ATHLETICS
THERE was a great turn out from Teesdale Athletics Club members for the Ravenstonedale 10K on Saturday, November 30.
Running conditions were good, a fresh and crisp winter’s day with some very welcome glimpses of sunshine. After a cold night it was icy underfoot in places so care had to be taken on the undulating course.
The well organised run was challenging but very enjoyable with beautiful scenery and good support from villagers. First in for the club was Steve Moss in 44:48.
Steve also won his age category (MV60). Steve was followed by Katie Mottershead with 53:20, Babs Crawley 55:42, Katy Smith 57:02, Vicky Bainbridge 57:13, Andrew Crawley 57:47, Judith Rodwell 1:00:28, Amanda Petitt 1:04:03 and Simon Petitt 1:04:04.
The run was followed by a prize giving ceremony and a well-earned cup of hot steaming soup provided by the race organisers the Howgill Harriers
The latest cross country race in the North Yorkshire and South Durham series was held on Sunday, November 24, at Fox Rush Community Woodland near Redcar.
Teesdale AC were represented by Steve and Caroline Moss. The course was flat and the weather was fair but conditions were muddy and quite challenging.
With most of the course run through woodlands, the most common hazards were tree roots some of which were concealed by mud and leaves.
Some slippery sections and a small steam to cross added to the interest. Caroline completed two laps in the 5.85k women’s race and Steve took just over 43 minutes for three laps in the 8.6k men’s race. The next NYSD fixture is at Summerhill, Hartlepool on December 8 with a larger contingent from Teesdale AC expected to enjoy the challenge.
On Sunday, November 24, Jane Mardon took part in the Owler Half Marathon event in Kent, which had hundreds of runners taking in various distances.
The half marathon started at the Julia Rose Stadium in Ashford, heading out through very muddy conditions round Conningbrook Lake. It progressed onto quiet country roads, up and down the hilly edge of the North Downs and through woods on boggy tracks. The conditions underfoot were challenging after so much recent rain but the temperature was almost perfect for winter running.
It was a great race – a first mixed terrain half marathon and Jane finished in a personal best time of 3hrs 22 minutes and first in her age group.
