On a glorious sunny & warm October day, Alan Bray and David Raymond from Teesdale AC  made the short journey to Richmond to compete in the Swaledale Runners’ 10K road race.  The start was adjacent to the spectacular setting of Richmond Castle and the river Swale.  The course then set out through the beautiful undulating countryside around Richmond before returning for a final lap of the castle.  David completed the course in 48:17 and Alan in 54:57.  Afterwards they succumbed to some well earned tasty treats from one of the many independent bakeries in the town.

Teesdale Athletic Club were well supported at the first NYSD cross country races of the new season being held at Acklam School in Middlesbrough. Teesdale had 6 athletes taking part, four in the senior ladies and two in the senior mens races.
The senior ladies had a windy and sunny start and first back for Teesdale in 107th place was Eleanor Buck in a time of 33 minutes and 58 seconds closely followed by Judith Rodwell 119th in 35 min 45sec. Two place behind Judith came Tricia Childs in 36 min 35 secs with Alison Mounter in 132nd place in a time of 39 mins and 36 seconds. For Eleanor, Tricia and Alison this was their first ever cross country race which they all completed superbly.
It was starting to shower with rain for the start of the senior mens race and Dave Raymond and Mike Jarman came in 2 seconds apart at the finish. Dave was first back in 104th place in a time of 48 minutes and 52 secs followed by Mike Jarman in 105th place in 48 mins and 54 secs.
All the runners thoroughly enjoyed their day and look forward to the next cross country meeting.

Four members of Teesdale AC ( Leslie, Barbara, Jane and Amanda travelled from the North East to London to participate in the much heralded 2021 Virgin London Marathon, the first “live London” since the onset of the pandemic.

Covid protocols required a wave start meaning that runners commenced their  journey from Blackheath to the Mall at different times to provide for greater participant separation.
First off the line for Teesdale AC were Leslie Chapman and Jane Gill, thereafter followed by Barbara Crawley and Amanda Pettitt.
This  proved to be a joyous and enthusiastically supported event with crowds lining the route cheering participants on through changeable weather conditions which (almost!) saw four seasons in one day.
The London Marathon continues to prove a huge draw for runners from all over the world and from all points on the running spectrum.

It also provides an invaluable opportunity for charities to raise funds for the work they undertake.
Amanda Pettitt for example ran for Muscular Dystrophy U.K. and is delighted to have raised over £3,500.

Sadly, one Teesdale AC runner, Caroline Hamilton was unable to participate having to defer due to a late injury but having supported her fellow Teesdale AC participants looks forward eagerly to the 2022 race.

Local athlete and member of Teesdale Athletics Club, Claire Hesketh,  competed in the Essar Chester Half Marathon on September 19th. In perfect conditions for racing the course started at the horse racing course, weaving  through the city centre before heading out into the picturesque towns and villages, later finishing in front of the beautiful sandstone Town Hall. 
The race was a qualifying event for the British Masters competition in 2022 and after finishing in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes Claire was well inside the qualifying standard of 1.54 and finished as required in the top 3 of her age group Female Vet 60. 
Subsequently Claire has received notification from England Athletics that she has been selected  to represent England in the British Masters Half Marathon championships in 2022.

After registration at the Rugby Club, and watching the rain coming down, runners made the 20 minute walk to Portinscale where the race began and the rain stopped. The route was broadly round Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. Climbing up the Stair, wondering when this hill will end then catching whatever breath left in your lungs because the most magnificent view of the lake and the distant mountains is there in front of you was a highlight. The sun was out at this point which made it even more special. The rest of the route was hilly but undulating. The clouds started to roll in and about half way through the run the rain started again but it was a welcome cool down. After about 20 minutes it stopped but stayed overcast. The last few miles were relatively flat but on the main road which added an element of jeopardy with the sparse but fairly fast moving traffic. A very well marshalled and signed route and one which both TAC runners agree they would tackle again.Vicky Bainbridge came in at 2.10.43 and Judith Rodwell at 2.30.40

Erica Dixon (running for Marie Curie), Gail Foster (running for Parkinson’s Uk), Louise Franks, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull (running for Parkinson’s Uk) and Joanne Wall were all very efficiently delivered to and from this year’s Great North Run by Dave from Hodgson’s.

This was the 40th Great North Run, as last year’s was cancelled due to Covid, with a very well organised staggered start and a different finish, on the Town Moor rather than South Shields seafront.

This meant we got to run over the iconic Tyne Bridge twice & had two fly passes by the Red Arrows. The route was out and back and it was very moving to see the Billboard celebrating the fund raising of Barnard Castle lady, Honia Bor. The route was quite undulating near the end, taking us past the Monument and Blackett Street right in the city centre. As usual there was fantastic public support, cheering us along the way as well as some interesting costumes including the three little pigs, a giraffe, Mario & Luigi and a rather large dog!

This was Dave’s 20th Great North Run and he came in with a very respectable 2.34. It was Gail and Erica’s first Great North Run and they came in at 2:50 & 2:03 respectively. Louise ran 2:20, Joanne 2:32, & Fiona 2:54.

Also running from the Club were Lesley Chapman, Clare McGrath, Mandy Harrison and Tilly McAllister but their times weren’t available when the article was written and unfortunately were unable to be in the photo taken at the start.

Thanks very much for the support crew Judith Rodwell and Peter Dixon. Pictured left to right Joanne Wall, Erica Dixon, Dave Palmer, Fiona Turnbull, Gail Foster and Louise Franks.

The Stanhope 10 mile is a recently introduced race, in its 3rd year and run for charity. This year’s charity is Quinn’s Retreat, supporting families affected by suicide.

The run starts at the Stanhope Showground and leads up the hill back towards Teesdale. The day started cool but as the runners toiled up the hill, the sun came out and the day warmed up. At the top of the first hill the race turned towards Bollihope and back towards Stanhope. The views from the top were magnificent and those struggling with the gradient had longer to appreciate them!

The race is officially untimed so the timings of the three Teesdale AC runners are taken from their own devices. First back was Victoria Bainbridge with 1.43.00 closely followed by Katy Smith in 1.43.28 and Judith Rodwell came home in 1.54. A very challenging run but enjoyable and friendly.

Teesdale Athletic Club at the Gateshead 10K Trail Run

Over a thousand runners, young and not so young, took part in the Gateshead 10K Trail run in the picturesque surroundings of Derwent Walk Country Park on Saturday 14th August. Starting (and finishing) at the Blaydon Rugby Club grounds the off road trail run follows clear paths through Derwent Country Park with superb views (for those with time to look) along the way. The route is largely flat and fast with the occasional incline to test the runners’ stamina.

Dark clouds threatened to dampen the proceedings but soon dispersed giving excellent running conditions and after an enthusiastic mass warm up under the guidance of the excellent MC the race began, elite runners sprinting off first followed by amateur runners.

Teesdale AC was represented by 7 runners, all completing the run and enjoying this well organized event, pleased to be back in competition after such a long break.

Run times for the Teesdale crew were:

Peter Wilcox 48:05

Claire Hesketh 51:50

Mike Jarman 51:52

Barbara Crawley 56:26

Judith Rodwell 1:02:51

Amanda Pettitt 1:04:25

Jane Mardon 1:35:22

Well done to all the Teesdale runners.

The race winning time was 32:52, something to aspire to!