On Sunday 19th December 2021, 13 members of Teesdale Athletics Club travelled to Barton, nr Darlington, to take part in the annual McTaggart Trot. The race is organised by Darlington Harriers and raises valuable funds for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington. This team event sees teams of three run together over a cumulative distance of 11 miles.  At 4 miles one member drops out, then the second member finishes at 7.5 miles with the remaining team member finishing the full 11 miles. Fancy dress is a must and there were santas, snowmen and elves in abundance!    Well done to Fiona Turnbull, Louise Franks, Dave Raymond, Steven Mounter, Jane Mardon, Gail Foster, Joanne Wall, Erica Dixon, Christine Whitford, Alan Bray, Melanie Pullman, Judith Rodwell and Alison Mounter, who all braved the freezing fog and bitterly cold temperature.  The teams were supported by Janet Stables who gave us all plenty of encouragement and much appreciated lifts from the various stops back to the village hall.

Mud, steep hills, up and down, plus a water hazard greeted three members of Teesdale Athletics Club as they undertook the Hartlepool leg of the NYSD Cross Country season at Summerhill Country Park.  Louise Franks, Alison Mounter and Dave Raymond took on the challenging course with the ladies completing 4.6 km, in the senior/Vet women’s race, in 30.35 and 34.28 minutes respectively.  Dave had 8.9km to run and completed the U20/Senior/Vet men’s race  in 48.29 minutes.  All three participants finished with wet feet, muddy legs and with a smile on their faces having thoroughly enjoyed the challenges the course had thrown at them.