The 5th round of the NYSD cross country competition took place at Ormesby Hall on Sunday 9th December. A fairly flat course, this should have been a relatively speedy race under normal circumstances but it was not to be. Because of the recent rain, the 6 members of Teesdale AC who travelled to the event were greeted with a sea of mud, especially around the start and finish areas. After the junior races, which churned up the surface even more, the women completed two laps of the course, and found staying on their feet challenging. As the course made its way out along the field, the surface improved slightly and when the course turned down into the wood, the ground was thankfully much firmer. The men fared worse as theirs was the final race and they had three laps to complete. Because of the conditions, the course was shortened and NYMAC have to be commended for putting on an excellent race under the challenging conditions. First back for TAC women was Louise Franks 38.28, second Judith Rodwell 40.58 closely followed by Tricia Child 41.19. For the men first back for TAC was Nigel Mawer 44.36, second David Raymond 47.34 and Peter Wilcox 49.40.
The first race of 2022 took place on 2nd January 2022. Four members travelled to Hartlepool on a fine but cool & breezy Sunday to compete in the Stuart Pailor Memorial Race.
The scenic 5.5 mile course had a bit of everything: starting and finishing on tarmac with farm tracks, challenging steep descents & ascents through the beautiful Nesbitt Dene and even a disused railway line.
Dave Raymond finished first in 44:44, followed by Barbara Crawley in 54:14, then Amanda Pettitt in 1:05:04. Unfortunately Judith Rodwell took a tumble near the start and was unable to complete the run.
The last race of 2021 took place on Tuesday 28th December 2021, four members, supported by family and friends, travelled to Ripon to take part in the Jolly Holly Jog. The fog and rain just cleared for the start of the 10k race organised by Ripon Runners. This year the race had a new start and finish at Hell Wath Nature Reserve, with the multi-terrain course taking in Studley Deer Park and Fountains Abbey.
The volunteer marshals did a great job at keeping the runners on track along the way. Great scenery, steep inclines and muddy, slippery conditions made for a challenging and interesting run.
First home for Teesdale Athletics was Rhys Foster with a time of 57:28, followed by Eleanor Buck in 1:11:33, Judith Rodwell in 1:13:46 and Gail Foster in 1:18:36. Judith was the first veteran female across the line in her age category. Eleanor, Gail and Rhys were all running their first 10k runs representing TAC.
On Sunday 19th December 2021, 13 members of Teesdale Athletics Club travelled to Barton, nr Darlington, to take part in the annual McTaggart Trot. The race is organised by Darlington Harriers and raises valuable funds for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington. This team event sees teams of three run together over a cumulative distance of 11 miles. At 4 miles one member drops out, then the second member finishes at 7.5 miles with the remaining team member finishing the full 11 miles. Fancy dress is a must and there were santas, snowmen and elves in abundance! Well done to Fiona Turnbull, Louise Franks, Dave Raymond, Steven Mounter, Jane Mardon, Gail Foster, Joanne Wall, Erica Dixon, Christine Whitford, Alan Bray, Melanie Pullman, Judith Rodwell and Alison Mounter, who all braved the freezing fog and bitterly cold temperature. The teams were supported by Janet Stables who gave us all plenty of encouragement and much appreciated lifts from the various stops back to the village hall.
Mud, steep hills, up and down, plus a water hazard greeted three members of Teesdale Athletics Club as they undertook the Hartlepool leg of the NYSD Cross Country season at Summerhill Country Park. Louise Franks, Alison Mounter and Dave Raymond took on the challenging course with the ladies completing 4.6 km, in the senior/Vet women’s race, in 30.35 and 34.28 minutes respectively. Dave had 8.9km to run and completed the U20/Senior/Vet men’s race in 48.29 minutes. All three participants finished with wet feet, muddy legs and with a smile on their faces having thoroughly enjoyed the challenges the course had thrown at them.
On Sunday 14th November 2021, Claire Hesketh, Mike Jarman and Alison Mounter travelled up to the Town Moor in Newcastle to take part in the Heaton Harriers Memorial 10K. After a minute’s silence to commemorate all those that have fought for our country the race set off at 11 am. Claire and Mike had a superb race finishing together in 47.55. Claire was awarded 2nd prize in her age category. Alison, running her very first 10K race, crossed the line in 67.37.
Sunday 21st November saw the third meeting of the NYSD Cross Country League.
The sun was shining brightly at Croft Racing Circuit but a cruel northly wind was blowing across the course.
Before the races started each club had to erect their tent, no mean feat in that wind!
The course was around the perimeter of the race track, 3 laps for women, 4 for men. As it had been fairly dry lately, the grassy banks were negotiable, though it was awkward running on the side of the slope.
The two Teesdale women were: Louise Franks, finishing in 101st place in 44.12 and Judith Rodwell, 106th in 45 minutes.
For the men: Dave Walters came in 74th in 37.53, Nigel Mawer 95th in 38.55 and Dave Raymond 126th in 41.46.
After packing up the tent, everyone went home to thaw out and look forward to the next meeting on 5th December at Summerhill.
Leeds Abbey Dash was once a major fixture on the Teesdale AC calendar with a coach full of our athletes taking part but this year only 4 members drove down to Leeds on 24 October to join a much reduced field. Because of covid restrictions the race started on the Headrow, rather than the usual muddy car park and didn’t take the turn round the shopping centre but straight on to the turn around point at Kirkstall Abbey. Spectators were few and far between but all the marshals were very vocal, giving the runners a lot of encouragement. Because it is an out and back course, the pack runners were able to see the elite flying back to the finish line, first runner back in 28.46.
Mike Jarman was first back for Teesdale in 45.15, followed by Claire Hesketh in 49.12, Barbara Crawley in 54.28 and Judith Rodwell in 1.01.51. Judith was second in her age group.
York 10 mile race took place on 16 October 2021
Teesdale AC runner Mandy Harrison took part and finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. She reported that the race was well supported with crowds lining the route and she thoroughly enjoyed her day.
A sunny, but breezy, autumnal day welcomed three TAC members to take part in the 2nd cross country of the NYSD season at Foxrush Farm, Redcar.
Dave Raymond, Tricia Child and Alison Mounter competed on a course which was predominantly flat with mixed terrain across fields and through woodland including a couple of ditches to traverse.
All three runners thoroughly enjoyed the course with Tricia and Alison running in the senior womens race with two laps of the course, finishing in 107th place, 40.27, and 116th place, 44.47,respectively. Dave finished in 41.55, coming 109th in the senior mens race, having completed three laps of the course.