My Manchester Marathon 2024

20 April 2024Derwent Valley Running Club

They say a marathon is the weeks and months of training you put into the main event… race day is purely the celebration of it all. I’m starting to see why ‘they’ say this.

We caught up with Chris Hewitson to hear about his experiences from last weekend.

Last year I trained fairly well for my first proper marathon ‘race’ – having previously done the Town Moor Marathon in 2022 and the SEVEN loops it entails; Edinburgh 2023 seemed more legit. However, as Bex and I raised our daughter Emily to share – she took this one step further and shared her chest infection with me a couple of weeks before race day.

I started and finished on that day, but knew it wasn’t my best effort and probably went against a decent wedge of medical advice to even run it in the first place. I finished with a time of 3 hours 16… again, not something to be upset with, but when you know you’re capable of better, it eats away at you – back at those Town Moor laps, I’d run 3:14 – so I knew I was capable of more.

This may seem a bit ‘woe is me’ (and I guess it is, a bit!) but to me, this showed me how far I’d come with my own personal running journey. To give you a potted history of how I’d come to be disappointed with such a time, let’s rewind back to 2017…

Jamdani, Whickham – having a curry and beers with friends – “hey, do you fancy doing Gibside ParkRun tomorrow morning?” being full of Dutch courage… or maybe Indian courage, I agreed and despite being full of the previous night’s food and drink, up I rocked at 8:55am – fast forward to the finish along that wonderful but LONG finishing straight that we all remember so fondly, and I’d spent pretty much the entire second half of the course wanting to throw up. The breakfast in the cafe also threatened to make a reappearance within seconds/minutes. I vowed never to do it again and disappeared from the ParkRun scene for a fair few months.

But something on that day unearthed a bit of my brain I didn’t know existed. Having previously been a footballer from the age of 7, running was always used as a punishment when you’d lost a training exercise or hadn’t completed X number of passes, etc – hey, it was the 90s, I’m sure training methods have moved on since… I hope they have, anyway!

Fast forward to 14th April 2024, and I’m stood on the start line of my 3rd marathon, listening to Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham telling us not to go off too fast and that it’s not a race – “aye, maybe to you, pal” I found myself saying out loud.

I’ve been absent from the last 3 months of DVRC sessions, while I took myself away to follow an app-based training programme designed to get me to the holy grail of a sub-3 marathon. Strict sessions were planned for easy runs on Monday, efforts on Wednesdays and Fridays, with a long run on Sunday. Having followed this probably 90/95% religiously, I felt better prepared than ever.

As for the Manchester Marathon as a whole – what an experience! I’d been told and had read so much about how it’s the flattest and friendliest marathon in the country – even my new mate Andy said as much on the start line. Whilst I’m not sure it’s the flattest; Kieran Ridley had warned me about the inclines around 14/15 miles; it certainly was the friendliest. The support was literally non-stop! There was nowhere on those 26.2 miles where there weren’t people cheering and shouting encouragement at you. I made a game of trying to hear when people would shout something including either “Chris” or “Derwent Valley” and tried to acknowledge them as best as I could.

Chris with medal — *As ever, it’s always about the bling…*

If you’re reading this and pondering giving a marathon a try, Manchester is one I would whole-heartedly recommend. It felt like the whole city turned out and had prepared everything, all the way down to transport links pre and post race, making it a very pleasant experience.

As for me and my performance, I didn’t reach my holy grail of sub-3, and let’s be honest, in only my 3rd marathon, I had no right to… But, I did bag myself a new PB in 3:10 and absolutely laid to rest the chest infection-based feelings I came away with the previous year. Also, that lad who rocked up at ParkRun in football shorts with a cocksure attitude that “it’s only 3 miles” is still in there somewhere, and feeling very proud of what has been achieved and accomplished in that timeframe.

I never intended this to become a thing. I was never meant to be a runner and certainly not a marathon runner. This has all been a terrible/wonderful accident. I grew up hating running, because I’d been taught to hate running… “it’s proper boring” I said, and people still say to me to this day, when I inevitably manage to steer as many conversations as I possibly can towards running as a topic.

If that 2017 Chris can work his way to running and smashing a marathon, anyone can…

Weekend Roundup – 07/04/24

7 April 20247 April 2024Derwent Valley Running Club

Another weekend of typical DVRC variety – DalesRunner 20, London Landmarks Half Marathon and the Allendale Challenge…

We had Claire Knox, Charlotte Bowes, Claire Thompson and John Kirby heading out around Reeth and Arkengarthdale Moor on Saturday morning – over 700m of elevation around the 20km course. All four got round safe and sound and lived to tell the tale, despite the mud… and enjoy the post run cakes!

We also had Andrew O’Malley and Kelly Rodmell over at the Allendale Challenge – both also completed the full distance with Andrew admitting he’d underestimated it – they both still smashed it, though!

Afterwards, Kelly said, “Well I did it. It was more like a bog trotting walk for the first 13 miles, the bogs were ridiculous. The wind was outrageous and I had a little cry the last 2 mile with pain in my hip but I did it.”

Meanwhile, this motley crew headed over to the west coast, and another Lakeland recce… despite Storm Kathleen

The social element didn’t disappoint… of course

While on Sunday, despite all of the efforts of train strikes, rebooked tickets… for the wrong day and kind bus drivers – Sue Urwin made it to the start line of the London Landmarks Half Marathon!

