Teesdale AC athletes were racing over the weekend with a team competing in the first meeting of the North Yorkshire & South Durham cross country league. This was a relay race held at Thirsk involving 1 mile laps of a relatively level course. Vicky Bainbridge, Leah Rosengarten and Katy Smith each ran 2 laps in the womens race taking the 13th place out of the 19 teams competing, in an overall time of 55.38. This was a great start and demonstrates the potential for good competition by Teesdale AC in all the season’s cross country races which are held throughout the region.
Five members of Teesdale AC travelled to Castle Bolton in Wensleydale for the scenic 18 and 7 mile “Falls and Castle Trail Races”. The races are both circular, starting right next to the Castle and the 18 mile race climbs high towards the West then drops down to join the 7 mile route at Aysgarth Falls before both loop back up the steep hill to the Castle. Great courses with very varied terrain, excellent signage and many marshals all contributed to the enjoyment of these well organised races. This overcame some impacts of the weather as heavy showers drenched all the runners and led to some wet and muddy running conditions, although fortunately the temperature remained warm. In the 18 mile race with 88 runners, Steve Moss took 3 hours 3 minutes and was placed 33rd and was 2nd V60. In the 7 mile race with 95 runners, first home for Teesdale AC was Caroline Moss in 1 hour 21 and 57th place. Trudy Layton came in 83rd in 1:38 followed by Janet Stables and Mandy Harrison 88th & 89th in 1:46 who included a stop for a photo shoot at Aysgarth Lower Falls! Provision of “Hi-Vis” T-shirts, cold non- alcoholic beer and goody bags to all the finishers rounded off an enjoyable morning of trail races.
4 members of Teesdale Athletic Club attended this punishing trail run on Sunday 18th August which measured 11k. Part of the Urban Trails series of races by Trail Outlaws. Set in a beautiful and historic area of County Durham the Branches and Bays 10k is unique and spectacular.
Starting in the local village of Hawthorn, the route takes you through the Durham Wildlife Trust and National Trust managed woodland of Hawthorn Dene. Then the running of the Bays of Hawthorn Hive and The Blast Beach.
Morag Burton was first woman home for Teesdale in a time of 1:32:10, closely followed by Emma Ford 1:32:26, Janet Stables and Mandy Harrison in 1:41:00. Janet said this is her favourite race of the year, so challenging and so very beautiful.
On Sunday 25th August 4 members of Teesdale Athletic Club made their way round the undulating and stunningly beautiful 5.5 mile trail route at Auckland Castle and surrounding area. The run was through the grounds, onto the old railway, through fields and woodland before back to the grounds and to the finish in front of the castle. It was a very warm but rewarding day for running. First Lady home for Teesdale was Skye Archer 1:00:50, followed by Linda Scandrett in 1:01:31. Janet Stables and Mandy Harrison were thrilled to arrive back in 1:17:43. A fabulous local run.
Nine members of Teesdale AC travelled to Newcastle to take part in the Great North Run Half Marathon. First back for Teesdale was Josh Crawley in a time of 01:44:13 followed by Caroline Stanger 01:50:06, Simon Pettitt 02:09:53, Judith Rodwell 02:11:08, David Palmer 02:11:43, Debra Baker 02:21:06, Andrew Crawley 02:26:59, Amanda Pettitt 02:34:20 and Fiona Bainbridge 02:39:58
Two members of Teesdale Athletic Club rose early on Saturday 7th September to run in the Great North 5K. Both Mandy Harrison and Janet Stables have run in the event before. Sadly, the earlier time of 8am and other events in the area meant that the event wasn’t as well attended or supported as in previous years. Also an error meant that all runners missed a 300-400m loop meaning that the run was short. Nonetheless Mandy achieved a time of 33mins 11seconds and Janet 35mins 29 seconds. The run was enjoyable despite the issues.
Six members of Teesdale Athletic Club travelled over to Lancaster on Sunday 1st September for the “Golden Ball” 10 and 20 mile races. Using the handy resources of the 3-1-5 Lancaster Health Club as a base, the races follow a good flat path towards the centre of Lancaster and then back out into the countryside following the river Lune. Everyone sets off together and runners in the 20 mile race complete two laps of the same 10 mile circuit. Well organised and with good support from spectators and marshals, these races are good preparation for an autumn half or a full marathon.
Occasional showers kept the runners cool between the sunny intervals on Sunday resulting in overall good running weather. First home for Teesdale in the 10 mile race of 106 runners was George Mackellar in 1:13:42 taking 27th place, and Caroline Moss was 89th in 1:40:35. With a slightly larger field of 124 in the 20 mile race, Steve Moss came in 49th in 2:44:33, Claire Hesketh 82nd in 3:12:44, Caroline Hamilton 96th in 3:27:38 and Judith Rodwell 106th in 3:36:45. In their respective age group categories Judith was 1st placed, Steve was 2nd and Claire 3rd.
On Sunday 1st September, Katie Mottershead and Simon and Amanda Pettitt travelled to Middlesbrough to compete in the Asda Foundation Middlesbrough 10k (formerly Tees Pride 10K) which is now part of the Jane Tomlinson’s Run for All series. Organisers promised to retain the flat and fast course which started in the grounds of Acklam Hall before heading out to Acklam Road on a 1 loop course passing Middlesbrough Sports Village & James Cooke Hospital along the way. The event was well supported with many families enjoying themselves by either supporting, competing or just enjoying the event Village. The morning started a with a 3k fun run before the 10k runners lined the start to the sound of cheering crowds that lined the route throughout. The race certainly did not dissappoint on the promise of flat and fast course and competitors returned to enjoy the great atmosphere in the event village where there were many stalls selling local produce, ice creams and drinks. Katie Mottershead was first home for Teesdale AC in an impressive time of 51.54 , followed by Simon Pettitt posting as time of 54.47 and Amanda Pettitt in 59.30. (Amanda was delighted to secure her very first sub 60 minute 10k).