Photo: QRC members at Ravenstonedale 10k (photo shared by Sarah B)
16th November: Gibside Fruit Bowl
The course is one lap on good tracks, paths and estate roads and is approximately 7 miles long, set within the magnificent grounds of the National Trust Gibside Estate and starting and finishing alongside the walled garden.
Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher and broke the club age category, completing the event in 55:33, followed by Peter Schmidt in 1:04.
22nd November: parkruns – Darlington South Park, The Grange and Henry Kendall (Australia)
At Darlington South Park, Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher in 21:14 whilst at Th Grange, April Corbett finished in 6th place overall and 2nd female in 26:56 and at Henry Kendall, Nick Wadd was 5th finisher overall in 24:16.
22nd November: Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon
This is a scenic, road closed course with mostly flat terrain and gentle undulations through the Norfolk countryside. Runners experience open farmland views, wooded stretches typical of Norfolk lanes and quiet villages. Whilst generally flat, there are gradual climbs and descents, typical of rural roads, adding variety without being overly challenging. The race begins and ends at the Norfolk Showground, providing a wide, paved surface for runners to spread out.
Michael Oliver completed the event in 2:09.
22nd – 23rd November: The Hardwolds 80
The 2025 Hardwolds 80 is a brutal yet beautiful test of endurance, taking runners across chalk landscapes, dry valleys, and historic villages along the Yorkshire Wolds Way from Hessle to Filey. The route follows the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, a mix of chalk escarpments, rolling farmland, and dry valleys, on predominantly trail paths and rural tracks, with occasional road sections through villages.
Emily Beaumont completed the event in 20:36.
23rd November: Sunderland 10k
The 2025 Sunderland 10K delivered a fast, flat out and back race on smooth tarmac paths along the Roker seafront, with thousands of runners enjoying crisp autumn conditions and a course designed for speed. Organised by Run Through Events, the Sunderland 10K supported Children’s Cancer North, combining charity fundraising with competitive racing.
Rachel Lister competed the race in 45:31 and 2nd in age category, followed by Chris Evans (55:29) and Jeff Marriott (58:33).
23rd November: NYSD Cross Country at Whitby
U17, U20, SEN and VET women and VET 65 men ran 6.2km (2 laps).
Dawn Richardson was first Quaker female, 8th finisher overall and 1st in age category in 27:31 followed by Carys Samuel (30:48 and 3rd in age category), Katherine Hackett (32:59), Rachel Grayson (35:50), Helen Clarke (35:59), Amy Storey (36:11), Wendy Colling (39:00) and Melissa Hird (39:46).
In the Over 65 men, Steve Snook completed the course in 30:16 and 2nd in age category, followed by Dave Whittle (34:47).
In the Over 75 men, Ian Hart completed the course in 31:46 and 2nd in age category.
U20, SEN and VET men ran 9.3km (3 laps).
Marc Ellis was first Quaker male finisher in 37:12 and 1st in age category, followed by Rob Dent (42:04), David Aiken (46:20) and Chris Clark (54:26).
29th November: parkruns: Beckton, Jubilee, Darlington South Park
At Beckton April Corbett was 3rd female finisher in 27:05, whilst at Jubilee, Juliette McLaren was 3rd female finisher in 27:38. At Darlington South Park, Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher in 21:07.
29th November: Ravenstonedale 10k (10 league race)
An undulating 10k road race from the picturesque village of Ravenstonedale, Kirby Stephen. The route has a small loop and a larger loop which are both run anti-clockwise.
Marc Ellis was first Quaker home in 5th place overall and 1st in age category in 37:06, followed by Danny McIntyre (40:00 PB), Rob Dent (42:27), Dave Jones (44:32), Ed Griffiths (45:33), Abbie Jones (46:22), Carys Samuel (47:33), Michael Thompson (49:00), Phil Neal (49:03), Ian Hart (49:11 and 2nd in age category), Neil Chalmers (49:20), Graham Looney (50:01), Rachel Grayson (55:03 PB), Chris Clark (55:03), Paul Cockburn (55:49), Emily Beaumont (59:02), Helen Clark (59:03), Carmelita Coco (59:15), Sharon Ellis (1:00 PB), Simon Metcalfe (1;08), Diane Lockhart (1:08) and Sarah Burrows (1:08).
29th November: Don’t stop be’leafin at Kiplin Hall
This 5k is described as ‘a light hearted autumn run that celebrates falling leaves, seasonal fun, and the beautiful grounds of Kiplin Hall.’ The route consists of taking in the formal gardens, woodland trail, grassland and paths.
David Nalder completed the event in 23:19 followed by Melissa Hird in 29:12and Lisa Quinney in 33:33.
30th November: Mental Elf
This 5k event took place in South Park with participants taking part in support of MIND.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
30th November: Running GP Croft Motor Circuit
With distances ranging from 5k to the full marathon, runners enjoyed the unique experience of chasing personal bests on the smooth, flat tarmac of a venue better known for motorsport than endurance running.
Danny McIntrye completed the Half Marathon in 1:33 (set PB) and Darren Wright completed the Marathon in 3:05, PB and 3rd in age category.
30th November: Run Northumberland Big 10 miler
This race offers a 2-lap route on quiet country lanes, circling the village of Matfen. It is undulating but not overly hilly through picturesque Northumberland countryside.
David Nalder completed the course in 1:25 and 2nd in age category.
Special mentions
parkrun…
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!
Well done to Kate Hammond on her 50th parkrun volunteer milestone.
Congratulations and well done to Michael Oliver on joining the 100 Half Marathon club after running his 100th half marathon event at Norwich – a great achievement!
A shout out for David Aiken who set himself the challenge of running 150 miles (and growing a ‘tache) during the month of November to raise awareness and money for charities that support friends and families living with cancer. David had originally set a target of raising £600 but smashed that by raising over £750.
QRC 10K Leagues Final Update 2025
Well done to everyone who took part in the 10K League competition over the course of the year. It was great to see lots of friendly rivalry along the way, as well as seeing people remark how it had spurred them on to faster times due to the threat of being pursued by their rivals! There were some really close leagues this year, which resulted in two of the eleven only being decided on the final race of the year. One league was so tightly contested that it actually resulted in a tie. Ravenstonedale was the last of the 10k league races.
Congratulations and well done to our league winners: Darren Wright, Dave Jones, Rob Gillham, Simon Metcalfe, Ian Hart, April Corbett, Simon Rek, Chris Clark and Paul Cockburn, Sarah Burrows, Juliette McLaren and Paige Robson.
The final results tables can be viewed on the QRC website and the 2026 10K League is now in development. If you would like more information, please either see Rob at club or email 10K@quakersrunningclub.org.uk.
A big thank you to Rob Dent for all the admin work and organisation associated with the competition.