By Steve Dawson
It has been another busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with the races coming thick and fast and some excellent performances from the club.
On Wednesday, July 24, two members took part in the Willow Minor Trail race which is tun over 5.5 miles of woodland in Durham, taking in some tough climbs and running past the Willow Miner along the way.
Representing the club were Beau-Louise Mason (51:52) and Carley Cooper (56:14).
At the same time, 22 members took part in the sixth race of the Darlington Trail 5k series, the Baydale Beck 5k, with John Firby (19:13) finishing first and Lucy Postle (23:57) second female.
Also representing the club were Sam Keenan (20:54), Richard Holland (21:56), Jimmy Agnew (22:31), Daniel Tatham (23:39), Andrew Tweddle (25:07), Sarah Gill (26:11), John Burnside (26:16), Trevor Agnew (26:22), Dave Stothard (26:24), Keith Hatton (29:55), Sue Podmore (30:19), Jean-Pierre Hupin (30:19), Rob Nicholson (30:51), Melanie Varley (31:50), Peter Varley (33:44), Em Flynn (34:21), John Rockett (34:53), Ian Stothard (40:53), Tracey Pickering (41:19) and Cliff Pickering (44:05).
On Sunday, seven members took part in the James Herriott Country Trail Run.
This is a 14k trail run over moorland tracks and paths near Castle Bolton in Wensleydale.
Despite the hot conditions for the race, there were some excellent performances with Shelley Ramsey (1:36:06), Dave Stothard (1:40:11), Carley Cooper (1:45:28), Sandrine Hewitt (1:45:33), Eve Doe (2:02:13), Kirsty Cameron (2:05:49) and Ian Stothard representing the club.
At the same time, 11 members took part in the second race in the Darlington Trail 10k series and the Low Coniscliffe 10k.
This was a new race and replaced the cancelled event from the previous week with those unable to take part having the option of submitting a virtual result.
Richard Holland (46:30) finished second, with Lucy Postle (51:40), first female and Bernadette Cooper (52:03 virtual) second female. Also representing the club were Daniel Tatham (48:18), Sam Keenan (51:40), Keith Hatton (1:01:14), Cath McDonnell (1:02:34), Salv McDonnell (1:03:30), Sue Podmore (1:05:56), Jean-Pierre Hupin (1:10:00) and Em Flynn (1:17:09)
On Saturday, 34 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
At Mansfield Park, Keith Hatton (27:14) completed the course for the first time.
At Sedgefield an amazing, 21 members took part in the next club Parkrun tourism.
This saw Bernadette Cooper (23:09) and Tamara Kirk (26:03) both set a new course PBs and Judith Porter complete her 100th ever parkun. Beau-Louise Mason (25:44) also completed the course for the first time.
At The Pastures, Carley Cooper (29:43) set a new course PB with Jean-Pierre Hupin (30:48) completing the course for the first time.
This was also the final course he had left to complete in the North East, earning the North East Regionnaire status on his birthday, a double cause for celebration. Em Flynn (33:54) also completed the course.
At Blyth Links, Tracey Pickering (37:10) and Cliff Pickering (42:16) both completed the course for the first time. Thomas Heywood (28:06) completed the course at Wolford Wood for the first time.
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