The monthly parkrun tourism outing is becoming well established and 14 of us, plus 2 friends, made the trip into deepest County Durham to run around the beautiful Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, which was looking resplendent in its autumn colours. It is a 2 lap course on paths and trails, and whilst there are no steep climbs, it is not flat. With a lakeside path, smaller ponds and woodland trails, there is plenty to keep your mind off the actual running! A scenic and interesting course which finishes right next to a cafe, so definitely worth the trip.
There were other Claremonters who ventured to parkruns away from home too. One such was Cath Robson, who runs more often around the country than she does in the North East. Cath broke her journey down south for a 5K trot in Lincolnshire:
“Heading south for a family celebration I dropped into Belton Park parkrun, conveniently situated a few miles from Gonerby Moor services. Two laps and a little loop around National Trust parkland with immaculate crunchy gravel and cross country style grassland. It turned out I had crashed their 9rh birthday celebrations but unfortunately didn’t have time to stop for cake. Good to know: loads of free parking, top quality NT toilets and catering van. A good start to a busy day despite the heavy drizzle!”
Zoe Jukes marked her 50th parkrun with a PB at Jesmond Dene. There were also PBs for Izzy Neatrour on the Town Moor and Chris Jones at Denton Dene. Whilst it is not counted as a PB, being her first outing on the course, Yana Bevan recorded her best ever 5K time at York.
It was down to the Claremont ladies to claim podium finishes this week, so a big well done to Cate Walker, 2nd at Hamsterley Forest., and Catherine Young who was 1st woman home at Fulwell Quarry.
