BEDALE and Aiskew Runners (BAR) club members have been welcoming in the New Year with some hilly challenges.

Paul Ellis, BAR chairman, headed to Great Ayton for Captain Cook’s Fell race, an 8km event heading out from Great Ayton up, round Ayton Banks Woods and Round Hill Woods, with 318m of climbing. Paul had a challenging run finishing 100th in a field of 449 in 40:51.

A recent newcomer to BAR with vast experience, David Adams has been tackling the challenging terrain of Kielder Forest. Kielder Winter ten-mile trail run takes in amazing trails of Kielder Forest crossing the Kielder viaduct before taking on some single track, open forest tracks, sections of the old railway, with 320m of ascent the route provides some testing climbs and exhilarating descents. David finished in a fabulous 1:31:39.

Other members have been clocking up Parkruns early in the New Year. Taking advantage of Parkrun doubles on New Year’s Day, Ann Harrington headed to Harrogate finishing in a time of 30:14 and then on to Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough in 34:00.

Three BAR members headed north to Sedgefield completing the single lap course was Laura Hewitt in 30:01, Ruth Hancock in 35:01 and Katy Bamber in 35:02. Then to Darlington South Park with consistency Laura Hewitt finished in 29:18, followed by Ruth Hancock in 34:53, and Katy Bamber in 35:36.

A few other BAR members joined them at Darlington South Park for a warm, bright New Year’s day run; Paul Bainbridge in 24:24, Raymond Lightle in 25:14, Louise Baker in 27:10 and Sarah Pardington in 34:54. Doing some Parkrun tourism Paul and Nicola Simpson were are Peckham Rye Parkrun, Paul finishing in 20:49 and Nicola in 22:07.

Following quickly afterwards was the first Saturday Parkruns of the New Year, 13 BAR members were at Catterick and three volunteers, who are essential to enabling Parkruns to go ahead. Thanks to Paul and Sally.