It has been a busy couple of weeks for Aycliffe Running Club with some fantastic achievements again
This started on Saturday 15th June with two members completing the 50 mile Railway Children Ultra. This started in Upminster before following along the Thames going east, utilising the London Loop and England Coast National Trails and finishing in Southend-on-Sea. Cath McDonnell (12:36:33) and Salv McDonnell (12:37:01) both completed the course raising an amazing £562.50 in the process for the Railway Children charity. Amazingly, this is the third Ultramarathon they have both completed this year, an astounding achievement.
On Sunday 16th June, three members took part in the Ali Brownlee 5k in Middlesbrough, running in some pretty warm conditions. Representing the club were David Stothard (24:08), Em Flynn (31:02) and Ian Stothard (39:14).
At the same time, one member took part in the Bamburgh 10k. This is an amazing picturesque, rolling course, which starts and finishes just outside of the village, with great views of the historic North East landmark Bamburgh Castle. Steve Williams (57:16) was the sole representative for the club.
On Thursday 20th June, six members took part in race three of the Muddy Roads 5k summer trail series with the Lord Stones 5k. Representing the club were Lucy Heron (28:38), Sarah Gill (31:38), Melanie Varley (33:35), Kevin Greenall (34:22), Lou Mann (39:10) and Peter Varley (39:57).
On Sunday 23rd June, two members travelled to Leeds for the Leeds 10k. Representing the club were Shaun Dodds (51:33) and Steph Colvin (1:06:07). On the same day, two members travelled to Kirkby Malzeard near Ripon to take part in the Crackpots Trail Run which is an 11km trail run. Representing the club were Rob Young (56:20 and third in the Male Over 40 category) and Andrew Tweddle (1:02:30 and third in the Men’s Over 55 category).
At the same time, five members travelled to Marske for the Summer Coast 5 mile race. Representing the club were Bernadette Cooper (38:53), David Stothard (40:28), Trish Kay (43:43), Judith Porter (50:02 and beating her previous Female Over 70 club record in the process) and Ian Stothard (1:01:44). On the same day, one member took part in the Long Running Collective Tees Trailtastic which was a stunning 9k trail race along the River Tees at Barnard Castle. Representing the club was Daniel Tatham, finishing ninth in a time of 1:21:16.
At the same time, five members travelled to Herrington Country Park to take part in the Great British Bake Run. This saw runners choose to run anything from a 5k up to an Ultra choosing how many laps of the 4.37 mile course they wanted to do. Completing three laps of the course were Steven Dawson and Ian Payne running together (1:56:46) and Lou Bridges (2:53:25). Completing two laps of the course were Paul Dalton (1:19:05) and Em Flynn (1:48:46). Jean-Pierre Hupin also took part in the race completing one lap before deciding to withdraw before the end of the second lap. There were some tough conditions for the race with no cloud cover from the sun and some tough inclines to contend with. Runners also had the opportunity to bake a cake with prizes of free entry to future events on offer to the cake judged to be the tastiest with Lou Mann entering a cake. Although it was tasty, unfortunately she didn’t win.
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.
