The Quaker's have moved!

Quakers’ runner, Diane Vaughan, saw off 2011 in style along with other 10,000 other runners when she took part in Cursa dels Nassos (Race of the Noses) on New Year’s Eve in Barcelona. The 10k race, which is regarded as a classic sporting fixture of the festive season in Spain, was ran in comparatively warm conditions. Vaughan put in an excellent performance which earned her a personal best of 44:31.

Endurance runner, Dave Thompson, found himself without his usual running buddies and running solo in the Filey Flyer, a 22 miler organised by the Long Distance Walking Association. Thompson completed the challenging course, which includes part of the Cleveland Wolds and Centenary Ways, in a very respectable 3hrs 56mins.

11 Quakers took place in this year’s Old Monks Trail Race, a popular, local event which starts at Hart Village near Hartlepool. Conditions underfoot were muddy in parts, but that didn’t stop the Quakers from clocking up some good finish times over the 5.5 mile course. Michael Joyeux marked his return from injury with a good run, coming in first for the club in 40:14. Peter Smith also ran well to finish in 42:33 followed by Simon Byrne in 43:36. Little separated Peter Rowley (45:37) and Danny Gordon (45:57) with Andrew Lambe following in 46:56. Abbie Hull was the first woman home from the Quakers in 50:23 followed by Michelle Boshier (51:46), Sandra Cass (55:18), Emma Whitworth (64:35) and Gill Wallis (67:51).

Jeff Marriott summed it up perfectly when he said that local races need to be supported or else they will disappear! He was completely right and whilst races like Tees Pride or the Darlington 10k offer thousands of participents and a big race feel, there’s nothing like lining up with a couple of hundred runners in club vests for a locally organised run. I seriously doubt there’s much danger of a fantastic event like the Old Monk’s Trail run ever losing numbers – it’s far too much fun for people to not want to do this race.

I headed up towards Hart Village near Hartlepool for the 5.5 mile trail run. The club had laid on free tea and cakes at the start which were very gratefully consumed as runner milled around. Having never done the race before, I canvassed opinion on what the terrain would be like. All the replies pointed towards hilly, so I assumed there would be undulations.

The race started, as all good races should, at the top of a hill. This meant that there would be uphills to follow! The race dipped and turned up along farm roads and then off road through some superbly muddy tracks! Footing was haphazard and it was cracking fun trying to not end up on your backside! When we arrived at a bridge over a small stream a small build up started as it was single file across the walkway. However, some keener runners leapt into the stream and ran through the water! Although I was wearing Mark Colling’s approved seal skin water proof socks, I resisted and kept to the bridge!

The trails gave way to woodland and a couple of massive slippy climbs, there were grunts and moans as people hauled themselves up. One runner remarked loudly that “my legs are still full of mince pies and turkey!”, which gave me a giggle. Once out of the woods, we  pounded onto pavement and roads which lead to a glorious downhill sprint finish!

The marshalls throughout the race were supportive and encouraging and it was great to be mentioned either by name or as a Quaker! There was a great little cheering section at the end and overall it was a fantastic welcome into the new year of racing in 2012.

Well done Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers for such a brilliant race!

 It was a little disappointing to only have 12 Quakers on the line at the start with Billingham and Sedgefield boasting well over 30 a piece! Come one folks, if you’re not already doing a run then try one of these local races! Trail running and trail races are certainly a different cut of cloth from the usual 10k! Have a look at the races coming up; ask for suggestions on the facebook group; or speak to some of the more grizzled looking runners on a club night!

Next races coming up: Clay Bank East, The Winter’s Handicap and Acklam X-Country!

