Photo: QRC members taking part in the relays at South Park (photo shared by John)
A busy end to March… this report celebrates members’ achievements at events from the 1-mile relays to 55-mile ultra marathon and all the distances in between, across the disciplines of road, trail and fell, as well as Club Championship and 10k league races, with lots to celebrate!
21st March: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Woodlands (Scarborough), The Demesnes (Barnard Castle), Knowsley and Marshal Drive (Brotton)
At Darlington South Park, many Quakers completed a ‘Run for Gary’. Ed Griffiths was 9th finisher overall in 1:37; Zoe Rothery completed her 50th parkrun milestone and Sharon Ellis achieved a new PB of 27:49, shaving 6 seconds from her previous PB in December 2025. Meanwhile, Laura Pocklington completed her 1st parkrun in 32:22 and Julie Russell completed her 50th parkrun milestone in 32:42.
At Woodlands parkrun, Carys Samuel was 1st female finisher in 21:29; Chris Neesam bagged a new PB of 22:20, shaving 54 seconds off his previous PB in June 2025 and Paul Cockburn knocked 23 seconds off his previous PB in October 2024 to finish in 25:14.
At The Demesnes, Alex Mathers finished in 3rd place overall and 3rd male in 21:09 whilst at Knowsley, Rob Dent was 5th finisher overall in 20:20 and at Marshall Drive, Sarah Burrows was 3rd female finisher in 32:21.
21st March: Hardmoors 55
The Hardmoors 55 is a 55-mile Ultramarathon running from Guisborough to Helmsley. The race takes competitors through the North York Moors and the Cleveland Hills via Roseberry Topping, Kildale, Clay Bank, Osmotherley, Sneck Yate and the White Horse, with over 2000 metres of ascent within a time limit of 16 hours.
Billy Harris completed the event in 12:03, followed by Emily Beaumont (12:39), Hannah Bryan (13:28, shaving almost 3 hours off last year’s time!) and Rebecca Dodd (14:31).
22nd March: Carlisle 10k (Half Marathon also available)
This course has runners starting from the main straight at the back of the East Stand at Brunton Park Football Stadium and into Rickerby Park before heading to Linstock & Crosby on Eden before turning back on what is an out and back route. The route takes in the sites of Carlisle including the Castle, Cathedral, Train Station, Cenotaph and Bitts and Rickerby Parks.
John Harrison completed the 10k event in 59:03.
22nd March: Thirsk 10
The Thirsk 10 has been running for over 30 years and is a fast and flat course, ideal for achieving a PB.
Marc Ellis completed the race in 1:00 PB, followed by Michael Thompson (1:17), Lucy Bendle (1:22 and 3rd in age category), Caroline Litster (1:28 PB), David Thompson (1:31), Jo Meynell (1:33) and Simon Rek (1:36).
22nd March: Ormesby10
This 10k event usually takes place monthly on the last Sunday of the month in the grounds of Ormesby Hall. (Pre-register online then keep your number for the series) The run briefing is held at 8:55am in front of the mansion, with the run starting at 9am.
Sandra Cass finished the event in 56:02 and 1st in age category with April Corbett (56:02 and 1st in age category) followed by Diane Lockhart (57:04), Chris Clark (57:31), Anthony Corbett (58:10), Lisa Jenkins (1:03) Ruth Hawkins (1:05 and 2nd in age category) and Darren Alderson (1:08).
22nd March: NYSD South Park Relays
There was a good turn out of Quaker members with runners, volunteers and supporters turning out to support this final cross country event of the season.
Each team was made up of 4, with each runner doing a one mile lap of almost the parkrun course and then handing over to their next team mate.
We had 2 teams each in the Senior Ladies and 3 teams in the Senior Men’s races.
Lisa Bowerbank (6:59 PB), Katherine Hackett (6:49 PB), Lou Trainor (7:11) and Carys Samuel (6:05 PB) ran in a combined time of 27:05.
Amy Storey (7:31), Carmelita Coco (6:52 PB), Barbra Barker (8:43 set PB) and Rachel Grayson (7:36 PB) ran in a combined time of 30:44.
Alex Mathers (5:44 PB), Dave Jones (5:47), Luke Hewitson (6:01 PB) and Martyn Farnsworth (5:41 PB) ran in a combined time of 23:15.
Ian Hart (6:59), Paul Roberts (7:46), Simon Metcalfe (6:39) and Ian Burgess (8:20) ran in a combined time of 29:46.
John Yeomans (8:51), Chris Wright (7:29 set PB), Chris Clark (7:54) and Michael Thompson (7:10 PB) ran in a combined time of 31:25.
