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).