Hundreds of runners took to the crowd-lined streets of Newton Aycliffe last Sunday as this year’s 3M 10k and 3k races got underway.
The annual event is organised by Aycliffe Running Club and attracts entrants for the 10k run from all across the North East region and beyond.
This year’s winner was Ethiopian athlete Wondiye Fikre Indelbu, who swept home in a time of 30:51 mins, just 13 seconds short of the course record. It was the second consecutive year that the 2012 Paralympic Games 1500m silver medallist had taken the Aycliffe crown.
First home in the women’s competition was Dawn Richardson of Quakers Running Club, who finished in 40:43.
Now in its 17th successful year, the race is sponsored by 3M Aycliffe, Great Aycliffe Town Council and INEOS.
The ongoing popularity of the event was evident from the number of entrants testing their speed around the course. Some 333 lined up for the start of the 10k run with another 102 taking part in the more gentle 3k fun run that preceded it.
“We were delighted that so many people wanted to join the event this year,” said race director Trevor Needham. “As always, there was a good cross-section of ages and abilities which makes the event so special.”
The 3M manufacturing site first sponsored the event in 2002 to mark the company’s centenary and has been supporting it ever year since then.
Alan Kellett, 3M’s plant engineering services manager, added: “This is an event that the whole community can enjoy whether as runners or spectators – and we are very proud to be involved. Aycliffe Running Club always does a brilliant job in organising it.”
Wondiye Fikre Indelbu
Dawn Richardson
The Mayor of Great Aycliffe Councillor Wendy Hillary with 3M Aycliffe site manager Colin MacLeod (centre) and the Mayor’s Consort Councillor Jed Hillary before the start of the 10k run
