On Sunday 3rd March Members and family of Teesdale Athletic Club made the journey over to North Yorkshire for the next leg of the NYSD Cross Country in the interesting location of Richmond Old Race Course. It was a British Horse Racing Track which closed in 1891. The Stone built Grandstand is the World’s Oldest Surviving but became derelict after WW2. The course is high above Richmond and has fantastic views over The Aske Estate  towards Aycliffe, east over Teesside and south across Wensleydale, Pen Hill and beyond. The Race was hosted by Richmond and Zetland Harriers.  The course  was mostly around the perimeter. Jack Wheeler and Jake Hooper competed in the first race U15’s at 11.30 am. Jack was 5th (19.03) and Jake 7th (25.49). Then Ellie Cox and Gail Foster completed 6k, three small laps, which started half way up the hill went round the back of the grandstand, with a long section to the bottom and then a long incline back up. There was a short muddy section but was generally firm underfoot but a bit ‘claggy’ in places. Ellie was 18th (30.00) and Gail was 79th (44.34).  Dave Raymond, Stuart Jones and Rhys Foster completed the last race of 9.6 K which was one short lap and three long.  Dave was 69th (49.02), Stuart was 74th (50.54) and Rhys was 81st (53.47). The race was well marshalled and competitors were reminded not to cut corners as disqualification could prove costly! Runners were supported by family, and cheered on and encouraged by other runners waiting for their race.

A race report with a difference, Alan took part in the Raby Castle 5k Traildog Race today. A very cold start but plenty of noise and excitement with about 120 dogs and their owners. As the title says the race was run on trails around Raby Castle and conditions were quite good; time and position doesn’t matter as Alan thinks he got the course wrong and finished early. They were treated with a medal and a goodie bag of doggy and human treats at the finish.

On Sunday 5th November, six enthusiastic members of Teesdale AC travelled to Foxrush Farm on the outskirts of Redcar for the second round of the NYSD cross country winter series. Blue skies and warm sunshine greeted the team. However, the previous days of heavy rain had left the flat course an energy sapping swampy mud fest in places, with a brief respite on some of the tracks through the woods. Erica & John were first to go in the seniors ladies and men’s V65 class, completing the 5.8km course, comprising two laps, in 35m23s and 29m22s respectively. Nigel, David, Mark & Rhys completed the senior men’s 8.6km course, comprising three laps, in 41m30s, 44m34s, 46m0s & 47m54s respectively. The feelings of exhaustion disappeared afterwards as quickly as the mud dried on running shoes & warm legs while the group recalled their challenging experiences of the run to one another and enjoyed the camaraderie.

>

On Saturday 28th October, eleven of team TAC prised themselves out of bed and into a mini bus (paid for by club funds) on an early start for the journey from Barney to Ripon for Fountains Abbey Parkrun. We arrived to a typical Autumn morning (cool, dull and dank but thankfully dry) with the tree leaves above us resembling a multi-coloured quilt of green, brown, gold and orange. A short walk led us to the famous abbey ruins which peered out of the mist to reveal their commanding majestic shapes.

The 5k run comprised a short and long lap around the stunning Studley Royal grounds with its autumnal woods, peaceful paths, lush lakes, wonderful waterfalls and the river Skell tumbling through the middle.

A good field of 408 entrants participated with the following results from the TAC team:

Nigel Mawer 39th (21.07), Ellie Cox 81st (23.22), Michael Dolderson 113th (24.38), Erica Dixon 143rd (25.51), Jack Wheeler 176th (26.56), Andrew Stainthorpe 204th (28.13), Olivia Hall 206th (28.17), Carrie Wheeler 230th (29.11), David Raymond 269th (30.39), Gail Foster 329th (33.52) and Karen Dolderson 332nd (34.10)

Everyone enjoyed the run followed by well-earned refreshments in The Unicorn, a magical mysterious creature, but this one provided cooked breakfasts, muffins and bacon butties washed down by bottomless mugs of tea & coffee. Once we were all revitalised, there was still time left to explore the city of Ripon with its’ central market square, alleyways and cathedral. Tired out, we returned to Barney having agreed it a wonderful morning and vowing to make it a regular event. Now where’s the next Parkrun with a ‘spoons nearby?😂😂

On Sunday 24th September five members of TAC took part in the Wild Deer Event at Raby Castle, a race included on this year’s Club Championship calendar. This local event at Raby Castle where deer roam the grounds and with miles of epic scenery was the perfect location for the 5,10, and 15-mile runs on offer. With ample free parking, it was a short walk to the registration tent which was right next to the castle. This was also the location of the start and finish. This annual Trail event was a moderately undulating mixed terrain of rough trails, firm paths, grass paths and muddy woodland paths. At the ford, a short detour was made over the bridge.
It was extremely well organised, with route markers and marshals and perfect weather conditions.
All runners received a medal, snack, drink and event merchandise. The results were 5-mile run Gail Foster 1.03. 10mile run Mark Russell 1.22, Stuart Jones 1.28.15 mile run Dave Raymond 2.11 and Erica Dixon 2.31.

Gail Foster and Adam Yeadon completed the Scorton Feast Memorial 10k around the setting of Scorton Lakes in this beautiful North Yorkshire village on 20th August.

It was a flat, multi-terrain course changed this year to utilise the pathways and the tunnel under the road. There were plenty of marshals en route, which was very well sign posted. The race was part of a three-day village event. It was a sell-out race as all 150 places had been taken. All the runners got a hot drink and cake. Proceeds of the event were split between Target Ovarian Cancer and Herriot  Hospice Homecare. Adam finished in 22nd place with a time of 47 minutes and Gail finished in 123rd place with a time of 1 hour 17 minutes.

Trudy Layton ran the Ali Brownlee 5K on 30 June. This is a great 5k where everyone feels like a true champion. It starts outside the Riverside Stadium in Middlesborough, heading out past the college and Transporter Bridge before returning and finishing inside the Stadium, where runners come in to the sound of cheering spectators and the tune of Chariots of Fire. It was a warm night with a heavy drizzle to keep runners cool and Trudy finished with a time of 32.58 minutes.

Louise Frank’s, Trudy Layton and Joanne Wall took part in the Blaydon Race. The race is 5.8 miles and follows the route of the horse racegoers in the 1862 Geordie Ridley song. A warm and sunny Friday night saw all 3 ladies cross the finish line together in a time of 01:02:56. The ham & pease pudding stottie and Blaydon Race beer in the goodie bags at the end was well earned!

Organised by Durham Fell Runners the Cockfield Chase took place on Thursday 27th April. Six members of Teesdale Athletic Club took part in the 7km race. It was a cold and wet start to the race but the rain soon stopped .The race is designed as a beginner’s race, with two laps of 3.5km.The first lap is in a group to familiarise the runners with the course. Once the first runner is back the second lap race starts. The course was challenging and scenic with a elevation of 160 metres. There were lots of on the night entries and more female starters than males. Apparently this is rare in fell running.
Participants were asked to bring a prize “anything will do” .If you took a prize you got a prize and along with lots of bottles was a melon, free range eggs and a box of Yorkshire tea. Andy Blackett and his volunteers did a great job but they had some technical problems sorting the results. First female back for the club was Carrie Wheeler who had a great run and is one of the couch to 5k graduates. Her time was 31.34. Followed by Joanne Wall 32.35 and Gail Foster 33.27. First male finisher was Dave Raymond 20.31.Second Stuart Jones 21.15 and third Rhys Foster 24.25. Refreshments were provided by Butterknowle Sea Scouts.