running

Club crack with Chris…

melaniearmstrong79
Chris Morris gives a run down of his highlights this summer as part of Derwent Valley Running Club

Let’s start with the Pie’n’Peas run
This race saw a tremendous participation from DVRC – there was approx. 35 of us turned up at the start line! I also thought the Pie (‘n’Peas) were remarkably appetizing compared to previous years (although nowhere near the quality of the Pitman’s Pies on offer at the Consett Relays – which reminds me – apologies once again to Charlotte & Alex for dragging ‘our’ team’s times down due to my slowness!). I was also extremely proud to see that we were the last Running Club to leave The Adam & Eve Pub after enjoying post race refreshments & rehydration!

Date of Race: Wed 02/07/25
Beat previous best time by: ~2 mins, 20s or so

The Chevy

Surprisingly, our 1st recce took place with relatively few incidents & therefore for a 2nd recce we were confident & had a tentative plan to do 15 miles of the total 20 mile course. However some bright spark then had the idea that if we were going to do 15 miles, we may as well do the full 20 mile course.

Unfortunately, it then transpired that we planned this recce on what appeared to be the hottest day of the year – but no worry – we all had brought ‘sufficient’ additional fluids. So we set off at approx. 9am from Wooler on a gorgeous, warm morning with a plan – that due to taking our time, eating sandwiches en route, taking plenty of photos, etc – we may be out for approx 7 hours .

By the time we got to the top of Cheviot…… we’d been out maybe 4 hours in the scorching sun, with zero shade on the entire route & were starting to feel a trifle nervous regarding getting back without severe sun burn / sunstroke. Down the side of Cheviot we avoided the snakes that were trying to hide from the oppressive sun & we then tried to refuel whilst climbing Hedgehope.

Halfway up Hedgehope, Sue was trying to eat her sandwiches when I heard her start to cough & splutter & when I turned around to look she was spitting her food everywhere whilst laughing uncontrollably – she’d noticed that it had taken us 57 mins to do the last mile! Perhaps our target of 7 hours out’n’back was a tad optimistic?

Down Hedgehope & up / through the craggs & we had to use the last of our (previously) ‘sufficient’ (?) fluids. Down to Carey Burn & we had to decide whether to try to continue to Wooler with zero fluids (unlikely to be successful) or take our chance with dysentery (or worse – if that’s possible!) & fill our flasks with water out of the burn. We chose the latter – & to date as far as I’m aware we’re all in perfect(-ish) health – so no worries there! A slow slog back to Wooler & when we got back to the car the temperature of the car which was parked in the shade was still at 27°C & we’d been out for a total of 9 hours. Thankfully however we had all returned safely & we then purchased what felt like Wooler Co-Op’s entire stock of cold drinks – a treat for us all paid by Ted.

So onto the race itself with a healthy contingent from DVRC – & even though I’d done The Chevy ‘Race’ a couple of times before (albeit v slowly) & had done several recces in the past – the trials & tribulations of the 2nd recce described above really lowered my confidence & I had an expectation to be timed out by CP1 or maybe CP2 at best. However this didn’t happen, although my confidence did take a further knock during the slow, steep, slog up Cheviot when a young lad on a mountain bike (non electric version) breezed past me & then stopped further up for a picnic. However I soldiered on, managed to beat the cut-off timings at all remaining CP’s & successfully made it back to Wooler. Was lovely to see Paul Stephenson just after Hedgehope who had entered the ‘walking’ version of the race – although it depressed me severely to see that his ‘walking’ speed was faster than my ‘running’!

P.S. No lambs were inconvenienced (this year) in the running of these recce’s / races.

Well – it wouldn’t be a discussion about The Chevy without this photo would it (IYKYK)?

Date of Race: Sat 05/07/25

Beat previous best time by: ~10 mins 

Lakeland 50
I did a couple of recce’s for this race – the normal one from Pooley Bridge & up Fusedale utilizing (as usual) the facilities of Natasha’s Mam’s static caravan / lodge & the next one on probably the 2nd hottest day of the year (can you see a theme developing here?).

