Photo: Quakers at Harrogate 10k (Photo shared by Simon)
During the 2nd half of June QRC members have completed a wide variety of events from one mile to ultra distances and including the Cleveland Way relay event.
16th June: Cleveland Way Relay
Organised by NYMAC, the Cleveland Way Relay is on foot from Filey to Helmsley with a total of 109 miles. The event starts at 5am, with relay legs varying in distance from 3.5 to 8.5 miles, with some more undulating than others! There is a mass start at 2pm at Clay Bank to ensure that all teams are able to finish in daylight, and more importantly, whilst the chippy is still open! Sadly, one chip shop forgot to order chips and the other ran out of fish and chips.
The whole route is signposted, though participants generally recce the route beforehand, to get a good idea of their predicted time, and to reduce the chance of getting lost on the day.
Congratulations to our fabulous QRC team that took part in the Cleveland Way relay race (total finishing time was 20:51) and a big shout out to Mark and Wendy for their organisation and John and Emily for their support on the day.
Next year, the event will be on 14th June.
| 1 | Helen Clark | Filey Landing to Scarborough | 8.4 miles |
5:49 |
| 2 | Chris Clark | Scarborough to Cloughton Wyke | 5.8 miles | |
| 3 | Abbie Jones | Cloughton Wyke to Ravenscar | 5.5 miles | |
| 4 | Carys Samuel | Ravenscar to Robin Hood’s Bay | 3.6 miles | |
| 5 | Anthony Corbett | Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby | 7.1 miles | |
| 6 | Diane Lockhart and Melissa Hird | Whitby to Runswick | 8 miles |
8:57 |
| 7 | Nick Wadd | Runswick to Skinningrove | 8.1 miles | |
| 8 | Gill Colling | Skinningrove to Slapewath | 8.5 miles | |
| 9 | Sandra Cass | Slapewath to Gribdale | 7.6 miles | |
| 10 | Stephen Ash | Gribdale to Battersby Moor | 4.2 miles | |
| 11 | Mel Newton | Battersby Moor to Clay Bank | 7.6 miles | |
| 12 | Paul Ryan | Clay Bank to Carlton Bank | 3.5 miles |
6:05 |
| 13 | Billy Harris | Carlton Bank to Osmotherley | 7.5 miles | |
| 14 | April Corbett | Osmotherley to Sneck Yate | 8 miles | |
| 15 | Julie Russell and Pip Rayner | Sneck Yate to Helmsley Road | 6.5 miles | |
| 16 | Rob Dent | Helmsley Road to Helmsley | 7.1 miles |
21st June: parkruns –Darlington South Park & Wynard Woodland
At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis was 4th finisher overall in 17:55, whilst at Wynyard Woodland Dave Jones was 7th finisher overall in 20:52.
21st June: LDWA Durham Dales Challenge (Walking/Running)
The Durham Dales Challenge offers a 50k (30 miles) or 14 mile option. Setting off from Wolsingham, the 30 mile route heads through Middleton-in-Teesdale via Hamsterley Forest and returns via Hudeshope Beck, Bollihope and the River Wear whilst the 14 mile route traverses Pikestone Fell and returns via Bollihope and the River Wear.
Rebecca Jones completed the 30 mile long route in 7:38; Michelle Dale completed the short route of 14 miles in 4:25 followed by Sandra Cass, Gill Colling, Mark Colling, Wendy Colling, Katherine Hackett, Diane Lockhart, Phil Rutter and Julie Whinn in 4:42.
22nd June: Fountains 10k (10k league)
This event starts in the picturesque village of Grantley near Ripon and delivers its signature blend of Yorkshire charm, undulating terrain, and the infamous ‘Hill of Pain.’ With a mix of road and trail, the course tests runners’ grit and rewards them with pork pies, medals, and sweeping views of Nidderdale. There was a great turnout of Quakers and some fabulous achievements.
Darren Wright was first Quaker finisher in 5th place overall in 41:33 and 1st in age category, followed by Dave Jones in 8th place overall (42:41 and 2nd in age category), James Atkinson in 9th place overall (42:52 and 2nd in age category), Rob Dent (43:19 and 2nd in age category), Simon Metcalfe (47:55), Neil Chalmers (48:04), Chris Minto (48:46), Carys Samuel (49:20, 2nd female overall and 1st in age category), Emily Beaumont (51:56 and 3rd in age category), Scott Beaumont (52:53), Alex Looney (53:27 and 2nd in age category), Sue Sparrow (54:19 and 1st in age category), Ian Burgess (55:25 and 2nd in age category), Simon Rek (56:07) and April Corbett (56:37 and 1st in age category), Chris Clark (57:06), Anthony Corbett (57:58), Helen Clark (58:40), Paul Cockburn (1:02), Ross Edmond (1:07) and Paige Robson (1:08).
