After registration at the Rugby Club, and watching the rain coming down, runners made the 20 minute walk to Portinscale where the race began and the rain stopped. The route was broadly round Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. Climbing up the Stair, wondering when this hill will end then catching whatever breath left in your lungs because the most magnificent view of the lake and the distant mountains is there in front of you was a highlight. The sun was out at this point which made it even more special. The rest of the route was hilly but undulating. The clouds started to roll in and about half way through the run the rain started again but it was a welcome cool down. After about 20 minutes it stopped but stayed overcast. The last few miles were relatively flat but on the main road which added an element of jeopardy with the sparse but fairly fast moving traffic. A very well marshalled and signed route and one which both TAC runners agree they would tackle again.Vicky Bainbridge came in at 2.10.43 and Judith Rodwell at 2.30.40

Erica Dixon (running for Marie Curie), Gail Foster (running for Parkinson’s Uk), Louise Franks, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull (running for Parkinson’s Uk) and Joanne Wall were all very efficiently delivered to and from this year’s Great North Run by Dave from Hodgson’s.

This was the 40th Great North Run, as last year’s was cancelled due to Covid, with a very well organised staggered start and a different finish, on the Town Moor rather than South Shields seafront.

This meant we got to run over the iconic Tyne Bridge twice & had two fly passes by the Red Arrows. The route was out and back and it was very moving to see the Billboard celebrating the fund raising of Barnard Castle lady, Honia Bor. The route was quite undulating near the end, taking us past the Monument and Blackett Street right in the city centre. As usual there was fantastic public support, cheering us along the way as well as some interesting costumes including the three little pigs, a giraffe, Mario & Luigi and a rather large dog!

This was Dave’s 20th Great North Run and he came in with a very respectable 2.34. It was Gail and Erica’s first Great North Run and they came in at 2:50 & 2:03 respectively. Louise ran 2:20, Joanne 2:32, & Fiona 2:54.

Also running from the Club were Lesley Chapman, Clare McGrath, Mandy Harrison and Tilly McAllister but their times weren’t available when the article was written and unfortunately were unable to be in the photo taken at the start.

Thanks very much for the support crew Judith Rodwell and Peter Dixon. Pictured left to right Joanne Wall, Erica Dixon, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull, Gail Foster and Louise Franks.

The Stanhope 10 mile is a recently introduced race, in its 3rd year and run for charity. This year’s charity is Quinn’s Retreat, supporting families affected by suicide.

The run starts at the Stanhope Showground and leads up the hill back towards Teesdale. The day started cool but as the runners toiled up the hill, the sun came out and the day warmed up. At the top of the first hill the race turned towards Bollihope and back towards Stanhope. The views from the top were magnificent and those struggling with the gradient had longer to appreciate them!

The race is officially untimed so the timings of the three Teesdale AC runners are taken from their own devices. First back was Victoria Bainbridge with 1.43.00 closely followed by Katy Smith in 1.43.28 and Judith Rodwell came home in 1.54. A very challenging run but enjoyable and friendly.

Teesdale Athletic Club at the Gateshead 10K Trail Run

Over a thousand runners, young and not so young, took part in the Gateshead 10K Trail run in the picturesque surroundings of Derwent Walk Country Park on Saturday 14th August. Starting (and finishing) at the Blaydon Rugby Club grounds the off road trail run follows clear paths through Derwent Country Park with superb views (for those with time to look) along the way. The route is largely flat and fast with the occasional incline to test the runners’ stamina.

Dark clouds threatened to dampen the proceedings but soon dispersed giving excellent running conditions and after an enthusiastic mass warm up under the guidance of the excellent MC the race began, elite runners sprinting off first followed by amateur runners.

Teesdale AC was represented by 7 runners, all completing the run and enjoying this well organized event, pleased to be back in competition after such a long break.

Run times for the Teesdale crew were:

Peter Wilcox 48:05

Claire Hesketh 51:50

Mike Jarman 51:52

Barbara Crawley 56:26

Judith Rodwell 1:02:51

Amanda Pettitt 1:04:25

Jane Mardon 1:35:22

Well done to all the Teesdale runners.

The race winning time was 32:52, something to aspire to!

The London Landmarks Half Marathon took place on Sunday 1^st August. Katy Smith proudly represented Teesdale AC in what was her first official half marathon. Around 12,500 runners set off in waves from Trafalgar Square following a mostly flat course, passing landmarks such as the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London amongst others. Runners were spurred on by musical performances along the route – live DJ’s, string quartets, choirs and even the Bow Bells rang out! The weather was kind, good running conditions with an overcast sky and one or two showers to cool runners down. Katy achieved a PB of 2:10:00.

Teesdale Athletic Club runners Vicky Bainbridge and Alan Bray both took part in the Darlington 10 kilometre road race on Sunday 1st August. The weather was warm but the clouds kept the sun at bay and running conditions were good.

The race was well organised and over one thousand runners were set off socially distanced, in waves, one minute apart. Alan was first back in 411th place in a time of 50 minutes and 50 seconds and finished 3rd male over 70, Vicky followed soon after in 495th position in a time of 53 minutes and 38 seconds which was a personal best time over the 10k distance. 

Teesdale AC were out in force on Thursday evening for the Children with Cancer charity 5k in South Park,  Darlington on Thursday 1 July. Everyone was pleased to be out and racing, especially for a good cause and on such a lovely evening. Alison, Steven and Andrew Mounter ran as a family for the first time and stayed together all the way round. Erica Dixon was first home for the club; she was running as part of her training for the Great North Run in September. She enjoyed the race so much she did an extra lap to keep Jane company!

Results are as follows :Erica Dixon 26.35, Barbara Crawley 27.05, Judith Rodwell 30.36, Amanda Pettitt 31.02, Tricia Child 31.09, Joanne Wall 32.05, Simon Pettitt 32.21, Gail Foster 33.27, Alison Mounter 34.37, Steven Mounter 34.38, Andrew Mounter 34.38, Fiona Turnbull 38.22, Jane Mardon 44.42

Some members’ offspring also entered the run and Rhys Foster came in at 25.14, Jevon Crawley 25.18 and Fiona’s two, Henry and Stella finished in 26.34 and 38.14 respectively. 

Teesdale Athletic Club runners made the short trip down the A1 to Scorton for the Kiplin Hall 10k trail race.The race was run in the gardens and grounds of Kiplin Hall with two laps of the lake, 1 large lap and 1 small lap near the finish. The course went through the grounds which had a couple of rough sections but was very dry underfoot, it was also well marked out and well marshalled.The race was still subject to Covid rules with a socially distanced start with runners setting off in groups of six, twenty seconds apart, 192 runners set off . On a warm and muggy evening, Steve Moss was the first Teesdale runner back in 29th position and first vet over 60, in a time of 45 minutes and 39 seconds. Steve was followed by Alan Bray in 81st position in 54 min 7 seconds, Caroline Moss 64 min 45 sec, Joanne Wall 67 min 36sec and Tricia Child in 67 min 55secs, this was Tricias first ever 10k race. Fiona Turnbull started but unfortunately had to withdraw after two miles.All runners enjoyed the race which was finished off with tea and cake on the green kindly supplied by Kiplin Hall