Family affair as brothers take top spots in festive 5k

MORE than 120 runners spent Sunday morning chasing reindeer round the grounds of The Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle School.

Teesdale AC organised the club’s annual 1k and 5k festive runs to coincide with the Christmas market at the museum.

In the 1k event, primarily for younger athletes – accompanied in many cases by their parents – Callum Brown was first home, followed by Teesdale AC’s Aiden Marmont.

The first placed female – and third overall – was Scarlett Hutchinson.

In the 5k, it was very much a family affair as Josh Mawer came home first, followed by his younger brother Nathan. Their dad Nigel finished fourth, just behind James Atkinson.

The first female home was Angela Dixon, who had travelled down from Durham to enjoy the day.

It was also a day to remember for the club’s latest batch of Couch to 5k runners.

They began in September with the Reindeer Chase as their goal and nine Couch to 5k athletes completed the event. The next Couch to 5k course will start in February.

Helping to marshall the course were members of Barnard Castle charity The Clique, who will benefit from money raised.

Donna Hawcroft, one of the event organisers, said the runs had been enjoyed by all who took part.

“We had 57 in the 5k and 66 in the 1k. We could probably have done with a few more, but I think the weather put quite a few off,” she said.

Having previously organised the event as Santa and Elf runs, Ms Hawcroft said the change in format had gone down well.

“The feedback I have had has all been positive and I think the reindeer certainly had fun – they all came back laughing.”

l Also on Sunday, Clare and John McGrath represented Teesdale AC in the Mctaggart Trott, at Barton.

Prior to the event, organisers asked the competitors which distance they wished to run (either 3.5, seven or 11 miles) and their expected time.

They were then put into a team of three, running at the slowest runner’s pace.

At the 3.5 mile point, the first runner could stop, with the other two continuing to the 7.5 mile point increasing the pace as they did.

The remaining runner – John – then completed the full 11 miles.

It was a hilly and testing course with heavy rain and ice but our competitors showed true team spirit and determination through to the finish. It was a very friendly and well organised event.