Five runners represented Teesdale AC at the Jolly Holly Jog on 29th December. Held within the grounds of Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey, this is a tough hilly 10k course mainly on tracks but with about one third of the course on quiet roads. On a sunny day the views were spectacular and very little wind the weather was nearly perfect. Barbara Crawley came in first for TAC in 58.26, followed by Andrew Crawley in 59.38, Judith Rodwell 1.06.22, Fiona Turnbull 1.13.16 and completing the course for the first time, Jane Mardon in 1.33.20.
On 22nd December 8 TAC members went to Chopwell Woods to take part in the first Wild Deer Christmas Trails. Mandy Harrison and Janet Stables competed in the 4 mile trail, coming in together in 57.22. In the 10 mile, Josh Crawley came in 31st place with a very impressive 1.27.24. Andrew Crawley was next in 1.54, Barbara Crawley 1.55.49, Judith Rodwell 1.55.52, Simon Pettitt 2.19.46 and Amanda Pettitt 2.20.16. Judith
The 114th North Eastern Counties Cross Country championships were held on December 14th at Alnwick. Amongst the runners representing many regional clubs, Steve Moss lined up at the start line wearing Teesdale AC’s red and white vest. Actually he was also wearing a long sleeved T shirt, and a hat and gloves as there was a bitter freezing cold wind. The courses were set through grassy fields and woods around Alnwick Pastures with several muddy sections, some short tough climbs and two fast descents. Views of Alnwick castle rewarded runners’ efforts multiple times in the three lap men’s 12k race. The weather probably put many runners off as the numbers were lower than usual with 271 senior men running compared to 346 last year and a record of 414 in 2016. Steve took 1:05:18 finishing in 237th position
Junior athlete Alexander Howard represented Teesdale Athletic Club in the North Yorkshire & South Durham Cross Country league race at Acklam, Middlesbrough on Sunday 8th December. Running in his first cross country race, Alexander tackled the 2k course for under 11s with great enthusiasm and relished the slippery mud and deep puddles. He was not fazed by the cold windy conditions, and pushed hard up the final hill making progress within a competitive pack to finish in an excellent 9th position in 7:49.
Skye Archer who coaches the Teesdale junior training group commented “Teesdale AC are very proud of Alexander’s performance and hope to see more juniors representing the club”.
Teesdale seniors also enjoyed the tricky conditions at Acklam with Judith Rodwell in her first adventure on a cross country course joining old hands Katie Mottershead and Skye Archer in the women’s 5.8k race. Katie was first home for Teesdale in 46th position in 29:41 with Skye at 76th in 34:35, and Judith 79th and first in her age group in 35:41. Steve Moss finished 91st in 51:41 in the 10k men’s race.