By Steven Dawson
It has been another busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with the races continuing to come thick and fast.
On Wednesday, July 31, three members took part in the Gerry Kearlsey Handicap race, which is a multi terrain route on trails around Fishburn and Bishop Middleham with handicaps based on a most recent 10k time.
Keith Hatton (58:00), Sarah Gill (53:44) and John Burnside (53:51) all represented the club.
On Saturday, one member took part in the Isaacs Tea Trail Race, which is a 37-mile loop from Allendale, via Nenthead, Alston and Ninebanks and includes over 5,000 feet of ascent, making it a really challenging run for anyone.
Set in stunning scenery, Sandrine Hewitt completed the course, running further than the suggested distance, finishing in a time of 12:33:01.
All the more remarkable considering, the injury problems she faced in the build up to the race.
There were times, she felt like giving up, but Sandrine showed amazing determination and mindset to keep going until the end and everyone at the club is proud of her achievement.
On Sunday, an amazing 40 members took part in the Darlington 10k, a fantastic turnout from the club.
Representing the club were Mikey Taylor (35:42 in a huge new PB), Trevor Dixon (36:27, a new PB), Richard Campbell (37:28), Matt Muir (37:49 and new PB), Richard Trowles (39:50), Sam Keenan (40:20 a new PB), Kieron O’Connor (40:03 a new PB), Gary O’Connor (41:04 a new PB), Richard Holland (43:21), Martyn Knox (43:15), Daniel Tatham (43:32 and a new 10k PB), Jimmy Agnew (45:04), Bernadette Cooper (46:21), Lucy Postle (46:30), Trevor Needham (48:18), Kevin Tatham (48:17), Shaun Dodds (49:40), Sarah Gill (51:15), Sammie Metcalfe (52:18), David Stothard (51:47), John Burnside (52:17), Tamara Kirk (53:18), Cloe Livermore (53:33) Salv McDonnell (54:42), Steve Williams (54:12), Cath McDonnell (54:30), Trish Kay (54:35), Richard MacFarlane (55:00), Rob Nicholson (58:26), Sue Podmore (59:25), Gareth Hamblin (1:02:37), Sam Harding (1:01:47), Yvonne Blewitt (1:03:09), Richard Tonge (1:03:21), Eve Doe (1:05:10), Peter Varley (1:06:01), Viv Williams (1:07:25), Em Flynn (1:09:31), Ian Stothard (1:12:14) and Tracey Pickering (1:20:43).
On the same day, one member took part in the South Shields 10-mile race, with Ian Payne (1:48:42) using the run as a warm up for his upcoming Ultramarathon.
Also on the same day, one member took part in the Run the Raid Lindisfarne Trail Half Marathon which starts at Spittal near Berwick, running along the coast and before running up the causeway to Holy Island. Nici Ingman (2:47:07) was the sole representative for the club.
On Saturday, 28 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
Salv McDonnell (26:47) set a new PB for the course at Fountains Abbey with Cath McDonnell (29:00) also completing the course.
At Cliffe Castle, Em Flynn (38:16) completed the course for the first time.
Daniel Tatham set a new PB at Jubilee Park showing the fantastic improvements he has made with his running.
At Hamsterley, Rob Young (22:15) completed the course for the first time with Rob Nicholson (32:48) setting a new PB for the course.
At Wynyard Woodland, Bernadette Cooper (22:38) finished as second female with Angela Sutheran (25:03) fourth female.
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.