In addition, Quakers also took the Team awards for both Male and Female, with the first five finishers counting.
Male Team – Darren Wright, Dave Jones, James Atkinson, Rob Dent and Simon Metcalfe.
Female Team – Carys Samuel, Emily Beaumont, Alex Looney, Sue Sparrow and April Corbett.
22nd June: Summer Coast 5 mile
Formerly the Everyone Active 10km, this ‘there and back’ race brought together runners from across the North East for a fast and flat out-and-back dash along the scenic seafront between Marske and Redcar.
Diane Vaughan completed the race in 38:23, followed by Lucy Coxon (42:36) and Lou Trainor (43:21).
22nd June: Tees Trailtastic – 9 miles (3.5 miles also available)
This event started at the TCR Hub in Barnard Castle and was aimed at those that wanted an adventure, rather than a race. The 9 mile circular course took runners along sections of the Teesdale Way, heading out to Lartington and back. The route was all off road and followed rolling terrain with mostly gentle inclines and descents through fields and woods.
Adrian Gooding finished the event in 3rd in place overall in 1:13 followed by Hannah Alderson, Helen Clarke and Caroline Litster (1:52).
25th June: Darlington Trail Series – Cummins 5k
The fifth instalment of the 2025 Darlington Trail Series saw runners gather at Cummins, Yarm Road, for a sun-drenched evening of racing on a fast and flat 5K course. The course looped around the Cummins site and surrounding green spaces, making it a good opportunity for those looking to test their pace or simply enjoy a scenic midweek run.
Ian Burgess completed the route in 23:38, followed by Chris Bowe (26:24) and Jeff Marriott (29:47).
26th June: Muddy Roads Lordstones 5k (Championship Race)
The Muddy Roads midweek Summer Trail Series continued with Race 3 over at Lordstones. It is known for its undulating terrain, weaving through moorland paths and offering breathtaking views—when runners had a moment to look up from the climbs!
Marc Ellis finished in 9th place overall, and 1st in age category in 20:08, followed by Alexander Mathers (20:55), Rob Dent (21:31), Billy Harris (23:50), Carys Samuel (24:03, 3rd lady overall and 2nd in age category), Abbie Jones (24:31), Chris Clark (27:38), Simon Rek (27:54), April Corbett (28:02 and 3rd in age category), Ian Burgess (28:21), Anthony Corbett (28:30), Sandra Cass (28:46 and 1st in age category), Wendy Colling (29:05 and 2nd in age category), Helen Clark (30:13), Gill Colling (31:15), Julie Whinn (32:17), Barbra Barker (33:54), and Matt Jackson (37:49).
26th June: Monthly Mile event 3 (South Park)
Organised by Darlington Harriers, this was the 4th of a series of 6 that take place in South Park.
Michael Joyeux finished in 9th place overall in 5:17, followed by Dave Jones (5:45), Dawn Richardson (6:15), Diane Vaughan (7:18 and equalled club age category record), and Jeff Marriott (8:36).
28th June: parkrun – Darlington South Park, Hackworth (Shildon) & Wynyard Woodland
At Darlington South Park, Dawn Richardson was 1st female finisher in 20:28, whilst Caroline Litster achieved a PB, shaving 63 seconds off her previous PB in March 25, to finish in 26:42 and Phil Thornberry achieved his 25th parkrun milestone in 29:10.
At Hackworth, Rob Dent was 5th finisher overall in 21:10 and at Wynyard Woodland, Dave Jones was 5th finisher overall in 20:19.
28th June: Pennine 39
With only 100 places available, the 2025 edition of the NAV4 Pennine 39 saw runners take on one of the most rugged and awe-inspiring stretches of the Pennine Way, covering approximately 37 miles of wild trails, remote moorland, and iconic northern landscapes. Starting from Bowlees in Teesdale, the route followed riverside paths past Low Force and High Force waterfalls, before climbing alongside the dramatic Cauldron’s Snout. Runners then traversed the stark beauty of Cow Green Reservoir, descended into High Cup Nick, and climbed again over Old Man Knock, Great Dun Fell, and Crossfell — England’s highest point outside the Lake District. The final stretch passed Greg’s Hut, down into Garrigill, and followed riverside trails to the finish at Alston YHA.
