By Steven Dawson
It has been another busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with members taking part in some iconic races this week.
This started with two members taking part in the monthly mile at South Shields on Wednesday, June 7.
Melanie Rowland (8:20) and Ian Stothard (9:45) both setting new personal bests for the event.
Friday, June 9, saw the return of the famous Blaydon Race which is the largest club race in the North-East.
The club was well represented with 10 members taking part with Richard Trowles (37:20), Richard Holland (39:06), Gary O’Connor (39:38), Peter Tennick (45:09), Kirsty Cameron (48:01), Trish Kay (49:00), Keith Hatton (49:23)Carley Gibson (50:29), Alan Kellett (53:32), Eve Doe (58:17) and Anne Kellett (56:24) all representing the club.
Saturday, June 10, saw the return of the annual Swaledale Marathon. This is a scenic but brutal off and on road marathon passing through some of Swaledale’s finest scenery although the dry and warm conditions made it very difficult for the runners.
Representing the club were Martyn Knox (5:20), Michelle Dixon (6:03), Nicola Ingman (6:55), Bev Philiippo (8:05) and Craig Robinson (8:19).
On the same day one member took part in the Roman Wall Show Fell race which was a 4.4 mile race along some of the most stunning parts of Hadrians Wall. Shaun Dodd finished the race in a time of 44:23.
On Sunday, June 11, two members took part in the Summer Coast 5 Mile race at Marske-by-the Sea with David Stothard (42:25) and Ian Stothard (56:09) both representing the club.
At the same time one member took part in the Bamburgh 10k, with Judith Porter finishing in a time of 59:11 which was over 6 minutes faster than her previous best.
On the same day one member took pat in the White Horse half marathon starting at Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire, although it was a longer course at 17 mile with an official time of 3hrs 50 for Sandrine Hewitt.
On Saturday, June 3, 35 members started their weekend with a parkrun, taking in the Princes, Sedgefield, Riverside, Darlington South Park, Hackworth, Hartlepool, Keswick, Wetherby, Walmer and Deal Seafront, Leazes, Jubilee, Hamsterley Forest and Wynyard Woodland events.
At Princes, Richard Holland completed the event for the first time finishing in a time of 21:03.
Over at Riverside Steve Williams completed the event for the first time along with Viv Williams (29:04). Evelina Dogley set a new personal best for any parkrun on the same course in a time of 29:03.
At Hackworth, Bernadette Cooper finished second overall and first female in a time of 22:42.
Sarah Gill was third female in a time of 24:06. Richard Campbell finished as second male in a time of 20:39. Holly Shoulder (25:07) and Tamara Kirk (25:33), both completed this course for the first time. Over ay Wynyard, Susan Clark completed the course for the first time in a time of 35:04.
If you are feeling inspired and are interested in joining the club or want to take your running to the next level, you can turn up for one of our sessions.
You might have finished training for a Race4Life event and want to keep going.
More information is available on our website ayclifferunningclub.org.uk.