Photo: Grainne at Emma at Belfast Half Marathon – (Photo shared by Emma B)
Lots to celebrate again – a busy second half of September saw Quakers competing in various distances from 1 mile up to 71 (ish) miles with championship and 10k league races thrown in for good measure…
19th September: Monthly Mile – event 6
Organised by Darlington Harriers, this event was the last of the series that took place in South Park.
Dave Jones was first Quaker to finish in 9th place overall in 6:52 clock time (5:52 age graded and 1st in age category), followed by Ian Burgess (7:36 clock time, 6:36 age graded and 1st in age category).
21st September: parkrun – Whinlatter Forest
At Whinlatter Forest, David Aiken finished in 7th place overall in 23:25, and Rebecca Howard was 3rd female finisher in 25:33.
21st September: Wensleydale September Saunter
This circular route of 13.6 miles starts and finishes in Leyburn with proceeds in aid of charities. This year the event raised over £1,500 for local charities and good causes.
Malcolm Hewitson was first Quaker finisher in 3:08, followed by Julie Bell (3:49) and Sandra Cass (4:01).
22nd September: Belfast City Half Marathon
The Belfast City Half Marathon is the largest Half Marathon event in Northern Ireland (about 5,000 entrants). This really flat race starts on the Ormeau Embankment, not too far from the City Centre and takes in the South, East, North and West of Belfast. The route is well supported by crowds cheering runners on as they pass through housing estates, industrial estates and parks. Runners are advised to, ‘Mind out for the little pedestrian bridge over Con Water as you leave Victoria Park, though – it bounces as runners pound over it!’
Emma Bland and Grainne Duffy completed the route in 2:10 and 2:15 respectively.
21st September: Snape 10k – 10k league race (5k also available)
These races are multi terrain in the historic village of Snape with some roads through Bedale. There was a great turn out of QRC members – almost 25% of runners!
Marc Ellis was 1st Quaker finisher in 2nd place overall and 1st in age category in 37:49, followed by Rob Dent (42:15, 6th finisher overall and 3rd in age category), James Atkinson (44:08 and 10th finisher overall), Scott Beaumont (44:23), Rob Gillham (45:16), Dave Murphy (49:48 and 1st in age category), Emily Beaumont (50:59 PB, 3rd female finisher and 2nd in age category), April Corbett (52:02 and 3rd in age category), Alex Looney (52:27 and 2nd in age category), Ian Burgess (52:47 and 3rd in age category), David Nalder (53:20), Phil Neal (53:55), Chris Clark (55:22 PB), Helen Clark (55:41), Anthony Corbett (57:55), Darren Alderson (58:50), Brian Cowton (1:00), Julie Whinn (1:00 and 1st in age category), Gilly Cowton (1:01), Lesley Neal (1:01), Sarah Watson (1:01), Wendy Noble (1:11) and Adele Brown (1:13).
21st September: Cow Shed Backyard Ultra
The Cow Shed Backyard Ultra requires competitors to complete the 4.1 mile loop on the hour, every hour, until only 1 runner remains. The bell is sounded exactly on the hour and if runners have failed to make the starting area before the bell rings, then they are disqualified from the event and will become one of the many DNF’s! There is only 1 athlete who does not receive a DNF and they are crowned the champ!
This year the event also had the 4 nations running alongside the main event with our very own Billy Harris running as part of the 10 strong England team. Billy completed 71 miles (17 laps) in 14:34 whilst Darren Wright completed 50 miles (12 laps) in 10:12.
22nd September: Ipswich Half Marathon
The Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon starts and finishes at Portman Road Stadium which is the home of Ipswich Town FC. The route saw runners going down Duke Street, through Ipswich Waterfront and then along Cliff Lane. After that, they continued around the River Orwell, then headed to Wherstead Road and back along Grafton Way, before finishing at the stadium.
Michael Oliver completed the race in 2:10.
22nd September: Redcar Running Festival
Organised by New Marske Harriers AC, the Redcar Running Festival offers half marathon, 10k and 5k races using a 10.5km out and back loop on the coast road between Redcar and Marske.
In the Half Marathon Dawn Richardson finished in 1:28 (and 2nd in age category), followed by Steve Snook (1:40), Brian Martin (1:43), Michael Thompson (1:44), John Dunne (1:45), Sandra Martin (2:02) and Caroline Litster (2:08).
In the Zetland 10k, Dan Orton finished in (48:36) followed by Louise Priestman (52:23 PB), Paul Cockburn (53:28 PB) and Carmelita Coco (53:49 PB).
In the Redcar Beacon 5k race, Paul Roberts finished in 27:12.
22nd September: Ormesby 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 runners 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.
April Corbett completed the route in 54:20 and 1st in age category, followed by Sandra Cass (55:48 and 2nd in age category) and Anthony Corbett (59:22).
28th September: parkruns – Hamsterley Forest, Darlington South Park, Wynyard Woodland
At Hamsterley Forest, David Aiken was 1st finisher overall in 21:19 and Rebecca Howard was 1st female finisher and 4th place overall in 23:14.Meanwhile, at Darlington South Park, Stephen Smedley earned himself another PB, shaving 19 seconds off his time from a fortnight ago, to finish in 35:29 and Robert McSherry achieved his 25th parkrun milestone, finishing in 36:27 and at Wynyard Woodland, Dave Jones, finished in 5th place overall in 20:54.
28th September: Lakeland Trails – Cartmel (5k, 10k and 18k routes available)
Starting and finishing at Cartmel Racecourse, runners take on their off-road journey through some of the most scenic and varied countryside in the Lake District, along waymarked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, giving panoramic views of Morecambe Bay and the surrounding peaks.
