It’s the start of a New Year and it has been a busy one for members of Aycliffe Running Club, with some challenging races to start the year.
On New Years Day, five members took part in the Captain Cook’s Fell race, which saw runners run from Great Ayton out to Captain Cook’s monument and back. Conditions for the race were brutal with steep inclines and a lot of mud. Representing the club were Richard Campbell (41:39), Richard Holland (45:40), Shaun Dodd (49:11), Tamara Kirk (1:00:07) and Carley Cooper (1:06:13).
On Saturday 6 January, one member took part in the aptly named Hardmoors 15. This saw runners start at Robin Hood’s Way before making their way through mud and water before turning in a loop at Whitby and heading back to Robin Hood’s Bay along the coast, which included steps, mud, lots of inclines and a lot more mud. Sandrine Hewitt was the sole representative for the club finishing in a time of 4:02:39, an amazing achievement for this race.
On the same day, one of our Junior Members, Will Allison took part in the NEHL Sherman Cup/Davison Shield at Temple Park in South Shields. Will ran an excellent race in the Boys Under 11 race, finishing in a time of 4:55.
Sunday 7 January saw the next fixture in the NYSD Cross Country League with this held on a very boggy and muddy Ormesby Hall. Conditions were so tough, the runners felt like they were running through treacle at times but everyone did amazing to finish the race, which will stand them in good stead for the rest of the year.
In the Under 11’s race, Joe Dickinson (8:08) and Elijah McLuckie (11:31) represented the club. In the Under 13 girl’s race Trinity Donoghue (18:11) represented the club. Luke Wall (15:31) was the sole representative in the Under 15 boys race with Max Todd (30:23) the sole runner in the Under 17 boys’ race.
In the Senior Women’s race, Bernadette Cooper (36:23), Tamara Kirk (40:59), Catherine McDonnell (42:21), Carley Cooper (44:03), Melanie Rowland (44:17), Kelly Dickinson (48:03) and Em Flynn (52:18) all represented the club. In the Senior Men’s race, John Firby (40:23) finished fifth, with Matt Muir (44:24), Richard Campbell (44:49), Dez Fielden (46:57), Martin Turnbull (48:08), Andrew Sedgwick (49:23), Richard Holland (50:17), Gareth Hamblin (54:52), Matt Heron (56:01). Martyn Knox (57:09), Keith Hatton (1:06:32) and David Stothard (1:12:17) all representing the club. The men’s team also finished fourth overall.
In the Men’s Over 65 race, John Burnside (39:17) finished third with Kevin Greenall (48:07) representing the club in the Over 70 Men’s race.
On Saturday, 17 members started their weekend with a parkrun, taking in the Bath Skyline, Sedgefield, Darlington South Park, Hartlepool, Blyth Links, Herington Country Park , Jubilee, Hamsterley and Wynyard Woodland events. At Bath Skyline, Mark Bainbridge (26:59) and Heather Bainbridge (34:37) completed the course for the first time.
At Blyth Links, Carley Cooper set a new personal best for the course of 29:08 with Em Flynn (31:56) doing the same. Jean-Pierre Hupin (29:08) also completed the course for the first time. At Herrington, Kathleen Tonge (31:23) and Richard Tonge (32:15) both completed the event for the first time. Dave Blewitt (26:23) completed the course at Jubilee for the first time. Over at Hamsterley, Laura Grainger (30:37) completed the course for the first time with Kieran Hornsby (25:21) doing the same at Wynyard Woodland.
It’s that time of year where we are all starting with good intentions and want to get fit or lose weight. I know there are a lot who decide to get fit and that may involve running. If that is you, and you would like to get into running, then why not come along to one of our sessions. Our sessions are led by qualified Coaches and Run Leaders, who do their best to create a supportive and encouraging environment for you to train in. We have runners of all abilities at the club so there will be someone there who can help keep you going when you need that support.
Our structured outdoor sessions take place every Tuesday at 7pm and we usually meet at the Sports Complex. There are occasions where we meet somewhere else. We do these in 3 groups so that the session can fit around people of all abilities.
Again, ideal if you want to take your running to the next level and good for all abilities.
On Thursday’s we meet at Shildon 2000 Stadium with the session starting at 6.30pm. We usually meet at Sunnydale Leisure Centre from 6.15pm.
There is a more informal social session which is ideal for beginner’s, that takes place every Monday and is FREE to attend as well as a social run on Wednesday which can be used as a recovery run. It is also a good opportunity to have a chat with someone as you run. Those sessions usually start at 6.30pm at the Oakleaf Sports Complex but check out our Facebook page before attending any of the sessions to make sure they are still taking place.
You can find out more by visiting our website or our Facebook page. If you would like to chat with someone, then you can email ayclifferunningclub@gmail.com. Make this the time you get into running and join us to keep it going for many years to come.