The seasonal Poultry Run in Loftus saw 10 Quakers on the start line for the 8 mile multi-terrain race. Nick Wadd put in a good performance to be first home for the club in 53:29 with Colin Wild (57:20) and David Todd (59:05) also running well to take 2nd and 3rd positions. Michael Wray (62:19) and Peter Rowley (62:44) completed a good day’s racing for the Quakers’ men. Louise Trainor enjoyed yet another victory for the Quakers’ women with her 60:08 finish time while Abbie Hull can also be pleased with her 70:25 finish time. Little separated Julie Whinn (75:57) and Sandra Cass (76:02) with Diane Adkins following in 81:55.

The Tour de Helvellyn, a tough 38 miler over remote, unmarked Lakeland trails, was a must for Quakers’ endurance runners, Dave Thompson, Charlie Bogg and Annette Clarke. With plenty of snow underfoot and daylight hours at a minimum, it was never going to be any easy feat. A couple of navigational errors towards the end cost the three valuable time, but they pressed on to complete the race in just over 12 hours, still quite an achievement given the terrain and conditions.  

Ten Quakers joined in the festivities at this year’s Jolly Holly Jog in Ripon, a 10k trail race which takes in Studley Royal Deer Park. Colin Wild was first Quaker home in 44:56 over the muddy 10k course followed by Steve Snook (48:34) and Peter Rowley (50:53). Peter McCrossan was next Quaker to cross the finish line in 52:03 with Anthony Corbett following in 55:12. Michelle Boshier led the Quaker’s women home in 58:25 followed by John Whinn (61:09), Sandra Cass (61:30), Diane Gardner (66:02) and Lorraine Porter (73:47).

Guisborough Woods Fell Race was the perfect antidote for the Christmas excesses with 1000 feet of climbing along its 6 mile route. Mark Robinson and Darren Stockdale took time out of their Christmas schedules to take part in the race, finishing in 52:50 and 59:36 respectively. The fells beckoned again on New Year’s Day, this time with runners taking part in the Captain Cook’s Races which summits at Captain Cook’s Monument. Lucy Jefferies took 47:37 to complete the 5.5 mile with its 750 feet of ascent with Stuart Hardcastle following in 48:29. 

Quakers’ endurance runners are increasing in numbers and this was demonstrated on New Year’s Day when eleven Quakers represented the club in the Hardmoors 30. Charlie Bogg, Annette Clarke, Dave Thompson, Michelle Boshier, Sandra Cass, Anthony Corbett, Andrew Lambe, Abbie Hull, Roy MacDougall, Wendy Colling and Mark Colling completed the 30 mile circular route which took in Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay before returning to the start point at Ravenscar.

So, that was 2011 then !

Another brilliant year for the Quakers Running Club and the Club Championship.

135 members did at least 1 championship run - Amazing numbers !

Congratulations to the 2011 Club Champion, a man reclaiming the title, with 595 out of a possible 600 points. I give you Mr Daniel Gordon !!

Second place, grabbing the position as a result of running the last event of the year, with 585 points - Mr Steven Snook !

Third place a further 3 points behind, despite having a huge problem trying to beat the age handicapping system, Mr Michael Joyeux !

Top female performer with 532 points and 6th overall was Miss Louise Trainor !!

Second female with 460 points and 7th overall was Mrs Beverley Snook !

Third female with 401 points and 10th overall was Mrs Wendy Colling !

Many congratulations to the above named, those who battled hard for points throughout the year and especially those who tried something different this year - be it trail or fell, 5k or 17 mile !

Happy New Year to all !  

And now, the time has come and we face the final table...

After another year in which new faces and old legs battled for points across a variety of terrains, the final championship table for the 2011 Club Championship is out! Danny Gordon had the race wrapped up long before the final race - the Jolly Holly jog and many runners looked for final jumps!

Well done to all those who took part in any of the championship races, especially those who completed all 12 of the required runs for maximum points!

Thank you to Anthony Corbett for all his hard work calculating the times and grades! Also thanks to the racing commitee for putting together the races! Here's to 2012!

So where did you finish and where are you in the table?

