By Paul Dalton
Storm Arwen decimated running events in the North-East over the course of last weekend, with only one of the regional parkrun events, Riverside parkrun at Chester-le-Street, going ahead.
Further afield, John and Tracey Surtees completed the Burgess parkrun, which took place on the tarmac paths around Burgess Park in Camberwell, London.
John was the second finisher on the day, in a time of 16:53, and Tracey was the third female across the line in 20:49.
Not even Storm Arwen could prevent the latest cross-country (XC) fixture in the Start Fitness North-Eastern Harriers League (NEHL) taking place on Saturday afternoon.
The club were able to field a complete team in the Senior Men’s race, which took place on the lumps and bumps around Aykley Heads in Durham.
The weather was a far cry from the positively tropical conditions that greeted runners at the initial fixture at Wrekenton in September, as the wind and snow ensured Members were subjected to a cold November afternoon, with muddy conditions underfoot.
First home for the club was captain John Firby in a time of 44:48 (a net time of 42:13, after starting from the mid-pack).
John’s finishing position of 46th ensured that he will start from the fast pack for the remaining NEHL XC races this season.
John was followed by Richard Campbell in a time of 45:54, and Dez Fielden in 47:18 (a net time of 44:43 after starting from the mid-pack).
Paul Dalton was our fourth counter, in a time of 48:20 (a net time of 45:45 after starting from the mid-pack), with Peter Tennick (55:04) and Shaun Dodd (56:11) bringing the team home.
If you have any queries about the activities of Aycliffe Running Club, visit ayclifferunningclub.org.uk, or contact the club’s secretary, Donna, at [email protected].