The plan was (as usual) head over to Coniston and get the trusty Bus 505 from Coniston to Ambleside (after our now Annual ‘DVRC pretending to get run over by the bus’ Photo) & then ‘run’ back to Coniston.

Plan was that 5 of us would head over to Coniston in the car to meet Danielle at Coniston (who’d camped overnight in The Lakes) & we would then meet Fran at Ambleside (who’d travelled over to The Lakes separately). Leaving early in the morning from Rowlands Gill we’d arranged plenty of time for the journey on a Friday morning & therefore imagine our surprise when it took us approx. 30 mins to get through Swalwell Roundabout! Time was already against us! The rest of the journey was a complete blur whilst our chauffeur for the day (ie moi) tried to hide his stress & pressure whilst putting his foot down to ensure that we arrived in time to meet the bus in Coniston (& Danielle….. & then Fran). We made it with approx. 3 mins to spare before we had to hot-foot it onto the bus – so we just had to buy the quickest possible car park ticket & hope we hadn’t received a parking ticket on our return. Once on the bus we could relax – we now just had to meet Fran at Ambleside & then the small matter of running 15 miles & approx. 4,000 ft elevation back to Coniston – in ~30°C temperatures!  

As usual the scenery in the Lakes was absolutely stunning – we could see for miles due to the excellent weather & (I think for the first time) could see Morecambe Bay in the far distance as we headed back down from the fells into Coniston village. Due to the high temperatures (which I assume explains Alan’s choice of French Foreign Legion Headgear) there were a few hiccups along the way due to several of us over heating but nothing life threatening – & we were able to take full advantage of the honesty fridge just before Tilberthwaite by clearing out (but note – paying for!) the stocks of cold drinks & ice lollies! The refreshing cider in The Crown Inn back in Coniston was almost worth the journey from Ambleside that we had just ‘enjoyed’! I was overjoyed to realise that my car wasn’t clamped due to overstaying our car park ticket – although the rest didn’t seem as bothered / interested as me.

Onto race weekend itself & I think approx. a dozen of us from DVRC headed over. After waving off the DVRC LL100 contingent at 6pm Friday, those of us that were doing the 50 version prepared ourselves for our start on Sat morning. My hydration strategy / plan was to top up with water my hydration pack at each CP & then adding SiS Electrolyte powder also at each CP to keep me going. However this plan went a bit oblong approx. 400m after the start when my hydration pack developed a leak resulting in SiS electrolyte dilute mix pouring down my bum & legs. My fellow race competitors helpfully pointed this out but once I’d heard ‘you’ve got a leak mate’ for the 93rd time it started to get a bit tedious. So I was left with approx. 49.5 miles to go with only a solid cup to be used at CP’s for pasta, soup, etc & a small 250ml flexible flask that could be used for my fluids. I was a bit concerned – but at each CP I managed to gorge on water / juice & filled up the small flask with flat cola to keep me going until the next CP – & this seemed to work relatively successfully. Weather in the main was ideal (from what I can remember) & it was an absolute bonus at most CP’s seeing fellow DVRC Competitors (naturally they were leaving as I was arriving!) giving each other a cheery wave & a small comment of motivation.

By the time I arrived in Ambleside it had just gotten dark & it was lovely to see a lady we run with on a Tuesday night had interrupted her family holiday in Windermere to come along & cheer me through the town – thanks Nicola! For the last few miles I latched onto a group of strangers & we all started an A-Z quiz to keep us going: music, movies, etc that sort of thing. We ended up with questions about Countries Capital Cities, starting with Australia, moving onto Brazil, etc. When we got to K I volunteered that Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan – upon which it transpired that no-one had heard of Kazakhstan never mind Almaty & they obviously thought I was some sort of smart ar5e so they stopped talking to me. (& apparently it isn’t any more – according to Google it’s now a City called Astana so that goes to show how much I know). Undeterred by my new friends non-communication I successfully arrived in Coniston having completed 50 miles of running – but obviously also a lot of walking too!

