By Steven Walton
It has been another very busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with a variety of races across the region and beyond.
On Sunday, eight members travelled to Leeds to take part in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k.
This race in its 38th year was set up to support older people across the UK, through Age UK raising over £4m in the process.
Representing the club were John Surtees in an excellent sub-35 minute time of 34:41, Richard Campbell (38:58), Dave Blewitt (48:01), Laura Hudson (in a new 10k PB of 49:01), Richard MacFarlane (54:40), Jean-Pierre Hupin (56:53), Yvonne Blewitt (1:01:48) and Em Flynn (1:07:27).
At the same time, seven members took part in the Coxhoe Trail Run, which was set on a new course due to issues with the weather this week. This made conditions difficult for the runners.
Representing the club were Kieron O’Connor (48:30), Andrew Tweddle (54:59), Keith Hatton (58:20), Thomas Heywood (58:50), Rob Nicholson (1:03:42), Sue Podmore (1:05:58) and Richard Tonge (1:10:38).
On the same day, two members took part in one of the most challenging 10k races there is, the Richmond Castle 10k which includes a lot of testing hills. Representing the club were Salv McDonnell (54:25) and Cath McDonnell (58:31).
At the same time, seven members travelled to Northumberland to take part in the Wild Deer Hadrian’s Wall Half Marathon.
This started just below Housesteads Fort, before a climb up to Hadrian’s’ Wall before following the wall path for about 5 miles ad turning off and heading to finish at Tyne Green in Hexham.
Completing this challenging route which included some epic climbs and plenty of mud were Steven Dawson (2:04:46), Ian Payne (2:08:06), Paul Dalton (2:16:04), Shelley Ramsey (2:36:14), Eve Doe (3:01:15), Sandrine Hewitt and Carley Cooper running together (3:04:42).
On the same day, one member made a special trip across the pond to take part in the Chicago Marathon.
Amazingly, Helen Boyd who only just ran in Berlin Marathon two weeks ago, was on the plane and ready to take on her next marathon, completing the race in a time of 6:33:44.
Helen is currently working through the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal challenge.
This is something that is awarded for runners who complete all six major marathons, with Helen now accumulating four stars and well on her way.
Next in the series will be Tokyo, followed by Boston with some serious training needed to meet the requirements for the race, but we have every faith Helen will achieve her goals.
On Saturday, October 5, 34 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
At Albert Park, Richard Tonge (29:29) and Kathleen Tonge (30:37) both set new course PB’s.
At Hackworth, Bernadette Cooper (22:56) finished as first female.
At Tamar Lakes, both Ian and David Stothard completed the course for the first time, whilst volunteering as tail walkers.
At Marken Rasen, Keith Hatton (26:52) completed the course for the first time.
At Jubilee, Beau-Louise Mason (24:00) completed the course for the first time whilst finishing as third female.
At Denton Dene, Carley Cooper (28:14) set a new course PB with Sandrine Hewitt (29:45) completing the course for the first time.
At Fulwell Quarry, Lou Mann (42:03) completed the course 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