On Saturday 5 March, five club runners competed in Alnwick Cross. In the women’s 4.2 mile race Sue Milburn came home in 39.27 and (181st) placing 3rd V55, followed by Claire O’Conner (240th) in 43.17. In the men’s 3 lap, 6 mile course Peter Milburn came home in 50.18 (234th), followed by Gary O’Connor (also making his cross country debut) in 53.02 (304th) and then Colin Gibson (just back from 6 weeks holiday in New Zealand) in 59.37 (391st).
On Mothering Sunday, 6 March club runners attended the final race in the North Yorkshire and South Durham (NYSD) Cross Country league at South Park, Darlington. Club runners saw success, with one of their ladies teams achieving 3rd place overall in a time of 39.01 in the Senior Women’s race. The team was made up of Michelle Zamir, Michelle Jane and Michelle Scott. Also joining them in this race was a second team made up of Angela Barratt, Susan Clark and Natalie Duffelwiel. They came in 13th with a time of 51.46. In the Senior Men’s race Aycliffe entered one full team of Ste Smith, Rob Jayne, Alan Wilks and John Heywood. The team placed 18th with a time of 57.07. Trevor Needham and Ray Todd also ran, making up an incomplete team.
As well as racing at this final meet, the series prizes were also presented. The club enjoyed success with Susan Clark and Ray Todd receiving series prizes. Ray took 1st place in the over 75s age category and Susan took 3rd place in the over 65s category.
On Sunday 13 March club runners turned out for the Wynyard 5k trail race, part of the Tees Trail Winter series. John Surtees was first home for the club and placed 2nd overall in a time of 18:24. He was closely followed by Peter Milburn who came in 9th in a time of 20:43. Michelle Zamir was 1st lady overall in a time of 22:28. Other runners included; Dave Blewitt (22:16), Ste Smith (22:17), Michelle Jane (23:02), Alan Wilks (23:24), Cyd Upton (24:00) and Susan Milburn (24.56).
On Tuesday 15 March, club runner Judith Porter competed in the Falesia 5k whilst holidaying in Portugal completing the course in 29.19.
The last cross country of the season at Wrekenton was on Saturday 19 March. In the ladies race Sue Milburn came home 173rd out of 274 runner, she was placed 4th in her age category of over 55. In the men’s race club captain Mark Wade was first back in 36.34, coming 120th out of a field of 454, and was followed closely by Peter Milburn in 39.25, coming in 142nd and 2nd in his age category of over 55. Next, returning after injury, was Martyn Knox in 48.28 and coming in 403rd, then Colin Gibson in 49.42 and 417th, followed in by Dave Thompson in 57.17 and 446th.
Also on Saturday, Trish Kay participated in Coniston 14, a 14 mile road race in the Lake District. She completed the course in an impressive time of 1:57:42, enjoying every minute.
On Sunday 20 March, Sandra Collins competed in the Thirsk 10 road race completing the course in 1:21:00, which was a personal best.
On Good Friday Aycliffe runners attended the Mermaid 10k in Marske. 228 runners took part in the race, with five runners from Aycliffe Running Club. Mark Wade was first home for the club in an impressive time of 37:04, a personal best, and he placed 14th overall. Then came Ste Smith in 43:34 (87th), Robert Young in 44:06 (92nd), Michelle Jane in 44:34 (98th) a personal best, then Rob Jayne in 45:40 (111th).