Florida was the destination for distance runner, Toni Chaplin-Armer, who took part in the Walt Disney Goofy Challenge; running both a half-marathon and a full marathon on the same weekend.  If she thought that she was escaping the freezing British weather, she was in for a shock.  Orlando saw its lowest temperatures for years and she had to endure sleet in the first race and negotiate patches of ice on the following day.  Around seventeen thousand runners weaved there way through the Disney parks in each of the events.  She finished Saturday’s shorter race in 1:59:52 before completing Sunday’s marathon in 3:59:10 to take 2075th place overall and 38th spot in her age group.

Dawn Richardson also crossed the Atlantic, taking part in the Bermuda International Marathon.  Clocking 3:08:24, she took 7th place and was the third lady over the line.

Michael Joyeux was the first of ten Quakers at Sedgefield Harriers’ Winter Handicap.  He overcame his handicap of 19 minutes to take third place in 67:31.  Nick Watson came 5th in 68:03 with Stuart Hardcastle one place behind in 68:14.  He was followed by Anthony Corbett (12th, 69:36), Mark Colling (30th, 73:50), Mark Robinson (34th, 76:14), Daniel Crane (35th, 76:30), Susan Limbert (39th, 86:29), Sarah Beadle (40th, 88:02) and Alex Simpson (41st, 88:09).

Whitby hosted the latest NYSD cross country meeting, where in the ladies event Louise Trainer finished 17th ahead of Lucy Jefferies (29th) and Bev Snook (48th).  Steve Snook, in 44th place, was the first Quaker home in the men’s race.  David Todd and Ian Scott finished 57th and 88th respectively.

Quakers welcome all runners to their training sessions, which are held at Carmel School on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm.

www.quakersrunningclub.org.uk