Press Report: 16th – 31st August 2025

Photo: Quakers at NYMAC Relays at Middlesbrough (photo shared by John Y) 

The 2nd half of August was busy with members taking part in a variety of races and events. Lots to celebrate including fantastic achievements at the Tom Wall NYMAC Relays at Middlesbrough with events up to trail marathon distance and including races in the championship and 10k leagues as well as road, trail and fell races, not forgetting our QRC Mowden Meander.

16th August: parkruns – Darlington South Park & Cyclopark

At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis was 4th finisher overall in 17:44 and at Cyclopark, Rebecca Howard was 2nd female finisher in 22:23.

Berni Gibson completed her 25th parkrun volunteer stint.

16th August: Punk Panther: Six Dales Trail (various distances available)

To Pateley Bridge … and back again. This challenging trail race (formerly A Bridge Too Far) takes runners from the market town of Otley to the market town of Pateley Bridge along the gorgeous, undulating Six Dales Trail. Passing Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross Reservoirs, no two views are the same on this race, despite the course being on an ‘out and back’ route.

Karen Dove completed the 20 mile route in 5:57.

16th August: Run the Lights 5k and 10k

The race starts in the heart of Blackpool and follows a scenic route along the Promenade, passing iconic landmarks such as the Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure Beach, and the lively amusement arcades. As the sun begins to set, the town’s renowned Illuminations come to life, illuminating the course with a spectacular display of lights, colours, and animations.

Gilly Cowton finished the 10k race in 57:37, followed by John Yeomans (59:39), Diane Lockhart (1:01) and Adele Brown (1:05), whilst Brian Cowton completed the 5k in 45:58.

17th August: Morland Half Marathon

Starting and finishing in the village of Morland, near Penrith, this partially self-navigated route passes rivers, becks, beautiful Eden Valley villages, woodlands and pastures. The event is advertised as a good warm up to the Morland Marathon which is held in March.

Lisa Jenkins completed the route in 3:59.

17th August: Scorton Feast 10k (10k League Race)

This multi terrain flat course is a 10k around the setting of Scorton lakes with proceeds going to charities.

Alex Mathers was first Quaker finisher in 41:42 and 2nd in age category followed by Rob Dent (42:12), James Atkinson (42:33 and 3rd in age category), Dawn Richardson (43:42 and 2nd in age category), Dave Jones (45:02), Simon Metcalfe (45:08), Neil Chalmers (46:39), Graham Looney (46:57), Lou Trainor (49:18 and 3rd in age category), Ian Hart (49:29 and 1st in age category), Carys Samuel (49:37 and 3rd in age category), Lisa Bowerbank (52:23 and 3rd in age category), April Corbett (54:38), Helen Clark (44:47), Chris Clark (55:52), Simon Rek (56:57), Anthony Corbett (57:20), Paige Robson (1:07), Sarah Burrows (1:07), Lucy Bendle (1:09) and Berni Gibson (1:12).

17th August: Othnesbery’s Revenge

This race is a terrific route of 10 miles that takes runners up and down Roseberry Topping (also known as Othnesbury) three times and over the purple ling covered North Yorkshire moors.

Emily Beaumont completed the event in 3:03.

20th August: Darren Brant 5mile Memorial Race in aid of Papyrus

This event took place at South Park, Darlington, bringing together runners to honour Darren Brant’s memory while supporting Papyrus, a charity dedicated to preventing young suicide.

Ian Bond completed the race in 34:56, setting a PB, followed by Carys Samuel (36:08, 2nd female and PB), Rob Gillham (38:25), Deborah Berry (38:37 PB), Steve Howell (39:27 and set PB), Chris Bowe (45:13 and set PB), Jeff Marriott (47:42), Wendy Colling (49:04), Julie Whinn (49:05), Lucy Bendle (53:41 and set PB), Rachel Fawcett (57:21), Sally Singleton (59:00) and Lin Gossage (74:32 and set club age category record).

21st August: Quaker Trail Mowden Meander (Handicap Race)

This trail handicap event was organised by the QRC Race Development Committee and ably supported by volunteer marshals. Competitors started the route at Staindrop Drive/Edgecombe Drive, completing either 1 lap of the course (2.5 miles) or 2 laps of the course, totalling just under 5 miles. Handicaps ranged from 0 to 17 minutes, with groups setting off at timed intervals.

Stephen Moore finished in 1st place and in the 2 lap event (4.9 miles) Graham Looney finished in 1st place.

21st August: Monthly mile – Event 5 (South Park)

Organised by Darlington Harriers, this event is part of a series of 6 that take place in South Park. The next one will take place on 18th September.

Dave Jones was first Quaker finisher in 5:46, followed by Dale Chapman (5:56), Carys Samuel (6:14), Dawn Richardson (6:16), John Harrison (6:41 PB), Amy Storey (7:02 PB), Ian Burgess (7:30) and Jeff Marriott (8:22).

23rd August: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Jubilee & Wynyard Woodland

At Darlington South Park, Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher in 20:41, whilst James Stuart achieved a PB, (his 5th this year) shaving 18 seconds off his previous PB in June 25 to finish in 21:40 and Michael King celebrated his 500th parkrun milestone in 39:40.

