (52:13) was third in men’s over 55 category with Ian Stothard (1:14:31) also representing the club.
On Saturday, 29 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
At Beckton Lou Mann (37:26) completed the first for the first time as well as it being her 50th different parkrun location. At Darlington South Park, Peter Varley (32:06) completed the course for the first time.
At Hackworth, John Firby (18:59) finished first, with Rob Young (21:12) third. Tracey Pickering (43:03) and Cliff Pickering (46:15) both completed the course at Horton Park for the first time with Sarah Gill (27:34) doing the same at New Earswick.
At Isabel Trail, Carley Cooper (28:42), Jean-Pierre Hupin (28:45) and Em Flynn (35:26) all completed the course for the first time.
At Jubilee, Bernadette Cooper (23:26) finished as first female.
At Wynyard Woodland, Floyd Jones (21:16) completed the course for the first time, finishing third with Dave Stothard (24:31) setting a new PB for the course. Kevin Greenall (30:52) completed the course at Carlingwark Loch for the first time.
If you are feeling inspired and are interested in joining the club, you can turn up for one of our sessions, or visit ayclifferunningclub.org.uk