Date of Race: 26-27/07/25
Beat previous best time by: ~50 mins or so

Watergate Park 5k
The major advantages of this race are:
A) It’s on our doorstep; &
B) It’s only about 14 quid for a buffet & a t-shirt
…. so as a consequence once again there was a good turn out from DVRC (upwards of 20 or so contestants plus a couple of support crew taking photo’s, etc. Once again, like usual, it was like herding cats getting everyone to the pre-determined location for the pre-race photo. A 3rd advantage of this race is that we see someone we run with on a Tuesday being the Tail Runner. His first task is trying (& failing) to keep up with the kids race where we see him crossing the finish line a distant last following the kids home, looking absolutely paggered. It’s absolutely hilarious to see – & he’s then given approx. 5 mins recovery time before he has to set off again following the adults around the course. As you would expect Tail Running the adults race is significantly slower than the kids. Background is that we think he volunteered for this task approx. 15 years ago & as usual with these things once you’ve volunteered for something you then own the task for life – so well done Chris for continuing this annual tradition that’s what I say! From my perspective nothing particular to report on the race except that I think I may have ran my fastest 5k time ever!


Date of Race: 21/08/25
Beat previous best time by: 1 min 11s

Other highlights

Other highlights over the Summer obviously included DVRC 10th Birthday celebrations of course on 21/06/25 which consisted of a family fun run in the morning before the much more serious business of buffet + drinks in the evening. Thanks & well done to those that were involved for organizing!

So we now move onto Autumn & a new Season of Running. I’m planning for my first PB of the Season at Jedburgh Relays – mainly because I’ve not done this race before & therefore by default (providing the 4 of us finish!) there’ll be a PB on offer. That is how it works isn’t it?

Thanks to all those that have supported me during Wed night training sessions, Social Runs, Recces & during the various races – it’s been fun & your support is much appreciated.
Enjoy Autumn everyone & good luck with your running!!!

(*) PB’s from a very low base obviously!!!

Sue’s 150 miles in a week

melaniearmstrong79

By Susan Chambers

“I entered the 100 mile Bamburgh to Edinburgh Rat Race event without a second thought.. lovely ! However, when I updated my calendar for 2025 ….July suddenly looked busy. Then I realised – 19/07 was a 100 miler and a week later, oh yes……that other race I had a place for….so lucky me, a 50 miler round the Lakes (aka Lakeland 50) .

“I just thought “in for a penny in for a high mileage July” !

“I do enjoy longer distances and set about training, planning the picnic along the way as what works for some definitely doesn’t work for me. Training for races is not all about the miles to be covered, but trainers, socks and kit. Planning for the 100 was fun , honest! It’s not all long distance,s but back to back runs, finding places that you can get good elevation and simply playing out. Rat Race events are well organised and I have completed The Wall three times, so knew that check points would be well stocked and bit like a Sainsbury’s pop up shop. 

“July quickly approached and plans were made to travel on Friday to register and stay overnight to be fresh for a 7am start. Weather was scheduled to be wet at times … and the rest! Saturday morning arrived and it was great to see Kieran on the start line to have a friendly chat and share our race strategies: i.e. “see what happens eh?” The route was lovely, undulating, hugging the coast and every golf course in the land that Scotland has, so many! 

“Damp conditions soon became wet then a bit wetter, the coastal views soon disappeared into the clag and before lunch time it was wave after wave of poncho runners as a lovely lady from a shop handed them out, taking pity over the bedraggled runners. 

“The pit stops were really well stocked and there was something for everyone no matter what dietary requirements were needed – fab ! 

