It has been a busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with the races coming thick and fast both locally, regionally and overseas this week. The races started on Wednesday 24th April with the Quayside 5k. This was a super flat, out and back, course along the Quayside at Gateshead and Newcastle. Sarah Gill (24:48) was the sole representative for the club.
On Thursday 25th April, two members took part in Cockfield Chase, which is a fell race starting in Cockfield. Alan Wilks (24:38) was first in the Male Over 70 category, Kelly Dickson (26:51) was also representing the club.
At the same time an amazing 45 members took part in the first of the Muddy Roads summer series of races in the Middridge 5k. This tough route saw members take on the stairs to heaven as well as a long stretch uphill that seemed to go on forever. John Surtees (18:29) finished second with Tracey Surtees (21:43) second lady. There were 4 members finishing in the top 10 which was amazing. Also representing the club were Richard Campbell (20:02 and first in the Male Over 40 category), Kevin Russell (20:44), Sam Keenan (20:52), Martin Turnbull (21:24), Martyn Knox (21:30), Steven Dawson (21:35 and second Male Over 50), Richard Trowles (21:36), Max Todd (21:43 and first Male Junior), Richard Holland (21:49), Rob Young (21:52), Karl Hume (21:58 and third Male Over 50), Matt Heron (22:11), James Cooper (22:47), Gareth Hamblin (22:48), Lucy Postle (23:25), Andrew Tweddle (23:49), Daniel Tatham (25:13), Trevor Needham (25:27 and third Male Over 60), Bernadette Cooper (26:22), Lucy Heron (26:24), Sarah Gill (26:31 and second Female Over 40), Laura Hudson (27:02), David Stothard (27:24), John Burnside (27:45), Salv McDonnell (28:56), Keith Hatton (29:39), Cath McDonnell (31:26), Sue Podmore (31:35), Mel Varley (32:08), Rob Nicholson (32:22), Kathleen Tonge (32:41), Kevin Greenall (33:03 and second Male Over 70), Lou Mann (33:04), Richard Tonge (33:18), Kirsty Cameron (33:24), Viv Williams (34:09), Alan Kellet (34:35), Beverley Phillippo (34:58), Sam Harding (35:22), Nici Ingman (36:25), Jim Wilson (38:31), Sue Clark (40:41) and Ian Stothard (42:30).
On Sunday 28th April, members were again spoilt for choice, with four members travelling to sunnier climes in Madrid to compete in the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid series of races. In the half marathon, Jean-Pierre Hupin (2:22:57) completed the event despite continuing to suffer from an extended cold. In the 10k race, Carley Cooper (1:02:50), Sandrine Hewitt (1:04:13) and Em Flynn (1:07:11) all completed the event, getting some much needed sun, although one member would have preferred for it to be a bit cooler than it was.
At the same time, one member travelled to Hull for the East Yorkshire Half Marathon. Despite some testing conditions, with wind and rain, Matt Muir produced an excellent performance setting a new personal best of 1:24:34 and also finishing in the top ten in the process, an excellent achievement.
There were 17 members who travelled to Hartlepool for the Hartlepool Marina 5 which is a 5 mile out and back route. Again, there were some testing conditions with rain as well as the runners having to run the last 2 ½ miles back into the wind. Representing the club were Richard Campbell (30:47), Richard Trowles (32:48), Floyd Jones (32:50 and first in the Over 60 category), Steven Dawson (34:29 in a 5 mile PB and also third in the Men’s Over 50 category), Andrew Tweddle (37:04), Trevor Needham (37:26 and second in the Men’s Over 65 category), Bernadette Cooper (40:24 and second in the female over 35 category), David Stothard (43:41), Trish Kay (45:01), Steve Williams (45:13), Sue Podmore (46:39), Richard Tonge (49:37), Rob Nicholson (49:45), Kirsty Cameron (50:02), Kathleen Tonge (51:12), Eve Doe (54:27) and Ian Stothard (55:14).
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 or our Facebook page. If you would like to chat with someone, then you can email ayclifferunningclub@gmail.com – If interested in the Junior Section, you can email arc.juniorsection@gmail.com – Make this year the year you or your children get into running and join us to keep it going for many years to come.
