What a week it has been for members of Aycliffe Running Club with some amazing achievements and determination shown this week. Starting off with three members travelling to South Shields for the monthly South Shields mile on Wednesday 5th June. Representing the club were Angela Sutheran (with a new PB of 6:53), Dave Stothard (6:58) and Ian Stothard (12:10).
On the same day, one member took part in the Whorlton Fell race, set in the North Yorkshire Moors and included 427 metres of climbing along a course of 6.8 miles including one pretty steep incline. Martin Turnbull represented the club finishing in a time of 55:14.
On Saturday 8th June, two members took part in a unique challenge termed as the Lake District Ultra. This saw runners start at Kendal, before continuing on an astonishing 100km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, the Garburn Pass, historic Ambleside, a half way point by Lake Windermere, forests and nature reserves, before a huge welcome and celebration back at basecamp after a momentous journey. It also included an ascent of in excess of 2,500 metres. Ste Dunn and James Cooper completed the event in an excellent time of 17:27:46. This was made even more remarkable with one of our members suffering with a knee injury from 40km and suffering ankle ligament damage from 79k and having to strap it up just to keep going. Amazing determination by both of them to keep each other going to complete the challenge.
On the same day, eight members travelled to Swaledale for one of the toughest trail marathons about. This saw runners complete a course of approximately 24 miles, taking in a huge 1,258 metres of climbing, including some pretty steep inclines from the beginning. Nearly all of the members taking part had some sort of set back in the run up to the race, be that from injury or illness. It shows the strength of character from each of those, with just getting round, let alone with the times they achieved. Matt Heron (4:24), Martyn Knox (4:51), Michelle Dixon (4:57), Paul Dalton (5:36), Carley Cooper (6:33), Sandrine Hewitt (7:00), Nici Ingman (7:03) and Rob Nicholson (7:28).
On Sunday 9th June, two members took part in the Swansea Half Marathon. Mikey Taylor (1:17:48) and Richard Trowles (1:19:03), both set new personal bests for a half marathon, both finishing in top 50. On the same day, five members took part in the famous Blaydon Races. A total of 5.8 miles from Newcastle to Blaydon. Representing the club were Kieron O’Connor (37:05), Karl Hume (38:22), Trish Kay (51:02), Sam Harding (56:30 and new personal best and beating her previous time by over one minute) and Jayne Rudd (58:21).
Also, a huge well done to all our Juniors who took part in their regional County Championships at either Monkton Stadium or York University including Henry, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abbie and Charlotte. Going forward, from the club to represent DCSAA County Durham at Inter-county final in Gateshead Stadium are Elizabeth Clay (100m) and Charlotte Clay (300m).
On Saturday 8th June, 35 members started their weekend with a parkrun. At Eastleigh, Lou Mann (32:38) completed the course for the first time. At Whitley Bay, Dave Stothard (26:39) and Ian Stothard (38:10) both completed the course for the first time.
At Hackworth, Karl Hume (21:14) finished third, with Bernadette Cooper (23:32), first female. At Hartlepool, Angela Sutheran (23:13) finished as third female. Richard Trowles (21:08) completed the course at Swansea Bay for the first time. At Thorp Perrow, Jean-Pierre Hupin (29:57) and Em Flynn (33:50) both completed the course for the first time before supporting other runners.
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.
