It was a fantastic day for Aycliffe Running club as they braved the wet and windy conditions for the Gerry Kearsley 10k handicap race at Sedgefield. It was a tough course over a multi-terrain route through Fishburn and Bishop Middleham. In first place overall was Peter Smith who has just come back from injury after fifteen months with a handicap time of 51:23.00. Peter has just started back cycling and running and has become a great inspiration for the club.
Following on ahead was Mark Wade in 38:40 John Surtees 40:17 Peter Milburn 43:00 John Burnside 47:43 Michelle Jane 49:59 Susan Milburn Kelly 54:04 and Rob Nicholson 57:50 respectively.
On the 17th December the club took part in the Durham Cathedral Relays. It was a cold and icy day with minus temperatures which meant all runners had to battle to make it around the 1.8 mile route. All the teams did very well with the veteran men setting a high standard.
Jason Dixon 13:16, Dez Fielden 11:12, John Heywood 13:26 72nd. Alan Wilkes 13:33 (3rd over 65), Gary Minns 14:56, Dave Blewitt 13:48 82nd: Jimmy Wilson 17:00, Rob Nicholson 15:27, Geoff Miles 16:54.
This was then followed by the senior and veteran women who all managed to get under the 16 minute marker; Michelle Scott 13:16; Michelle Zamir 13:31; Michelle Jane 13:30; Natalie Duffelwier 15:55; Jodie McMaster 15:32; Mandy Heywood 15:49; Susan Cranswick 13:56; Eve Doe 22:12; Penny Johnson 15:26 respectively.
The last of the teams were the fast and furious senior men who took the course by storm with excellent results; Shane Doe 12:30, George Dixon 12:13, Ste Smith 12:37
Rob Smith 13:20 Craig Robinson 18:00, Mark Wade 10:31.
Meanwhile other members bravely took part in the Brass Monkey half marathon. This was quite a bright day but still cold and icy. Trish Kay arrived over the finish line in a time of 1:46:23 while Sandra Collins was first lady back for the club in a time 1:44:19
Ropner Park was also on the agenda for three other members. Everyone did extremely well on one of the coldest days of the year to achieve times of John Burnside 21.53. Cyd Denise 23.38 Ray Todd 32.11.
