By Donna Campbell
Wow. What a week this has been for ARC!
It has been a very full racing calendar with members taking part in lots of different races.
The racing began on Monday when Hannah Richardson took part in the Anita Nott 5k which takes place in Jesmond Dene Newcastle and is a women only run. Hannah completed this in 35.35.
On Wednesday evening it was the third race in the Darlington Trail Series, this one taking place in West Park (below).
It was a hilly route which comprised of 4 laps. First home for ARC was Dez Fielden in 18.54, followed by Richard Holland 20.47, Dave Blewitt 22.38, John Burnside 22.42, Sue Milburn 25.35, Trish Kay 26.04, David Stothard 26.52, Heather Morgan 27.03, Sarah Gill 28.01, Heather Fenwick 28.27, Richard Tonge 29.29, Lindsey Brown 30.29, Melanie Rowland 30.57, Sam Elwell 31.23, Jane Burnside 31.26, Gemma Holland 31.32, Susan Clark 32.36, Yvonne Williams 32.54, Penny Johnson 36.41, Sam Baronowski 36.42, Ray Todd, 38.25 and Eve Doe 38.26.
On Thursday evening we had several runners make their way to Gateshead for the Angel View Run. Another difficult run that takes runners around the area close to the Angel of the North.
This was supposed to be a 5.5 mile race but was actually longer and closer to 6 miles. First home was Mark Wade in 6th place overall in 36.12, followed by Paul Dalton (running for Quakers), Richard Holland in 41.17, Stuart Joyce in 41.32, Mark Bainbridge 44.13, Michelle Jane 44.51 and John Richardson 50.30.
On Sunday there were several races taking place and we had members taking part in 4 different races over that day. Mark Bainbridge made the trip to Rothbury to take part in the Run Northumberland 10k which he completed in 55.40.
Near Chester-le-Street three members took part in the Lambton 10k which takes part in the Lambton Estate and starts and finishes near the castle and is not an easy race. Rob Young completed this in 46.24 followed by Trish Kay in 52.26 and John Young in 59.23.
Over in Middlesbrough it was the day of the Ali Brownlee 5k. This is a popular race not only with our club but many in the area and indeed this race features on the Aycliffe Running Club Championship. New organisers have recently taken over this race which saw a change to the route.
This was, however, welcomed by most of the runners as the previous route incorporated a back and forth over a flyover in the last half mile which made for an unpleasant approach to the finish. This year the finish was much more pleasant.
ARC had a fantastic turnout for this race with Dez Fielden being first home for the club in 17.36. He was followed by Richard Campbell in 18.13, Andy Talbot in 19.22, Richard Holland in 19.34, Stuart Joyce in 19.42, Peter Smith in 21.14, John Burnside in 22.03, John Richardson in 23.52, Heather Morgan in 24.55, David Stothard in 25.14, Nici Ingman in 29.06, Sam Elwell in 29.40, Donna Campbell in 30.03, Jane Burnside 30.27, Yvonne Williams 31.00, Jayne Rudd 32.37, Ian Baronowski 33.29, Sam Baronowski 33.30, Marie Rudd 36.58 and Ray Todd 37.12.
Finally, a group of our ladies took part in the Race for Life 10k run at Hartlepool where they raised funds for cancer research (pictured top). Well done, ladies!
For anyone interested in joining the club, you can simply turn up at one of our sessions all of which start from the Oakleaf Complex in Newton Aycliffe. Monday night is beginners run at 6.30pm, Tuesday is endurance/speed session from 7pm, and Thursday is a track session and this takes place at Shildon Track.
Further details can be found on our website or facebook pages or alternatively you can message the club via facebook for more information.