October 2023

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by Gayle Askwith Having caught the marathon bug last year, I jumped at the chance of running York because it was sold to me as flat. Those that know me, know that I never research the route when I enter these things. I reply on pure hearsay and rumour about what the course is like. Keeps me on my toes! I stayed in York overnight with my friend ahead of the marathon, sticking to tried and tested pre-race rituals including but not

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by Denyse Holman After a five-year gap, I decided it was about time I challenged myself to run another half marathon. I had been studying Geoff’s Race Calendar for months before finally deciding that the Castles half marathon was the one to go for. Graeme and I have done a few walks up near Bamburgh, so I knew I would be treated to some fabulous scenery. Plus, given the time of year, I banked on the weather not being scorching hot. In fact,

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by Lisa Donaldson Well where do I begin? It has been one hell of a weekend to say the least. This was my 2nd marathon for this year and 3rd overall, was so desperate for that Sub 3:30 after running London back in April 2023 and knew I didn’t push myself then, so there was defo more to be had!! We got to the airport Friday afternoon where we met Laura and Sam, a few airport drinks were had but not by

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by Gerry Hehir Sunday morning saw me and Jane heading up to Housesteads roman fort for the start of the Hadrian's Wall half marathon. It was freezing 🥶. The race is well organised and runners set off in waves so that the narrow paths along the wall don’t get clogged up. I dropped Jane off at the start then drove back to the finish at Hexham and got the bus back up to the start. As I said, it was bitter, even with

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by Paul Orange Steep decline signs are all around the course at the Kielder half marathon, and I thought that could be the title for the story of my build-up for this event, due to injury, poor life choices and work commitments. Despite the most horrible inverse taper you’ve ever seen, at 7.00, I was in my car headed up to Kielder, driving through endless drizzle, and parking up in yet more drizzle and mist, so much so, standing on the dam,

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by Andy Turnell The Running Festival is a regular event at the end of September and packs four races into a single morning (early afternoon for the slower runners). There's a 2k Junior Fun Run, 5k, 10k and Half Marathon all starting before 10:15. Crook had representatives in the 10k and the Half. One of my long standing targets has been a sub 1:45 half marathon and, although the course has changed somewhat over the recent past, it's about as flat as you could

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by Meadow Winham It all started when I woke up at 9:00AM. I got up and I got dressed into my Crook running vest and my shorts, when I was finished getting ready, I had my breakfast, I had a cup of tea and some toast. My mam put my hair in two plaits, when she was done, we set off to the cross county [my first ever one.] When we got there, we were struggling to find our tent because we did not