Sue was joined on the start line by Caroline Smith – both tackled the picturesque course and completed the full distance, along with thousands of others. Great work, ladies!

*Those post-race drinks really do hit different.*

Clearly race season is fully underway with more tales to entertain you in the coming weeks…

The Pendulum 2024

25 March 2024Derwent Valley Running Club

Sunday morning took us to Langleeford, at the base of the two highest peaks in the Cheviots. Guest scribe Matthew Scott was our man in the pack to give us this first person account…

For those of us new to fell running, the word pendulum is most commonly associated with an Australian drum and bass band. But for those in DVRC with longer memories, it is the name of a rather stupid fell run in the Cheviots that takes in its two highest peaks in order: The Cheviot itself, and then Hedgehope. A bit like Chevy, but with the relatively non-stupid bits missed out.

It was last put on in 2017 (I think), but revived for 2024 by Cheviot Trail Events and Northern Fell Running. Starting in the Harthope Valley at Langleeford, it is as simple as it hard – go to the top of Cheviot, then straight back down, then go to the top of Hedgehope, then straight back down.

And so, at 7am on Sunday morning, Peter Storey collected me and Chris Aspinall from our beds and whisked us north to take part in the challenge. As the race started, both Peter and Chris were quickly out of sight as we grinded up the long, slow excuse for a path that leads up to Scald Hill. I managed to run some of it (well, a bit). The bogs between Scald Hill and the Cheviot were on good form, licking my left knee cap as I misjudged a step for the first – but not the last – time. Soon, I followed the lead of many others and leapt the fence, continuing to the summit in the glorious sunshine and cooling breeze.

Usually, reaching the Cheviot summit is followed by a bobsleigh style experience off the side, but today we turn and head back along the flagstones and down the way we came. It is a glorious descent, clear skys all round, and I skip joyously off the hill. As the gradient smooths out, I eat a Toffee Crisp and suddenly taste mud for the first – but not the last – time, misstepping round a bog and losing my balance (the Toffee Crisp was, thankfully, unharmed). Soon I’m back in the valley, on my up to Hedgehope via Housey Crags.

The climb up to the crags is steep, and painful. There is a brief reprieve in the relatively flat plain leading up to Hedgehope, and then I am dragging myself up its side. It is horrible. My legs ache, despite the Toffee Crisp and the Soreen bar I’ve just had. My knees refuse to lift. And this way up Hedgehope is the epitome of lonely endlessness, step after tortured step getting smaller and smaller and seemingly moving me no closer to the summit. Peter and Chris pass the other way, flying. After what feels like a geological period – the Horrorcene – the summit cairn swims into view. I fully plan to walk the last few steps to the trig, only to see two camera lens pointing towards me. Determined to look like a proper fell runner in any photos that emerge, I summon a jog, reach the trig, and turn back.

The Hedgehope descent terrifies me. It’s like leaping off the edge of a world. I make decent progress today though, feeling more nimble than I have done on previous attempts. I taste mud again on my way back to the crags, my pink gloves coated in peat and my right knee grazed and stinging. But soon I am up and over the crags and hurtling back into the valley. I am informed on returning that I am an AM finisher, coming in 2 hours and 27 minutes after the 9.30am start. Great, that means lunch. Peter and Chris have been back a while, finishing 19th and 24th respectively. I’m a bit further back in 33rd.

I reunite with them for a can of pop and a bit of quiche. I dip my feet in the stream and let out a (hopefully) inaudible yelp. God it’s cold (I am reliably informed Peter ‘Wim Hof’ Storey went for a full dip). Before long we are back in the van, and I’m back home, so tired I leave the van door hanging open as I say bye and hobble to my front door (sorry Wim). The dog kicks off big style as I try the door and realise I don’t have my key. My better half is at the garden centre. So I sit with my back to the wall, stretch out, and listen to the sound of his barks as the sun hits my face, grateful as always for another day spent in the punishing, breathtaking Cheviot Hills.

Weekend Roundup – 17/03/24

17 March 2024Derwent Valley Running Club

It’s been a while… but we are so back!

Clearly, we all needed the training weeks and months to get this one in as our first PROPER weekend of 2024. Ultras and Marathons were the name of the game – Greener Miles Running’s Bridges to Boundaries Ultra, Saturn Running’s Rhino Run and Trail Outlaws Dark Skies Kielder Marathon.

We’ll start on the banks of the Tyne in the very early hours of a surprisingly sunny Saturday morning – we had a huge turnout; many aiming to complete their very first ultras.

We’ve been lucky enough to get some first person accounts from some of the legends who completed the full 55km distance…

Starting with Vicky Parker and Gemma Carr:

“Absolutely fab day out with friends! Running along that beautiful sunny river side was just epic! Highlights being the DVRC celeb spots along the way! It became a game to tick off DVRC royalty and those smiling supportive faces just kept us going and going for 34 miles! Singing GOLD and YMCA just mint! Louise shouting at us to “Look lively!” “I AM LIVELY!!” Gemma’s potty mouth from mile 22 but also her tears of joy when she crossed the finish line. All in all a flipping brilliant day out. Thanks to Greener miles who put on the best event and pull out all the stops to make sure everyone has a great day.”

