Welcome to the Quakers Running Club
Quakers RC has developed a reputation as being one of the friendliest running clubs in the North-East of England and is more than happy to welcome individuals of all abilities into the sport, let’s face it, we all had to start somewhere and you don't need to be an Olympic athlete to get enjoyment out of running and athletics. Whether you just want to start running for the sake of fitness, or are about to do your first 10k race or 25th Marathon, we can help you achieve your goals. Our training sessions are held at and around the clubs base at Carmel RC College, just off The Headlands (DL3 8RW) on the west side of Darlington. The sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30pm until 8:00pm and are open to all. We actively encourage non members to come along see what Quakers has to offer, no charge is made for attending these sessions and no one is under any obligation to join, our hope is that you will enjoy training with us, will keep returning and will eventually become a member of the club. If you are interested in joining, you might find our membership introduction pack useful. Click here to download the file as a PDF.
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Welcome to the Quaker Running Club Website
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Quakers RC - P Company Challenge |
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Written by Wayne Bramley
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Friday, 20 August 2010 07:00 |
This year our running club members Mark Colling, Wendy Colling, Michelle Boshier, Suzanne Todd and Ian Scott are attempting the P Company Challenge (along with a few others) at Catterick Garrison on the 12th of September on behalf of the Help for Heroes charity. We hope to raise as much as possible for the charity and you can help by either donating on-line using any of the following methods : the link http://www.justgiving.com/GnrIAScott (Ian Scott) or http://www.justgiving.com/michelle-boshierpara10 (Michelle Boshier) or by including your name on any one of their sponsor Forms. The challenge is 10 miles wearing boots and a 35lb bergen . With only 3 more training weeks to go, we are just becoming accustomed now to carrying 25lbs and wearing boots with another 10lbs of weight to be added in the weeks ahead. We would be most pleased for all the charitable support given before our task in hand come September.
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Last Updated on Monday, 23 August 2010 11:39 |
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Race Report: Guisbrough Grunt Fell Race |
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Written by Mark Colling
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:16 |
6.1 miles didn't sound too bad when I looked at the details for the latest race in the Summer Fell Series - even the 980 feet of elevation didn't seem too daunting. A few other Quakers thought the same, with 12 of us on the start line (quite a low turnout by our standards, especially for a Championship Race). The race got underway at about 7:20, which was a little later than scheduled, due to people still registering, and the requirement for a few detailed instructions to make sure no-one got lost. The first mile was quite straightforward, albeit busy, with my Garmin giving me a time of 9:13 - so far so good. The second mile saw the field thinning out, and a section of a relatively flat single-file trail keeping the pace steady, my Garmin giving a time of 8:30 - no problems so far. During the third mile, the reason for the race being called Grunt+ became apparent with a near vertical slope that was more of a climb than anything else, my trusty Garmin showing 18:14 - ouch!! Mile four was undulating, and wouldn't have posed much of a problem, had it not followed the Grunt - 9:51 on the Garmin. During mile five, the trail leveled out more or less, and headed out to the moors (and a lot of flies!) - Garmin says 9:03. Mile six saw the trail loop back on itself as the cinder path petered out to a sheep path through the heather which became harder and harder to be certain of (by this point I had made the mistake of overtaking the runners ahead of me who knew the way - 9:24 including a few stops to scratch my head and consult the map. Mile seven (not bad for a 6.1 miler!), brought us off the moors, and back into Guisborough Woods, zig-zagging our way down the slope, and passing two Quakers who had got lost, and were having to retrace their steps - again, lots of map referral slowed the pace to 10:16, even though it was downhill. The last quarter of a mile was easy, being on a road and downhill - despite chatting to a fellow runner who had pointed me in the right direction a few times, the pace was a respectable 7:53 without having to try too hard.  The finish line had a few Quakers waiting, some who I expected to see, and some who I didn't - in all, two had to drop out due to injury, and four did not compete the course after getting lost, and the dark closing in, making completion too risky. All in all, an enjoyable race which required an element of map reading, together with a head for heights - definitely worth a reccy if running it next year.
