Photo: QRC parkrun tourists at Hamsterley Forest parkrun (Photo shared by Diane)
Over the last fortnight, QRC members have completed a range of events including parkruns, cross country, road and trail as well as a prison, charity and festive runs.
1st December: Dachshund Through the Snow Christmas Jumper Big Bobble Hat Run
This Saturn event took place at Herrington Park, Houghton-le-Spring and is a 7 hour Time Challenge event which allows participants full control over the distance they want to run. The minimum distance is 5km, which is part of a lap. A full lap is 3.28 miles (5.3km) and you can run as many or as few of these laps as you wish. It is 4 laps for a half marathon, 8 for a marathon and 10 or over for an ultra and a 50km distance is also available.
Nigel Eddy completed the half marathon distance in 2:33.
1st December: NYSD XC at Summerhill, Hartlepool
The NYSD cross country season continued with Race 3 at Summerhill, a true cross country course with ups and downs, through woods, over fields, across a stream and along cinder track.
U17, U20, Senior/Vet ladies, under 17 men and Vet men over 65 completed the 6.2km route.
Lou Trainor completed the route in 31:32, followed by Carys Samuel (33:51), Deborah Berry (35:09), Alex Looney (37:17), Melissa Hird (42:40) and Philipa Rayner (45:11).
U20, Senior/Vet men completed the 8.9km route.
Marc Ellis completed the route in 39:13, followed by Andrew Vernon (42:35), Michael Thompson (49:20), Graham Looney (52:56), Stephen Howell (53:32) and Chris Clark (58:15).
1st December: Running GP Croft Motor Circuit – 5k, 10k, 10 miles, Half Marathon, 20 miles and Marathon options
Shane Lester completed the 5k route in 21:41 and 1st in age category, whilst Jeff Marriott completed the 10k in 1:00 and David Thompson completed the Half Marathon in 1:59 and 1st in age category.
1st December: St Teresa’s Santa Run
Starting at West Park Academy, this a family favourite festive fun run! There are various options including the Santa Sprint, Reindeer Run or Elf Amble, raising money for St Teresa’s Hospice.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
1st December: Mental Elf
This 5k event took place in South Park with participants taking part in support of MIND.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
3rd December: More than a run at Ormesby Hall night race – winter night series
This was the second of the night series which it suitable for new and experienced trail runners. The route is in the grounds of the National Trust property including Pennyman Woods.
Emma Bland completed the route in 29:44 and 2nd in age category, followed by Christopher Bowe (30:07), Jeff Marriott (31:16 and 3rd in age category) and Claire Norman (31:34 and 2nd in age category).
7th December: parkruns – Sedgefield, Blackhill, Darlington South Park and Albert (Middlesbrough)
Storm Darragh meant many cancelled parkruns this week, though some QRC members managed to get another ticked off.
At Sedgefield, Andrew Vernon finished in 10th place overall in 20:28 and at Blackhill, Alex Looney was 3rd female finisher in 29:25. Meanwhile, at Darlington South Park, Dave Jones was 10th finisher overall in 20:07 and Rebecca Howard was 2nd female finisher in 21:12 and at Albert, Abbie Jones knocked 1min 4 seconds off her previous time in October 2024 to finish with a PB of 22:07.
8th December: Hardmoors Roseberry Half Marathon (14.5 miles) and 10k (8.5 miles) (Trail Marathon – 30 miles also available)
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.
Dave Jones completed the 10k in 1:18 and 1st in age category, followed by Anna Harris in 1:53 whilst Adrian Gooding completed the half marathon in 2:21.
14th December: parkruns – Darlington South Park, Sedgefield, Hilly Fields (Lewisham), Jubilee (Spennymoor) and Hamsterley Forest
At Darlington South Park, Marc Ellis was 1st finisher overall in 18:13 and Ed Griffiths finished in 10th place overall in 20:01 whilst Carys Samuel was 2nd female finisher and achieved her 7th PB this year, shaving a minute and 20 seconds off her previous PB last month to finish in 21:33.
At Sedgefield, Jeff Marriott celebrated his 250th parkrun milestone, finishing the course in 30:07 and at Hilly Fields, Alex Looney celebrated her 50th parkrun milestone, completing the course in 27:08. Meanwhile, at Jubilee, David Aiken was 8th finisher overall, running the course in 23:17.
At Hamsterley Forest, there was good turnout of QRC tourists, with lots achievements including first timers and course PBs. Rob Dent was 4th finisher overall in 22:47 and Ian Bond was 7th finisher overall in 23:48.
14th December: The Christmas Fun Run
This 5k event organised by Darlington Trails takes place at Riverside Way, Darlington. Christmas fancy dress is optional and highly recommended and everyone that takes part receives a selection box.
Well done to all Quakers that took part.
14th December: North Eastern Counties Annual Cross Country Championships
This year was the 118th race which took part at Temple Park, South Shields.
Sole Quaker, Michael Thompson, completed the 11k race in 53:00.
15th December: Kirklevington Christmas 5K Trail Event (Muddy Roads)
This is a flat, scenic course through beautiful woodlands, finishing in the unique surroundings of the prison grounds. Runners are encouraged to dress in their best festive outfit to add some extra Christmas cheer to the course!
Wendy Colling was first Quaker finisher in 30:30 and 1st in age category, followed by Carmelita Coco (32:55 and 1st in age category), Paul Cockburn (33:04), Rob Gillham (33:25), Gill Colling (33:42 and 2nd in age category), Helen Clark (34:32), John Yeomans (35:10),
Special mentions
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!
Congratulations and well done to Dave Jones who completed 5 out of 6 races in the Hardmoors 10k series and finished in 4th place overall.