By Steven Dawson
What a couple of weeks it has been for Aycliffe Running Club as we start the countdown to Christmas.
On Saturday, November 30, an amazing 23 runners travelled to Ravestonedale to take part in the Ravenstonedale 10k.
John Surtees (38:18) finished as fourth male with Martyn Knox (44:49), Daniel Tatham (44:54), Mark Bainbridge (47:44), Angela Sutheran (49:25), Bernadette Cooper (49:51), Andy Talbot (50:13), Sarah Gill (53:06), Tamara Kirk (53:25), Beau-Louise Mason (55:17), Shelley Ramsey (55:29), Keith Hatton (56:39), Heather Bainbridge (56:52), Trish Kay (57:00), Cath McDonnell (59:58), Carley Cooper (1:00:47), Jean-Pierre Hupin (1:01:21), Salv McDonnell (1:01:29), Kirsty Sykes (1:03:36), Eve Doe (1:06:18), Richard Tonge (1:08:52), Kathleen Tonge (1:08:52) and Em Flynn (1:10:34) also representing the club.
Sunday, December 1, saw the third race in the NYSD Cross Country Series with another good turnout for the club with some running their second race of the weekend.
On the same day, one member took part in the Croft Running GP and the 10k race, with Andrew Tweddle (51:23) finishing third in the men’s over 55 category.
On November 16, one member took part in the Greener Miles Moon Runner 10k race, which as the name suggests takes place on an evening with runners required to wear a head torch.
This also took place during the full moon on a 10k trail course making the conditions testing for any runner.
Representing the club was Richard Campbell (47:32) finishing fifth overall and first Male over 40 receiving a free entry to a future race as his prize.
On Saturday, November 23, one member travelled to Benidorm in Spain to take part in the Benidorm Half Marathon.
Gareth Hamblin (1:30:47) was the sole member from the club finishing in an excellent time.
On Sunday, November 24, two members travelled to Clowne in Derbyshire to take part in the Clowne Half Marathon.
Representing the club were Cath McDonnell (2:17:14) and Salv McDonnell (2:19:22).
The club supported an appeal launched through the If You Can Share Foundation to support a child impacted by suicide this Christmas by donating a selection box.
The club decided to support this worthy cause, by using the track session this week to encourage members to bring along selection boxes.
Members showed their generosity, with a huge turnout on the night and others donating that couldn’t make it, filling two tables and sending off a huge supply selection boxes off as part of the appeal. Amazing from everyone involved.
On Saturday, November 16, 37 members started their weekend with a parkrun.
At Durham, Jean-Pierre Hupin (28:33), Carley Cooper (30:19) and Sandrine Hewitt (32:59) all completed the event.
At Sedgefield, Thomas Heywood (29:42), Deborah Kell (29:55 and new course PB), Kevin Greenall (31:27), Zoe Savage (32:30), Richard Tonge (32:35) and Linda McNamee (45:12) all completed the course.
At Stewart Park, Salv McDonnell (30:17) and Cath McDonnell (32:36) both completed the course for the first time.
At Darlington South Park, Jimmy Agnew (21:09), Trevor Agnew (22:10) and Ian Stothard (1:00:41 and tail walker) completed the event.
At Delamere, Richard Trowles (29:26) completed the event for the first time.
At Hackworth, Richard Holland (22:44), Bernadette Cooper (22:49 and first female), Daniel Tatham (22:53), Karl Hume (23:17), Richard MacFarlane (28:27), Mark Bainbridge (28:48), Gem Holland (31:45) and Eve Doe (32:11) completed the course. At Southwark, Em Flynn (33:24) completed the course for the first time.
At Rising Sun, Peter Tennick completed the course for the first time.
At Keswick, Susan Rees (25:52) completed the course.
At Blackpool, Sarah Gill (26:17) completed the course for the first time.
At Jubilee, David Stothard (29:31) completed the event at Jubilee.
At Doddington Hall, Keith Hatton (26:38) completed the course for the first time.
At Wynyard, Paul Dalton (23:15) and Jayne Rudd (29:53 and new course PB) both completed the course.
Over at Thorp Perrow, Lou Mann (54:33) completed the event for the first time as park walker.
On Saturday, November 23, a number of parkruns were cancelled due to snow, with only seven members managing to take part in an event.
Viv Williams (32:39) and Steve Williams (32:40) both completed the course at Burgess for the first time.
At Hartlepool, David Stothard (32:05) and Ian Stothard (51:58) both completed the course.
At Wynyard, Paul Dalton (23:00), Carley Cooper (33:08) and Em Flynn (36:19) completed the event.
Amazing dedication from them all with the time taken to travel to those longer than it was to complete the run.
If you are feeling inspired and are interested in joining the club, you can turn up for one of our sessions.
More information is available on our website www.ayclifferunningclub.org.uk.