Pic our your faves!

Next up, Lindsey Dover:

“So last year I decided to sign up for an ultra, it’s canny flat so let’s give it a go. The day came and I was nervous and excited so much so I could barely speak. Got there and I relaxed a bit after seeing everyone and remembering there wasn’t just me running my first ever ultra. We set off I felt great then at just after 10 miles hit the biggest brick wall ever, I was so overwhelmed at the distance I still had to do so what did I do I sobbed! But Glen had my back and I remembered Kev Watlers pep talk before I set off “just enjoy it”. My legs ached my feet hurt it’s not pleasant at all but the achievement is everything! Massive thank you to everyone that supported, marshalled and genuinely had each others back. Extra special shout out to Sarah Reay, who has just been amazing from start to finish with her support”

Charlotte Bowes added:

“Such a gorgeous day and so nice to be at the start line with DVRCers. Never thought I’d run an ultra marathon but all the nutters in DVRC said it would be fun. And truly it was! Very tough after 40k ish, and a mental battle. But knowing there was a shandy at the end spurred me on. Wonder what my next challenge is going to be. And my final note is saying I couldn’t have done it without all the training and support from dvrc with recces etc. With a special shout out to Claire Thompson and Deborah Swann who were my two main lasses pushing me through training”

*Seriously, why were so many of you smiling?!*

Claire Thompson continued the theme:

“The Greener Miles Ultra, 34 miles of pure joy. I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday, and when I signed up to this, the furthest I had ran was a half marathon. All the training runs (which I thoroughly hated and counted each horrendous mile) paid off and I pushed through to the finish in under 7 hours, smiling and enjoying the sunshine all the way. Greener Miles, thank you for holding such an inclusive event, marshals you were fabulous. Massive shout out to my DVRC team for all the encouragement during training runs and running with you in parts yesterday. Im on cloud 9, I can proudly say, I have ran an Ultra.”

*How else do you celebrate the end of an ultra?!*

We can’t finish off the report of the day without the special mention to a couple of the Blaydon locals, who truly got into the ‘spirit’ of things in more ways than one – forming a two-person finish line and shouting some slurry encouragement to a load of our lot… I’m sure they woke up this morning with some bad heeds, but their drunken antics certainly took the minds of the miles for our lot!

We’ll leave the last word on the day with Chris Morris and his top tip for Ultras: “My learning point from yesterday’s activities (other than try to remain injury free next time so I can do more training) is that if you make lemon curd sandwiches for consumption around the course- make sure they are tightly wrapped. & if they aren’t tightly wrapped (& you didn’t eat them cos you couldn’t be ar5ed to stop (again) to complete unpack your running vest to find them) then definitely don’t wait until the next day to find that cheap Tesco Lemon curd has leaked all over your running stuff!”

Wise words, Chris. Wise words.

Saturday night took us over to Kielder, where Nick Armstrong was going looking for one better than his 10 miler, last year – over to Nick:

“At this moment in time, yesterday was my first and probably last marathon.

A year ago I took part in the Dark Skies Kielder 10 (actually 11 – there’s a running theme here), which I really enjoyed. Training for that race went well. I gauged my pace as well as I could on the day and came away with a performance I was proud of. I received an email about this year’s races and a little voice inside my head suggested I try the marathon. Where this crazy idea came from considering I always thought 26 and a bit miles was too far for me, I don’t know.

The aim was to train over the winter and see if I thought I was fit enough closer to the entry deadline. What with a couple of niggling injuries, the busyness of Christmas and a virus, I wasn’t anywhere near the distance I wanted to be at on my long runs and by January I felt a bit like glass – adding miles to my schedule made me paranoid that I was going to injure myself again and I didn’t feel strong at all. I kept at it though and within about 7 weeks, a couple of races and a lot of running (for me) I pulled the trigger and entered.

The race start/finish area was based at Kielder Lakeside Tipis, somewhere which I know well from taking the kids to visit Santa over the last couple of years. Registration was well organised and there was a good selection of cakes, snacks as well as hot and cold drinks to purchase. I had about an hour after registration before the race would start and found myself standing there looking around at all the runners looking like gazelles and suffering from my usual imposter syndrome. Before I knew it, the pre race briefing was taking place and we lined up at the start line. And then we were off – 126 of us running through the twilight.

It was nice to be able to start in the light and see some of Kielder Water’s beautiful scenery. Apart from a looped section near the start (up a hill of course), the route wound it’s way anticlockwise around from the southern edge of the reservoir along the well surfaced path, slightly undulating. I found my natural position in the field with plenty of space to run my own race, making some overtakes stick. At mile 11, we reached the dam at the end of the reservoir and my legs started to tire. I’d been warned the north side of the route undulated even more and as the miles ticked by, the hills began to feel harder and harder.

I’d been listening to music all of the way around so far to keep me occupied but my battery on my watch wasn’t looking the best and I didn’t want it to run out before the end so stopped listening. The run was getting harder and harder. The furthest I’ve ever ran was 20 miles (the week before) and as I passed that milestone started to reason with myself that there was only 10k left. There was more than that though. The last miles were really hard. I’d been successfully chugging gels at regular intervals and they’d been doing their job to keep my legs moving but I got to the point where I couldn’t face any more and just decided to face the last few miles without anything. I started playing little mental games with myself – naming a band or singer where the first letter starts with the last letter of the previous one or when I got to about 4 miles left, imagining and visualising the route I was taking along the Derwent Walk on Thursday nights as part of my training to try and tie it into the distance I had remaining.