Tom Chapman, Claire Chapman, Billy Harris, Helen Clark and Hannah Bryan completed the event together in 10:17.
28th June: The Northumbrian 20k
This 17 mile route started at Kielder Waterside, near the lake’s edge, sharing the atmosphere with triathletes transitioning from the bike leg. The lonesome pine trail loop offered panoramic view of Kielder water and featured rolling hills, woodland paths and open moorland that included technical sections with roots, rocks and narrow descents. The final section was Bull Crag Loop with mixed terrain of gravel paths, compact trail and short paved sections followed by a lakeside finish line.
Grainne Duffy completed the event in 3:31.
28th June: Darlington Community Carnival
Representatives from Darlington Running Clubs usually take the opportunity to meet together at the Darlington Community Carnival to celebrate and combine the Darlington running community.
Many thanks to members who represented QRC this year.
29th June: Harrogate 10k (10k league)
This is an undulating, multi-terrain course in the beautiful Crimple Valley. It is on approximately 70% tarmac road and is suitable for all ability levels.
Darren Wright was the first Quaker finisher in 49:20, followed by James Atkinson (43:54), Brian McLaren (49:40), Neil Chalmers (49:44), Simon Metcalfe (49:54), Chris Minto (50:01), Emily Beaumont (53:14), Alex Looney (53:46), Chris Neesam (55:59), Graham Looney (56:15), April Corbett (57:26 and 2nd in age category), Simon Rek (57:58), Chris Clark (58:37), Paul Cockburn (59:42), Anthony Corbett (59:44), Ian Burgess (1:00), Juliette McLaren (1:07), Lucy Bendle (1:12) and Lisa Quinney (1:14).
A shout out to our ladies Emily Beaumont, Alex Looney and April Corbett who were the first 3 female team club runners to pass the post, but finished as 2nd place female team with Nidd Valley pushing into first place with the points awarded for placement.
29th June: Durham Coastal Half Marathon (Championship league)
This event delivered everything trail runners could hope for—stunning views, punishing climbs, and a fierce sense of achievement. Organised by Trail Outlaws, the event drew 250 runners to the start line at Nose’s Point, Seaham, to tackle one of the most scenic and demanding half marathons in the North East. The 13.1-mile route followed the Durham Heritage Coast, winding south along the cliff-top path toward Crimdon Dene. Entirely off-road, the course featured a mix of grassy trails, woodland tracks, and over 320 steps, as runners descended and climbed through a series of dramatic coastal denes. The route also passed through the tranquil Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve, offering a brief moment of shade and serenity before the next ascent. With 1,654 feet of elevation gain, the course tested even the most seasoned trail runners. But what it demanded in effort, it repaid in panoramic sea views.
Alex Mathers finished the event in 2:02, followed by Carys Samuel (2:08), Deborah Berry (2:10) and Helen Clark (2:54).
29th June: Hanging Stone Leap (24 miles or 13 miles)
The 24 mile challenge starts and finishes at Guisborough Rugby Club. The course is self-navigated and takes in just over 3,000 feet of ascent including Captain Cooks Monument and Roseberry Topping with fabulous views across the moors and coastline.
Andrew Vernon completed the 25 mile event in 2nd place in 4:02.
29th June: Ormesby Hall 10k
This 10k event takes place monthly on the 4th 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. The route takes you up through the farmland and woods, down the drive and through the Pennyman Woods. The terrain consists of tarmac and gravel driveways, field margins and woodland trails.
Lou Trainor completed the route in 56:48 and 3rd in age category.
30th June: NEMAA Track & Field Championships at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow
Congratulations to Viv Hardwick on his achievements at the North East Masters track and field events at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow.
In the 100m, Viv finished in 17.7 (3rd in age category); in the 300m, he finished in 14:24.1 (2md in age category) and in the 400m, 1:27/6 (2nd in age category).
Viv is currently 1 point in front in the Sprint League and 2nd in the Middle Distance League also by 1 point. Great achievements!
Special Mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!