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Press Report 14th August 2010 |
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Written by Julie Jefferies
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Tuesday, 17 August 2010 14:41 |
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Quakers Run for Home in Darlington 10k sea of black and white race vests streamed out of Houndgate and up on to Coniscliffe Road as a record number of runners from Darlington Quakers Running Club took part in Sunday’s 23rd Darlington 10k Road Race. 83 Quakers, exceeding even last year’s good show of 73, made their presence felt on every part of the course, spurred on by the great support from the home crowd. The battle for first Quaker home could not have been closer with Jose Martinez and David Todd both recording a chip time of 39:10, Martinez just edging ahead by 1 second on the gun time. Dawn Richardson led the Quakers’ women home convincingly in 39:35. Personal bests also tumbled for the following Quakers: Simon Wakelin 41:47, Chris Jakeman 43:35, Lucy Jefferies 43:51, Stephen Ash 50:50 and Bridget Stewart 55:29. Robert Marriott, at the grand age of 2 years, became the Quakers’ youngest competitor when he took part in the Fun Run with Dad, Jeff. The pair also completed the 10k course in a very respectable 50:58, with Robert in his now familiar racing buggy being propelled around the route by Jeff. To complete the Quakers’ momentous day, Dawn Richardson, Lucy Jefferies and Jackie Nicholls took the 2nd place women’s team prize. A big ‘THANKYOU’ is extended to Mel McSherry, Jill Wallis and Mark and Wendy Colling who passed up the opportunity to join their fellow Quakers on the course in order to remove the timing chips from the 1100 competitors at the end of the race. A 100 Quakers on the start line of 2011 Darlington 10k? In the words of a leading sports manufacturer, ‘impossible is nothing.’
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:17 |
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Quaker Late Summer Invitiational Race |
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Written by Anthony Corbett
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Wednesday, 11 August 2010 11:22 |
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Quakers Running Club Present The Late Summer Invitational Trail Run
To be held on Wednesday 25th August 2010 7pm start – Registration from 6pm This will be a challenging, slightly undulating, often scenic, multi-terrain two-lap run of approximately 5 miles. The run will be mostly off-road on trails and farm tracks on the outskirts of Darlington – however small sections are on a roadside path. InformationThe run will take place from the lay-by on the right immediately after the Baydale Beck Inn on the A67 Coniscliffe Road. This is the road from Darlington heading to Barnard Castle. (DL2 2JX – for sat nav purposes). There will be some parking available in the Baydale Beck Inn – but if you need to park at the side of the road, please park responsibly. Depending on the weather conditions there may be parts of the run that are soft, wet and muddy underfoot and due to the nature of the course there are a small number of trip hazards such as tree roots. The course will be signed and marshalled throughout the event.
Toilets will be available courtesy of the Baydale Beck Inn – but there will be no changing facilities. Please noteThis is an invitational run only and not a UK Athletics Registered event. Runners take part at their own risk. Numbers will be issued for administration purposes only. Run times will be provided for training purposes.
Water will be provided at the end of the run and the Baydale Beck Inn landlord has kindly offered the use of a room after the run for a small selection of post-race nibbles and of course would be delighted to welcome customers old and new. A short presentation will be made after the event. There is no entry fee for this run – although donations to cover costs would be welcomed. Pre-entry not required, just turn up on the evening. Due to the nature of the course a minimum age of 16 is recommended for this run. Any last minute information/changes will be shown here on our website – www.quakersrunningclub.org.uk
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 11:23 |
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Race Report: Thunder Run 24 |
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Written by Dave Thompson
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Monday, 09 August 2010 13:04 |
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Not to be outdone, the following race report was sent in by Dave Thompson. Following all the nice comments people have said about the other write up, I'm sure this one will go down equally well! As Dave said, next year... Annette Clarke and myself entered this event at the last minute.Therefore we,unlike team Roy and Co,did not arrive until the Saturday morning courtesy of John Clarke.In comparison we were more "team slumming it" tents took all of 5 minutes to erect of course we did not have a seperate mess tent,massage tent,kitchen tent,zen zone tent,I want to be alone tent,butlers tent etc.Were we jealous you bet we were. 
