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.
On Sunday 14th November 2021, Claire Hesketh, Mike Jarman and Alison Mounter travelled up to the Town Moor in Newcastle to take part in the Heaton Harriers Memorial 10K. After a minute’s silence to commemorate all those that have fought for our country the race set off at 11 am. Claire and Mike had a superb race finishing together in 47.55. Claire was awarded 2nd prize in her age category. Alison, running her very first 10K race, crossed the line in 67.37.
Sunday 21st November saw the third meeting of the NYSD Cross Country League.
The sun was shining brightly at Croft Racing Circuit but a cruel northly wind was blowing across the course.
Before the races started each club had to erect their tent, no mean feat in that wind!
The course was around the perimeter of the race track, 3 laps for women, 4 for men. As it had been fairly dry lately, the grassy banks were negotiable, though it was awkward running on the side of the slope.
The two Teesdale women were: Louise Franks, finishing in 101st place in 44.12 and Judith Rodwell, 106th in 45 minutes.
For the men: Dave Walters came in 74th in 37.53, Nigel Mawer 95th in 38.55 and Dave Raymond 126th in 41.46.
After packing up the tent, everyone went home to thaw out and look forward to the next meeting on 5th December at Summerhill.
Leeds Abbey Dash was once a major fixture on the Teesdale AC calendar with a coach full of our athletes taking part but this year only 4 members drove down to Leeds on 24 October to join a much reduced field. Because of covid restrictions the race started on the Headrow, rather than the usual muddy car park and didn’t take the turn round the shopping centre but straight on to the turn around point at Kirkstall Abbey. Spectators were few and far between but all the marshals were very vocal, giving the runners a lot of encouragement. Because it is an out and back course, the pack runners were able to see the elite flying back to the finish line, first runner back in 28.46.
Mike Jarman was first back for Teesdale in 45.15, followed by Claire Hesketh in 49.12, Barbara Crawley in 54.28 and Judith Rodwell in 1.01.51. Judith was second in her age group.
York 10 mile race took place on 16 October 2021
Teesdale AC runner Mandy Harrison took part and finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. She reported that the race was well supported with crowds lining the route and she thoroughly enjoyed her day.
A sunny, but breezy, autumnal day welcomed three TAC members to take part in the 2nd cross country of the NYSD season at Foxrush Farm, Redcar.
Dave Raymond, Tricia Child and Alison Mounter competed on a course which was predominantly flat with mixed terrain across fields and through woodland including a couple of ditches to traverse.
All three runners thoroughly enjoyed the course with Tricia and Alison running in the senior womens race with two laps of the course, finishing in 107th place, 40.27, and 116th place, 44.47,respectively. Dave finished in 41.55, coming 109th in the senior mens race, having completed three laps of the course.
On a glorious sunny & warm October day, Alan Bray and David Raymond from Teesdale AC made the short journey to Richmond to compete in the Swaledale Runners’ 10K road race. The start was adjacent to the spectacular setting of Richmond Castle and the river Swale. The course then set out through the beautiful undulating countryside around Richmond before returning for a final lap of the castle. David completed the course in 48:17 and Alan in 54:57. Afterwards they succumbed to some well earned tasty treats from one of the many independent bakeries in the town.
Teesdale Athletic Club were well supported at the first NYSD cross country races of the new season being held at Acklam School in Middlesbrough. Teesdale had 6 athletes taking part, four in the senior ladies and two in the senior mens races.
The senior ladies had a windy and sunny start and first back for Teesdale in 107th place was Eleanor Buck in a time of 33 minutes and 58 seconds closely followed by Judith Rodwell 119th in 35 min 45sec. Two place behind Judith came Tricia Childs in 36 min 35 secs with Alison Mounter in 132nd place in a time of 39 mins and 36 seconds. For Eleanor, Tricia and Alison this was their first ever cross country race which they all completed superbly.
It was starting to shower with rain for the start of the senior mens race and Dave Raymond and Mike Jarman came in 2 seconds apart at the finish. Dave was first back in 104th place in a time of 48 minutes and 52 secs followed by Mike Jarman in 105th place in 48 mins and 54 secs.
All the runners thoroughly enjoyed their day and look forward to the next cross country meeting.
Four members of Teesdale AC ( Leslie, Barbara, Jane and Amanda travelled from the North East to London to participate in the much heralded 2021 Virgin London Marathon, the first “live London” since the onset of the pandemic.
Covid protocols required a wave start meaning that runners commenced their journey from Blackheath to the Mall at different times to provide for greater participant separation.
First off the line for Teesdale AC were Leslie Chapman and Jane Gill, thereafter followed by Barbara Crawley and Amanda Pettitt.
This proved to be a joyous and enthusiastically supported event with crowds lining the route cheering participants on through changeable weather conditions which (almost!) saw four seasons in one day.
The London Marathon continues to prove a huge draw for runners from all over the world and from all points on the running spectrum.
It also provides an invaluable opportunity for charities to raise funds for the work they undertake.
Amanda Pettitt for example ran for Muscular Dystrophy U.K. and is delighted to have raised over £3,500.
Sadly, one Teesdale AC runner, Caroline Hamilton was unable to participate having to defer due to a late injury but having supported her fellow Teesdale AC participants looks forward eagerly to the 2022 race.
Local athlete and member of Teesdale Athletics Club, Claire Hesketh, competed in the Essar Chester Half Marathon on September 19th. In perfect conditions for racing the course started at the horse racing course, weaving through the city centre before heading out into the picturesque towns and villages, later finishing in front of the beautiful sandstone Town Hall.
The race was a qualifying event for the British Masters competition in 2022 and after finishing in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes Claire was well inside the qualifying standard of 1.54 and finished as required in the top 3 of her age group Female Vet 60.
Subsequently Claire has received notification from England Athletics that she has been selected to represent England in the British Masters Half Marathon championships in 2022.