So close to the end but two things happened in the closing stages which really threw me off. The race director mentioned in the briefing that the race was a little longer due to a fallen tree that hadn’t been removed from the route (thanks Forestry Commission). This meant that the race was actually a mile and a quarter over the marathon distance – on dead legs the end never seemed to come. The other thing was even more cruel.

Around mile 27 I turned a corner and could see the tipi finish line in the distance, what I couldn’t see however due to the darkness was that I was looking across multiple peninsulas and the reservoir water itself. The path kept turning back in to follow the waterline and kept zig-zagging in and out At this point I just ignored the lights in the distance and concentrated on my small cone of light just in front of me and the threat of a headtorch I could see a little way behind, chasing me down, kept my legs moving when I just wanted to stop. The tipi mirage suddenly materialised into reality and I found myself running past static caravans on either side. One final marshal to point me into the complex and I entered the tipi finish line to applause, was handed my medal and after a brief chat with one of the organisers pose for what is probably a ridiculous photo – I was so tired I didn’t know how to hold myself any more.

It was done. I could stop running. The end. I’m pleased I did it, I’m proud of the training that goes into preparing for this distance and my performance (I came 30th, 8th in my category) but it’s hard work!”

Finally, Sunday morning took us to Durham and Kelly Rodmell made her debut in the prized DVRC vest – taking on a full marathon distance at the Save the Rhino timed event.

“Well first run in DVRC vest today must be lucky. Felt so good after spending last few days with sickness bug so wasn’t sure what I would manage. Longest run to date 20 mile today just short of 27. I wish I could have gone further but last 8 miles my IT band was playing up and so so sore but managed to strap it and keep going. Next up 50km!”

The first of many weekend roundups – never let it be said that DVRC doesn’t have range! It’s not all about the times and positions – but the experiences we gain along the way…

2023 – a DVRC year in review…

31 January 202431 January 2024Derwent Valley Running Club

Another year gone by, but so many achievements that we enjoyed along the way – let’s take a look back and celebrate what we accomplished over the last 12 months.

March

We started off the year with Paul Brunger taking home a podium finish for 3rd at the Hardmoors 55 event. Tackling the 55 miler with a fast final 6 miles, to pick off the person in front to secure a top three finish. Paul’s account of the day was published here: Weekend Roundup – 26/03/23

April

April took us to the Greener Miles Running Cowshed where our Natasha Powell was the last female standing, finally tapping out on 54 miles at 1am! Have a look back over the day, here: Weekend Roundup – 30/04/23

*Last woman standing… but still gets a wooden spoon!*

Also in April we saw the Pennine Journey 52 event happen – where our Claire Knox finished as the 2nd overall female and our relay team of John Kirby, Matthew Scott and Francesca Best finish 2nd. Go back and read Fran’s account of the weekend: Weekend Roundup – 10/04/23

*Colour coordination wasn’t the aim of this trio…*

June

The biggest news of the year was kept for slap bang in the middle of 2023, as our Jenny Yeo took part in the annual Montane Spine Race… and not only did Jenny take part, but she finished 1st female and 6th overall. It’s something that will live long in the memory of Jenny, and us as a club – still such a monumental effort, right in the middle of the summer. Incredible. Read all about it: Weekend Roundup – 25/06/23

While Natasha headed to North West Wales to compete for Team England at the Lionsgate Backyard Ultra Wales – contributing 50 miles to the team total, on the way to a 3rd place finish! An international roundup: Weekend Roundup – 04/06/23

August

Another Greener Miles Running event and another DVRC winner – this time it was Glen Cooper who took home the trophy for Isaac’s Tea Trail, with Glen winning the marathon, over some very challenging terrain and heat. Quite the triumphant return as he returned from injury.

*No excuses for not sticking the kettle on, now…*

September

Quite the busy month was kicked off with Claire bagging herself the 2nd overall female prize at the Prudhoe Miners Race… a theme of things to come from Knoxy for the month. News of which was carried here: Weekend Roundup – 03/09/23

Over in Chopwell Woods, we had load of DVRC’ers taking on the Greener Miles Running Chopper, 6 and 12 hour events. Matthew Scott took home the win in the 12 hour event – finishing long after dark, despite being one of the hottest days of the year. Amazing!

*Said it before, we’ll say it again -a right motley crew*

Over in the 6 hour event – Marc Runkee finished 3rd overall to secure himself a podium finish, only just missing out on the win by a couple of minutes!

