It’s been another busy week for Aycliffe Running Club which started on Good Friday (29 March) with the traditional Easter Coast 5 Mile race. Five members travelled to Marske for the Marske to Redcar and back road race. Representing the club were Rob Young (32:42), David Stothard (41:15), Sue Podmore (46:09), Judith Porter (51:35) and Kirsty Cameron (52:20).
On Easter Sunday (31 March), two members travelled to North Shields for the North Tyneside 10k which is seen as being one of the most scenic running events in the UK. The route takes in a working Fish Quay, the River Tyne, Tynemouth Priory and Castle, and a long stretch of coastline before finishing at St. Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. Representing the club and running together were Viv Williams and Steve Williams, both finishing in a time of 1:04:20.
On the same day, four members completed the Darlington Easter 5k fun run in South Park. Tamara Kirk and her son Harry who won a spot prize of an Easter egg, Jean-Pierre Hupin, Carley Cooper and Em Flynn all completed the run receiving a goody bag which included an Easter egg and sweets, with one of our generous members giving his away to a young girl at the course. Amazing spirit and what Easter is about.
On Saturday 23 March, 31 members started their weekend with a parkrun, taking in the Town Moor, Sedgefield, Stewart, Darlington South Park, Hackworth, Potternewton, Hamsterley Forest and Wynyard Woodland events.
At Stewart Park, Richard Tonge (32:31) and Kathleen Tonge (33:16) completed the course for the first time. At Hackworth, John Surtees (18:06) finished first with Tracey Surtees (22:28), finishing as first lady.
Over at Potternewton, three members continued with their parkrun tourism. Carley Cooper (31:01), Jean-Pierre Hupin (31:10) and Em Flynn (34:49) all completing the course for the first time.
On Saturday 30 March an amazing 41 members started their weekend with a parkrun, taking in the Town Moor, Huddersfield, Ferry Meadows, Sedgefield, Burgess, Darlington South Park, Hackworth, Perry Hall, Wallaceneuk and Wynyard Woodland events. At Huddersfield, Em Flynn (36:08) completed the course for the first time. At Perry Hall, Richard Tonge (29:58) and Kathleen Tonge (37:53) completed the course for the first time. At Wallaceneuk, Jimmy Agnew (22:28) and Trevor Agnew (24:53) completed the course for the first time. At Sedgefield, Lucy Postle (22:14) set a new PB, smashing her previous best by almost 5 minutes showing the progress she is making since joining the club.
At Wynyard Woodland, an amazing 16 members turned up for the next in the club’s parkrun tourism events. Representing the club were Mikey Taylor (17:48 setting a new personal best, whilst finishing third), Richard Trowles (18:54), Richard Holland (22:02), Bernadette Cooper (24:51 and second lady), Angela Sutheran (24:55), Sarah Gill (25:03 new course PB), Salv McDonnell (26:17). David Stothard (26:32), Cath McDonnell (28:28 new course PB), Sue Podmore (29:01). Keith Hatton (30:13), Sandrine Hewitt (30:39 new course PB), Rob Nicholson (30:46), Melanie Rowland (30:59), Peter Varley (32:15) and Ian Stothard (37:45 new course PB).
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.