25th March: Darlington Trails: Locomotion 5k
Starting from Sainsburys in Middleton St George, this 5k event is a fast mixed terrain race with mostly flat running, a few small inclines, and a blend of tarmac, woodland, and old railway path. It’s ideal for both PB chasers and newer runners looking for a local event.
Danny McIntyre completed the event in 5th place in 19:37, followed by Jeff Marriott (30:45) and Ian Burgess (32:44).
28th March: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Ushaw Historic House & The Demesnes (Barnard Castle)
At Darlington South Park Michael Joyeux was 1st finisher in 16:52; at Ushaw Historic House, David Aiken was 4th finisher overall and 3rd male in 21:13 and Rebecca Howard was 10th finisher overall and 2nd female in 22:44, whilst at The Demesnes, Dave Jones finished in 3rd place overall and 3rd male in 21:59.
28th March: RAF Shawbury 10k
The RAF Shawbury 10K is run entirely on the airfield’s tarmac, making it a flat, fast, fully‑paved course with no hills, no grass, and no technical terrain. It is described as one of the best PB‑friendly 10Ks in the Midlands.
Ed Griffiths completed the event in 46:16.
28th March: Dalesrunner20
Taking place at Reeth and Arkengarthdale Moor, the DR20 has testing ascents, spectacular ridge-running and fast technical descents. This is a fully marked route featuring rarely visited twists and turns, plus magnificent views of the northern Dales – a favourite with local runners. This isn’t your average trail race and it shouldn’t be underestimated just because of the modest distance!
Alex Mathers completed the route in 2:03, followed by Paul Dalton (2:16), Carys Samuel (2:35 and 3rd in age category) and Lesley and Phil Neal (3:08).
28th March: Dalesrunner: Fremington Frenzy
The Fremington Frenzy is designed as a shorter but still challenging introduction to the DalesRunner race series. It offers a full taste of Swaledale’s rugged beauty without the biggest climb found in the DR20. The route includes a very steep first ascent up towards Fremington Edge, single‑track trails across moorland, technical descents, including one down historic mining hushes and a scenic return following Arkle Beck through the Heggs‑Castle Renaturing Project.
Ian Bond finished the event in 7th place overall in 1:18 and 1st in age category.
28th March: NAV4 Daffodil (Daffy Do) Run Walk
This easy to follow route runs from Pooley Bridge to Hallin Fell, via The Cockpit and Martindale Church and then back the same way. The route is a mixture of good trails, and paths, some wet under foot, a little bit of tarmac lane and the open slopes of Hallin Fell. With a full distance of 13 miles, an out and back course allows entrants to do as much – or as little – as they wish.
Helen Clark completed the route in 3:33.
28th March: Prague Half Marathon
The Prague Half Marathon is one of Europe’s flattest, fastest city races, run almost entirely on smooth roads along both banks of the Vltava River. It features only 27 m of total ascent, making it ideal for PB attempts, and showcases Prague’s most iconic landmarks throughout the route, including HolKa Footbridge, Metronome at 2 km, Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, Rudolfinum Concert Hall, Old Jewish Cemetery and Clementinum. These landmarks appear early in the race as runners follow the river and cross several bridges.
Luke Hewitson completed the event in 1:46 and Barbra Barker in 2:22.
29th March: Vale of York 10 miler (Championship) and 5 miler also available
This mostly flat 10 mile event takes off from the runway and runners head South from the start for 2 miles before heading west to Healaugh, South to Catterton, East towards Bilbrough and back North to the start.
Brian Martin completed the race in 1:20 and 3rd in age category and Sandra Martin in 1:42.
29th March: Cleveland Survivor
Organised by Cleveland Mountain Rescue to raise much needed funds, this event shares only the start/finish location prior to the day, this year it was Swainby. Prior to a staggered start, entrants were given grid references of 7 checkpoints to be navigated.
Dave Thompson endured strong winds over the moors and hills but had ‘a grand day out’ and arrived back after 23 miles and 3000ft of elevation in 6:21.
29th March: Berlin Half Marathon
The Berlin Half Marathon is a single, circular loop through central Berlin, starting near the Victory Column and finishing near the Brandenburg Gate. Landmarks along the route include Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Potsdamer Platz, Charlottenburg Palace and Großer Tiergarten. The race is known for its wide roads, excellent crowd support, and a “sightseeing tour by foot” feel.
David Ledgerwood completed the route in 2:18 and Barbra Barker in 2:22.
29th March: Fraggle Run
This Saturn event promises a fantastic day out of running. With a 7 hour time limit, runners can choose how far they want to run. As long as they complete at least 5k then they’ll go home with a fantastic themed medal. This event starts at Durham Amateur Rowing Club.
Chris Bowe completed 13.1 miles in 2:40.
Special Mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!
A shout out for Barbra Barker who completed Prague and Berlin half marathons on consecutive days and finished them both in a fabulous time of 2:22.