Back to Knoxy, she only went and bagged another podium finish – over at the Pilgrims Ultra! Fighting off her own mental images of someone chasing her in the dark to finish on GNR morning. A lot happened that weekend – read more: Weekend Roundup – 10/09/23

*Say we are top of the league, say we are top of the league…*

We concluded the month with our ladies topping the division after the first round of Cross Country fixtures – very proud! Weekend Roundup – 24/09/23

October

Our final month of achievements started with that name yet again – as Jenny Yeo followed up her triumph in the Spine with another 1st placed female at the Pathfinder 25 event! The first day of the month – Weekend Roundup – 01/10/23

*We’re aiming for improved victory photos in 2024…*

Over in the Lake District, we took all kinds of wins in the 12pm sailing of the Lakeland Trails Ullswater 14k, with Chris Hewitson finishing 1st overall, John Kirby 3rd overall, Bex Hewitson 1st female and Claire Knox 2nd female. We might not be invited back, this year, after such a strong showing like that! Go back to that full blow-by-blow account, here: Weekend Roundup – 15/10/23

Over the course of the year we had members hitting all of the parkrun courses – and waaaaaay too many PBs to mention – but the constant desire to lace them up and get yourselves out there, rain or shine is such a joy for us all to see. We all inspire each other – whether it be 5k or 268 miles.

As a club we go from strength to strength and it’s our members who push us all to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be… 2024 will be no different, in that regard. But we know the achievements will be sailing in thick and fast.

Probably the best running club in the world.

Grand Prix 2023 Final League Tables

11 December 2023Derwent Valley Running Club

We can now exclusively reveal the final points totals for this year’s competition – huge thanks to skipper John Kirby for tracking this across the last 12 months!

Position	Men	Total	Position	Women	Total
1st	Chris Hewitson	36	1st	Bex Hewitson	37
2nd	John Kirby	32	2nd	Claire Knox	36
3rd	Glen Cooper	21	3rd	Natasha Powell	27
4th	Neil Frediani	17	=	Kirsty Robson	27
=	Andrew Walton	17	5th	Eleanor Shotton	23
6th	Matthew Scott	11	6th	Sue Urwin	22
7th	Paul Brunger	9	7th	Laura Peacock	15
8th	Nick Armstrong	7	8th	Sally Ann Greenwell	13
=	Kieran Ridley	7	9th	Carys Watts	11
=	Sam Spratt	7	10th	Claire Thompson	10
11th	Luke Kelly	6	11th	Vanessa Armstrong	8
=	Chris Morris	6	=	Jill Lee	8
13th	Ian Maddison	5	13th	Megan Williams	7
=	Rob Bradshaw	4	14th	Melanie Armstrong	6
=	Terry Owens	4	=	Vicky Parker	6
=	Justin Turner	4	16th	Charlotte Bowes	5
17th	Rob Peacock	3	=	Lindsey Dover	5
=	Grant Ramsden	3	=	Bernie Gibson	5
=	Josh Robson	3	=	Jane Parnaby	5
20th	Simon Hutchinson	2	20th	Ellie Binns	4
=	Mark Marchant	2	=	Vic Brook	4
=	Duncan Marshall	2	=	Stephanie Edgar	4
=	Ethan Robson	2	=	Lauren Smith	4
=	Al Rook	2	=	Rachael Smith	4
=	Paul Stephenson	2	25th	Alex Fiddes	3
=	Peter Taylor	2	=	Sarah Reay	3
=	James Toal	2	=	Caroline Smith	3
=	Steven Wade	2	=	Paula Soeiro	3
29th	David Cowell	1	29th	Rebecca Campbell	2
=	Matt Forrest	1	=	Susan Carney	2
=	Marc Runkee	1	=	Hazel Marchant	2
			=	Theresa Owens	2
			=	Beth Ramsden	2
			=	Janis Smith	2
			=	Jenny Yeo	2
			36th	Gemma Carr	1
			=	Katy Carr	1
			=	Susan Chambers	1
			=	Joanne Cutmore	1
			=	Ashleigh Hancock	1
			=	Louise Liddle	1
			=	Emma Prinn	1
			=	Hazel Richardson	1

Where scores are level, names are in alphabetical order by surname

The events and rules for this year can still be found here: Grand Prix 2023

We’ll be updating the schedule in the new year, starting as ever, with our home ParkRun at Chopwell Wood.

End of Year Awards Roundup

10 December 202310 December 2023Derwent Valley Running Club

How else do you finish a year like this one? Awards, that’s how…

What a year it’s been for our club! There was no better way to celebrate everyone (and Christmas) than with prize giving, awards and huge thank you’s!

Last night was our annual Christmas party, hosted by our friends at Pedalling Squares, and we couldn’t let the opportunity to celebrate the best thing about our club go amiss – our athletes.

We began with a huge round of thanks and bottles of bubbly for our amazing committee and coaches – both groups are crucial to us being able to do what we do, and being able to call us the best running club in the world. You all know who you are – we love and appreciate each and every one of you!

Then we got into the awards; Spirit of DVRC, Unsung Hero, Most Improved Male and Female and the Grand Prix winners to crown… Each award was unique and chosen by different means and for different reasons.

First up we had the mass vote for the Spirit of DVRC award – this vote was open to all DVRC members and gave everyone a chance to nominate the member they felt best represented the club and all we stand for. Overall, there were 13 different nominations, which just shows how strong we are, but also how much we all appreciate each other for so many different reasons.

