It has been another very busy week for Aycliffe Running Club, as the races continue.
The results are now in from Castleton Show which took place on 14th September, with two members taking part. Shaun Dodd (54:54) and Trish Kay (1:00:07) both represented the club with Trish finishing first in the female over 60 category.
On Sunday 22nd September, one member travelled to Keswick to take part in the picturesque Keswick half marathon. This is said to be one of the most scenic half marathon routes in the country. The challenging course takes you around Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. Despite a late entry to the event, Gareth Hamblin produced a fantastic run, finishing in a time of 1:36:17.
On the same day, it was the Redcar Running Festival with a series of races taking place. In the half marathon, Bernadette Cooper (1:46:05), Salv McDonnell (1:55:52) and Cath McDonnell (2:02:53) represented the club. In the 5k race, Em Flynn was the sole representative for the club, finishing in a time of 32:32 despite still suffering with the affect effects of a cold. Em also finished 3rd in her age category. In the 2k fun run, Ryan Cooper took part in his first ever race, finishing in a time of 11:53.
On Saturday 7th September, 34 members started their weekend with a parkrun. At York, Jayne Rudd (42:55) completed the course for the first time. Shaun Dodd (23:36) completed the course at Hove Promenade for the first time. At Sherwood Pines, Keith Hatton (27:50) completed the course for the first time. It was also a special parkrun for Carley Cooper (29:04), Jean-Pierre Hupin (29:04) and Em Flynn (34:30) who travelled to Zuiderpark, Den Haag in the Netherlands. As well as celebrating Carley’s birthday it was also an opportunity to complete an event with the letter ‘Z’ which is a must for anyone to achieve the elusive ‘alphabeteer’ status by completing a parkrun beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Em has now managed to achieve this status with Carley not far behind.
On Saturday 14th September, 35 members started their weekend with a parkrun. At Bushby, Paul Dalton (22:34) and Jayne Rudd (32:49) both completed the course for the first time. At Silksworth, Sue Podmore (28:02), Richard Tonge (31:33) and Kathleen Tonge (32:27) completed the course for the first time with Sandrine Hewitt (29:07) setting a new course PB. Em Flynn (34:44) was also taking in her 250th ever parkrun, an amazing achievement. At Whitley Bay, Deborah Kell (28:09) completed the course for the first time. At Sedgefield, Thomas Heywood (24:37) set a new course PB. At Albert Park, Lou Mann (36:46) completed the course for the first time, whilst also completing her 250th ever parkrun, another amazing achievement. At Hackworth, Andy Sedgewick (20:43) set a new course PB with Bernadette Cooper (26:40) second female. This also saw Tony Collins (37:06) run his fastest time of the year as he closes in on a landmark of 200 parkruns. At Hartlepool, Angela Sutheran (23:01) finished as second female. At Cotsford Fields, Jimmy Agnew (21:58) finished first and Trevor Agnew (24:11) fourth whilst completing the event for the first time. At Jesmond Dene, Steve Williams (28:56) and Viv Williams (57:12 and volunteering as tail walker) completed the course for the first time.
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. If interested in the Junior Section you can email arc.juniorsection@gmail.com. Make this year the year you or your children get into running and join us to keep it going for many years to come.