After registration and picking up tee shirts time to fuel up ,bacon buttyand fat rascal,we decided as with all races we must agree a strategy to avoid a complete fiasco.First major decision who goes first,and gets blown into the weeds by all the racing snakes in the 5 and 8 man teams.Easy solved according to my team colleague I had the baton(plastic wristband)in my registration pack so it had to be me.After that I suggested the revolutionary idea of I will do a lap then you do one.That was thrown out as to simplistic.
After a brainstorming session,that did not take long,we came up with a cunning plan, which Baldrick would have been proud off,in order to get some shut eye during the night from lap ten starting at approx 9:00pm we would each run two double laps,giving the non runner two hours rest,reverting back to single laps after sun up.John then had the dubious task of holding on to this masterplan,to ensure when we got knackered we would know what we were doing and making sure non of the other teams picked up on this earth shattering strategy.Agreed an initial taget of 24 laps. After a race briefing complete with demonstration of how to pass a plastic wristband from one runner to the next,what we go though for our sport,the first runners were sent on their way at 14:00 over the 10K course. In all through all the categories 201 teams started the race.Racing snakes being very much to the fore leaving us mere mortals eating dust.On a twisty hilly course one first lap being completed in a shade over 34 mins(bloody hell) I got dragged along with the usual mad dash on the first lap in a never to be repeated 49 mins.The race quickly settled down wristbands being exchanged without any mistakes,please note GB spint relay teams.The rest between laps enough to fuel up on the norm bannanas,mars bars,flapjacks and to change into dry kit,must be a better way of securing numbers than safety pins. Via the chip timing the organisers were able to provide a leader board for all the categories plus by entering your number into a gizmo you also received your individual performance.Thus we were dead chuffed to see we were initialy in 7th place in the mixed pairs out of 18 teams, soon rising to 6th after the 5th lap.The only problem was that you had no idea who were in the teams that were ahead of you.No problem with the other teams recognising us as we had Quakers RC plastered over several changes of Kit.John was therefore sent undercover to suss out the opposition. All was going well until the dreaded double laps as darkness fell.Having done races through the night before had no problem running in the dark but I usually have company,on this you were on your own.What made it much worse is that the runners from 8 and 5 teams still going hell for leather kept zooming past you with monotoness regularity which gave you a total inferiority complex.
Evil thoughts of sticking a leg out and blaming the trip on a tree root had to be supressed.By 2:00 am our hopes of completing 24 laps were beginning to slide. However by dawn after the last of the double laps we had reached 4th spot the others suffering more than us.This gave us a much needed boost and the lap times came down.John had by this time a good idea of the teams who were ahead of us and tactfully put it that we were definately more experienced and although we were not looking great they by comparison were looking like shi**.
As the race reached its conclusion we were now up to the dizzy heights of 2nd.More spying revealed one of our closest rivals had been got at by a wasp(note to self for future) and was out of the frame.In the changeover pen before her last lap Annette was collared by the lady team member in 3rd who quizzed her on how was it going etc.Although by now entering the completely knackered stage after the changeover Annette flew the first K like a ferrett up a tramps trousers which totally deflated the opposition and secured the 2nd place. 
So in conclusion we completed 22 laps 137 miles.After 12 years of this running malarky this is the first trophy I have won albeit 2nd the winners completed 25 laps.So I was grinning like a cheshire cat and what was even more pleasing it would seem our team, combined age 106,was not as youthfull as the majority of the opposition.Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
Agree totally with all Michael's comments re the organisation etc.A really fantastic event. This is a must for a Quaker blitz next year.Points to consider. - *Get on Roys team the facilities are fantastic.
- *Ensure everyone in your team has the same goals.
- *Agree a strategy.
- *Bring plenty of Kit.
