Photo: Karen, Helen and Chris (aka ‘Not Quite 3 Christmas Doves’) at The McTaggart Trot (photo shared by Helen)
This is last Press Report of 2024! Well done to those that have been able to lace up their running shoes and take part in events and races and, of course, QRC training sessions and runs.
Over the last fortnight Quakers have managed to take part in races and events from parkrun up to Half Marathon distance including the local event, McTaggart Trot, which raises funds for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.
21st December: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Hackworth (Shildon) and Albert (Middlesbrough)
Again, high winds again prevented some parkruns from going ahead; 34 QRC members turned out to celebrate Darlington South Park’s 12th birthday and Dawn Richardson was first female finisher in 20:36.
Meanwhile, at Hackworth, Sandra Cass was 3rd female finisher in 27:38 (with April Corbett just 1 second behind) whilst at Albert, Alex Looney, bagged herself a shiny new PB, shaving 30 seconds off her previous time from November 2023, to finish in 23:25.
22nd December: McTaggart Trot
Starting at Eppleby Village Hall, teams of 3 completed the 5k lapped course with all 3 runners running the first leg together (3.1 miles), then 2 runners running the 2nd leg (6.2 miles) and one final runner completed the final leg (9.3 miles in total). The event emphasizes teamwork, as runners must stay together, with the pace set by the slowest member. This event is all about the spirit of Christmas and giving back to those who need it most, with much needed funds raised for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.
David Aiken (25:17), Shaune Eland (25:30) and Rebecca Howard (22:37) were the first ‘all QRC’ team (Fabled Frosty Flyers) to complete the event and finished in 14th place overall of 102 teams in 1:13.
1st leg runners included Abbie Jones (24:28), David Aiken (25:17), Billy Harris (26:38), Melissa Hird (28:14), Keziah Morley (30:39), John Yeomans (32:43), Karen Dove (37:31) and Lin Gossage (43:25) (1st leg 5k times)
1st and 2nd leg runners included Carys Samuel (24:19), Shaune Eland (25:30), Ian Burgess (26:19), Hayley Addison (27:25), Diane Lockhart (28:36), Sue Woodcock (28:57), Chris Clark (30:01), Jeff Marriott (31:55), Julie Whinn (31:59) and Lisa Quinney (35:23) (2nd leg 5k times)
1st, 2nd and 3rd leg runners included Marc Ellis (20:11), Rebecca Howard (22:37), Isaac Johnson-Caddell (24:31), Rob Gillham (25:24) James Atkinson (26:48), Wendy Colling (28:37), Helen Clark (29:27), Darren Alderson (33:44) and Lucy Bendle (37:32) (3rd leg 5k times)
25th December: parkruns – Darlington South Park and Hull
At Darlington South Park Marc Ellis was 8th finisher overall in 18:09, whilst at Hull, Carys Samuel achieved a new PB (her 8th this year) shaving 7 seconds off her time last month to finish in 21:26.
26th December: Whitley Bay Boxing Day Pudding Run
Now in its 37th year, the Boxing Day Pudding Run is a North East tradition, attracting thousands of runners to Whitley Bay every year to run off the Christmas excess with a seafront run suitable for all abilities. The Pudding Run is 5k (3.1 miles) and runners, young and old, are encouraged to dress in their festive finest. Each finisher is invited to take home a Christmas Pudding. Funds raised is split between North Shields Poly, Woodlawn and Mountain Rescue
There are no results for this event; well done to members that took part.
28th December: parkrun – Silloth Promenade (Cumbria)
Diane Lockhart was 3rd female finisher at Silloth Promenade, finishing in 27:27.
28th December: Bridlington New Years Eve Eve Bonanza (Marathon, 20 miles, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k available)
It’s Grim Up North invite participants to ‘brace yourself for this out and back course starting on the cliffs at Sewerby and running along the front at Bridlington’. The course is great underfoot and runs along the prom so runners enjoy the sea air as they pass through the centre of Bridlington, with hot food at the Ship Inn at the finish.
Sandra Cass completed the Half Marathon event in 2:06.
29th December: Jolly Holly Jog 10K
The race follows a scenic, multi-terrain course of approximately 10k. It is an undulating route mainly on footpaths through parkland. The race starts on Hell Wath Nature Reserve, goes up Whitcliffe Lane onto public footpaths through Mackershaw Woods and through Studley Deer Park. The course then goes out of the main gate at Fountains Abbey, right, up Plumpton Lane, and returns via a short steep climb in Mackershaw Woods, across to Whitcliffe Lane and back towards Hell Wath Nature Reserve. Following a short section through the woods at Hell Wath, the course then emerges onto the field back to the finish.
David Nalder was first Quaker home in 57:52 and 1st in age category, followed by Rachel Grayson (1:03), Wendy Colling (1:04) and Julie Whinn (1:05).
29th December: The Booze Run
Limited to 50 entrants and starting from the Red Lion pub in Langthwaite, the inaugural Booze Run event was a category BM fell race suitable for seasoned and new trail runners. The 9k (ish) route passed through the scenic village of Arkengarthdale with a pitstop for mince pie and whiskey/rum in Booze itself (yes, it’s a real place!)
April and Anthony Corbett completed the event in 1:11.
Special mentions
Congratulations and thank you to Ian Bond who has now completed 100 parkrun Volunteer stints and Rebecca Devine who has completed 50.
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight and also to those that have completed their own personal parkrun ‘challenges’ this year.
A quick reminder that the next QRC parkrun tourism will take place on 4th January at Albert Park, Middlesbrough.
Course description…
‘The clockwise course starts from just behind the Visitor Centre at the lake (Clairville/Fire Station) end of the park. It starts by running along the main path through the park towards and then turning right at the fountain. A short straight stretch then takes you to a right turn that brings you to the main path around the perimeter of the park. A right turn at the lake takes you along to the Visitor Centre near the lake. From there it is then 2 laps of the perimeter path, finishing back outside the Visitors Centre at the conclusion of your run. The course is flat, and fast, with all of us running it under the watchful eyes of the town’s own inimitable Brian Clough, as the course passes his statue twice – what a motivator that will be!’