Five members of Teesdale Athletics Club left a snow covered dale for the bright sunshine of Middlesbrough on Sunday 15th January.
The location for the NYSD cross country was the National Trust Property Ormseby Hall, a beautiful Georgian Mansion with extensive gardens and parkland which is a green oasis in the heart of industrial Middlesborough.
Erica, Gail and Louise ran two laps of the course setting off at 12noon to complete the 6.2k.The course started in a field of mud and then into a dryer section in the wooded grounds and then back into the field. One of the ladies had to double back as one of her trainers came off in the mud .Erica was first back for the club, Louise second and Gail third .Stuart was the only male to complete the 3 laps (9.6k) .Rhys sustained an injury the day before and so was unable to compete but supported the team and took photo’s. Everyone enjoyed the run.
The first race of the Club Championship took place on 27th December 2022. Four members supported by family and friends travelled to Ripon to take part in the Jolly Holly Jog. This year registration was at the Rugby Club with a short walk to the start at Hell Wath Nature Reserve. The weather conditions were cold and damp. 572 runners tackled the multi terrain course which led runners through Studley Deer Park and Fountains Abbey. The volunteers and Marshals did a great job keeping the runners motivated and on the right track. Great scenery, steep inclines and muddy, slippery conditions made for a challenging and interesting run. First male back for Teesdale Athletics Club was Dave Raymond in 52.38 mins (199th) followed by Rhys Foster in 55.51 mins (253rd). First female back was Gail Foster in 1.18.45 (538th) followed by Amanda Petit in 1.22.29 (550th). Some members then went on for a late lunch at Black a Moor Inn.
After being cancelled in 2021 due to snow the Ravenstonedale 10K went ahead on Saturday 26th November in pleasantly mild conditions albeit with a strong wind to contend with. Six members represented Teesdale Athletic Club and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. On an ‘undulating’ course Nigel Mawer came home in 45.30 mins followed by Dave Raymond in 47.41 and Rhys Foster in 51.55. Alan Bray completed in 57.46 (recovering from a calf injury) followed by Erica Dixon (59.47) and Gail Foster (1.12.18). The race was followed by hot soup in the village hall with prize giving and raffle, (great spot prizes and organisation by Howgill Harriers).
On a damp and foggy morning eight members of Teesdale Athletics Club drove through to Redcar to attend the second leg of the NYSD Cross Country season. The course, held at Foxrush Farm Community Woodland, was a mix of undulating fields, with ditches to cross and a section of woodland trail, with plenty of exposed tree roots to negotiate. The ladies were first to set off, and TAC were thrilled to field a full ladies team at this event. Judith Rodwell and Erica Dixon were joined in the 5.8km, 2 lap race, by Gail Foster, who was running her first cross country since leaving school, and Katie Mottershead, who was returning to cross country after a break during the pandemic. Katie was first home for the girls in 32:50, closely followed by Erica in 33:15, Gail finished in 41.14 and Judith in 48:24. The men then set off to complete 3 laps of the course, covering 8.6km. Nigel Mawer finished in 39:49, Dave Raymond in 43:00, followed by Mark Russell in 44:57 and Rhys Foster, who was also taking part in his first cross country race for the club, in 45:11.
The next cross country race will take place on 4th December at Summerhill, Hartlepool.
The first meet of the NYSD Cross Country League took place on 9th October at the Acorn Centre, Middlesbrough.
Although unable to muster two teams, 6 members represented TAC and were met with an inviting, undulating course round the school fields and over some public grounds. The recent rain made the ground soft but not too muddy, and the bright sunshine was welcome but a strong wind made it challenging in places.
Two laps for the women’s team meant they were supported round the course by the men whilst they waited for their race to start.
3.9 miles saw Erica Dixon, in her first x country race for TAC come in at 30.57, Louise Franks at 37.51 and Judith Rodwell 46.47.
Their race done, the women cheered on the men on their 3 lap, 6 mile course. Nigel Mawer was first for Teesdale in 47.21, David Raymond 49.33 and Mark Russell 51.29. Mark is a new member and also running his first race for the club. A good start to the season and the next meet is 13 November.
