Photo: Quakers at Hamsterley Forest Half Marathon (photo courtesy of Lisa A)
The first half of July has seen members taking part in a wide variety of events from parkruns to 104 miles of fun along the Dales High Way and including road, trail and track events as well as our very own Lyke Wake Challenge.
1st July: NEMAA track and field Monkton Stadium, Jarrow (Match 3)
Viv Hardwick achieved a hat trick of first places at Monkton Stadium! He ran the 3000m race, coming first in his age category with a time of 15:01 and went on to break the Club Record (again) for 400m in a time of 1:27:8 (previous record Viv 1:30.0) also 1st in age category. Viv was also 1st in age for 100m in 17.5.
Match 4 will take place on 15th July.
2nd July: More Than a Run – Summer Night Series 5k
This was Event 3 of the Summer Night Series which takes place at Ormesby Hall.
Jeff Marriott completed the event in 29:49 (2nd in age category).
2nd July: Bridges of the Tyne 5 miles
Starting and finishing on the historic Quayside, this race is a fast, mainly flat out and back 5 mile course along the quayside, passing 7 of the river’s iconic bridges.
Diane Vaughan finished the race in 36:33 (2nd in age category and breaking her own club record) followed by Keziah Morley (45:08).
3rd July: Pitstop 10k
Pitstop provides a unique opportunity to run around the very popular Croft venue, finishing on the Pitstop straight on this historic race circuit. A flat and fast course that is ideal for runners chasing their PB.
Michael Thompson was first Quaker finisher in 47:07, followed by Deborah Berry (48:25), David Nalder (49:58) and Alex Looney (51:38 and PB).
4th July: Stately Trails: Aske Hall (5k and 10k)
This was the second of Dales Runners’ new events named ‘Stately Trails’. Grade 1 listed, Aske Hall was built in 1066 and is set in beautiful parkland and woodland. It offers a challenging route with a very long uphill and a mix of trail, fields and woodland with lovely views across the Dales and Aske Hall grounds.
In the 10k (10.5k) event, Phil Neal finished the route in 57:28, followed by April Corbett (1:02 and 2nd in age category), Anthony Corbett (1:06 and 3rd in age category) and Lesley Neal (1:10).
6th July: parkrun – Darlington South Park & Charlton (London)
At Darlington South Park, Dave Jones finished in 8th place overall in 20:03 and Zoe Robinson achieved her 25th parkrun milestone, completing her run in 36:04.
At Charlton, Elaine Cooper earned herself a new PB of 28:42, shaving 47 seconds off her previous time at Streford last month.
6th & 7th July: Punk Panther Dales High Way Trail (90 and 104 miles options)
The Punk Panther Dales High Way Trail is an ultramarathon race that covers the Dales High Way long-distance walking path. Starting in the Victorian workers’ village of Saltaire, the route culminates in Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria. Along the way, it roughly runs parallel to the Settle and Carlisle Railway and takes in iconic Dales locations including the Ribblehead Viaduct, Ingleborough and the market towns of Settle, Dent, and Sedbergh. Additionally, it traverses the majestic Howgills. With around 14,000 feet of climb, this ultramarathon trail race offers a very challenging experience for participants. The last 14 miles is a punishing loop with an extra 2000ft of climb up to High Cup Nick which usually offers one of the best views in England, though sadly not for Tom on race day!
Tom Chapman was one of only 7 finishers of the longer route, completing the event in 36:35.
7th July: Great North 10k
This route starts in front of the Baltic and takes runners on a journey along the River Tyne, past Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside’s iconic landmarks, before returning to the Baltic to cross the finish line.
Dawn Richardson finished in 41:12 (1st in age category) followed by Steve Snook (45:06), Diane Vaughan (46:05), Chris Minto (47:14), Michael Oliver (55:16), Jeff Marriott (55:53), Nigel Eddy (56:10), Felicity Machnicki (58:35), Alex Looney (1:07), Zoe Robinson (1:10) and Andy Walker (1:24).
7th July: Its Grim Up North Black Sheep (3 hours or 6 hours challenge)
This event is a lapped race that takes place in the beautiful town of Masham. The circular lap of 3.55 miles is on a mixture of river towpath, tracks, trails, fields and back roads with 3 busy roads to cross with help from the marshalls. A water and feed station is available at the start/finish of each lap.
Lisa Jenkins ran 4 Laps (Half Marathon/almost 14 miles) in 3:26 (1st female); Michelle Dale ran 5 laps (just over 17 miles) in 4:16 (2nd female) and Helen Clark ran 8 laps (Marathon/28 miles) in 5:48 (2nd female).