Before we go into our winner, here’s a summary of the people who were runners up, and the reason why we appreciate them all so much:

Adele Sinclair
- She’s basically our kingpin who comes up with all of the training plans, working tirelessly behind the scenes and often under pressure. It’s been hard thinking of locations, coping with coaches who leave or who can’t commit and the sessions still go on! She’s the backbone DVRC without her the club struggle to run
Chris Hewitson
- Really great at bringing the club together through the weekly roundups which always have a lot of wit.
Chris Morris
- He’s just a nice guy. Always in good spirits and always boosting morale – even if it’s bargaining a quick stop at the local pub. Chris is inclusive and encouraging. He organises social runs, volunteers at Parkrun , gives up his time to coach… oh and keeps us all entertained. Fits the description above, good member of the club and run leader. Always comes along, encouraging, likes a joke, inclusive to everyone , welcoming to new members.
Claire Knox
- It says a lot about this club that I feel I could nominate loads of people, it’s hard to choose just one! But Claire for me. A brill run leader, so canny and supportive, leads by example, but most importantly spends as much (if not more) time encouraging and inspiring others to achieve their goals as she does achieving her own. Proper legend. Honourable mention for Woody too, what a belter he is. Always a great supportive captain at the club… but also she inspires other runners wherever she goes. I think of Claire as our Siffa Hassan, her range of events is amazing. I think a couple of times this year she undertook a short race for the club shortly before undertaking an ultra. Claire is so supportive of individuals and the club. She is quite jovial too. No explanation needed for Claire’s input.
John Kirby
- John always makes an effort to make sure we have social runs on a Thursday and puts lots of work into the grand prix every year
Kieran Ridley
Lindsey Dover
- Lindsay is friendly, always encourages others in their running and makes everyone feel so welcome at club. She’s also achieved so much in her own running this year…with lots of pbs and her first ultra planned next year. She’s the ultimate Derwent-vallian! She’s always friendly and chatty with everyone and will challenge herself with races inspiring others to do the same.
Luke Kelly
- Has blossomed from the friendliness of the Club.
Natasha Powell
Sally Ann Greenwell
- Sally has been an amazing member to DVRC stepping up to coaching and is an inspiration
Sue Urwin
- Sue is not only a great runner, but an all round calm and positive person. I really enjoy running with her (when I can keep up!). She’s always at training and a key member of the XC team. She’s definitely my runspiration! The joy she gets from running is contagious (maybe not to me sometimes!) she embraces the company, craic and even the competitive bit. Almost always with a smile.
Susan Chambers
- Her enthusiasm for clarty runs is infectious!

This is the wholesome content you’re looking for…

However, it became apparent very, very quickly who was going to run away with this vote – there was only really ever one person for it – Mrs DVRC, coach, committee member, runner, wife and mother. Our very own, Kirsty Robson!

Here’s what you all had to say about our Spirit of DVRC 2023 winner (if last night was anything to go by, we hope Kirsty has the tissues nearby!)

“Kirsty is such a lovely person and always makes time for people always encouraging us and genuinely such a great person”

“For welcoming so many new members to the club this year.”

“She has always been encouraging, supportive and friendly to all”

“warm and friendly, always makes everyone welcome xxx”

“For all she does for us. Most of it behind the scenes.”

“A ray of sunshine who is so supportive of everyone!”

“Incredibly supportive member, truly embodies all of our core values. Exceptionally welcoming to everyone new and takes time to get to know individuals”

What a belta – who else could it be?!

Next up was a vote decided on by the committee – we wanted to recognise someone who shows up week-in, week-out – to training, to races and to social runs and events, and gets on with it all with minimal fuss but is always such an amazing example to all of us.

Once again, this was an easy choice and a unanimous decision – Sue Urwin! How can you not love Sue?!

For the next awards, we went to our coaching team – after all, they see us every week across the year and watch the progress we all make in sun, wind, rain and everything else (they’re all heroes in their own right!). Being the inclusive club we’ve always prided ourselves on, we love to see our athletes progressing and this year has been no different. Once more, two individuals stood out above all others, for another unanimous couple of picks.

Lindsey Dover – picked up running from nowhere and only got into it in recent years, has gone from the occasional 5k all the way up to long distance, and we’re told even has her first ultra planned for 2024 – you know you’ll hear about it here first!

*Lots of pride and lots of tears for this one…*

When these first 3 awards were announced, there was barely a dry eye left in the building… must’ve been dusty in there?!

Luke Kelly – one of our youngest members, but has come on leaps and bounds across the course of this year – getting involved in weekly training sessions and making us all chase him on those loops, all the way up to relay races for the club, and representing us in the under 17 cross country races.

*This one is going to go far – a star in the making…*

So many to choose from, there was plenty of deliberations and names floating around – but the choices in the end were perfect, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Our final award of the night was the crowning of the Grand Prix winners, with captain Kirby doing the announcing and as the reigning champion, it was his task to give the update and scores for the year. Former women’s winner, Kirsty also looked on…

Over 70 of our club had competed in GP events over the course of the year, with almost 2000 miles ticked off from events ranging from Park Run, to the Chevy Chase. And this year was a truly close run affair. The ladies at the top could only be separated by a single point – remember that Hexhamshire Hobble result and how it all hinged on that day – well, that’s where it was won. Bex Hewitson dragging herself (kicking and screaming) out of her comfort zone to take home the maximum points and beat captain Claire Knox into second place. This one has been an epic to watch across the entire year – hats off to both of them, as well as the other top placing females: Natasha Powell, Kirsty Robson and Eleanor Shotton.

