Teesdale Athletics Club runners accompanied by other runners from Barnard Castle took part in Sundays Great North Run Half Marathon.

Louise Franks, Erica Dixon (first runner back from the club in 2:04), Rhys Foster (first male club runner in 2:16), Fiona Turnbull, Gail Foster, Joanne Wall, Karen Watson and Alison Mawer all from Teesdale Athletic Club were accompanied by Will McNab, Rachel Tweddle, Clare McGrath, Mandy Harrison. Other runners who ran but are not pictured are Suzanne Hunter, Victoria Emmerson, Dave Sellwood, Sarah Norman, Steve Devlin, Anna Newrick and Claire Priestley.

This was Rhys, Karen, Anna and Will’s first GNR and they picked a warm one! With approximately 60,000 people it was a huge event. Ailish McColgen started the race after a minute’s silence and the singing of ‘God Save the King’ to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth.

 It was back to the normal route from the town centre to the seaside and as usual there were bands and supporters all along the route. Only one of the group sampled the famous beer at mile 10 and apparently it was lovely!

On Friday evening Trudy Layton along with Alison, Andrew and Steven Mounter, travelled to Middlesbrough to take part in the Ali Brownlee 5K, which returned to the Boro after a three year hiatus. Celebrating the “Voice of the Boro”, and his passionate commentary of Middlesbrough F.C. from 1982 to 2016, as well as his amazing community fundraising work, the run raised valuable funds for Mind Middlesbrough and Stockton, Daisy Chain, Leo’s, South Cleveland Heart Fund, South Tees Hospitals Charity, The Teesside Family Foundation, Our Hospitals Charity and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

There was a new route for 2022, with a start and finish in Centre Square. Runners left the Square and ran down to and around the exterior of the Riverside Stadium, before turning to run adjacent to the river, passing the iconic Transporter Bridge before turning back up to the finish line. 

First home for Teesdale AC was Alison in 33.38, followed by Andrew in 33.49, Steven in 33.53 and Trudy in 34.09.

Full details of Teesdale AC training sessions can be found on the club website, teesdaleac.com. All levels of ability are encouraged and welcome. Follow us on Instagram – teesdaleac2022