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).

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.

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.  

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.