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.
What a long winter with weeks where running proved almost impossible due to snow drifts and flooding… hence all the alternative activities.
We have started our Spring/Summer club runs on Tuesday evenings; now meeting at the Duckponds/Wooler Common at 6.30 pm. So far it hasn’t felt like warm weather training with freezing winds, snow and knee-deep bogs, but at last we are back in the hills!
Many thanks to everyone who supported the event on 20th January 2018. We raised £1060 for Macmillan and Breast Cancer Care.!!
It a was cold, but sunny day. Fortunately the road up to the Golf Club had thawed by the time folk arrived, thanks to John and Glen for helping to spread salt and grit. Fantastic turn out (more than expected) – 126 runners and walkers set off, from 3 to 70 years old. All in good spirits with snow to play in and stunning views of the Cheviots. Mary and Michelle performed miracles in the kitchen with magic soup pots. Pam, Cherry, Twink and I juggled with raffle tickets and prizes. Cool runnings by WRC with Toria, Simon and Saul placed in the run. Great support from WRC , Sarah helped mark the course and overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity with raffle prizes etc. A good day was had by all, looks like we might have to do the same thing next year….
Our annual Festive Charity Event has become a Resolution Run/walk!
Saturday 20th January 2018
11.30 am start at Wooler Golf Club NE71 6AL
off B6525 at Doddington
Scenic off-road 5k or 10k
Runners ~ Walkers ~ All Welcome
£5 adults, £3 children
Includes Soup and Bread
Raffle and Prizes!!
All proceeds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Care
We had a fantastic turn out for our festive ‘training’ run on the last Tuesday before Christmas; there is nothing like the promise of mulled wine and mince pies to lure reluctant runners out on a winter’s night! Plenty of appropriate head-wear and sleigh bells in evidence. The residents of Wooler must have been cheered to hear our angelic voices as we serenaded the illuminations. A grand evening, thanks to Pam for organising us as always.
And now we have 2018 to look forward to, wishing everyone a healthy, injury-free year of running!
Last month we made our annual trip north for 48hrs away to run for less than 2! Carrie, Simon, Pam and, Saul ran the half marathon and on the whole we were all pleased with our times – but it is a downhill course after all! Claire R, John and Toria ran the 10k and Claire made it in under 50 minutes for the first time. John’s wife joined in with the eating a drinking which we squeezed in around the athletics! It’s a scenic course, half on the road and half on forest tracks. Although the forecast was awful and the skies very dark, it was mild and dry all weekend.
The nights are fair drawing in… last training session starting at the Duckponds on Tuesday 3rd October, 6.30 prompt with head-torches. From Tuesday 10th October meeting at Padgepool Place car park. We’ll aim for structured sessions lasting for about an hour- warm up, drills and speed/hill reps. Possibly starting with a 5k timed run so folk can gauge how fast to run in speed sessions. As always there will be the flexibilty to have a jog and a chat and the opportunity to enjoy healthy drinks and snacks in the pub afterwards!.
Wooler Running Club 