By Steven Dawson
Saturday January 7 saw the return to Cross Country with the NEHL Sherman Cup/Davison Shield taking place at Temple Park in South Shields.
Richard Holland was the sole representative for the club in the men’s senior race finishing in a time of 45:08.
On Sunday January 8, one member took part in the Loftus Poultry Run. Although there were no chickens involved in the race, it was set in testy conditions for the runners. David Stothard finished in a time of 1:20:26.
Sunday January 15 saw the return of the iconic Brass Monkey Half Marathon take place in York. It certainly lived up to its name with cold temperatures.
There were nine members take part in the event including Gareth Kyle 1:19:12, Trevor Dixon 1:23:44, Richard Campbell 1:24:28, Tracey Surtees 1:30:17, John Surtees 1:33:33, Richard Trowles 1:35:57, Richard Holland 1:38:44, Daniel Tatham 1:42:01 (This was a new Personal Best for Daniel), Carley Gibson 2:17:17
At the same time, one member took part in the Sedgefield Harriers Gerry Kearsley Winter Handicap running trails around Fishburn and Bishop Middleham, with Gareth Hamblin finishing in a time of 48:52.
On the same day, it was the fourth race in the North Yorkshire South Durham Harrier Cross Country League.
There were two runners in the senior and veteran women’s race being Melanie Rowland (43:36) and Kelly Dickinson (45:44).
In the senior men’s race there were four members taking part being Matt Muir (47:47), Martin Turnbull (49:02), Martyn Knox (50:53) and Shaun Dodd (51:27).
There were two members taking part in the Over 65 Men’s race with Trevor Needham finishing first (33:01) with John Burnside (36:27) finishing third. Kevin Greenall took part in the Over 70 Men’s race finishing second in a time of 39:50.
On Saturday January 21, 18 members started their weekend with a parkrun taking in the Newbury, Durham, Sedgefield, Hackworth, Marshall Drive and Babbs Mill events.
Carly Cooper competed in the Marshall Drive in Brotton event for the first time, finishing in a time of 30:43.
Over at Babbs Mill Paul Dalton continued with his parkrun tourism finishing in a time of 22:27 as he continues with his recovery from injury. Jayne Rudd also completed this course for the first time in a time of 28:02.
If you are interested in joining the club, you can turn up for one of our sessions.
More information is available at www.ayclifferunningclub.org.uk or our Facebook page.
If you would like to chat with someone, then you can email [email protected]. Make 2023 the year you get into running and join us to keep it going for many more years.