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In 2005 Quakers Running Club was 'Highly Commended' by Cancer Research UK for its continued support of Darlington's Race for Life. Click here to view the award.

 

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The club is also recognised by the Flora London Marathon for its dedication and support given to beginners and has been designated a Flora London Marathon Running Club Partner, the only club in County Durham to receive this accolade.

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About the Club

The club's main training base is at Queen Elizabeth 6th Form College Playing Fields, Abbey Road, Darlington, DL3 8LR. We train on a Tuesday and Thursday evenings (meeting at the school at 6:30pm). Formed in May 1995 with a membership of just six. The club was formed to promote the participation of all disciplines of athletics and has quickly established itself as one of the regions more active promoters of running events.

At present the club boasts a coaching staff of twenty qualified coaches specialising in a wide range of disciplines from sprints to ultra distance running, including field events, as well as more diverse disciplines such as fell running, strength & conditioning and orienteering. We cater for all types of runners and boast a varied membership, accomodating for all ability ranges. No one is ever left behind! We consider ourselves to be the most friendly and active running club in the area.

If you are interested in joining, you might find our membership introduction pack useful. Click here to download the file as a PDF.


Race Report: Tees Forest Series - Preston Park PDF Print E-mail
Written by Michael Joyeux   
Sunday, 18 April 2010 12:34

The popular Tees Forest Trail Race Series kicked off on a warm Thursday evening with a massive amount of Quakers present at the start line, leaving me wondering how many went to training at the South Park?

The first race was around the scenic Preston Park, source of many school trips and days out as a child, with a slightly modified course from previous years. This year, the course was meant to be exactly 5km and my Garmin beeped satisfyingly on 5km at the end.

Parking at the event was plentiful, although I did a “Phil” and opted for the train and job route to the race. With registration in the cafe for a very reasonable £3 and free tea and coffee, it certainly was a great start to the series. Unfortunately due to a mix up, there was only one, very grim and burnt out, toilet which led to the start of the race being postponed a few minutes whilst the line went down.

The race started with a bang and the front runners quick sped off! There was a lot of weaving through runners before we got onto the trail; the ground was firm and dusty and those wearing road shoes benefited. Running through trees, muddy paths and grassy ridges makes a welcome change from roads and pavements and we were treated some lovely scenic views. A quick hill/step combo caught a lot of runners off guard with runners opting for their preferred method of climbing, however there was no respite as this was merely the end of the first lap.

After another quick lap, the finish was in front of the old house where the spectators clapped in the finishers. Spot prizes were given out and a lot of very grateful people enjoyed their clementines!

Overall, this was a fantastic race – quick, varied, challenging, well paced – which was a great introduction to trail races for some of our newer runners and a great return to the Tees Forest Series for our more experienced runners. I personally enjoyed my free cup of tea and eagerly look forward to the next race through Guisbrough Forest on the 29th April (Starting at the Pinchinthorpe Visitors Centre, Nr Guisborough). See you there!
 

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