After registration at the Rugby Club, and watching the rain coming down, runners made the 20 minute walk to Portinscale where the race began and the rain stopped. The route was broadly round Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. Climbing up the Stair, wondering when this hill will end then catching whatever breath left in your lungs because the most magnificent view of the lake and the distant mountains is there in front of you was a highlight. The sun was out at this point which made it even more special. The rest of the route was hilly but undulating. The clouds started to roll in and about half way through the run the rain started again but it was a welcome cool down. After about 20 minutes it stopped but stayed overcast. The last few miles were relatively flat but on the main road which added an element of jeopardy with the sparse but fairly fast moving traffic. A very well marshalled and signed route and one which both TAC runners agree they would tackle again.Vicky Bainbridge came in at 2.10.43 and Judith Rodwell at 2.30.40
The Acorn Bank 10k took place on Sunday 26th September on the quiet country roads around Temple Sowerby near Penrith. Alan Bray took part in the race which was formerley known as the Stonybeck 10k, it was last run in 2019 before the covid pandemic started.
The race ran from the Acorn Bank National Trust Property near Temple Sowerby over a tough undulating course (with a few challenging hills). Alan completed the course in a time of 53 minutes and 27 seconds
Erica Dixon (running for Marie Curie), Gail Foster (running for Parkinson’s Uk), Louise Franks, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull (running for Parkinson’s Uk) and Joanne Wall were all very efficiently delivered to and from this year’s Great North Run by Dave from Hodgson’s.
This was the 40th Great North Run, as last year’s was cancelled due to Covid, with a very well organised staggered start and a different finish, on the Town Moor rather than South Shields seafront.
This meant we got to run over the iconic Tyne Bridge twice & had two fly passes by the Red Arrows. The route was out and back and it was very moving to see the Billboard celebrating the fund raising of Barnard Castle lady, Honia Bor. The route was quite undulating near the end, taking us past the Monument and Blackett Street right in the city centre. As usual there was fantastic public support, cheering us along the way as well as some interesting costumes including the three little pigs, a giraffe, Mario & Luigi and a rather large dog!
This was Dave’s 20th Great North Run and he came in with a very respectable 2.34. It was Gail and Erica’s first Great North Run and they came in at 2:50 & 2:03 respectively. Louise ran 2:20, Joanne 2:32, & Fiona 2:54.
Also running from the Club were Lesley Chapman, Clare McGrath, Mandy Harrison and Tilly McAllister but their times weren’t available when the article was written and unfortunately were unable to be in the photo taken at the start.
Thanks very much for the support crew Judith Rodwell and Peter Dixon. Pictured left to right Joanne Wall, Erica Dixon, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull, Gail Foster and Louise Franks.