There were some outstanding performances from the club in last Saturday’s NEHL cross-country event at Ackley Heads, Durham.
In the Men’s Senior race, Mark Wade, who was also first home for the club, finished in 7th position out of nearly 600 athletes in 40:24 and John Surtees wasn’t far behind, 28th in 42:37, followed by John Burnside, 392nd in 52:24 and Jason Dixon, 446th in 54:13. Next to cross the line was Trevor Needham, 511th in 57:50, followed by Peter Smith, 536th in 60:30 and Rob Nicholson, 568th in 64:12.
Aycliffe men’s team finished 12th in Division 3.
In the Women’s Senior race Tracy Surtees was the outstanding runner here, finishing 12th in 31:45, followed by Michelle Jane, 131st in 35:21, Susan Milburn, 199th in 37:14 and Clare Rose, 257th in 39:23.
Aycliffe women’s team finished 5th in Division 3.
The following day it was the Gavin Duffy’s Memorial 5k Trail Race. This was the 2nd in the Stockton Winter Trail series. The response was overwhelming for the organizers and the start had to be delayed by half an hour. Conditions were almost as muddy as the previous Sunday’s cross-country event at Hartlepool. There was a minute’s silence before the start of the race.
In-form John Surtees was first home for the club, 7th in 20:02, followed by Peter Milburn, 20th in 20:55 and 1st M/55 and John Burnside, 61st in 24:20. Tracy Surtees was the first female finisher for the club, 67th in 24:38, followed by Sandra Collins who was 1st F/50 in 25:52 and 85th overall and Cyd Upton, 87th in 26:03, Peter Smith was next to cross the line, 104th in 26:44, followed by Susan Milburn, 120th in 27:47 and 1st F/55. Eve Doe, who is fairly new to this kind of race, simply revelled in the mud, finishing 260th in 38:30, followed by Ray Todd, 261st in 38:36 and Dave Mackenzie, 273rd in 41:43.
Circuit training sessions are held Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm; Non-members welcome. For details, visit ayclifferunningclub.org.uk