Photo: Anthony and April at The Booze Run (photo taken by Abbie H)
This is last Press Report of 2025! 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 38 miles including the local event, McTaggart Trot, which raises funds for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.
20th December: parkruns – Darlington, Albert (Middlesborough), Keswick, Woodlands (Scarborough) and Wynyard Woodland
At Darlington South Park, Michael Joyeux was 4th finisher overall in 17:17; Carys Samuel was 2nd female finisher and achieved a PB of 20:53, shaving 33 seconds off her previous PB in December last year, and Dawn Richardson was 3rd female finisher in 20:54.
At Albert, Alex Looney was 3rd female finisher in 23:32, whilst at Keswick, Marc Ellis was 9th finisher overall in 18:11 and Sharon Ellis achieved a new PB of 27:55, knocking 9 seconds off her previous PB from December 2024! At Woodlands, Scarborough, Sarah Burrows celebrated her 25th parkrun milestone; at Wynyard Woodland, Dave Jones was 8th finisher overall in 20:44 and Helen Clark achieved a new PB of 25:38, shaving 19 seconds off her previous PB in November 2019.
20th December: Tour de Helvellyn
Organised by Nav4, the 2025 edition of the Tour de Helvellyn lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest and most iconic winter ultras in the UK. It follows a 38‑mile unmarked circuit around the Helvellyn massif, starting and finishing at Askham Community Centre. The route is predominantly made up of mountain trails, bridleways, and minor lanes, climbing repeatedly to heights of almost 600 metres. Total ascent and descent add up to roughly 2000 metres, creating a physically demanding loop that requires strong climbing legs and confident descending on technical ground. Winter conditions make the terrain even more challenging, with runners navigating exposed ridges, boggy trods, rocky passes and steep, remote valleys. Navigation is essential throughout, as there are no route markings and visibility can deteriorate rapidly. It is a true winter mountain test, recommended only for experienced and competent runners with solid navigational and fell‑running skills.
Tom Chapman completed the event in 10:51.
21st December: Loftus Poultry Run
The Loftus & Whitby Poultry Run has been held just before Christmas for over 38 years. It is a multi-terrain event and has built up a reputation as one of the friendliest and most fun events in the North East running calendar. The run is approximately 7miles along quiet country lanes, bridleways, footpaths and muddy farmer’s fields. The course is generally ascending for the first half of the race, and is then an exhilarating downhill run down to the finish. With many runners in costumes, a brass band and lots of camaraderie the Poultry Run is a great way to get the festivities off to a flying start.
Emily Beaumont completed the race in 1:11, followed by Michelle Dale in 1:29.
21st December: Saltwell 10k
The 2025 Saltwell 10k delivered its classic festive challenge on a three‑lap, fully marshalled, traffic‑free course that winds through Saltwell Park and onto the surrounding closed roads, giving runners a scenic but consistently undulating route. The route includes a mix of park paths and road sections, whilst the final stretch beside the lake provides a fast, picturesque finish that balances the earlier hills.
Danny McIntyre finished the race in 41:44.
21st December: More than a run Ormesby 10
This event usually takes places on the fourth Sunday of the month. The 10k circular route follows a scenic trail through farmland, woodland, and historic estate grounds, offering a mix of terrain including tarmac and gravel driveways, field margins and woodland trails. Trail shoes are recommended due to the varied surfaces and potential for mud. This run is ideal for trail enthusiasts looking for a regular, community-driven event with a scenic backdrop. Whether you’re training or just enjoying a Sunday run, the Ormesby10 offers a welcoming and well-organized experience.
Anthony Corbett completed the event in 1:01 followed by April Corbett and Sandra Cass in 1:02 (both 1st in their age categories).
21st 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. This year, over £4,600 was raised.
Well done to everyone that took part!
25th December: parkrun – Darlington South Park
At Darlington South Park Dawn Richardson was 2nd female finisher in 20:42; Ian Hart broke the club age category record in 22:47 and Jo Neesam completed her 50th parkrun volunteer milestone.
26th December: Whitley Bay Boxing Day Pudding Run
Now in its 38th 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.
27th December: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Hamsterley Forest, Humber Bridge & Elemore Park
At Darlington South Park, Michael Joyeux was 1st finisher in 17:07 and at Hamsterley Forest, David Aiken was 8th finisher overall in 23:56. At Humber Bridge, Carys Samuel was 1st female finisher in 23:46 whilst Rebecca Dodd completed her 100th volunteer milestone at Elemore Park.
27th December: Deadwater Trail Run, Kielder
The Shadowlands: Winter Trail Series is a set of six punchy trail races set in the English borders. In each race there is a chance to pick up individual prizes on the day as well as points that go towards the overall series standings. Four races incorporate dedicated mountain bike trails at Kielder and the other two are established local races in the Winter Wipeout and Duergar Nightcrawler. All of them present different challenges in terms of distance, terrain, ascent, exposure and feel. Only one of them is a daytime race, the rest being ran at night.
Helen Clark completed Race 1 of the series – the Deadwater Kielder night trail run (15km and 603m elevation). The route frequently alternates between closed in singletrack trails and open forest tracks. Entrants summit Deadwater Fell before commencing a long descent back to the finish.
Helen completed the event in 1:56 and 3rd in age category.
28th 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.
Ian Hart completed the event in 52:37 and 1st in age category, followed by David Nalder (56:18 and 3rd in age category), and Phil and Lesley Neal (1:04).
28th December: The Booze Run
Limited to 50 entrants and starting from the Red Lion pub in Langthwaite, Booze Run event was a category BM fell race, suitable for seasoned and new trail runners. The 9k (ish) route passes 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 1:05, followed by Gráinne Duffy in 1:13.
28th December: Ajman 10k
The Ajman 10k follows a flat, fast route starting and finishing at Al Safia Park, running along private, fully closed roads on and around Safia Street, giving runners an uninterrupted, traffic‑free experience ideal for steady pacing and PB attempts; the terrain is entirely road surface with no meaningful elevation changes, making it smooth and predictable from start to finish, while the park‑side setting provides a clean, organised urban loop.
Graham and Alex Looney completed the event in 49:49 and 51:29 respectively.
Special mentions:
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.