More than 260 runners from across the North East and beyond came under the starter’s orders of Town Mayor Councillor Mary Dalton for this year’s Aycliffe 10k race. The event took place on a breezy Father’s Day – good weather for keeping the runners cool but not so kind for the many spectators lining the roads to cheer them on.
It was the 18th annual race organised by Aycliffe Running Club and proved as successful as ever with entrants of all ages and abilities taking part. This year’s winner was Morpeth Harriers’ Nick Swinburn, who came home in just 31:14 ahead of Carl Chapman (34:12) and Michael Joyeux (34:22).
“It was a great race and Nick was a very worthy winner,” said race director Trevor Needham. “But the event is a lot more than just who comes first. For most of those who entered it was about their own personal best times – or even just being able to complete the distance – and it was a great day for them as well.”
Rosie Smith of Darlington Harriers was the first woman home in 35:47, beating Josephine Stone (36:16) in second place.
The 10k event was sponsored by 3M Aycliffe and Aycliffe Town Council, while the INEOS GO Run For Fun campaign also supported a 3k Fun Run held earlier in the day, which attracted more than 100 entries.
Alan Kellett, 3M’s plant engineering services manager, added: “We have been supporting this event every year since 2002 and it’s gone from strength to strength. “Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the opening of the 3M Aycliffe manufacturing site and our sponsorship of this popular event will be one of the ways we plan to be celebrating with the local community.”
