On a bitterly cold Sunday morning just before Christmas, members of Teesdale Athletic Club (TAC) travelled to Eppleby in North Yorkshire for a team event – The McTaggot Trot.
It was advertised as a fun run but it was quite competitive. All funds were being donated to a wonderful local charity – St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.
We all stayed warm in the village hall while teams and registration were sorted out. Briefing and pre-race instructions were given ahead of the 9am start. TAC had five teams entered. The format was a 3.1 mile loop to Caldwell then Fawcet and back to Eppleby.
All team members set off together and had to stay together. After 3.1 miles, the first runner stopped and the other two runners carried on for a further loop. After 6.2 miles the second runner stopped leaving the third runner to carry on a last loop, making a total of 9.3 miles. All competitors were encouraged to wear Christmas outfits and to get into the spirit of things.
As you might imagine, there were lots of elves, Santas and Christmas puddings. There were more than 300 entrants and the race was organised by Darlington Harriers. Some of the entrants team names included The Jingle Joggers; Ho Ho Hoping to Win; Run, Run Rudolph; The Grinches Who Stole Fitness and Tinsel Trotters. It was fantastically organised and we all enjoyed a hot drink and a huge selection of cakes post race.
First team: Anna Smith, Stuart Jones and Ben Pullin; second team: Alan Bray, Jane Gill and Erica Dixon; third team: Gail Foster, Ellen Collins and Andrew Stainthorpe; fourth team: Joanne Wall and Dave Raymond; fifth team: Karen and Michael Donaldson and Mel Pullin.