For the men, skipper Kirby would have to hand over his crown, as Chris Hewitson took home the prize this year – beating John into second by a couple of points – those all important points from more events that Chris was also absolutely forced out of his comfort zone to finish – the Chevy Chase (never again, we hear) and the Hexhamshire Hobble. As Chris said last night, as newbies the Hewitson’s watched Kirsty and John win last year’s prizes and set their sights firmly on capturing the top spots! Huzzah!

It has to be said, that a whole load of work goes into arranging and setting up those events across the course of the year – and tallying up those points on a regular basis for an often over-eager webmaster – massive thanks must go to John and all that he does for this… We all go again next year – with 2 of next year’s events already slammed into the calendar!

We closed the awards by remembering our dearly departed former captain, Andrew Callcott – we all raised a glass and I’m sure he’ll have been smiling down on us as we did.

It really is the best running club in the world.

Weekend Roundup – 03/12/23

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The start of the final month of 2023, and the final Grand Prix fixture of the season… Thankfully this weekend’s activities were heavily trail and fell based, after the weather saw off pretty much every ParkRun in the North East.

Hexhamshire Hobble gang — *#SnowSquadGoals*

These hardy souls braved the snow and headed out to Allendale for the 29th annual Hexhamshire Hobble, and the last remaining GP points to be claimed. As we saw last week, the top of those tables couldn’t be closer, so it was all to play for.

With captains Knox and Kirby fighting the Hewitson pair, along with last year’s reigning champ, Kirsty Robson looking for a podium finish.

Heading out, and immediately onto the biggest incline of the course, wasn’t the fast start we were all looking for, “bit unnecessary, this” was heard… probably with added expletives.

Hexhamshire Hobble — *This would probably usually be a really picturesque scene*

Has to be said, the marshals out on the course were the real heroes of the day – running in that was actually surprisingly warm… despite the sweat tending to freeze once it sat on your skin long enough. But to stand around in those sub-zero conditions – we salute you!

Claiming himself maximum points and first DVRC’er home, was skipper Kirby in 1:31 for 43rd overall. Closely followed by Chris Hewitson in 1:32 in 49th, and Sam Spratt in 52nd. For the ladies, Bex Hewitson got home in 1:35 in 62nd, for the maximum, skipper Knox was next home in 100th after 1:47. Kirsty Robson and Eleanor Shotton got back in 118th and 119th, in 2:01. Great work from all of our crazy seven!

Full results can be found here: Hexhamshire Hobble Results 2023

What does this all mean for the Grand Prix standings? As ever, the Christmas party will see year’s winners crowned – and we’ll be here to report those victories… it’s all terribly exciting!

While normal people were sleeping, Glen Cooper, Peter Storey and Stuart Reay were heading to the wilds of the Cheviot Goat Ultra 2023. Starting at 6am(!) in Ingram, our terrific trio headed out on the 100km course, taking in almost 4000m of elevation gain.

We’re very pleased to report that all three completed the full course, with Peter in first for us after 17 hours and 24 minutes, just before 11:30pm, to claim 20th overall. Glen and Stuart came in joint 64th after 20 hours and 24 minutes, at 2:24am! Mindblowing stuff from all three of them!

Our Sunday Social gang took to the trails of the Derwent Walk and Rowlands Gill once again, as the Ultra 2024 prep continued. Plenty of snow and freezing temperatures doesn’t stop DVRC… not much does.

Weekend Roundup – 25/11/23

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As those temperatures get colder and the mud gets thicker – you know it means we’re into proper cross country season…

Despite the sunny outlook on the photo above, it was cold. Very cold. Some might say perfect running conditions, however. The smiles on faces do, however, reflect the great craic and camaraderie that DVRC always takes with them to any and every event.

And it wasn’t even the team banter that caused some of this lot to miss the start of the women’s race… we’re reliably informed there was quite the ‘mix-up’ for the start of the senior women, 20 minutes delay was actually only 12 minutes. As runners were spotted – “they’re running… and they’re women… we’re women, we’re meant to be running” – and off they went!

Newly promoted to the medium pack, was Natasha Powell, Claire Knox and Bex Hewitson – who had no such worries, but probably got to their starter group a little sooner than they would’ve done normally…

When all was said and done – we had some tremendous performances from our stupendous seven – Bex leading us home in 50th place overall, followed by Natasha in 150th and Claire in 179th. Kirsty Robson was next home to make up the first team of four in the XC league tables, 242nd place. This gave us an 8th place team finish on the day – amazing stuff!

Not far behind was Eleanor Shotton in 244th, Ellie Binns in 254th and Sue Urwin in 292nd. All out of 399. All of our DVRC ladies finishing inside the top 300 places – brilliant achievement, on what was a really claggy course (as ever!).

A mixture of injuries, double bookings and premier league football meant we couldn’t quite fill a full male team – with Peter Taylor making his XC debut for DVRC, joined by Sam Spratt, who clearly wasn’t put off from his debut the previous fixture – despite what he might’ve muttered during that second lap… Rounded off with the ever-reliable men’s skipper John Kirby.

Actually, we say ever-reliable… but you’ll notice on the photos that isn’t a brownie in sight. Mr Reliable apparently forgot to pick up the fresh batch that baker extraordinaire, and wife Rachel, had made for the team. Surely a deduction in Grand Prix points beckons…

With the weight of the forgotten brownies on his mind, John still managed to bring our gents home in 343rd place, closely followed by Sam in 362nd and Peter in 519th. A huge field of 552 runners to negotiate in the last race of the day, with the sun setting and mud deepening. Well played, chaps. Well played.