7th July: Trail Outlaws Durham Coastal Half Marathon
Trail Outlaws host this event for the National Trust. The course is entirely off road; it is extremely challenging and very scenic. It is characterised by gently undulating sections along the cliff top coastal path, interspersed with challenging descents and ascents through a series of denes. There are many steps to tackle along the way (approx. 320). There is also a section through the picturesque woodland of Hawthorn Dene nature reserve. A free shuttle bus takes runners from the race finish back to the race start/parking area.
Anna Harris completed the route in 2:21 (3rd in age category).
7th July: 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.
Karen Dove completed the 13 mile (14 miles) route in 5:45.
10th July: Summer Coast Road 5k
This race is a fast ‘out and back’ 2 lap route along the coast of Redcar.
Dave Jones completed the run in 20:09, followed by Dawn Richardson (20:40 and 2nd in age category), Lou Trainor (20:56 and 3rd in age category) and Jeff Marriott (27:38).
13th July: parkrun – Darlington South Park and Wynyard Woodland
At Darlington South Park, Dawn Richardson was 1st lady finisher in 20:03 whilst at Wynyard Woodland, David Aiken finished in 6th place overall in 20:26 and Rebecca Howard was 2nd lady finisher in 21:34.
13th July: Lyke Wake Challenge
QRC’s very own race! The Lyke Wake Challenge starts from near Osmotherley (Sheepwash car park, top of Cod Beck reservoir) and finishes in Ravenscar village in the Raven Hall Hotel grounds.
The Challenge is held on a handicap basis, based on previous run times over the Lyke Wake route and/or participant’s own estimates. Parts of the route are severe and remote with runners carrying mandatory kit. The route is not marked and must be completed in 12 hours, passing through all 7 checkpoints – this year, participants set off between 4.15am and 10am, experiencing challenging weather conditions.
This year 59 out of 68 starters, including 2 Quakers, finished the challenge and the course record (2017) was broken by 3 minutes.
Claire Chapman completed the challenge in 9:46 (58th crossing!) and Rebecca Bowes in 9:51 (1st lady finisher).
13th July: Ultra North Trail 25k
Starting and finishing on the West path of the Swing Bridge, this route travels alongside the River Tyne towards the Scotswood Bridge. Here the route crosses the Scotswood bridge and heads back on the other side until meeting with the Derwent River, following this until reaching Derwent Walk Country Park. Runners complete a small loop around here and then head back along the opposite side of the Derwent River, then meeting back with the River Tyne and following the river to the finish point on the West path of the Swing Bridge, finishing on the Newcastle side.
Caroline Litster completed the event in 2:54.
13th July: Greener Miles Stanhope Trail races – Half marathon (10k/7 miles) also available)
Both races start and finish in Stanhope in the Durham Dales and take in The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark – a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, upland rivers, woods and waterfalls.
Adrian Gooding finished the Half Marathon (15 miles) in 2:29 and 3rd in age category.
14th July: Newcastle Half Marathon and 10k
The Newcastle Half Marathon and 10k events take place at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Union home ground at Kingston Park, offering a route on road-closed lanes that wind through the countryside around Newcastle Airport and Dinnington.
In the 10k race, Isaac Johnson-Caddell earned himself a shiny new PB of 43:08 and Diane Vaughan was 1st in age category, finishing in 47:08.
Lucy Bendle ran the Half Marathon route in 2:30.
14th July: Hamsterley Forest Half Marathon (10k also available) (Championship)
With a mix of gradual and demanding climbs, along with some lengthy descents and rewarding views, this Half Marathon is the perfect event for those seeking a rewarding run.
In the Half Marathon route, Rob Gillham was first Quaker home in 6th place overall, 4th male and 1st in age category in 1:43, followed by Lou Trainor (1:53 and 1st in age category), Helen Clark (2:12 and 1st in age category), Darren Alderson (2:15) and Wendy Colling (2:26 and 2nd in age category).
15th July: NEMAA Track and Field at Monkton (Match 4)
Viv Hardwick had another fantastic night at Monkton in Track and Field Events, setting Club Records in his age category for 200m with a time of 37.4 (1st in age category) and the 300m (1:00.6 and 1st in age category). Viv also competed in the mile race, completing it in 7:23.8 (1st in age category). Another hat trick of first placings!
Special Mentions:
Congratulations and well done to QRC members that have achieved ‘unofficial’ parkrun milestones over the last fortnight!