Twelve members of Aycliffe Running Club recently competed in the Swaledale Marathon. This is not actually the full marathon distance, but most runners times reflect the fact that it is much harder than most marathons and includes over 4,000ft of ascent.
Dez Fielden was first home for the club by a long way and most people would have been happy with his time of 3h:18s over any marathon course. He also picked up the prize for 3rd male.
Next home were Matt Heron and Martin Knox, who both improved on their times of previous years finishing 61st 4:18 and 63rd 4:23 respectively, followed by Peter Milburn, who was suffering with cramp after 2 miles, 77th in 4:28,
Rob Nicholson was next to finish and all the hard training has finally paid off, producing his best time in years, 112th in 4:49.
John Burnside, a one time sub 4hr man over the course, suffered badly after setting off too fast and had to walk most of the second half of the race, but still managed the commendable time of 4:49, 125th.
Wendy Bake was the first female home for the club and bettered last years time by a long way, finishing 134th in 4:51. Naomi Kellett works down south and travelled north to do the race with her friend Shelley McCormack. Both finished together 212th/213 in 5:32 which was excellent for two first timers.
It was also a first Swaledale outing for Kat Aspey and Laura Knox so they thought they would take it very steady, but when they were passed by a walker they thought they had perhaps overdone things and speeded up to finish together in 7:01, 3:40th/3:41st.
Finally, Jayne Heron, who had suffered badly with tonsillitis a few days before the race, had to reluctantly drop out after 18 miles.
The following day it was the club’s annual 10k around the roads of Newton Aycliffe.
Most of the club’s members were down for marshalling duties etc., but the few who ran gave a good account of themselves.
Susan Clark had hoped to get under 60 minutes but was just outside in a PB of 60:37 and Ross Garland completed his first 10k in the good time of 57:44.
However, Mark Wade was first home for the club in 38:41, followed by Justin Hindmarch 43:53, Dave Blewitt 45:34, Philip Tumelty 53:17, Angela Barrat 53:19, Dave Thompson 53:39 and Kelly Smith 57:44.
