Well, we’ve had quite the week, this week! Monday started with Mark running a thoroughly enjoyable* strength and conditioning session at St Barnabas Church, in Rowlands Gill. Then we hit the streets for the final road sessions before the start of British Summer time, for some endurance efforts… Once we got to the weekend, the fun really started!

We’ll start with Paul Brunger and Jenny Yeo hitting the brutality of the Hardmoors 55 race…

Hardmoors 55 2023. I went into this race with zero expectations of time or placings having not had the best build up as life gets in the way. I wanted to have fun and hopefully provide some dot watching entertainment

I definitely did have fun and managed a cheeky podium too, reeling in the chap ahead in the last 6 miles and somehow managing to run fairly fast after 50 miles to get away! Every race is a learning experience, this was definitely for me. I gave it all on the day and the relief as I finish was there to see!

Stunning effort from Paul – doing DVRC proud! While Jenny got round 18 miles of the course until shin tendinitis stopped play – we’re all gutted for you!

There were at least some friendly faces out on the course, in the shape of our very own Susan Chambers and Joanne Cutmore – with their own brand of “helpful screeching” whilst marshalling – love it!

Next up, hitting the delights of the Coledale Horseshoe Fell race, was Laura & Rob Peacock, Eleanor Shotton and Megan Williams… We’ll spare you the expletives shared during the race, but all four got round inside three hours; with Megan leading the pack home in 249th position after 2:21, next up were the Peacocks, with Rob in 261st and Laura in 268th – 2:31 and 2:44 respectively, with Eleanor in 269th in the same time.

We’ll leave the final words on this one to Laura – Rain, Fog, Wind, Mudfest, Complete lack of views, Never again.

Meanwhile, at ParkRun, there were a couple of course PBs for Theresa Owens at Chopwell Wood, and Lauren Smith at Prudhoe Riverside – amazing work from both of them!

Sunday brought our usual social run, in the familiar surroundings of the Chopwell – a longer than usual 17km/10miles, was turned into an even longer 26km/16miles by Natasha Powell and Lisa Gilbert – smashing out those distances. We’ll be back to Chopwell and the likes, this coming week for the start of the lighter night training sessions. Exciting times!

Lots of other training runs and recce’s for upcoming summer races – you all know who you are!

In coaching news, Sally Ann Greenwell completed all of her online modules, with a live meeting on Saturday and only needs to complete her session videos, them she’ll be ready to lead the lovely DVRC runners just in time for the nice nights!

To finish off this feel-good roundup – we have to leave the final mention to our chairman and inspiration – Tony Robson

Tony’s not going to let a minor inconvenience like a stroke stop him – back on the climbing wall, and no doubt taking the first steps on the road back to one day rocking the DVRC vest, in a race in the future. What a guy!

*Mark’s session was only classed as enjoyable AFTERWARDS – definitely not during.