The latest cross country race in the North Yorkshire and South Durham series was held on Sunday 24th November at Fox Rush Community Woodland near Redcar. Teesdale AC were represented by Steve and Caroline Moss. The course was flat and the weather was fair but conditions were muddy and quite challenging. With most of the course run through woodlands, the most common hazards were tree roots some of which were concealed by mud and leaves. Some slippery sections and a small steam to cross added to the interest. Caroline completed 2 laps in the 5.85k women’s race and Steve took just over 43 minutes for 3 laps in the 8.6k men’s race. The next NYSD fixture is at Summerhill, Hartlepool on 8th December with a larger contingent from Teesdale AC expected to enjoy the challenge.

Kendal 10k trail race is the penultimate race on Teesdale AC ‘s 2019 race calendar and a late addition, so just 3 members made the trip across the Pennines. The race started in the town centre and the 690+ runners were sent on their way by a large and enthusiastic crowd. The route went out of town, climbing up Beast Bank (and it was a bit of a beast!) and onto the fell. A steady climb across the fell, on a stoney path up onto Scout Scar where, as it was a clear day, the runners were treated to amazing views as far as the Howgills. Once again, the rocks were showing through the thin layer of grass so one had to take care, especially as there was a sheer drop on one side and the path was pretty narrow in places. Once off the Scar the route dropped down through some allotment fields, then across Underbarrow Road and skirted the golf course. A pretty muddy; especially for those at the back of the field, and steep descent back onto tarmac and into town again, partly on cobbled steps which needed careful navigation. Steve Moss was first back for the club in an impressive 1.03.56, followed by Judith Rodwell 1.22.24 and Irene Sutherland in 1.39.48. A race to be recommended, especially for those wanting to try trail running.

On Saturday 16th November, Jane Gill travelled down to Rother Valley Country Park to take part in the marathon which was part of a 2 day running festival. Weather was good for running, although the course was wet and muddy. The race involved 9 laps of the lake which was picturesque but rather repetitive. Despite a fall on the first lap, Jane managed a personal best of 4.03.57 which placed her 4th female overall and first in her age category.

On Sunday Trudy Layton, Mandy Harrison and Janet Stables along with their friend Clare McGrath ran a Remembrance Run Half Marathon which was organised to honour our fallen heroes. At 11am we had a 2 minute silence where runners stopped to remember those who bravely fought and gave their lives over 100 years ago and in all conflicts since. It was incredibly moving, we stood in silence listening to the last post from Durham’s Remembrance Service, the runners, the rowers on the river and people out for a Sunday morning walk all observing the two minute silence.

It was a perfect Autumnal day running along the river Wear path with Durham Cathedral in the distance, it was a lapped event which we all managed to complete four laps. Along the route were signs detailing statistics relating to the wars and quotations such as NEVER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN CONFLICT WAS SO MUCH OWED BY SO MANY TO SO FEW – Winston Churchill. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day which ended with Sunday lunch on the way home.

Trudy was back in a time of 2hrs 46 with Mandy and Janet both 3hrs 14 minutes. Once again, we all received a very special medal.

Despite a poor weather forecast 2 Infant members of Teesdale AC, Isabella & Henry Butler,  were  keen to attend Darlington Junior  parkrun early on Sunday 3rd November supported by their mum and Teesdale AC Coaching Assistant  Amanda Pettitt. All runners congregated by the start line for a  race briefing and warmup. The increasingly popular Darlington Junior Parkrun saw some 75 participants test their metal against a wet, slippy and consequently challenging course which sees runners complete 1 lap of the larger 5k course with a deviation that encompasses the south park lake. Isabella & Henry in their third outing acquitted themselves creditably with Isabella achieving a pb in 13.07 closely followed by her brother Henry in 13.18.Isabella & Henry both reported that  they had enjoyed their 3rd Darlington parkrun and will return again soon. Teesdale AC are hoping to encourage junior athletes to participate in parkruns regularly and demonstrate their increasing prowess.