“St Abs head loomed and was very pretty even in the grim conditions, but what came after was boggy, slippery slidey climbs and the section that gently lead you into the night – what a Saturday night out out i had! I have memories of run/stagger repeat by a harbour wall behind a power station, I know how to party 🥳

“The 60 mile point was Dunbar and a sports hall pit stop where bodies stretched out amongst tables of pasta, drop bags and flakey, trenchy feet were getting stuck together Blue Peter style with sticky back tape. As I left here, the sun soon greeted me as did more golf courses and cliff edges . After a months rain in a day, Sunday was looking not too bad .. onwards to the last pit stop and a final push on towards Arthur’s seat in Hollywood Park.

“Signage was great , counting down the last few miles and whoah a million steps .. whose idea was that? There must have been 20 sets of steps leading to the park and finally the Royal Mile – yes final mile was up up up and dodging many tourists who I nearly harpooned with my poles! At last I was at the castle to turn abruptly right to head down to Princess Gardens and yes more steps but then a great run into the finish and 100 miles completed ! Now rest recover and oh yes a drink in a close by Wetherspoons. Jamie had popped up to support at Eyemouth then run the last few miles with me which was great . Once I sat down I felt rather faint so laid down under the table , when a staff member approached Jamie who explained I was fine, I had ran a 100 miles, she stated that’s not the usual reason for laying on the floor in a Weatherspoons!!!

“It was a great event, but that’s done bring on the Lakeland 50 .

“This race is well known and I have never done it before so thought just go, relax , enjoy it and that’s exactly what I did . 

“I stood on the start beside good friends with a plan to finish no matter what and enjoy the scenery oh and the picnic . 

“It’s a great route and the sun was out. Check point to check point was the plan, the day passed really quickly and I felt surprisingly good . 

“Each check point has a theme so it was lovely running into each one and every person helping was fab , highly recommend this event but perhaps not always after a 100! 

Again lots of familiar faces along the way and lovely chats always make a difference. The finish tent appeared, a cup of tea was poured and feet up, job completed with fab company. 

No matter what distance you stand on the start line of, just go for it, plan, prepare and pack a picnic – but enjoy the whole process as it’s always worth it … the following week I mainly slept and drank tea 😊

Anita Nott 2025

melaniearmstrong79

By Sue Urwin

We all met in the Corner House to collect our race numbers and use the facilities. Not a drop of alcohol being purchased at this point by us athletes!

Then off we set to the start on Armstrong Bridge. Being called forward by the officials with five minutes to go, there was a sea of assorted club vests to behold, and the sound of happy chatter to be heard. We had one minute’s silence to remember Anita, who was a well loved Heaton Harrier.

There was a little breeze on the bridge, but perfect running conditions, so much better than the scorching temperatures of the previous year.

We were quickly sent on our way, firstly into Jesmond Dene, where we enjoyed the undulating terrain, woodland steps and a little dark tunnel. Although the Dene was challenging, this was nothing compared to the hill that was waiting for us in Heaton Park.

So over the bridge and into Heaton Park we went, hitting the hill almost immediately.

On and on it seemed to go, the effort made a little sweeter by the lovely supporters cheering us on along the way. I had only just started my hill climb, when, whoosh, the first runner passed on her way to the finish. It wasn’t long before she was followed by our lovely DVRC speedies. One thing about an out and back, is you see your club mates and get a shout from them to keep going up that hill.


Eventually, I made it to the top of said hill, and back down we went, retracing our steps.
I can’t lie, was lovely to see that bridge again, this time leading to the finish line. Such a buzz as always to finish a race, especially a fast one, (fast for me anyway)! Buzz was extended when offered chocolate from Heaton Harriers .

What was not to love? DVRC camaraderie, perfect running weather, chocolate, oh and a little run too.

Heaton Harriers, I will be back next year!

Northern Traverse type fun 

melaniearmstrong79

By Susan Chambers

Back in 2023 I had a notion to enter the 300k – or @188miles in old money – race (a term used loosely) the Northern Traverse. This little trot out takes you from one coast to another coast following Alfred Wainwright s footsteps, across the lakes, Richmond and the Moors with a rather boring section including a A19 service station as a highlight.

