Photo: Thumbs up and flying feet from Alex at Dalesrunner20 (Permission gained from Andrew Fletcher Photography)
A busy end to March… this report celebrates members’ achievements at events from parkruns to 55 mile ultra marathon and all the distances in between, across the disciplines of road, trail and fell, as well as an orienteering event, Club Championship and 10k league races, with lots of achievements to celebrate!
16th March: Barcelona Marathon
The Barcelona Marathon is a full urban lap that routes its way through the heart of this cosmopolitan city. The route starts and finishes at Plaça d’Espanya, at the foot of Montjuïc, in the Sants-Montjuïc district. The marathon course passes Camp Nou, back to Plaça d’Espanya, past Sagrada Família, near the beach in northeast, the runs around the old city, back to the beach and returns to Plaça d’Espanya. It has many straight sections which are separated by sharp street corners. The route is mostly flat but has some false flat inclines around the 25–27 km and 39–41 km markers.
Melissa Hird completed the event in 4:29.
16th March: Bath Half Marathon
The Bath Half Marathon is the UK’s longest underground half marathon as is set in and around the World Heritage City of Bath. The route incorporates two 1/4 mile and 1 mile long old converted railway tunnels under the city. The route also takes in the beautiful city parks, the world famous architecture of Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, as well as the stunning rolling countryside of the Avon Valley.
Chris Evans completed the event in 1:56.
16th March: Croft Motor Circuit Event
This is a unique opportunity to choose from a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, 20mile or marathon and enjoy a smooth traffic free tarmac motor racing circuit!
In the 20 Mile race, Michael Joyeux finished in 2:05 (1st overall, 1st in age category and club record).
In the Half Marathon race, Stephen Ash finished in 1:48 (2nd in age category),followed by Michael Oliver (2:08).
In the 10k race Darren Wright finished in 37:53 (8th overall, 1st in age category and PB) followed by Carys Samuel (46:31 PB and 2nd in age category), Neil Chalmers (46:34 PB), Dale Chapman (45:05), Rob Gillham (45:27), Chris Minto (46:44 and 2nd in age category), Diane Vaughan (47:57, 1st in age category and club record), Deborah Berry (48:50 and 1st in age category), Alex Looney (49:24 and 3rd in age category), Chris Neesam (51:02 – 1st 10k), Carmelita Coco (52:42 PB and 2nd in age category), Simon Rek (53:51), Chris Clark (58:27), Helen Clark (59:14), Sarah Burrows (1:00), Grainne Duffy (1:00), Paige Robson (1:06 – 1st 10k) and David Porterfield (1:11).
In the 5k race, Jan Waite finished in 39:57, 1st in age category and club record.
16th 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.
Mike Kipling was first Quaker home in 1:02 (PB), followed by Ian Hart (1:18 and club record), Brian Martin (1:19), David Nalder (1:20), Dan Orton (1:21), David Thompson (1:24), Caroline Litster (1:31 PB), Ian Burgess (1:34), Jo Meynell (1:34), Sandra Martin (1:34), Jeff Marriott (1:35), Diane Lockhart (1:38), Gary Read (1:42) and John Yeomans (1:50).
22nd March: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Hackworth (Shildon), Manor Field (Whittlesey), Roberts Park (Baildon), Elder Park (Glasgow)
At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis was 4th finisher overall in 18:15; Michael Joyeux was 8th finisher overall in 19:40 and Caroline Litster shaved 42 seconds off her time earlier this month, to finish in 27:45. Peter Rowley celebrated his 500th parkrun milestone, finishing in 28:18 and Paige Robson celebrated her 25th parkrun milestone, finishing in 33:06.
Over at Hackworth, Rob Dent finished in 4th place overall in 21:16 and at Manor Field, Diane Lockhart was 3rd female finisher in 28:08. At Roberts Park, Chris Neesam earned himself a new PB of 24:13, shaving 14 seconds off his previous PB from July 24 and at Elder Park, Elaine Cooper achieved a new PB of 27:21, shaving 1 minute 39 seconds off her previous time in February 24.
22nd 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.