11 members of Teesdale AC together with former member Sean Williams travelled over the water last weekend to Amsterdam to participate in the TCS marathon, half marathon & 8k, accompanied by supporters Debbie Williams, Jo turnbull,  Emma House & Craig Hamilton. First race to start on Sunday 20th October at 9.20 am in the Olympic stadium was the marathon with JudithRodwell (competing in her first marathon), Caroline Hamilton & Steve Moss, One of the highlights was running through the Rijks Museum. The race then followed a winding route through the town which meant supporters and spectators were able to cheer on the runners from several different points. The route then followed the river Amstel out of town, out and back, which gave the runners a chance to see some of the countryside. First back for Teesdale was Steve Moss in 3:37:57 (and in so doing securing a good for age for London Marathon 2021), followed by Caroline Hamilton in 4:48.18 and Judith Rodwell in 4:55:12.

Next up we’re Janet Stables, Trudy Layton & Fiona Turnbull heading off at 10.18 in the 8k race  
which was flat and fast, together with many other friendly runners. The course was a nice loop starting near the Olympic stadium and going through the Vogel Park where it was particularly enjoyable running through followed by the arch under the Rijks Museum. 8k runners actually passed the marathon runners, which enabled Fiona to sight and cheerJudith & Caroline as she ran. First home for Teesdale  in the 8k was a Fiona Turnbull in 46:37, followed by Trudy Layton in 50:13 and with an amazing sprint finish Janet stables  in 58:34. Next up and 
followed by a leisurely start to the day were Barbara & Andrew Crawley, Sean Williams, Caroline Moss, Amanda Pettitt & Irene Sutherland  starting the half marathon which departed at 1.20pm, a one lap route which formed part of the 8k and marathon routes.  Sean Williams was first home in 1:48:32, followed by Barbara Crawley in 2:05:19 Caroline Moss securing a personal best in 2:13:38, Andrew Crawley 2:15:29, Amanda Pettitt 2:28:55 and Irene Sutherland 2:38:58. The Marathon was the only race to start in the Olympic stadium but all races finished in the stadium where runners were welcomed home by rapturous applause. It was a very well organised event with abundant  support throughout the routes. The day was finished with a meal in the centre of Amsterdam. Club members are now looking to decide which destination will be the next overseas event for 2020.

Skye Archer, Linda Scandrett and Jane Gill completed the Race to the Stones 100k. They all chose the “Weekender” where you complete the route over 2 days. The course was hilly, technical, narrow in places and very hard underfoot. Skye and Linda had to negotiate a lot of walkers too as they had a late start on the first morning. It was extremely challenging and although much of both days it was slightly overcast, it was still really warm.  The atmosphere in Base Camp where they spent the night was amazing. The food was great and you could book in for a massage if you wanted. The weekend was a fantastic experience and they would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a different type of challenge. 

On 29th September Club members Judith Rodwell, Mandy Harrison and Janet Stables took part in the first Hart Trail Half Marathon which actually measured 15.2 miles. Conditions were very wet and challenging from the village of Hart through muddy woodland and onto the Hart to Haswell walkway and up to the old pit village of Shotton, returning through Monk Hesleden.  Judith stormed home in a fantastic 2 hours 43 mins 24 seconds Janet and Mandy had trained since January for this event and is the longest they have run to date and completed in 3 hour 56 mins 56 seconds. They ran the event to celebrate Janet’s 50th birthday and thoroughly enjoyed it despite the really wet conditions.

On a dreek Sunday morning 13th October, supported by Skye Archer & Amanda Pettitt, 3 Teesdale AC Infants (Tommy Croom, Isabella & Henry Butler) attended Darlington Junior Parkrun – held weekly at South park- to complete the 2K timed run. The event started with a run briefing and warm up before 96 Juniors aged between 4 to 14 years set off under starters orders from the edge of the Bowling Green on the 1 lap course around the park, passing the bandstand, circling the lake then heading on the final loop towards the infamous Squirrel Hill climb which preceded a final sprint for the finish line. First home for Teesdale AC was Tommy Croom posting a finish time of 10:20 followed by Henry Butler in 13:03 then Isabella Butler 13:25. All three enjoyed the run out and the club plan to attend again with more Infants & Juniors in November.