Rhys and Gail Foster took part in the hilly Richmond Castle 10K, organised by Swaledale Runners on Sunday 9th October 2022. The road race started at the Batts riverside park area and passed the spectacular River Swale waterfalls before crossing at Green Bridge and climbing Sleegill. Then was a short circuit round Catterick Garrison before returning to Richmond where the runners circled Richmond Castle on Castle Walk before a fast downhill section to finish back at the Batts park area below the Castle. It was perfect weather conditions with lots of marshalls along the route cheering on the competitors throughout this strenuous race. Rhys finished 113th with a time of 53.29 and Gail finished with a time of 1:16:00.
Caroline Hamilton was offered the Teesdale Athletics Club place in the 2020 London Marathon, but Covid put paid to the event taking place. Unfortunately in 2021 Caroline was injured when she should have been training and taking part, but third time lucky and she was finally able to compete this year. It felt like it was a long time coming! London did itself proud, the weather was perfect, the organisation was great and the spectators amazing. There were crowds cheering the competitors on from the start to the finish line. The course is predominantly flat but does have a few inclines to contend with and takes in famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark and finishes on the Mall. The running community is so supportive and the London Marathon is no exception. Caroline completed the 26.2 miles in 5 hours 39 minutes.
Gail Foster, Rhys Foster and Dave Raymond made the journey over the border to Cumbria for the Acorn Bank 10k. With perfect running conditions the race started and finished in the beautiful grounds of the Acorn Bank National Trust Property. It was an undulating road race along country lanes, with quite a few challenging hills. It skirted the villages of Newbiggin and Culgaith, passing some beautiful houses, churches, a gaggle of geese – it was a stark contrast to last week’s GNR. There were plenty of marshalls en route to direct us and cheer us on and great support from the organisers, Eden Runners. The delicious tray bake served to finishers was a welcome energy boost at the end of the race.
Teesdale Athletics Club runners accompanied by other runners from Barnard Castle took part in Sundays Great North Run Half Marathon.
Louise Franks, Erica Dixon (first runner back from the club in 2:04), Rhys Foster (first male club runner in 2:16), Fiona Turnbull, Gail Foster, Joanne Wall, Karen Watson and Alison Mawer all from Teesdale Athletic Club were accompanied by Will McNab, Rachel Tweddle, Clare McGrath, Mandy Harrison. Other runners who ran but are not pictured are Suzanne Hunter, Victoria Emmerson, Dave Sellwood, Sarah Norman, Steve Devlin, Anna Newrick and Claire Priestley.
This was Rhys, Karen, Anna and Will’s first GNR and they picked a warm one! With approximately 60,000 people it was a huge event. Ailish McColgen started the race after a minute’s silence and the singing of ‘God Save the King’ to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth.
It was back to the normal route from the town centre to the seaside and as usual there were bands and supporters all along the route. Only one of the group sampled the famous beer at mile 10 and apparently it was lovely!
On Friday evening Trudy Layton along with Alison, Andrew and Steven Mounter, travelled to Middlesbrough to take part in the Ali Brownlee 5K, which returned to the Boro after a three year hiatus. Celebrating the “Voice of the Boro”, and his passionate commentary of Middlesbrough F.C. from 1982 to 2016, as well as his amazing community fundraising work, the run raised valuable funds for Mind Middlesbrough and Stockton, Daisy Chain, Leo’s, South Cleveland Heart Fund, South Tees Hospitals Charity, The Teesside Family Foundation, Our Hospitals Charity and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
There was a new route for 2022, with a start and finish in Centre Square. Runners left the Square and ran down to and around the exterior of the Riverside Stadium, before turning to run adjacent to the river, passing the iconic Transporter Bridge before turning back up to the finish line.
First home for Teesdale AC was Alison in 33.38, followed by Andrew in 33.49, Steven in 33.53 and Trudy in 34.09.
Full details of Teesdale AC training sessions can be found on the club website, teesdaleac.com. All levels of ability are encouraged and welcome. Follow us on Instagram – teesdaleac2022