Last night, Wooler was invaded by runners! Local clubs Alnwick Harriers, Blyth Running Club and Tweed Striders joined us for a 3 or 5 mile run around Humbleton Hill. The weather didn’t dampen our spirits and about 35 of us continued the chat in The Angel afterwards. Hopefully we have social runs hosted by these clubs to look forward to in the future.
On Sunday, Janet, Pam and Tim travelled to the borders to take part in the Kelso 10k, held as part of the town’s civic week. The course was set in the picturesque and idyllic grounds of Floors castle, home to the Duke of Roxburgh.
We set off promptly, which was just as well as the parking signage was highly ambiguous to say the least and it gave time for the obligatory pre-race photo bomb. Luckily, the forecast inclement weather didn’t materialise so there was no need for the ponchos this time out. The undulating course was a mix of tarmac, farm tracks, pavement and grass. The blustery conditions gave us a tail wind along the banks of The river Tweed but it became a sole destroying head wind for the last mile back up the drive to the chateau.
At this point there’d usually be a laconic summary of times but none have been released, which isn’t surprising as the event seemed to be organised chaos.
Congratulations to Janet, who was first female home in her respective age category adding to her haul of prizes from the Borders X Country Series and Les Allcorn 10k. Gala Harriers took the spoils in the team event narrowly pipping WRC to the post.
Once we finished, we received a goody bag, which set the world record for the amount of flyers handed out in one go. The extensive array of post-race insalubrious cakes, buns and tray bakes was something to behold, put on by the local WI in aid of Macmillan Cancer Suport.
We all had a pleasant day out putting the world to rights and hearing about Janet’s obelisk building, which are used to prop up Morning Glory. Lovely stuff.
Thanks to Janet for driving, Pam for treating us to coffees and Pam’s family, who kindly came out and supported us.
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 181st male to a slightly more creditable 151st. 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.
Wooler Running Club race report by Nick Baxter
Only Tim and Nick were competing this week in Race 1 of the Borders Cross-Country Series, but the weather was perfect and they enjoyed a proper XC route of mud, hills and a very wet river crossing.
Nick managed to come in as the 181st male – not quite in the Josie class! The main disappointment though was reserved for the return journey – no cheese scones left at the Hirsel Cafe!
Here are the before and after photos. Next up is Dunbar in two weeks’ time.
Wooler Running Club race report by Joise Knowles
Trail outlaws hosted a fantastic half marathon on Sunday – the ‘beauty’ following Saturday’s marathon ‘beast’. The hostel was buzzing with energy as we were briefed and guided to the start line. Setting off up to the Pin Well, the legs became quickly accustomed to the steep slopes to come.
The course was challenging, gruelling at points, with boggy wet sections. The long descent down the St Cuthbert’s Way towards West Newton brought sheer joy, but making a 360-degree turn at the bottom to climb back up was a test of the legs and lungs, to say the least.
The wind was on our backs for the familiar return section to Wooler, along the St Cuthbert’s Way. After a short climb out of the Common, we descended back down through the Pin Well and returned via the footpath at the back of the hostel.
A medal, cheers and very smiley faces welcomed us at the finish line. The hostel provided amazing hospitality and it did not take long to get in the cake queue and replenish energy levels with a variety of treats!
Rose, Saul, Emma & Kay pitched up to Ambleside on Friday evening for this event in mid-October.
Despite recent bad weather, Saturday dawned calm and settled.
Saul started in Caldbeck, on the northern side of the Lake District fells. At 8am the route started up and over High Pike in early morning cloud before descending steeply for the pleasure of a cooling wade across the River Caldew before then climbing across the boggy backside of Blencathra.
The reward for this early effort was a fabulous cloud inversion view from the summit before then picking a way down Hallsfell Ridge and running into Threlkeld to the first checkpoint. After a quick helping of refreshments there, it was out and across the valley to work a way up Clough Head.
Back in cloud here, the route now progressed all along the ridge line, climbing as it went via the Dodds, Raise and White Side to reach Helvellyn. Somewhere along that route we reached above the clouds and enjoyed that cloud inversion again before the day warmed up enough to dispel the clouds completely.
After Helvellyn there was Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike then the steep stony step descent to Grisedale Tarn. And the reward for reaching there was then to climb steeply back up to the top of Fairfield.
Feeling Ambleside could not be far off now, we negotiated Hart Crag, Dove Crag, our second High Pike followed by Low Pike, and, with some rock climbing necessary here and there, made it finally to the track to Nook End Farm and the lane into town.
