Photo: Juliette modelling the latest Brass Monkey running top (photo shared by Juliette)
This time it was the turn of Storm Éowyn, ’probably the strongest storm’ to hit the UK in at least 10 years, that resulted in some parkruns and races being cancelled or rearranged and a very short press report!
18th January: parkruns – Rugby
At Rugby parkrun, David Aiken finished in 7th place overall in 20:23 and at Darlington South Park, Chris Bowe achieved his 50th parkrun milestone,
18th January: Green Gateways
The Punk Panther season curtain raiser. With a number of distances from half-marathon to ultra, this trail race (formerly the North Leeds Greenway) follows the route of Walkers are Welcome (Otley) Green Gateways book. Green Gateways Greenway is a little-known trail that unites the parks and public green spaces around Leeds. Despite taking runners close to the heart of this Northern Powerhouse, the race remains substantially off-road – much of the return route is along the Meanwood Valley Trail – making it easy to forget one is so close to the bustling city.
Lisa Jenkins completed the half marathon route (14.5 miles in 3:56 and 3rd in age category).
18th January: Newcastle 10k
This road closed course take in the famous landmarks of the Newcastle Quayside passing the Swing Bridge and under High Level Bridge, Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, King Edward VII Bridge & Redheugh Bridge, before returning the same way. This is an extremely fast, flat course that boasts real PB potential, whilst being accessible to beginners.
Luke Hewitson completed the race in 47:07, followed by Janet Bowlby (59:38), Jo Neesam (1:00) and Grainne Duffy (1:07).
19th January: Brass Monkey Half Marathon
This race starts and finishes at York Racecourse and is a flat and fast course that heads southwards through Bishopthorpe, Acaster Selby, Appleton Roebuck and back through Bishopthorpe to finish behind the racecourse grandstands.
Dave Jones was first Quaker finisher in 1:29, followed by James Atkinson (1:34), Lou Trainor (1:37), Carys Samuel (1:40 PB), Rob Gillham (1:42), Deborah Berry (1:42 PB), Isaac Johnson-Caddell (1:45), Alex Looney (1:48), Stephen Ash (1:48), David Nalder (1:48 and 2nd in age category), Dan Orton (1:57), Juliette McLaren (2:10), Mel Newton (2:13), Emma Joyeux (2:15), Pip Rayner (2:15 PB) and Chris Bowe (2:17).
21st January: Funchal Marathon (Madeira)
This race starts at Rua do Gorgulho and is in 3 phases. The first phase heads towards Funchal, with a turning point in front of the Madeira Congress Center – runners complete 4 laps of this part. Next, the route heads through Avenida Infante towards Praça da Autonomia. The final phase has 2 laps before finishing in front of Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira.
Dave Thompson finished in 4:38 and 2nd in age category.
25th January: parkrun – Darlington South Park
At Darlington South Park, Andrew Vernon finished in 8th place overall in 19:43.
Special mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!