- *Just in case bring your own wasp
Dave T
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Last Updated on Monday, 09 August 2010 13:04 |
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Quakers Running Club Championship Update Events 17: James Herriott Trail Race |
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Written by Anthony Corbett
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Monday, 09 August 2010 12:50 |
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On the hills and trails, the latest event in the 2010 Club Championship took us to Castle Bolton near Leyburn for the James Herriott Trail race, although not the most popular race amongst some runners due to the massives hills and climbs! The Quakers still turned out in force and put out a respectable field. With the races rapidly running out as we head into the second half of the year, the table starts to take shape! How many points did you get? Click here to download the Quakers Running Club Championship Update Events 17: James Herriott Trail Race To view the championship update, you'll need a PDF reader. If you don't have one installed you can download a free version of FOXIT reader.
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Last Updated on Monday, 09 August 2010 13:42 |
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Darlington 10k - August 8th 2010 |
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Written by Wayne
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Sunday, 08 August 2010 19:23 |
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Well I'm pleased to say that I got it completely wrong when I said we'd probably fall short of the 73 finishers that we had in last years race - we totally smashed our best ever race entry with a fantastic 82 members crossing the finish line in this mornings race, we have 79 listed in the official results, two members who ran without timing chips and therefore weren't recorded in them (could you both please provide your times for Julie's press report) and one other who handed me a membership form this morning and so is identified as unattached. Well done to each and everyone of you for creating yet another landmark in Quakers RC's 15 year history. As if the above wasn't reason enough to celebrate at the Quaker 'Coffee'??? House, Dawn Richardson, Lucy Jefferies and Jackie Nicholls took the second place ladies team prize, congratulations and well done goes out to each of them. Thanks also to all those members who turned out to give support all round the course (and I mean all round), this really helped especially on the second lap. Finally a big thank you to Mark and Wendy Colling, Melanie McSherry and Jill Wallis for removing around 1100 race chips from competitors trainers, I know your efforts were appreciated by all who finished the race. Julie Jefferies has asked me to remind you all to let her know of any PB's recorded ASAP as she has to submit the press report by Tuesday evening if we are to make it into this week's Herald & Post and Northern Echo. A brilliant day for the club and one for which you should all feel justifiably proud.
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Last Updated on Monday, 09 August 2010 12:45 |
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Page 2 of 28 |
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Races coming up
A few races you might like to try! The 10 Miler Club In October and November there are three very popular 10 mile races which the Quakers has traditionally had good showings in, these are the Guy Fawkes 10, the Thirsk 10m and the Harewood House Trail Race. Each offers it's own unique brand of running entertainment! For those who are new to running, 10 miles represents a brilliant distance before stepping up to the half marathon and a good blend of endurance and speed above what is required for a 10k. These events offer three different types of 10 mile race to get you into longer races. Oct 3rd: Harewood Trail - 10m - Multi A trail race through Emmerdale Country, with a scenic jaunt around a lake and some of the most fantastic views of the Yorkshire "flats". Plus all finishers get a bottle of the exclusively brewed for the race "Harewood Trail Ale". Brilliant! Oct 31st: Guy Fawkes Ripley - 10m - Multi Oh yes, the ever popular race featuring the hill which Runners World voted as being one of the toughest in Britain! Regardless of that, this super race which is always followed by a trip to the One Eyed Rat pub in Ripon, is well worth doing for the challenge and variety it offers. Get your entries in quick! Nov 28th: Thirsk - 10m - Road Flat, on road, fast. Nothing more really to say about this race, it's very flat with barely any inclines, it's all on the road and you can put in a super 10 mile time! Well worth an entry! The Club Championship Middle Distance Events
The middle distance races in the Club Championship come to the fore over the next few weeks, with some fantastic events being held across a range of terrains and with different scenes to suit all tastes. Sept 5th: Middlesbrough Tees Pride - 10k - Road This fast and popular 10k is ideal for those new to running as a steady introduction to racing 10k distances, all on the road and mostly flat. Extremely well supported, so you'll be cheered on throughout the race! Sept 11th: Snape - 10k - Trail A real diamond in the rough race which would be a great start for those wanting to try a race with a little mud, grass and dirt. Slightly undulating, but still very good fun!
