In last Sunday’s NYSD cross-country meeting at Croft there was a much better turnout from Aycliffe Running Club. The weather was fine but it was very wet and muddy underfoot.
In the Senior Ladies race it was a first time experience of cross-country for Wendy Bake, Shelley McCormack and Tracey Warrior. Veteran Sue Milburn, back after a long battle with a groin injury made up the team. Wendy was first home for the club, finishing 36th in 32:32, followed closely by Sue 42nd 33;21 and Shelley 48th 34:20. Finally Tracy, who was suffering with a painful Achilles finished 67th in 39:25.
The clubs two most senior members took part in the men’s over 65 vets race which is now incorporated in the Senior Ladies race. In this Richard Harvey was 2nd in 33:59 and was 1st O/70 with Ray Todd finishing 4th in 40:27 and 1st O/75.
In the Senior Men’s Race Dez Fielden was so busy taking in the scenery he missed the start but it didn’t take him long to catch up and was first home for the club finishing 25th in 33:16, followed by Peter Milburn 48th 35:28 then Richard Campbell 65th 37:12. Other results were as follows; John Burnside 79th – 38:43, Kevin Greenall 90th – 40:54, Dean Barclay 92nd – 41:01, Daz Moore 101st – 42:18, Trevor Needham 103rd – 43:20, Gary Minns 105th – 44:21.
A week earlier, Judith Porter took part in the Newcastle Town Moor 10K. The race has received a lot of media coverage following a mix up at the start where the leaders mistook a cyclist in a hi-vis top for the lead bike and followed him in the wrong direction requiring the race to be re-started. Despite the confusion and an always mentally draining two lap course Judith put in a personal best performance of 53:42.
