Rutted fields, stony paths, cow pats, stiles to climb over and cheering onlookers  greeted members from Teesdale Athletic Club on Sunday 21st August when they took part in the Scorton Feast Memorial 10K multi-terrain race.  The event was held to raise funds for Target Ovarian Cancer and the Herriot Hospice Homecare and was part of the Scorton 3 Day Festival.  The first kilometer was run clockwise around the perimeter of the field before turning onto a short stretch of road leading to the paths around Scorton lake and surrounding woodland.  After two laps of the scenic lakeside trails the runners turned for home finishing with an anti-clockwise run back around the field to the finish line.  Congratulations to new member Stuart Jones who finished in an impressive 45.44 minutes and was awarded first prize in his age category (M60).  Dave Raymond was next home in 48.14, followed by Rhys Foster in 53.44, Gail Foster in 01:13:01, Alison Mounter in 01:14:01 and Fiona Turnbull 01:23:16. 

Three members of Teesdale Athletics club took part in the SG Petch Darlington 10K road race on Sunday 7th August.  After collecting their race numbers there was a relaxed atmosphere in Darlington market place with deck chairs to sit in whilst waiting for the phased start to commence.  It was hot and sunny with very little shade as runners made their way around the two lap course in the centre of Darlington.  The event was well organised and lots of spectators were out to clap and cheer the runners on, including the vicar outside the church in Woodlands road. Finishers were presented with a bright T-shirt, a medal, water and a snack, and were encouraged to stay on to enjoy the music and presentation in the marketplace. Rhys Foster was first back for the club in a time of 51.52, followed by Louise Franks in 1.09.32 and Gail Foster in 1.12.07. 

On Saturday 13th August, four members from Teesdale AC travelled to Blaydon Rugby Club for the Gateshead 10K Trail, a popular annual event set in the beautiful Derwent Walk Country Park. They arrived to a thankfully cool, misty registration, however by the time the race started, the sun had broken through and temperatures were climbing to the hottest August day of the year so far. The route was alongside the river Derwent, old railway lines and woodland paths which provided much welcome shade from the searing sun. Dave Raymond finished first in 50:04, followed by Barbara Crawley in 1:01:40, Louise Franks in 1:08:56 and Amanda Pettitt in 1:10:21.

On Sunday 3rd July, the Mounter family took part in the Great North 10K race in Newcastle. With a new route this year, dubbed ‘I love the Tyne’ the race started at the Baltic, crossing the Swing Bridge to follow the river up to the Newcastle Business Park then looping back to the bridge to cross and follow the river up on the Gateshead side. Another loop back at 8K returned the runners  to the Baltic to cross the finish line. Steven was first to finish in 71.28, followed by Andrew in 71.39 and Alison in 71.40.

On Saturday 30th July TAC members turned out to support the inaugural Cotherstone cross country run, raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer and the Great North East Air Ambulance. The race set off across the fields at Doe Park before picking up the old railway line and then joining the road to Hunderthwaite. A long mile of uphill took the runners to the edge of the hamlet before turning across the fields with incredible views of Teesdale and beyond to enjoy.  The 3.5 mile course finished back at Doe Park where Barnard Castle Brass Band entertained the crowds. 

Gail Foster and Jane Mardon of Teesdale Athletics Club ran the Watlass Wander 5K race on Saturday 18th June at Thornton Watlass.  Even with a 10am start it was hot and sunny as the runners gathered on the village green for the organised warm up.  The race was run through the beautiful grounds of Thornton Watlass Hall and on into parkland, along tracks by corn fields and into the woods where some boggy bits were encountered.  The race was an out and back and classed as multi terrain with an undulating profile. Once back at the village green runners were greeted by traditional fete stalls and attractions, all supportig local charities, businesses clubs.  Jane was 1st in her age category, and Gail finished 13th.

On Thursday 16th June five members of Teesdale Athletics Club travelled to Kiplin Hall for a 10K race on the hottest day of the year so far.  The race was two laps around the gorgeous grounds comprising grass pasture, woodland tracks and lakeside paths.  At the end of the race runners were treated to a hot drink and tasty home baked cake.  First to finish was Dave Raymond in 47:18, followed by Rhys Foster in 57:46, Barbara Crawley in 60:28, Amanda Pettitt in 68:43 and Gail Foster in 76:54.

On Sunday 12th June Dave Raymond from TAC completed a 10K race at beautiful, sunny Burton Leonard.  The course was set in stunning nearby countryside and comprised roads, farm tracks, woodland paths and open countryside with a ford to cross (or a bridge for those that preferred to stay dry) thrown in.  Dave completed the course in 49.19 and was an impressive second in his category.

TAC members, Barbara Crawley, Amanda & Simon Pettitt travelled South to the seaside to take part in the  Great Grimsby Orstead 10k on Sunday 4th June. Barbara and Amanda warmed up for the race on Saturday 3rd June, enjoying the Cleethorpes Park run,before undertaking the 10K race the following day in memory of Amanda’s Mum Shirley.

The race is run on a traffic free, fairly flat course that is well supported by the local community, with bands playing along the route and at the finish in People’s Park, where in the past Amanda’s mum has been waiting to refuel Amanda & pals with a picnic.  Despite a damp and windy start it did not spoil and a fun time was had by all.  The great picnic still went ahead but had to be taken indoors with the inclement weather.

Barbara finished in 56:12 and Amanda & Simon ran together finishing in 1:06:15

The 40th Blaydon Race returned to the streets of Newcastle on Thursday 9th June in a sell out event and with a new 6 mile route. The race started on the Quayside under the Tyne Bridge, followed the river to the Newcastle Business Park, where the race joined the Scotswood Road.  The racers then crossed the Tyne on the Scotswood Bridge heading towards the Metro Centre before turning back on themselves towards Blaydon with the finish line looming on the Shibdon Playing Fields.

It was a family affair for Teesdale Athletic Club, Trudy Layton ran the race with her daughter Ellie, who runs with Crook and District, and Andrew and Steven Mounter formed a father and son team crossing the line together in 65.30.  Trudy and Ellie have now completed the race together six times, Andrew has run the Blaydon Race sixteen times and Steven has just completed his second race.  Trudy completed the course in 73.01.