Author: woolerrunning

Report by Peter Coulthard

And a very sociable run it was too, ending quite nicely with a slap-up chippy tea at Coull’s. Just what we needed after burning through those carbs looking for answers and photo opportunities on the treasure hunt.

How lucky were we to have hailstones and rain accompanied by freezing northerly winds throughout the day then, the evening, to be able to “cast a clout now May is almost out” and run the course in our club vests, sans rain gear.

We gathered at the car park, collected our clue sheets, loosely separated into groups to decipher the questions, to which answers were to guide us around the town in search of their physical representations. By the way, apparently “I’m a mammal who hunts using clicks and echoes….. 7 letters” is a dolphin NOT a bat. Well, “vampire” is a type of bat and 7 letters! Oh yeah that’d be Whitby!

Dubious answers hastily scribbled down, the teams set off weaving their way through the town, along the walls and the River Tweed, looking for dolphins, hedgehogs, bears swans etc.  Amazing how many swans, whether alive or ornamental, you can find in Berwick!

5 miles and back to the chippy just beating the rain. The Borders weather gods smiling down on us smiling runners for a change.

Lovely night out and thank you Berwick Striders.

Wooler Running Club Race Outing report by Pam Brown

It has become an annual pilgrimage down to Hulne Park for this most stunning race organised by Alnwick Harriers – great trails / tarmac underfoot, an undulating route with views beyond the park walls, the smell of wild garlic, and only the sound of lambs plus the odd pheasant.

Although much colder than previous years, it suited our runners well with Tim finishing above mid-table out of the 68 entrants at 47:44,  with Pam just 3 seconds behind and Josie within a minute. However, flying the flag for Wooler and winning his first running prize ever was Nick Baxter – the first male over 70!

In true Wooler RC fashion, the depleted calories were replaced over at Di Sopra along with the support / marshal crew of Nick J, Toria and Peter!

by Peter Coultard

Well done Josie getting 3rd female home!

Bussed up to the Anglo-Saxon site of Ad Gefrin for the start, setting off at about 9:15am. Warm-up along the field, cross the road then the climb up Yeavering Bell began in earnest.

The start was a bit chilly but that climb soon warmed us up in the sun from a clear blue sky.

Onwards, through the boggy bits and onto St Cuthbert’s Way, back to more familiar trails towards the duck ponds car park in Wooler.

Climbing wasn’t finished yet, of course we had to go up heart-break hill then a fast route all downhill to the distillery.

Lovely morning run and Josie really showing off her elevation skills at the start.

Well I made it to the start of the 2026 Lakeland trail race series … just a few hills and the appealing “coffin ⚰️ trail” to go …

Survived 🤣🤣- pretty much all 4 seasons in one day though…

Wooler Running Club race report by Nick Baxter

‘A day out of Hawick is a day wasted’. Tim reminded me of the famous Bill McLaren quote as we arrived in Hawick, with the rain pouring, to undertake the final event in the Borders XC series. Fortunately, the rain eased for the run itself which was twice round some muddy fields, alongside a classic 1960s pebble-dashed housing scheme. The views were good though and the organisation was, as usual, first class.

Luckily, Janet wasn’t collecting a prize this year so we were rapidly in and out of the presentation ceremony and heading back to Jedburgh for refreshments at the Simply Scottish cafe. We’ve been there before and it is excellent. Only one scone left so Tim had to manage with a massive slab of carrot cake. That’s it for another season – Tim’s fifth (and he hadn’t missed a single race) and my 20th less the two Covid years and one year when I didn’t enter. Looking forward to next season when, hopefully, we will have a few more participants from WRC.

By Peter Coulthard

What a lovely impromptu trot around some trails last night. Oh, and how warm it was without rain or wind too!

Even more amazing, the flood waters and bogs are receding. Is this the start of spring?

Those that attended decided to eschew the planned pyramid session in favour of a little run out through Earle, out onto the Common, past the ponds, up “heartbreak hill” and down into Wooler. No rush so we could even hear and relish the calming effect of the gushing and gurgling of the water down the beck

No real need for trail shoes, although a headtorch may have been more illuminating than someone running by watch torchlight.

No slips trips or falls. Roll on the light nights so we can experience the views and wide-open trails again.

Wooler Running Club race report by Nick Baxter

No rain in Galashiels today so perfect for a cross-country run. Plenty of mud and slippery under foot with four river crossings – wet feet therefore from almost the start of the race.

Great fun though but both of us failed to get into the medal positions! We have voted the Cream Chimneys Cafe in Kelso as being the best on the XC circuit. Super-hot drinks and the best cheese scones or carrot cake depending on your snack of choice.

Final run of the series in Hawick in three weeks’ time.

Wooler Running Club race report by Nick Baxter

These are the before and after photos from today’s run at Paxton. A great day out but a very tricky course given the layout and weather. Plenty of steep sections with ice and slippery mud thrown into the mix.

I’ve no idea on times but it was really just a challenge to get round in one piece. Good fun though and we enjoyed a hot drink and scones at Northern Edge, Berwick afterwards. For those who follow the cheese scone ratings: 7 out of 10! Tim is off to Vogrie in 2 weeks’ time but I’ll not manage another one until Hawick in March.

Race reports by Jean Turner

Although I have walked Humbleton and the Cheviots on many occasions, and even attempted a few runs, I thought it was about time to pluck up courage and enter the “double” – ‘Tour de Humbleton’ to finish 2025, and the ‘Vertical Challenge’ on New Year’s Day to start 2026.

Both events were really friendly and well organised, and surprisingly on the day, dry, although the New Year’s Day run was accompanied by biting cold weather and extremely strong winds, which never quite seemed to be blowing in the right direction to be an advantage!

Very well done to Janet on the ‘Tour de Humbleton’ and to Peter on the ‘Vertical’ New Year’s Day event – great to see you both.

In my naivety (or lack of preparation 🤦‍♀️), I thought the ‘Vertical Challenge’ would be to the top of Humbleton and back down again……imagine my “delight” when I discovered the truth🤣😱…. and equally when the front runner (Liam from Alnwick I believe), came hurtling past me on the way down, having been to the summit, down the other side to the turn around point, back to the summit then on his way to finish as I was still plodding up to summit for the first time!

Great events though and well done all.

Wooler Running Club race report by Nick Baxter

Just back from a great day out at the Dunbar XC. As you will see from the photos, we doubled our attendance from Wooler RC with Saul and Emma joining Tim and myself. As usual at Dunbar we arrived way too early but it was dry and sunny so the wait wasn’t a problem. The start was delayed by 15 minutes because of road works and the course was a two-lap affair due a land slip. Good running conditions though with a combination of grass, sand and hard surfaces under foot. There were fabulous coastal views and the normal happy crowd of runners. Saul and Tim led the way home but for the keen followers of my performances, I’m happy to report that I managed to improve my finishing position from  a lowly 181^st male to a slightly more creditable 151^st. On the way home we gave ourselves a taste of the 70s by calling in at the Cedar Cafe. Once again – no cheese scones! Thanks to Tim and Saul for driving. Next stop is Peebles in December but I’ll not make that one.