The day had heated up by now and I was quite dehydrated as I arrived at the second checkpoint that was also the start point for the rest of the Wooler team’s LIAD Half. After kicking their heels all morning, they had finally set off at 2.30pm, 90 minutes before my arrival, cheered on fabulously by the hordes of travelling Wooler supporters in the form of Janet, Mitch and Phil.
After about a litre of flat coke and two slices of pizza, I tumbled onwards south down the western side of Windermere following a different but overlapping route to that of The Lap a month before. Nauseated and exhausted, I found company in the form of Luke from Nottingham and in the end, we stuck together to see our ordeal through to the end.
Night fell as we descended towards Finsthwaite, the final checkpoint. The route from there seemed interminable in the dark, with us endlessly wondering if we would ever see the lights of Cartmel. Eventually we did, and sped up with excitement, only to realise that the end was at the school at the far side of what was a bigger village than we had initially thought. That finish line came just in the nick of time. We finished seconds over 13 hours, Saul being 3rd in his age group and 36th overall.
The rest of the team had sprinted that southern half of the course it seemed. Kay was 6th female and 2nd in her age group with a time of 4:13. Rose came close behind, being 8th female and 1st in her age group with a time of 4:23. Emma was 36th female and 10th in her age group with a time of 5:05.
Huge thanks to Phil for his selfless and patient taxiing all weekend, he deserved the biggest winner’s medal!
It is a Friday afternoon in September, autumn barely underway.
Picture a large meadow on the south west aspect of Windermere, gently sloping down to stone wall that separates it from another lower lying meadow, a few trees and a footpath, then the lake itself. The grass has been cut but left long to aid drainage and grip: this is car park, campsite, registration. It will be the start and finish too but that is for tomorrow.
Then the rain comes, in heavy cloudbursts pushed by westerly winds. Initially there are gaps, respite, but this does not last.
We pitch our tent in one of those last respites and dinner is huddling under a shelter eating a gyro while registrants soakingly queue. When those who are not camping try to drive away, chaos soon follows as the designated routes out of the meadow become all-nigh impassable. The event pickup is called in to help tow vehicles out of the mire but it soon gives way to a tracked mountain rescue vehicle – effective, but slow. We give up watching and go to bed.
Our tent remains waterproof but by 4am the noise of monsoon landing a few inches above causes us finally to give up and get up. We try to make ourselves have some breakfast hiding in the back of our van in the dark.
By 6am the rain has stopped and the sky looks brighter as the bell is rung to start the race. We hang back, not planning to win. The start loops us round and down the lakeside path. A long queue soon forms that, like a motorway tailback, is sometimes stationary and sometimes moving but is always simply a capacity mismatch.
And the paths were waterlogged. Everyone at some point had to decide that mud between the toes would be today’s normal.
The first checkpoint at Finsthwaite, coming down from High Dam, marked the point at which it was finally possible to run unhindered.
From Newby Bridge crossed below the lake and up through forestry en route to Gummer’s How with its lovely view up the lake. From there via more forestry to Moor How and on to Bowness with a heavy downpour on the way.
Skirting the edge of Windermere, we headed up onto Applethwaite Common before descending steeply to Troutbeck and a checkpoint with shoe drop and pizza. We ate plenty of pizza and changed socks but did not bother with changing trainers. We were a little past half way now and it was just past lunchtime.
Climbing steeply, we summited Baystones then traversed to Wansfell before descending to Ambleside, running through town to climb steeply up to Loughrigg.
By now there was only a half marathon to go as we descended steeply and started south down the western side of the Lake. We were stiff and sore and it took an increasing effort of will to break into a trot after negotiating uphills. The way was still relentlessly waterlogged but wading had become the new normal.
Cheekily, we were taken up Latterbarrow but pretty dusk views were the reward before a steep descent down a stony beck into forestry. We reached the final feed station at Far Sawrey just as the light finally failed. Warm soup on offer and yet more cheerful kindness from the event team.
Head torches on, we headed up the hill from there, over and down eventually to the lake. It felt strangely like the end would never arrive: close but never quite in view. And then there it was, after 47 miles, tape leading us up through that lower meadow back up to the start.
We made it in a little under 15 hours. After a few minutes of recovery time under the roof of a farm shed, we booked a hotel room for the night, packed up our tent, miraculously navigated the van out without getting stuck in the mud, and even made it there in time for a delicious beer. A medal, a t-shirt, a hot shower, dry feet and a pint: result!
Emma & Saul Miller
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.
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 26th, 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!
Wooler Running Club 