Sept 12th: Sedgefield Serpentine - 6.5m - Trail A brilliantly challenging trail race with lots of twists and turns and dirt. Well worth a look in for all Quakers regardless of ability! Brilliant course and a decent pint afterwards! To all Quakers looking for a challenge!
Over the last couple of years there has been a dramatic increase in members hitting the trails and fells.The numbers entering the Durham Dales Challenge, the interest in the Cleveland Way relay and those who take part in the Tees Forest Trails, demonstrate that a good percentage of you want to do something a bit different. We have an iconic race on our doorstep, the Lyke Wake, which if not supported, will die. To make it viable it needs 100 entries, this year there was only 82! One club from Hull always fields approx 20 members. Our club has had members complete over the last five years everyone taking part has given it rave reviews. Could we not adopt this race as a Quaker Challenge? Yes it is tough 40 miles is always going to be tough. Yes you do have to do your own navigation. However it is not just for racing snakes. One of only two rules is that you have 12 hours to complete therefore it is easily accomplished using a walk/run strategy.The other rule being you have to visit all the 7 checkpoints. If anyone is up for it I would gladly assist in any reccy training runs. The next Lyke Wake Race is 09/07/2011. It does fit in with other events; four weeks after Durham Dales; two weeks after Cleveland Way relay. Plus if you complete the Lyke Wake, the club trip marathon will be an absolute doddle!! The organisers also welcome any help with the checkpoints. Four quakers Antony Corbett,Wendy and Mark Colling,Stuart Lynn assisted this year and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Go on give it a go!!!!!
Latest items on the discussion forum - why not join in?
Member Spotlight
This month's member spotlight is on one of our Coaches and recent Thunder Runner, Mark Colling.  How did you get into running and why? I really started running because Wendy seemed to enjoy it so much, and to improve my fitness for football (which I've now retired from to concentrate on running!).
What kept you going when you first started running?
Everyone was really friendly, and the sessions keep everyone involved, rather than being elitist. Cake and flapjack after every race is always an incentive as well. How much training do you typically do? Usually, it's just the 2 club sessions, with either a race or a long run at the weekend. For the marathon, I followed a schedule that had me running 5-6 times a week but I couldn't maintain that for more than a couple of months. Be honest, do you enjoy training?
It's not very often that I don't enjoy training, although I must admit to always trying to coach when it's the 2000m rep session!! What's your aim for 2010? At the start of the year, I just wanted to break 50 minutes for a 10k, which I did by quite a margin early in the year at the Mermaid. Now, I just want to try as many different races as I can, and most importantly, to enjoy myself. What is your favourite race/distance/terrain?
The Thunder Run will take some beating for me, but 10 mile trail races are the ones I prefer. The Turbo X in Sheffield was great fun last year, and I'm looking forward to running/walking/crawling/wading it again in October.
What's your idea of running heaven?
Anything different, ideally with a bit of mud, and a nice goody bag. What's your idea of running hell?
I won't mention any specific races, but running 3 laps around a racetrack really doesn't appeal to me! Any advice to newcomers?
Remember that this is what we do for fun - it's ok to try your hardest, but if you stop enjoying yourself, think about what your priorities are.
Best way to relax/reward yourself after a race?
Pub!!
What is the best part of the club in your opinion?
The people. It doesn't make a difference if you're running well or if you're struggling, you can always count on them to provide support.
Apple, Water, Banana or Mars bar in your ideal goodie bag?
I always need a drink, so it'd have to be water, although Dave T always seems to get a bottle of beer somehow! Finally, whose going to come first in the Club Championship out of you and Wendy? Whilst I'm ahead at the moment, I think Wendy will catch me up when she gets a few longer races under her belt as I've got to finish a few minutes ahead to get more points, and it's difficult enough to beat her at all!!
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