What a week it has been for members of Aycliffe Running Club with some amazing achievements and determination shown this week. The week started off with three members travelling to South Shields to take part in the monthly South Shields mile on Wednesday 5 June. Representing the club were Angela Sutheran (in a new PB of 6:53), Dave Stothard (6:58) and Ian Stothard (12:10).
On Wednesday 5 June, one member took part in the Whorlton Fell race, which is a fell race set in the North Yorkshire Moors and included 427 metres of climbing along a course of 6.8 miles including one pretty steep incline. Martin Turnbull was the sole representative for the club finishing in a time of 55:14.
On Saturday 8 June, two members took part in a unique challenge termed as the Lake District Ultra Challenge. This saw runners start at Kendal, before continuing on an astonishing 100km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, the Garburn Pass, historic Ambleside, a half way point by Lake Windermere, forests & nature reserves – with some stunning views en-route, before a huge welcome & celebration back at basecamp after a momentous journey. It also include an ascent of in excess of 2,500 metres. Ste Dunn and James Cooper completed the event in an excellent time of 17 hours, 27 minutes and 46 seconds. This was made even more remarkable with one of our members suffering with a knee injury from 40km and suffering ankle ligament damage from 79k and having to strap it up just to keep going. Amazing determination by both of them to keep each other going to complete the challenge.
On the same day, eight members travelled to Swaledale for one of the toughest trail marathons about. This saw runners complete a course of approximately 24 miles, taking in a huge 1,258 metres of climbing, including some pretty steep inclines from the beginning. Nearly all of the members taking part had some sort of set back in the run up to the race, be that from injury or illness. It shows the strength of character from each of those, with just getting round, let alone with the times they achieved. Representing the club were Matt Heron (4:24), Martyn Knox (4:51), Michelle Dixon (4:57), Paul Dalton (5:36), Carley Cooper (6:33), Sandrine Hewitt (7:00), Nici Ingman (7:03) and Rob Nicholson (7:28).
On Sunday 9 June, two members took part in the Swansea Half Marathon. Mikey Taylor (1:17:48) and Richard Trowles (1:19:03), both set new personal bests for a half marathon with two amazing performances and both finishing in the top 50.
On the same day, five members took part in one of the most iconic North East races, the famous Blaydon Races. This sees runners run a total of 5.8 miles from Newcastle to Blaydon and is a celebration of the North East’s running community, local culture and heritage. Representing the club were Kieron O’Connor (37:05), Karl Hume (38:22), Trish Kay (51:02), Sam Harding (56:30 and new personal best and beating her previous time by over one minute) and Jayne Rudd (58:21),
Also a huge well done to all our Juniors who took part in their regional County Championships at either Monkton Stadium or York University including Henry, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abbie and Charlotte. There were some excellent performances and valuable learning to build on. Events like these allows the club and the athlete to focus on their events and understand where their strengths lie with so many positives to take away. Going forward from the club to represent DCSAA County Durham at Inter-county final in Gateshead Stadium are Elizabeth Clay (100m) and Charlotte Clay (300m).
On Saturday 8 June, 35 members started their weekend with a parkrun. At Eastleigh, Lou Mann (32:38) completed the course for the first time. At Whitley Bay, Dave Stothard (26:39) and Ian Stothard (38:10) both completed the course for the first time.
At Hackworth, Karl Hume (21:14) finished third, with Bernadette Cooper (23:32), first female. At Hartlepool, Angela Sutheran (23:13) finished as third female. Richard Trowles (21:08) completed the course at Swansea Bay for the first time. At Thorp Perrow, Jean-Pierre Hupin (29:57) and Em Flynn (33:50) both completed the course for the first time before supporting the runners at Swaledale..
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.