Hundreds of competitors from across the North East joined in this year’s 3M Aycliffe 10k road race on Sunday. Spectators lined the streets to cheer on the 354 runners, who were taking part to challenge their personal best times, to raise money for charity, or simply to enjoy the occasion.
The event was organised by Aycliffe Running Club and sponsored for the 15th consecutive year by the 3M Aycliffe site, together with Great Aycliffe Town Council. As well as the 10k, there was also a 3k family fun run which attracted another 141 entrants.
The 10k run was officially started by the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Jed Hillary and the winner of the men’s race was James Askew from Durham City Harriers & AC in 33 mins 21 secs. In second place was Tristan Learoyd from New Marske Harriers Club in 33 mins 37 secs and third was John Clifford from Evenwood Road Runners in 33 mins 57 secs.
First woman home was Alex Sneddon from Jarrow & Hebburn AC in 37 mins 49 secs. In second place was Laura Lee from Durham City Harriers & AC in 39 mins 41 secs and third was Alison Matthews from Darlington H & A in 40 mins 39 secs.
Race director Trevor Needham said: “The club first organised this event in 1998 as a way of encouraging people of all ages across the community to think about taking more exercise. We’re delighted with how it has grown over the years with so many people now taking part.
“We’d like to thank our sponsors and our many helpers on the day – without whom we couldn’t have staged the event – and especially thank all those runners who came along to compete. We hope they all had a really enjoyable and fulfilling day.”
3M site manager Colin MacLeod added: “It’s always been a great event and this year was no exception. Aycliffe Running Club did a brilliant job. We started sponsoring the event in 1992 to mark 3M’s centenary year and 2016 is another special one for us as we are celebrating 50 years at our Heighington Lane site. Sponsoring this event was a very fitting way to share our celebrations with the wider community.”
