Ponteland Runners do Druridge.

Prompted by a couple of club members being in the area overnight on the Friday, 12 Ponteland Runners answered the call for a bit of Parkrun tourism and journeyed north to the Druridge Bay version. It is a two lap, mostly flat course around the lake at the Country Park. As with all Parkruns, we were met by a friendly organising crew and a mixture of runners in superhero outfits (adults as well as children), there to celebrate one young lad’s birthday, although probably with less booze than Chris and Matty consumed on Friday as they prepared in their customary professional manner for a big race.  Paul O’Neill was the first club runner home in 11th position in a time of 20.34, swiftly followed by John McGargill, Mark Reynolds and Neil Ward. Top club championship points on the day went to John McGargill, with 73.18 and mention must also go to Nicola Matthews, doing her first Parkrun and therefore adding to her club championship tally. The club are providing almost all the volunteers at Gibside Parkrun next Saturday (20th), so if you fancy a change of venue – and a challenging course – come along to run that one. Further tourism opportunities will follow in the coming weeks.