Big gulp and I was entered! The plan was to run with Jamie and our friend Helen, the three amigos. 

Three became two due to injury, 2 became 0 so everything transferred to 2025. For me I fractured my tibia which had taken an age (or am I a runner with little patience?!?!). By 5th April it was me on the start line, as injury prevented my two amigos stepping out alongside me.

Fail to prepare , prepare to fail is a gentle mantra so from January I teamed up with a good friend who had achieved this race last year through storm Kathryn . We had recce days, trying everything from kit , shoes to most favourite sarnies on route. 

I got up at 5am to meet up and explore sections from Patterdale to the finish, really enjoyed the process but you can’t turn up without doing all the hard work, respect the distance.

Race day or as I refer to the start of my spring break arrived, and you have from Saturday 08.30 to midnight the following Wednesday to complete this adventure. Meaning there are four nights to endure, four check points where you can access your 80 litre drop bag and if you can catch up with a bit sleep 😴

Starting out on Saturday morning in what was looking like hot conditions was fantastic! Picking up a stone, quick goodbye hug from Jamie and Helen and the cliff top beckoned. Leading the pack not that I saw him, was Damo smashing it in @42 hours .. not leisurely at all ! 

The route lead you through villages to the Lakes and the tasty section including several undulating climbs, Kidsty Pike being the mark in my mind of departing the lakes and heading to Shap . Night one ticked off 👍

Shap to Kirkby Stephen and a welcome plan to sleep , access my drop bag and refuel. This was a great pitstop but sleep not that great .

Next section and night two was a wonderful if not Baltic night out over Nine Standards, navigating up through Keld , used mines and another glorious sunrise leading to breakfast in Reeth .. magical .

Lovely to see Jamie here and a brief hi how’s it going and we were off to Richmond. On this event there is strictly no support of any kind so no support running, extra food or water top ups if you receive any it is disqualification, so not going to risk that! 

Day time Monday was hot! So it was warm and welcoming at Richmond so more drop bag goodies and a sleep in the sunshine… not as easy as you think, but we fuelled up and packed up for night number 3 .. whoohoo ! 

Richmond to the Moores includes a section of road , A19 services and I can only think Alfred took his eye off the route and accidentally included the A19 , a fence with rats stuck on and the witch of the wizard of oz speaking at you in the dark .. bizarre and not a hallucination lol.

Once I experienced a 1am service station cuppa it was at last stepping onto the Cleveland Way .. home turf after so many Hardmoor everts, lovely . 

The next goal was Lordstones and oh yes the three sisters .. no problem ha ha 

Another night another minus 3 temperature drop absolutely freezing going over Carlton Bank delivered another spectacular sunrise with Roseberry Topping on the left .. beautiful.

Lordstones was another high point as I saw my friend Helen who was marshalling so a great boost . Now I cannot convey the difference in a usual checkpoint compared to a multi day .. there are bewildered runners, confused and even the simplest tasks take forever . The Marshalls were tremendous, kind , patient and simply lovely definitely making a difference.

All was going great, ahead of my schedule and expectations, the knee was holding out .. hurray !

Three sisters negotiated and next stop was the Lion Inn and this is where the gremlins popped up at mile 160 every thing was going great then I started to lean. No matter what I did I just leaned and by the time I reached the pit stop I resembled a crooked old woman whose head was lower than the shoulders .. ridiculous! 

I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and achievement as I have never ran 165 miles and stopping was not easy but it was the correct decision. Those trails are not going anywhere so within 24 hours yessss next year entry submitted and look forward to the whole journey again .

What did I learn – just go for it stepping out of your comfort zone only leads to fun and adventure, you never know until you try .

Distance is irrelevant as it’s a personal goal so whatever you do just do it and keep moving.

The support from Jamie and my friends has been amazing and that’s what matters – the running community is fab and there is something special about navigating in the middle of nowhere.