Photo: Helen, Chris and Danny at Kirlevington Christmas 5k (photo shared by Helen)
Over the last fortnight, QRC members have completed a range of events including parkruns, cross country, road and trail as well as a prison, charity and festive runs.
2nd December: More than a run at Ormesby Hall night race – winter night series
This was the second of the night series which it suitable for new and experienced trail runners. The 5k route is in the grounds of the National Trust property including Pennyman Woods.
Jeff Marriott completed the route in 32:32.
6th December: parkruns – Sedgefield, Darlington South Park and Zielony Jar
At Sedgefield, Wendy Colling celebrated her 250thparkrun milestone in 33:04; at Darlington South Park, Andrew Vernon was 7th finisher overall in 18:41, Carys Samuel was 1st female finisher in 22:22 and Sally Singleton broke the club age category record in 33:34. Meanwhile at Zielony Jar, Phil Neal was 10th finisher overall in 24:27.
7th December: NYSD Cross Country at Summerhill, Hartlepool
The NYSD cross country season continued with the race at Summerhill, a true cross-country course with ups and downs, through woods, over fields, across a stream and along cinder track.
U17, U20, Senior/Vet ladies, under 17 men and Vet men over 65 completed the 6.2km route.
Carys Samuel completed the route in 32:39 followed by Rachel Grayson in 38:20.
Steve Snook finished the event in 31:44 and 2nd in age category, followed by Dave Whittle (35:58).
Ian Hart finished in 33:22 and 3rd in age category.
U20, Senior/Vet men completed the 8.9km route.
Marc Ellis completed the route in 37:41 and 2nd in age category, followed by Rob Dent (43:15), Martyn Farnsworth (45:22) and Michael Thompson (50:32).
7th December: St Teresa’s Santa Run
Starting at West Park Academy, this a family favourite festive fun run! There are various options including the Santa Sprint, Reindeer Run or Elf Amble, raising money for St Teresa’s Hospice.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
7th December: Grizedale Growl Lakeland Paws Canicross event (10k also available)
This Lakeland Paws event takes place at Grizedale Forest in Cumbria. The opening kilometre climbs steadily on compact forest road—wide, grippy, and perfect for dogs eager to pull early; the mid-section offers wide forest paths, hard‑packed gravel roads and occasional narrower, twistier trail sections and the final section returns to broad forest roads, allowing for a strong finish.
Kate Schweizer competed in the 5k event in 32:25 and 2nd in age category.
13th December: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Marshall Drive (Brotton), Hamsterley Forest, Sedgefield and Wynyard Woodland
At Darlington South Park, James Stuart and Zoe Robinson earned themselves shiny new PBs. James finished in 20:49, shaving 25 seconds off his previous PB in September this year, whilst Zoe trimmed a whopping 2 minutes and 34 seconds off her May 24 time to finish in 27:02. Ian Hart broke the Club age category record in age for parkrun this morning at South Park in 22:51.
At Marshall Drive, Juliette McLaren was 2nd female finisher in 32:04; at Hamsterley forest, April Corbett was 3rd female finisher in 29:04 and at Sedgefield, Emily Beaumont was 3rd female finisher in 25:28. Dave Jones finished 4th overall at Wynyard Woodland in 20:20.
Well done to Anthony Corbett who completed his 50th volunteer milestone.
13th December: Crikey It’s Christmas 10k (Its Grim Up North)
Held along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Kirkstall, Leeds, this event offers distances from 5k to ultra distance and is a festive, friendly event packed with holiday cheer, seasonal music, and plenty of post‑race treats. The 10K course follows a simple out‑and‑back route, starting and finishing on Wyther Lane in Kirkstall. Runners head out along the canal towpath before turning around and retracing their steps back to the finish.
Danny McIntyre finished the race in 2nd place overall, 2nd male and 1st in age category with a time of 39:15.
13th December: Punk Panther Christmas Cracker
This event offered distances of 32 miles, 19 miles and 12 miles.
The route leaves Otley heading out towards Lindley, Fewston and through Timble over some fantastic trails and then heads up towards Beamsley Beacon with great views of the Dales.
Karen Dove completed the event in 3:29 (and also received a Special Award for consistent attendance, trying her hardest, improving year on year, digging in and demonstrating being at the back is also being great. Karen was told that she exemplifies the Punk Panther ethos of inclusivity and is a great asset to the sport. (We couldn’t agree more – well done Karen!)
13th December: The Christmas Fun Run
This 5k event organised by Darlington Trails takes place at Riverside Way, Darlington. Christmas fancy dress is optional and highly recommended and everyone that takes part receives a selection box.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
14th December: North Eastern Counties Annual Cross Country Championships
The 2025 North Eastern Cross Country Championships took place at Stewart Park, Middlesbrough and the venue change brought the Championships further South than in recent years, attracting a strong turnout across all age groups. Pre‑race conditions were challenging due to persistent wet weather in the weeks leading up to the event. Despite rain the day before, the course held up well, and race day delivered clear, sunny conditions that helped maintain a firm but traditional XC feel. The entire course was ran over grass and dirt trail.
Steve Snook ran in the SEN MEN category (12k) in 55:33 whilst Dawn Richardson and Carys Samuel completed the 8k SEN WOMEN event in 35:44 and 39:52 respectively.
15th December: Kirklevington Christmas 5K Trail Event (Muddy Roads)
This is a flat, scenic course through beautiful woodlands, finishing in the unique surroundings of the prison grounds. Runners are encouraged to dress in their best festive outfit to add some extra Christmas cheer to the course!
Danny McIntyre was first Quaker home in 3rd place overall and 3rd in age category in 21:29, followed by Chris Clark (32:10 and 3rd in age category) and Helen Clark (32:11).
Special mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!
Congratulations and well done to Dave Jones who completed 5 out of 6 races in the Hardmoors 10k series and finished in 4th place overall.
Congratulations and well done to Rachel Lister who has secured a ‘Good for Age’ place at London Marathon 2026.
QRC Club Championship Final Update 2025
What a year we have seen in the Championship! There have been 63 Quakers (48 last year) taking part this year across 22 races covering a range from 1 mile to Half Marathon across Roads, Trail and Track. The results are in: 1st Place with 500 points – Marc Ellis; 2nd Place with 491 points – Billy Harris and 3rd Place with 490 points – Alex Mathers. 1st Lady with 483 points was April Corbett.
As the championship ends for 2025, a big thank you to everyone who took part, we couldn’t have this event in the Quakers’ calendar without you all taking an interest in gaining those elusive points!
The final tables for both competitions can be viewed on the QRC website and the 2026 Club Championship and 10K League are both now in development. If you would like more information on either competition, please either see Juliette at club or email at championship@quakersrunningclub.org.uk
A big thank you to Juliette McLaren for all the admin work and organisation associated with the competitions.