Click here to download the Quakers Running Club Championship Update: Jolly Holly Jog and Final 2011 Table

The seasonal Poultry Run in Loftus saw 10 Quakers on the start line for the 8 mile multi-terrain race. Nick Wadd put in a good performance to be first home for the club in 53:29 with Colin Wild (57:20) and David Todd (59:05) also running well to take 2nd and 3rd positions. Michael Wray (62:19) and Peter Rowley (62:44) completed a good day’s racing for the Quakers’ men. Louise Trainor enjoyed yet another victory for the Quakers’ women with her 60:08 finish time while Abbie Hull can also be pleased with her 70:25 finish time. Little separated Julie Whinn (75:57) and Sandra Cass (76:02) with Diane Adkins following in 81:55.

The Tour de Helvellyn, a tough 38 miler over remote, unmarked Lakeland trails, was a must for Quakers’ endurance runners, Dave Thompson, Charlie Bogg and Annette Clarke. With plenty of snow underfoot and daylight hours at a minimum, it was never going to be any easy feat. A couple of navigational errors towards the end cost the three valuable time, but they pressed on to complete the race in just over 12 hours, still quite an achievement given the terrain and conditions.  

Quakers Running Club is pleased to announce that in 2012 it is to move to a new home.

Following positive negotiations with Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, the club will on Thursday the 5th of January 2012 relocate to Abbey Road playing fields which are owned and maintained by the College.

The move is regarded as yet another landmark in the clubs relatively short history, formed in 1995 with a membership of just six, the club has continued to flourish year on year with membership now in excess of two hundred.

Training sessions will take place at or from the new facility on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm until 8.00pm and are open to runners of all abilities ranging from the complete beginner to those more experienced.

The Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College playing fields can be found in Abbey Road, Darlington. DL3 8LR.

Christmas came early for Quakers’ runners this weekend when they picked up Christmas puddings as race mementos instead of the usual t-shirts and medals. Mike Horan travelled down to Sheffield to compete in the Percy Pud 10k, an undulating course which runs along Loxley Valley to Dam Flask and back. Despite the strong winds and torrential rain, Mike took just over 62 minutes to complete the race. Over in the Lake District, 5 Quakers lined up at Stickle Barn near Ambleside to take part in this year’s Great Langdale Xmas Pudding Run. Dave Todd continues to recapture his form, crossing the finish line first for the Quakers in 42:56.  Louise Trainor followed in 45:07, a decent result considering she ran the previous day in the North Eastern Cross Country Championships. Kate Schweizer put in a good run to finish in 54:06 while it was good to see the return of Richard Payne who has been absent from racing for most of the season due to injury. Payne completed the course in 57:02 with Matt Jackson following in 57:46.

Peter Rowley flew the flag for Quakers at a very wet and blustery Stockport on Sunday. Competing in the Stockport 10 mile, Rowley clocked up a good 1hr: 19mins, finishing 11th out of 29 in his age group.

The North Eastern Cross Country Championships took place on Sunday in Cramlington with an array of the region’s top cross country runners taking part. The 5 Quakers who competed did themselves and the club proud over what was a challenging course. In the men’s race Sean McIntyre established himself as one Quakers’ leading cross country runners, clocking up an excellent 55:57 for the 12k course. Graham Park once again show himself to be one of the Quakers’ most versatile and consistent runners, finishing in 66:55 while Daniel Crane enjoyed another championship run, coming home for the Quakers in 73:34. Representing the Quakers’ women, Lucy Jefferies, competing in her first North Easterns, put in a solid performance over the 8k course to finish in 39:07 while Louise Trainor, still recovering from a chest infection, crossed the finish line in a very respectable 39:33.

The Ravenstonedale Race, which was earlier this year after last year's snow, was an excellent chance to grab points as the racing season winds down. As was Clay Bank West - a popular fell race which has decided previous year's championships.

So where did you finish and where are you in the table?

Click here to download the Quakers Running Club Championship Update: Ravenstonedale and Clay Bank West