Rachel Grayson completed the 18k Trail Challenge in 2:21.
28th September: Paras’ 10 miler
The PARAS’10 is a gruelling 10 mile endurance race based on the 10 miler from The Parachute Regiment’s P Company test week. There are 2 main races: the PARAS’10 TAB (complete the course in boots and carrying a 35lb pack), or the PARAS’10 Run (same course without bergen and boots).
Sally Watson completed the Paras 10 run in 2:48.
28th September: Pilgrims Ultra 100k (100 mile and 50km also available)
Following the route from Holy Island to Rothbury, this race takes in the full coastal stretch of the St Oswald’s Way before heading inland at Warkworth Castle. Runners are immersed in the beauty of Northumberland, with mile after mile of sandy beaches, with ancient castles as their backdrop. The route takes in the best of the borderlands as runners head through pretty valleys and over wild rugged hills, offering 4000 feet of elevation.
Helen Clark was 3rd female finisher and 3rd in age category in 17 hours.
29th September: Sheffield 10k
The Sheffield Mutual Sheffield 10K is set right in the heart of South Yorkshire’s famous Steel City, starting and finishing at Arundel Gate near Sheffield Theatres. It is a major event in the city’s running calendar, with thousands of runners of all abilities taking part.
Rebecca Dodd completed the route in 53:58, achieving a shiny new PB.
29th September: Beckbusters 10k (Championship Race)
This multi-terrain course starts and finishes at Bishop Monkton Primary School. The course has some slight changes for 2024 but is known for being flat and fast whilst still being located within some beautiful and picturesque countryside. The course incorporates a mixture of road, footpaths and trails beginning on a quiet country road before heading cross country to follow the River Ure and the Ripon Canal. Runners then pass through the pretty village of Littlethorpe before heading back cross country to Bishop Monkton.
Rob Gillham was first Quaker finisher in 46:27, followed by Darren Alderson (56:06), Wendy Colling (56:27), John Yeomans (1:00) and Helen Clark (1:16).
29th September: The Grande Classique 16km (Paris)
The Paris-Versailles Race (Course Paris-Versailles, also known as La Grande Classique) pedestrian takes place between Paris and Versailles in France, every year on the last Sunday morning of September on a course of 16 km, from the foot of the Eiffel Tower to the Palace of Versailles, via Issy-les-Moulineaux, Meudon, Chaville, Vélizy-Villacoublay, Viroflay and Meudon.
Carys Samuel completed the route in 1:23 and Abbie Jones in 1:24.
29th September: Gdansk Half Marathon
The route starts and ends near the AMBEREXPO Exhibition and Convention Centre and Stadion Energa Gdańsk, one of Europe’s most beautiful football stadiums. Along the way, runners pass notable landmarks including the European Solidarity Centre and the picturesque Długa Street with its famous Neptune Statue.
Lou Trainor completed the race in 1:38 and 2nd in age category, followed by a dip in the sea!
29th September: Nationale-Nederlanden Warsaw Marathon (10k also available)
The Warsaw Marathon is a grand celebration not only for the runners, but also for the capital city itself. Starting from the Palace of Culture and Science, runners race through Aleje Jerozolimskie, passing the iconic Rondo de Gaulle’a with its characteristic palm tree. They then head towards the Poniatowski Bridge and cross the Vistula River. The course continues through Rondo Waszyngtona towards Modrzewiowa. Runners approach the PGE Narodowy stadium before crossing back to the left bank of Warsaw via Gdański Bridge and heading north. The marathoners pass near Powązki, then move through the rapidly developing Wola district, along Obozowa and Księcia Janusza streets, before reaching Bemowo and Bielany. The final kilometres lead through Królewska and Mazowiecka streets—lined with historic buildings and modern office towers to the finish line and Marathon Village by the Palace of Culture and Science.
Michael Kipling completed the race in 2:56, bagging himself a new PB.
29th September: Chopwell Trail Series (Consett Canicross)
Consett Canicross returns to Chopwell Woods with another opportunity to run 5k or 10k of stunning trails. Open to participants of all abilities, the route is way marked, hilly and occasionally technical.
Barbra Barker completed the 10k route in 1:14.
Special mentions:
All things parkrun…
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!
Although the next official milestone is a little way off, this one is a fabulous achievement – Congratulations and thank you to Stephen Moore who completed his 350th volunteering role (5k & JPR) on 22nd September at Darlington JPR and his 300th volunteering stint (5k & JPR) on Sunday 29th September.
David Aiken and Rebecca Howard doubled up to make it side by side on the parkrun event history page at Hamsterley Forest on 28th September. David finished the route in first place in 21:19 and Rebecca was first female finisher in 23:14. Well done and congratulations to you both!
Well done to our parkrun tourists who took part at Whinlatter Forest; the next one will be at York on 5th October.
York parkrun course description
1.5 laps (approximately) of the tarmac service road around the inside of the racecourse. Very flat, with few turns, making it a very fast course. Head anti-clockwise round service road and complete 1 full lap, then continue on round approximately another 1/2 lap to finish.
Monthly Mile Series
Congratulations to Quakers who competed in the monthly mile series in South Park. This has been a low-cost programme of monthly 1 Mile Road events within the scenic South Park – a one lap circuit on gently undulating, traffic-free tarmac path with certified measurement. The best 3 of 6 races for Age Category Awards based on time and grading were scored.
Ian Burgess was 1st over 65 with an average time of 6:29.0; Diane Vaughan was 3rd over 55 with an average time of 7:16.0; Dave Jones was 3rd over 50 with an average of 5:59.3; Carys Samuel was 8th overall with an average of 6:32.0 and Jeff Marriott was 4th overall 60 with an average of 8:08.0.