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.

On Sunday 6th October Andrew  Aislabie took part in the The Great Cumbrian Run half marathon in Carlisle. Starting at The Sheepmount Athletics Stadium in Carlisle the race took competitors out through the city centre towards Wetheral before turning back and returning through Scotby Village, Rickerby Park with a grandstand finish back at the Sheepmount. Andrew finished 335th out of 968 with a time of 1:49:58.

“On Sunday 29th September Astley and Mim Fenwick travelled to Scarborough to take place in the annual coastal 10K run with the route following the road from the South bay to the North bay and back again. The weather was extremely wet but that didn’t dampen the spirits of 2,500 runners. The organisation was first class and the ‘gathering and finishing’ venue of the Spa was superb along with all the volunteers organised by Scarborough Running club. Despite the weather Mim achieved a time of 1 hour 30 minutes and Astley 1 hour 7 minutes.”

Teesdale AC athletes were racing over the weekend with a team competing in the first meeting of the North Yorkshire & South Durham cross country league. This was a relay race held at Thirsk involving 1 mile laps of a relatively level course. Vicky Bainbridge, Leah Rosengarten and Katy Smith each ran 2 laps in the womens race taking the 13th place out of the 19 teams competing, in an overall time of 55.38. This was a great start and demonstrates the potential for good competition by Teesdale AC in all the season’s cross country races which are held throughout the region.

Five members of Teesdale AC travelled to Castle Bolton in Wensleydale for the scenic 18 and 7 mile “Falls and Castle Trail Races”. The races are both circular, starting right next to the Castle and the 18 mile race climbs high towards the West then drops down to join the 7 mile route at Aysgarth Falls before both loop back up the steep hill to the Castle. Great courses with very varied terrain, excellent signage and many marshals all contributed to the enjoyment of these well organised races. This overcame some impacts of the weather as heavy showers drenched all the runners and led to some wet and muddy running conditions, although fortunately the temperature remained warm.  In the 18 mile race with 88 runners, Steve Moss took 3 hours 3 minutes and was placed 33rd and was 2nd V60. In the 7 mile race with 95 runners, first home for Teesdale AC was Caroline Moss in 1 hour 21 and 57th place. Trudy Layton came in 83rd in 1:38 followed by Janet Stables and Mandy Harrison 88th & 89th in 1:46 who included a stop for a photo shoot at Aysgarth Lower Falls! Provision of “Hi-Vis” T-shirts, cold non- alcoholic beer and goody bags to all the finishers rounded off an enjoyable morning of trail races.

4 members of Teesdale Athletic Club attended this punishing trail run on Sunday 18th August which measured 11k. Part of the Urban Trails series of races by Trail Outlaws. Set in a beautiful and historic area of County Durham the Branches and Bays 10k is unique and spectacular.

Starting in the local village of Hawthorn, the route takes you through the Durham Wildlife Trust and National Trust managed woodland of Hawthorn Dene. Then the running of the Bays of Hawthorn Hive and The Blast Beach.

Morag Burton was first woman home for Teesdale in a time of 1:32:10, closely followed by Emma Ford 1:32:26, Janet Stables and Mandy Harrison in 1:41:00. Janet said this is her favourite race of the year, so challenging and so very beautiful.