Author: woolerrunning

By Peter Coulthard

Carried away by a spectacular autumn moon…

And so, we say a fond farewell to the evening trails for another year, but what a way to finish.

Seven of us, including new possible recruit James, ventured out on an anti-clockwise circuit of the Gallops with head torches at the ready. Clear skies so hopefully the light would last at least until we got to the road return section. Up towards Humbleton Hill, turn left and out onto the expanse of the Common with the light fading.

A fair pace was held by all to get to the road and still no need for the torches. Moon rising and the light steadies.  It was only as we entered the last kilometre, with shadows cast by clouds and trees, that the head torches were brandished. Quick sprint to the car park and we gather in the open with the shadowy moonlight overhead.

What a brilliant run to finish the trail season. Now we enter the structured town loop weeks, that is winter training, and dream of the new trail season of ’26.

As the nights draw in, it will soon be time to move over to our winter training sessions around the town, starting Tuesday 14th October. We meet each week at 6.30pm at the doctor’s car park (Padgepool Place Car Park). After a 1km warm up, we complete our pre-arranged session made up of sprints, longer efforts or hills, followed by a 1km cool down. This is often finished off with drinks in The Angel! All abilities are welcome as no-one can get lost on the routes we use (short cuts are allowed!). If you need any further information, please email woolerrunningclub@hotmail.com, or come along on the night.

by peter cOULTHARD

We had fading light as the Wooler Tuesday evening trails season draws to a close for another year. What a beautiful evening galloping around the Gallops.

Five of us set out from the car park with Nick taking a shorter route back down. The cool crisp air pushed us up towards Humbleton with barely a cloud to be seen, only those starting to form on the tops of Cheviot and Hedgehope, threatening to possibly descend for the evening.

We quick-footed off the fell tracks onto the road for a run back to the cars, eking the most out of the setting sunlight and made it back with light to spare – we might need the torches with us next week though. These crisp crystal-clear evenings really reveal how trail running can be so rewarding.

The inaugural 5k event took place within the beautiful grounds of the Hirsel Estate, Coldstream, on an equally beautiful sunny day (unusual I know in Northumberland 🤣). It was very low key (no numbers or time chips) but very welcoming , friendly and well marshalled.

The route, slightly undulating, meandered through tracks fields and woods, with beautiful views, particularly of the House itself , which wouldn’t normally be seen .

Just as we could see the finish line approaching however, a ‘ dog leg’ change of direction took us back up a grassy hilly incline before final descent to finish – and coffee van 😋 . I had a moment of panic when I thought the “back-marker” runner was herding me up the hill but turns out he was the photographer.

A great event –  ideal for anyone new to trail running, or, in my case, returning from a variety of setbacks and injuries.

All in all, though thoroughly enjoyable.

(by J. Turner)

On the 26^th, WRC welcomed members of Tweed Striders and Alnwick Harriers to ‘The Ponds’ for the third and final inter-club social of this year.

Thirty-five of us set off up St Cuthbert’s Way in glorious sunshine. After about a mile, half the group peeled off to run a circuit of Humbleton Hill, arriving back at the start at almost exactly the same time as the others who ran the 5.5-mile Glendale Gallop.

There was the odd complaint about the steepness of the hills, but they’re hard to avoid in Wooler! Fortunately, all was forgiven on return to The Angel Inn, Wooler for drinks and takeaway pizza from Fry Fry!

By Peter Coulthard

We went galloping around the gallops tonight and welcomed a return visitor – Mark from Gloucestershire.

It was a hot sunny evening and we went up (it’s always up from the ponds), along the road past the cottages and into the open common with rays of sunlight spearing from the wispy summertime clouds to light our way.

For those observant ones, you can see how hot it was; Saul even had shorts on!  Sorry Saul, I hope the knee is feeling better, having had some fresh air.

Onwards over the cattle grids, then hang a right to follow the wall along the “track” with Humbleton Hill in front of us, daring us, to have a look on her top. Luckily, we managed to deny the temptation of Humbleton as we wound our way over the moorland back to the car park. Perhaps next time I will succumb and find myself back on Humbleton Hill fort but not tonight.

Thanks guys. A most enjoyable canter out once again.

Nick’s Magical Mystery Tour by Peter Coulthard

A route through Wooler’s ever-changing history tonight. Exploring paths seldom trod and some that obviously were never ever a path – even for a sheep!

Trying to keep to the lower ground, away from the full strength of the winds, it was Nick’s idea of a route taking in “the Pin Well”.

After much deliberation of “through the trees or straight over the top”…. “lead on Nick” was the cry as we went (I think) both up the top and through the trees to “the clubhouse”. Who knew Wooler used to have an 18-hole golf course in years gone by?

Leaving the clubhouse, we ventured further back in time to “the King’s Seat”, the site of an ancient hill fort. Onwards through the heathland and further back to the Pin Well.

Now legend has it people would make offerings of coins or pins thrown in to have wishes granted. Perhaps we should have cast a few quid in and wished for the route out to be obvious!  So, after a few “I’m sure the path went that way, or perhaps that way….” we decided upon a likely looking “path” which eventually, after some interesting deviations, nettles, horse and broom bush avoidance tactics brought us to an open vista looking out to sea.

Across the fields, past the caravans and a few more “which way’s most sheltered?” procrastinations we arrived, as if by magic, back at the well.

Back out of the valley, a quick look at the mound that once held a motte-and-bailey structure, round the ponds and back to present day.

A lovely route, and hats off to both Saul and Tim for the best choice of leg coverings to avoid the nettles. According to Nick though, Ronhills don’t keep nettles out – who knew? Ha ha ha.

It was an early start for Victoria, Simon, Charlotte & Tim this morning as they travelled to Edinburgh to take part in Scurry to the Sea – a 12m race starting on the west of the city, finishing on Musselburgh beach. There were three mandatory check points on the course but the route taken between them was up to the individual. For some, the days running up to the event were spent meticulously studying maps strewn over kitchen tables to plot the quickest path. Others decided to wing it, formed a retinue and followed the person in front of them.

We set off from Hillend Ski Centre at 9am slogging up the calf-burning slope to the summit of Allermuir Hill hoping for views of Arthur’s Seat. However, the sullen sky put paid to that. It was a slippery and technical descent before we ran through residential areas, around parks, over railway lines, across copious traffic lights and down cycle paths. The final 500m was a compulsory beach run over the soft sand, which was energy sapping and soul destroying. The wet weather didn’t dampen our spirits but did find a flaw in relying on directions written on paper, which had turned to papier mâché by the finish.

We stopped at Bostock, East Lothian for coffee and cake and  we even had time to go round Home Bargains before we headed home. Lovely stuff.

A big thanks to Simon for chauffeuring.

We went for the usual Gallops route tonight. After a hot and sticky day, it was a joy to get to the top of the road climb and have a gentle cool breeze for the return down St Cuthbert’s Way. The views as we descended into Wooler  – always worth it.

A brilliant turn out at Alnwick Harriers inter-club run last week. There were three running groups to choose between, varying in terms of length and pace; however, all weaved through the beautiful countryside around Alnwick, connected by hidden paths and very scenic views (the backdrop of the castle being a favourite).  We were treated to an excellent spread at the Plough afterwards. Chicken and veggie wraps and chips were devoured by all!