By Donna Campbell
This race report covers the first two weekends of October. The first, 6th October was a cross country race at Acklam, the first of the NSYD cross country league for this year. Our club had a great turnout for this race.
Some of our youths took part in this with three girls taking part in the under 11 race of 1.25 miles. First back for ARC was Hannah Brischuk in 07.27, followed by Courtney Bowes 08.03 and Felicity Lineton in 8.15.
Ferne Brischuk was our only representative in the Under 13 girl’s race completing this in 11.45 for 1.75 miles.
Two of the juniors also took part in their first parkruns in Kirkcaldy in Scotland on 12th October. James Hodgson completed this in 23.07 followed by Zoe Hodgson in 29.50.
In the senior ladies’ race (approx. 3.5 miles) first home was Tracey Surtees in 23.44 followed by Michelle Scott 25.46, Michelle Jane 26.07, Susan Milburn 29.28, Michaela Kerr in 31.52, Kelly Dickinson in 32.11, Bev Phillippo in 32.15, Melanie Rowland 33.25, Anne Kellett 34.14, Jane Burnside 36.06, Susan Clark 38.20, and Jan McLuckie in 43.29.
Last up was the men’s race which is a distance of around 10k. First home was John Surtees in 38.54, followed by Andrew Sedgewick in 43.39, Richard Holland in 44.48, Martyn Knox 50.22, John Burnside 50.34, Ryan Pearson 51.14, John Richardson 56.45, Alan Kellett 58.49, David Stothard 58.50.
Also on Sunday we had two members take part in the Great Cumbrian Run. This is an annual half marathon which takes place in Carlisle. Mark Bainbridge and Heather Morgan both completed this in 1.44.09.
In addition three of our members took part in the Loch Ness Marathon. The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continues through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands. Sandra Collins completed this in 4.39.38 followed by Richard Tonge in 4.48.22 and Kathryn Waterworth in 5.33.17.
The following weekend was the Kielder running festival which took place over two days. On Saturday 12th was the 10k race which had the better weather. First home for ARC was Richard Tonge in 1.01.02 followed by Judith Porter in 1.04.43.
Sunday saw runners of ARC compete in both the half marathon and marathon distances. Kielder is a beautiful location but unfortunately the runners couldn’t see the lake for the first 3 miles due to the fog. However it did brighten up but the marathon runners got caught in torrential rain. The course is all off road and very undulating. It is a favourite course for some members
In the half marathon, Mark Bainbridge and Heather Morgan both completed this in 1.49.13 followed by Trish Kay in 1.54.16.
In the marathon, Michelle Dixon and Susan Cranswick both came in in 4.13.19 followed by Andrew Lumley in 4.32.05.
Also that day, but closer to home, we had two members compete in the Richmond Castle 10k. This was a slightly amended route to previous races. David Stothard completed this in 58.59 followed by Eve Doe in 1.12.40.
For anyone interested in joining the club, you can simply turn up at one of our sessions all of which start from the Oakleaf Complex in Newton Aycliffe. Monday night is beginners run at 6.30pm, Tuesday is endurance/speed session from 7.00 pm, and Thursday is a track session and this takes place at Shildon Track. Further details can be found on our website or facebook pages or alternatively you can message the club via facebook for more information.