In the boys under 17’s race – we had Luke Kelly once again rocking the DVRC colours – and boy did he do us proud – getting himself an 11th place finish out of a field of 33. Stunning work Luke – going from strength to strength!

Meanwhile earlier in the day, there was time for plenty of our club members to hit the courses of everyone’s favourite 9am-on-a-Saturday pastime… ParkRun! Whitley Bay, Druridge Bay, Chopwell Wood and Denton Dene – it was PB city for Sarah Reay and Chris Morris at Chopwell, along with Chris Hewitson and Beth Ramsden at Denton Dene! Great efforts in yet more sub-zero conditions!

*“100 ParkRuns? No bother!” Terry Owens, probably*

We also had Terry Owens hitting his 100th ParkRun at Chopwell, while daughter Claire Thompson volunteered and made sure to grab us a photo of the legend himself…

Sunday Social took on a new turn, this morning, as a matchy-matchy group took on the start of their journey to an Ultra Marathon next year. Ably supported by 2 hounds, 3 deer, 1 squirrel and a Susan Chambers. Chris Morris led this merry band of misfits round 10.5 miles around the Derwent Walk and Chopwell Wood. If you’d like to get involved, give Chris a nudge and he can inform you of next week’s colour scheme…

Weekend Roundup – 19/11/23

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We’re back with a whole host of running achievements to feast your eyes upon…

This month’s Grand Prix fixture: Brampton to Carlisle 10 Mile road race, Slaley Hall Trail Half Marathon, Red Kite Night Trail Race, ParkRun and the Sunday Social all get mentions

DVRC before Brampton to Carlisle — *Notice the phone…*

We’ll get straight to the business of those precious GP points with four of our lot swapping the north east for the north west, and heading over to Cumbria for the Brampton to Carlisle 10 Miler (we’re informed it’s an old fave of our chair, Tony!).

Our fast foursome for the day was Kirsty Robson, Sue Urwin, Bex and Chris Hewitson, and they all jumped on a 2+3 seater coach for the 10 mile trip out to Brampton… 2 seats on left side, 3 on the right… What a time to be alive!

Anyone would think Mrs Robson might’ve had her mind elsewhere as she boarded the coach (and wasn’t even impressed with the 2+3 seating) whilst she refreshed the Glastonbury website… Sue once again showing what a team player she is, by also loading it up on her phone! As race time neared, there was a real fear (mainly from Chris) that Kirsty was going to get the start of the race delayed if she ever reached the payment screen – such was the multitasking going on!

10am arrived with no sight of the payment screen, and we all reluctantly set off on the 10 miles westward… Rolling roadblocks in place to leave Brampton meant we didn’t have to chase the traffic too much in the early stages. There was a bit of it later, as we entered Carlisle, but by this point the field had sorted itself out into much smaller groups and almost single file, thankfully!

At the end, it was Chris who lead us home in 65 minutes, with Bex in 69 minutes and 6th in her category, with Sue in 9th in her’s after 1:27, with Kirsty coming in at the same time for a 10 mile PB! Great work from all 4, rocking the DVRC proudly!

DVRC after Brampton to Carlisle — *Those tshirts… coming soon to night training sessions near you*

Kirsty never did get the tickets… But the PB buzz is always better.

Closer to home, we had Sarah Reay and Lindsey Dover hitting the trails of the Wild Deer Slaley Hall Trail Half Marathon.

Lindsey and Sarah before Slaley — *Very smiley and totally unaware of the mud that awaited them…*

Oh yes, there was mud… but that didn’t stop our dynamic duo taking down the 1000+ feet of elevation in 2:37 for Sarah and 2:40 for Lindsey. They were both still smiling at the end… but we’re told this photo really doesn’t do the level of clarts the justice it deserves.

Lindsey and Sarah after Slaley — *Post-run medals always make it worth it, don’t they?!*

Heading back to Saturday… and Saturday night saw Paul Brunger lining up for the Derwent Valley Trail Runners Red Kite Night Trail Race… and he only went and won it! We’ve no pictures to share, sadly… but he did post the little gold 1st place medal emoji on Strava – so that’s nice. Stunning work, as ever, Paul!

Going all the way back to Saturday morning, and it was an emotional one for us, as a whole load of our club headed to Chopwell Wood to run the ParkRun. Tragically, earlier this year, Louise Wilkinson’s husband was killed whilst riding his bike home… Chopwell Wood was the last ParkRun that John was dragged to by Louise, when nagged… in her words… John’s workplace decided to do a takeover in his memory, with Louise and loads of our club heading to run.

DVRC @ Chopwell Wood ParkRun — *The Squad never lets you down…*

Countless members ran, whilst Sarah Reay bagged herself a PB and Terry Owens volunteered. We also had club runners on the courses of Whitley Bay and Riverside. A Saturday morning well spent.

And as always, we finish the weekend roundup with the Sunday Social – as regular as clockwork.

Sunday Social gang — *Chopwell Wood, dogs, and smiles… simple as.*

Another great weekend in the life of the best running club in the world…