On 22nd December 8 TAC members went to Chopwell Woods to take part in the first Wild Deer Christmas Trails. Mandy Harrison and Janet Stables competed in the 4 mile trail, coming in together in 57.22. In the 10 mile, Josh Crawley came in 31st place with a very impressive 1.27.24. Andrew Crawley was next in 1.54, Barbara Crawley 1.55.49, Judith Rodwell 1.55.52, Simon Pettitt 2.19.46 and Amanda Pettitt 2.20.16. Judith
The 114th North Eastern Counties Cross Country championships were held on December 14th at Alnwick. Amongst the runners representing many regional clubs, Steve Moss lined up at the start line wearing Teesdale AC’s red and white vest. Actually he was also wearing a long sleeved T shirt, and a hat and gloves as there was a bitter freezing cold wind. The courses were set through grassy fields and woods around Alnwick Pastures with several muddy sections, some short tough climbs and two fast descents. Views of Alnwick castle rewarded runners’ efforts multiple times in the three lap men’s 12k race. The weather probably put many runners off as the numbers were lower than usual with 271 senior men running compared to 346 last year and a record of 414 in 2016. Steve took 1:05:18 finishing in 237th position
Junior athlete Alexander Howard represented Teesdale Athletic Club in the North Yorkshire & South Durham Cross Country league race at Acklam, Middlesbrough on Sunday 8th December. Running in his first cross country race, Alexander tackled the 2k course for under 11s with great enthusiasm and relished the slippery mud and deep puddles. He was not fazed by the cold windy conditions, and pushed hard up the final hill making progress within a competitive pack to finish in an excellent 9th position in 7:49.
Skye Archer who coaches the Teesdale junior training group commented “Teesdale AC are very proud of Alexander’s performance and hope to see more juniors representing the club”.
Teesdale seniors also enjoyed the tricky conditions at Acklam with Judith Rodwell in her first adventure on a cross country course joining old hands Katie Mottershead and Skye Archer in the women’s 5.8k race. Katie was first home for Teesdale in 46th position in 29:41 with Skye at 76th in 34:35, and Judith 79th and first in her age group in 35:41. Steve Moss finished 91st in 51:41 in the 10k men’s race.
There was a great turn out from the Teesdale Athletics club members for the Ravenstonedale 10K on Saturday 30th November. Running conditions were good, a fresh and crisp winter’s day with some very welcome glimpses of sunshine. After a cold night it was icy underfoot in places so care had to be taken on the undulating course. The well organised run was challenging but very enjoyable with beautiful scenery and good support from villagers. First in for the club was Steve Moss in 44:48. Steve also won his age category (MV60). Steve was followed by Katie Mottershead with 53:20, Babs Crawley 55:42, Katy Smith 57:02, Vicky Bainbridge 57:13, Andrew Crawley 57:47, Judith Rodwell 1:00:28, Amanda Petitt 1:04:03 and Simon Petitt 1:04:04. The run was followed by a prize giving ceremony and a well-earned cup of hot steaming soup provided by the race organisers the Howgill Harriers
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.
On Sunday 24th November, Jane Mardon took part in the Owler Half Marathon event in Kent which had hundreds of runners taking in various distances. The half marathon started at the Julia Rose Stadium in Ashford, heading out through very muddy conditions round Conningbrook Lake. It progressed onto quiet country roads, up and down the hilly edge of the North Downs and through woods on boggy tracks. The conditions underfoot were challenging after so much recent rain but the temperature was almost perfect for winter running. It was a great race- a first mixed terrain half marathon and Jane finished in a personal best time of 3hrs 22 minutes and first in her age group.
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.