It was the beginning of the cross-country season last Saturday, with the NEHL Sherman Cup being held at Hedley Hill Farm near Tanfield Railway.
Three members of Aycliffe Running Club competed in this testing course over farmer’s fields and included crossing a small stream.
The women ran 3.8 miles over 2 laps and on what was a very warm and sunny day. Susan Milburn surprised herself after illness and injury to come home 85th out of 184 women in 31m:32s. Penny Johnson also ran well to finish not far behind in 33:13, and 121st position.
In the senior men’s race, which was a 3 lap course over 5.8 miles, Peter Milburn dug in hard to come home 135th out of 335 in 39:56.
The following day 13 Members of the club took part in the Redcar Half Marathon.
It was a nice sunny day but strong winds caused difficulties on parts of the course and there was a strong headwind between miles 7-10.
In her first half marathon Laura Knox finished in the excellent time of 2:10:15, 934th. Her brother Martyn Knox was first home for the club, 209th in 1:35:41, followed by Tom Porter, 215th in 1:35:57.
Kelly Smith and Peter Smith did the Middlesbrough Albert Park Run on Saturday. Kelly managed 22:25 (Five seconds over her pb) and Peter’s time was 20:20.
