By Steven Dawson
It has been another positive week for Aycliffe Running Club with some excellent performances and PB’s.
On Friday, one member took part in the tenth race of the York 5k series of races.
This is a race, with an excellent standard of competition. Matt Muir was the sole representative for the club, smashing his previous personal best and getting into the exclusive 18 minute club with a new PB of 17.39.
Amazing from Matt who has had an exceptional year and continues to get quicker and quicker.
On Sunday, one member took part in the Run Nation Remembrance Day 5 miler at Hamsterley Forest. Deborah Kell (52:17) was the sole representative for the club.
At the same time, 10 members travelled to Durham Amateur Rowing Club to take part in the Saturn Running Remembrance Day Run.
This provides runners with the opportunity of completing anything from a 5k run up to an Ultra Marathon with everyone receiving a fantastic commemorative medal for the event. This unique event consists of laps of 4.37 miles.
Due to it being Remembrance Sunday, there was also a pause in the race at 11am to observe two minutes silence.
Mark Bainbridge (1:48:46), Beau-Louise Mason (2:02:32), Daniel Tatham (2:02:40), Cloe Livermore (2:04:07), Heather Bainbridge (2:04:21) and Thomas Heywood (2:08:21) all completed three laps and a half marathon, with this being the first ever half marathon Thomas has completed.
Sue Podmore (1:40:51) completed just over two laps or 9.3 miles.
Completing two laps (8.7 miles) were Paul Dalton (1:22:46) and Jayne Rudd (1:38:52). Completing the 10k race was Sam Harding (1:10:13) showing amazing grit and determination, despite suffering with a sore hamstring during the race.
On Saturday, 39 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
At Albert, Craig Robison (34:40), completed the event at Albert Park for the first time. At Sedgefield, John Surtees (17:34) finished first with Thomas Heywood (23:39) continuing his excellent improvement with a new course PB.
At Riverside, Jimmy Agnew (20:48) and Trevor Agnew (22:33) both completed the course for the first time.
At Hackworth, Gareth Hamblin (20:17) set a new course PB whilst finishing fourth, with Bernadette Cooper (23:01) second lady.
At Druridge Bay, Steve Williams (25:56) and Viv Williams (31:38) both completed the course for the first time.
At Hamsterley, Melanie Varley (32:30) and Peter Varley (35:27) ran, with Peter achieving a new course PB.
At University of Northampton, Jean-Pierre Hupin (27:25), Carley Cooper (27:27) and Em Flynn (32:54) all completed the course for the first time.
For Jean-Pierre, this was the final letter he needed to gain the status of “alphabeteer” by running a course starting with a different letter of the Alphabet, an amazing achievement.
Carley will soon follow when she gets the final letter Q early in the new Year.
At Thorp Perrow, Deborah Kell (37:39) 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