Emily Beaumont completed the event in 12:03 (shaving a massive 33 minutes off her best time for this event) and Hannah Bryan in 15:18.
22nd 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 and Chris Clark completed the route in 3:08.
23rd March: Harry Gamble-Thompson 20Ten (20 mile and 10 mile options)
Organised by New Marske Harriers, this is an ideal prep race for a spring marathon. Although multiple laps are not everyone’s cup of tea, there are advantages – each lap (mile) is exactly the same so runners can practice ‘even pace’ or ‘negative splits’ (they record and publish mile splits).
Lisa Jenkins completed the 10 mile event in 1:41 (PB) whilst Lucy Coxon completed the 20 mile event in 3:26 followed by Sarah Watson and Rebecca Jones (3:32).
23rd March: Sheffield Half Marathon
With a city centre start and finish, this is a major event in the UK’s running calendar; Sheffield Half Marathon is one of the best attended Half Marathons in the country, attracting thousands of runners of all abilities to the city’s streets each year and raising many thousands of pounds for great causes. It’s also one of the most scenic- with a route that starts and finishes in the city centre, but takes runners all the way out to the boundary of the Peak District National Park (so yes, it’s hilly!), and back again.
Pip Rayner and Emma Joyeux completed the race in 2:25.
23rd March: Darlington Trails Baydale Beck 10k
This was the first of Darlington Trail’s 10k series, with this event starting and finishing at Baydale Beck.
Ian Burgess completed the route in 1:04, followed by Chris Bowe (1:07).
23rd March: Ormesby10
This 10k event usually takes place monthly on the last Sunday of the month in the grounds of Ormesby Hall. (No need to book – simply show up on the day) The run briefing is held at 8:55am in front of the mansion, with the run starting at 9am.
April Corbett completed the route in 56:33 (1st in age category) and Anthony Corbett in 59:14.
27th March: Mile in South Park
The monthly mile takes place in Darlington’s South Park.
Michael Joyeux was 1st Quaker finisher in 5:22 and 3rd in age category followed by Dave Jones (5:56 & 3rd in age category), Luke Hewitson (6:12 and 1st in age category), Ian Burgess (7:04 & 1st in age category) Diane Vaughan (7:18, 3rd in age category and club record) and Paul Roberts (8:04 & 3rd in age category).
29th March: parkruns – Redcar and Albert (Middlesbrough)
At Redcar, Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher and 7th finisher overall in 20:54 whilst Ian Hart broke the club record for his age category at Albert, finishing in 22:59.
29th March: Coniston 14
Described as ‘probably the most beautiful road race in Britain’, this 14 mile race takes runners around Coniston Water.
John Harrison and Michael Oliver completed the route in 2:18 and 2:25 respectively.
29th March: Dalesrunner20
Taking place at Reeth and Arkengarthdale Moor, the DR20 is an exciting introduction to the DalesRunner Series, with 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 1:55.
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 Ingleby Cross Village Hall. Prior to a staggered start, entrants are given grid references of 10 checkpoints which must be navigated in order.
Dave Thompson arrived back at the village hall after 25 miles and 300ft of elevation in 5:56.
30th March: Vale of York 10 miler (Championship) and 5 miler
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.
In the 10 mile race, Billy Harris was first Quaker finisher in 1:13 and 2nd in age category followed by Rob Gillham (1:17), David Nalder (1:20 and 2nd in age category), Simon Rek (1:30), Janet Bowlby (1:32), Lisa Jenkins (1:40 PB) and Jeff Marriott (1:45).
Diane Vaughan finished the 5 mile race in 39:17 and 2nd in age category as well as breaking the club record.
30th March: Make my Day Mother Flecker (various distances)
This trail running extravaganza funnels participants through a beautiful 6.6-mile route with a choice of various distances – 10k(ish), Half marathon, 20 miler, Marathon and Ultra. The routes consist of a set number of laps around a 6.5-mile trail course. Runners start from the centre of Knaresborough, climbing gently up through park land on to the old railway track between Knaresborough and Harrogate surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Sandra Cass completed the 20 mile event in 9th place overall in 3:15 (club record in age category and PB)
Special Mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last 3 weekends!