It has been another very busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with some excellent performances and brilliant turnouts. This started with the third race in the Darlington Trail Series and the Cummings 5k. Representing the club were Richard Trowles (21:31), Gary O’Connor (21:38), Dave Blewitt (23:46), Tamara Kirk (26:32), Sue Podmore (29:31), Melanie Rowland (30:14), Samantha Harding (30:55), Kelly Dickinson (32:23), Nicola Ingman (32:58), Eve Doe (33:44), Cliff Pickering (34:13), Ron Nicolson (35:42), Tracey Pickering (36:37) and Ian Stothard (39:20).
The following day saw the return of the NYMAC relays at Stewart Park. The turnout for the event was excellent with seven teams of 4 runners taking part. This included the teams of Tracey Surtees setting a new 1 mile club record for the over 35 ladies (5:36), Matt Muir who set a new personal best (5:34), Richard Campbell (5:22) and Garth Hamblin (5:39) total time (22:11). Richard Trowles (5:34), Stuart Joyce, (5:56), Martin Turnbull (5:50) and Richard Holland (6:00), total time 23:20.
Dave Blewitt (6:27) Trevor Needham (6:25), Steven Dawson (6:30) and John Burnside (7:27), total time (26:49). Holly Shoulder (6:52), Sarah Gill (7:24), Tamara Kirk (7:14) and Michaela Kerr (7:39), total time (29:09). Henry Moshero (5:32), Yvonne Blewitt (8:46), Eve Doe (9:41), Gary O’Connor (6:17), total time (30:16). Nicola Ingram (8:35), Samantha Harding (8:06), Sue Podmore (7:52) and Melanie Rowland (8:29), total time (33:02). David Stothard (7:02), James Wilson (10:00), Rob Nicholson (9:32) and Ian Stothard (9:56) who managed to get below that magic 10 minute mile, total time (36:30).
On Sunday 28 May, nine members took part in the Northallerton 10k. This included Richard Trowles (38:15) setting a new personal best for the distance. Also taking part were Matt Muir setting another 10k personal best (40:06), Stuart Joyce (41:41), Gary O’Connor (43:31), Dave Blewitt (46:58), Angela Sutheran (50:36), David Stothard (56:28), Samantha Harding (1:00:02) and Yvonne Blewitt (1:02:58). Members were also lucky enough to bump into the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, at the end of the race as he was also taking part. It is not every day that members get the opportunity to say that they beat the Prime Minister but it shows that everyone can get out and run and good to see him having photos with the runners at the end of the race.
At the same time, a series of races took place in the grounds of Raby Castle in Teesdale. In the 5k race, two members took part with Tracey Pickering (32:18) and Cliff Pickering (33:23) both representing the club, with Tracey third in the female over 65 category and Cliff second in the male over 65 category.
In the 10k race, seven members took part with Richard Campbell (38:56) second in the male over 40 category. Trish Kay (55:21) was first in the female over 60 category with Eve Doe (1:05:39) second. Bernadette Cooper, who just recently joined the club was second in the female over 35 category in a time of 47:44. Also taking part were Martyn Knox (45:13), Sue Podmore (57:32), Kelly Dickinson (1:03:57) and Ian Stothard (1:14:59).
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 – Make this year the year you get into running and join us to keep it going for many years to come.