At Jubilee, Rebecca Howard was 2nd female finisher in 22:35 and at Wynyard Woodland, Dave Jones was 7th finisher overall in 20:07.

24th August: Stanhope 10 miler (Championship Race)

This run takes place in the heart of the Durham Dales with a hilly start out of Stanhope, heading towards Bollihope and moving onto Hill End before returning back to the Stanhope showfield. Money raised is donated to Quinn’s retreat for those bereaved by suicide.

Results to follow.

27th August: Roseberry Fell Race

This race begins at the Newton-under-Roseberry car park, at the foot of the iconic Roseberry Topping. From the start, runners are immediately launched into a steep ascent through woodland trails, quickly emerging onto open moorland. The path narrows and steepens as it zigzags toward the summit, with loose stone and exposed roots demanding careful footwork. At the top, the panoramic views of the Cleveland Hills and surrounding countryside offer a brief reward—for those who dare to glance up. The descent is fast and technical, plunging back down the same route with slippery sections and tight turns keeping runners alert all the way to the finish line.

Simon Rek completed the race in 23:10.

28th August: Tom Wall NYMAC Relays at Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

Teams of 4 compete with each team member running one mile and in and around the paths of Stewart Park (almost the first mile of the parkrun course). The course is well signed and marshalled.

The QRC MOpen Team consisted of James Atkinson (5:56 PB), John Lloyd (6:04*), Graham Looney (6:00*) and Marc Ellis (5:34) – they finished in 23:34.

The QRC Team 1 for the FOpen consisted of Carys Samuel (6:08, PB and club record), Lou Trainor (6:42), Amy Storey (6:52 PB), and Dani Walker (6:30* and club record) – they finished in 26:12.

The QRC Team 2 for the FOpen consisted of Rebecca Dodd (7:04), Alex Looney (6:45 PB), Lucy Coxon (7:01) and Louise Priestman (7:45) – they finished in 28:35,

The QRC Mixed Team consisted of Chris Clark (7:24 PB), Sarah Burrows (8:17), Simon Rek (7:46*), and John Harrison (6:56) – they finished in 30:23.

The Quakers F160 Team consisted of Helen Clark (7:58), Wendy Colling (8:05), Katherine Hackett (7:17) and Melissa Hird (8:19 PB) – they finished in 31:39.

The Quakers M200 Team consisted of Simon Metcalfe (6:19 PB), Marc Colling (8:59), John Yeomans (8:11*) and Jeff Marriott (8:28) – they finished in 31:57.

*Well done to members who set their mile PB.

30th August: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Hackworth, Obersee  

At Darlington South Park, Kate Shaw completed her 250th parkrun milestone in 26:13 whilst at Hackworth, Sandra Cass was 3rd female finisher in 26:20 and at Obersee, Martyn Farnworth was 5th finisher overall in 23:44.

31st August: Roseberry Trail Races 10k (8.5 miles), Half Marathon (14.5 miles) and Trail Marathon (30 miles)

The routes cover very exposed areas. The Trail Marathon climbs to the highest part of the North York Moors and stays at this height for several miles. Wind chill and exposure to the elements at this time of year are very high! All routes are circular, starting from Guisborough, taking in the Tees Link and High Cliffe Nab and the half and marathon routes also include the Roseberry Topping summit and Captain Cook’s monument.

In the Marathon route Emily Beaumont completed the event in 6:36 followed by Hannah Bryan in 7:13.

In the Half Marathon route Chris Evans completed the event in 3:57 followed by Wendy Colling (4:26) and Karen Dove (4:47).

In the 10k route Dave Jones completed the event in 1:19, in 4th place overall and 1st in age category followed by Rebecca Dodd (1:42).

31st August: Middlesbrough 10k

This fairly flat course takes in local landmarks including the Transporter Bridge, Albert Park, Teesside University, MIMA and the Riverside Stadium.

Diane Vaughan was first Quaker finisher in 48:26 and 2nd in age category, followed by Ian Hart (48:31 and 3rd in age category), Helen Clarke (57:35), Ian Burgess (57:35), Jo Neesam (1:02) and Ian Young (1:16).

31st August: Chopwell Woods 10k

This race offers a single lap winding through the serene forest trails of Chopwell Woods. The route includes a mix of gravel paths and natural woodland terrain, with gentle climbs and descents that test endurance without being overly technical. Elevation gain is moderate, with approximately 105 meters of climbing spread across the course. The trail is well-marked and marshalled.

Jeff Marriott completed the route in 1:02 and 2nd in age category.

Special Mentions…

Muddy Roads Summer 5k Series

The Muddy Roads Summer Series consisted of 6 x 5k events and results are based on a points system calculated from runners’ personal performances. To qualify, the best times are taken from 4 races out of the first 5 and awards are presented at the final event. Finish positions are the number of points awarded with the lowest score winning. 160 – 170 runners attended each race.

(Any runners in overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd were excluded from the category tables). Some great achievements for Quakers!

parkrun

Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones and personal challenges over the last fortnight!