SportsShoes Blog

Quakers Running Club

Quakers Running Club, which is based in Darlington, Co. Durham, was formed in May 1995 with a membership of just six. Since those early days the club has developed a reputation as being one of the friendliest and most welcoming of clubs in the North-East of England. Over the years the club has increased its membership to around two hundred and is more than happy to welcome all abilities into the sport. Let’s face it, we all had to start somewhere and you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to get enjoyment out of running and athletics.

Whether you just want to start running for the sake of fitness, or you’re just about to do your first 10k road race or your 25^th London Marathon, we can help you get through it. Our runners participate in a variety of events which include road running, cross-country, fell running and track and field. In addition we are also experienced in orienteering, trail running and ultra distance running. Non members are actively encouraged to come along see what the club has to offer and no charge is made for attending these sessions, our hope is that you will enjoy running and training with us, will keep coming back and will eventually join the club.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Lady Hydrator Sports Tops

PRICE: £11.99

Reviewed by: Gillian Harris

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points: Nice & soft, light weight. Fitted well without being too baggy / tight. Dried quickly after exercise keeping cold sweat away from your back. Washed well.

Worst Points: Didn’t like the idea of a zip, but once worn zip wasn’t uncomfortable. Top clicked first time on.

Other Comments:

Would buy top, reasonably priced at £11.99

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Reviewed by: Carol Penney

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Good wicking during warm training sessions

Worst Points: Neck too high which was irritating along with the zip

Other Comments:

Good value for an Autumn weather top. Nicely finished cuffs to stop sleeves falling down

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Long Sleeve Running Top

PRICE: £11.99

Reviewed by: Charles Bogg

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Good comfortable fit in chest, shoulders & under arm without being too baggy in waist. More accurate/true sizing than some other brands.

Worst Points: If there has to be one, Brand name blazoned across chest. Doesn’t add to any design features and pointless for a base layer garment.

Other Comments: Good soft feel & flat seams. Remained comfortable when wet.

Did not rub when wet

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Reviewed by: Jeff Marriott

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Comfortable fit.

Worst Points: Didn’t wick sweat away from the arms.

Other Comments:

Good mid layer item at a reasable price.

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Reviewed by: Anthony Corbett

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Comfortable, generally a good fit and length and lightweight.

Worst Points: Sleeves a little long, slight concern how long the large logo will last after numerous washes.

Other Comments:

Personally only wear long sleeve tops in the winter and therefore this would be too lightweight for me. However great for those who wear long sleeves all year.

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Yeovil Town Road Running Club

Yeovil Town Road Running Club is a running club for everyone- from those running for the fun of it to those running to lose weight and also those running with another goal in mind, such as the London Marathon or any other event. With 130 members there will always be someone with a similar pace to run with. Yeovil Town Road Running Club is the ideal club in the South Somerset area.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Brooks Lady Nightlife Sprinter Short Tight

Brooks Lady Nightlife Sprinter Short Tights

PRICE: £14.99

Reviewed by: Amanda Inch

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Really comfortable

Worst Points: Baggy in places, elastic on the legs too tight and Day-Glo yellow strip see through!

Other Comments:

Shame about the weird fit because otherwise they were comfortable to run in!

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Reviewed by: Debbie Neal

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Comfortable fit. The colours - black & fluorescent yellow go with club colours. Long enough to be decent but not too hot

Worst Points: Leg elastic a bit tight - though not noticeable when running. Crotch a bit baggy when standing still - if I’d tried them on in a shop I might not have bought them because of that - ok if you wear a long top to hide it. Brooks label peeling off after 2 wearings and 1 cool wash.

Other Comments:

None.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Elite Split Running Shorts

Saucony Elite Split Running Shorts

PRICE: £24.99

Reviewed by: Phil MacQuaid

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points: Very comfortable with loose legs

Worst Points: None!

Other Comments:

Did not rub when wet

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Reviewed by: Nick Brooke

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Very comfortable, supports well. Easy to use pocket at back. Very light feeling and unimpeding to movement.

Worst Points: Slightly sweaty liner

Other Comments:

These might not be my favourite shorts but could quickly become my second favourites!

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Reviewed by: Martin Chaffey

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points: Very comfortable straight out the bag

Worst Points: None

Other Comments:

Good wicking – will have to try on a long run

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Pensby Runners

Pensby Runners are based in Wirral, Merseyside UK. They were started in October 1986 and are now are a well established running club with about 85 members.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Roger Black Running Hydration And Hi-Viz Gift Pack

PRICE: £14.99

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Reviewed by: Roy Fisher

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Comfortable and good value at web prices of £14.95

Worst Points: Mouthpiece technique was difficult to learn and then do whilst running fast. Too little room for other items when full of water.

Other Comments:

I rarely carry water except on long runs on hot days – I usually hydrate before the run. I nearly filled the bladder for my 9 mile trial run which at 2 litres was unnecessarily heavy and was less than half used. I tended to drink

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Reviewed by: Andy Morley

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Light and Comfortable, no noticeable taste tainting of product, which I thought I would notice, plenty of room in bag for extra product, i.e. gels etc.

Worst Points: It took a little while to get used to the mouthpiece. There was no easy storage on the outside of the pack, to enable you to “reach around’, on the run, for another product.

Other Comments:

I found initially that sucking the product through the mouthpiece, as opposed to squirting the product out of a bottle, a little difficult, especially on multi-terrain. Maybe the pack could come with a couple of different mouthpieces, so that you didn’t have to bite it all of the time. Overall I would use the pack for Marathon training where I would need extra fluids. It would also be very useful for cyclists.

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Reviewed by: John and Lesley Keyworth

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Good fit for female runner - doesn’t move too much when running. Definitely prefer it to running with a bum bag.

Worst Points: Water container appeared to leak from fastener at first then realised it needed another turn to secure it. Got it all sorted (without any instructions in package which would have been helpful!) but then found the tube difficult to draw water from.

Other Comments:

Was a good fit for a female but not so good for a larger male. Didn’t hold much once water bag was fitted, so not sure when John would use it. More than likely Les will benefit from this bit of kit. Looks good/light weight and we think it would be useful for a female runner who doesn’t need to carry any extra kit e.g. waterproofs, food etc

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Reviewed by: Andy Smith

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points:

Pack: Strong fabric, reflective materials, chest harness, simple and effective design – no frills etc. Good internal security pocket.

Reflective light: very effective.

Worst Points: Drinks bladder not very substantial. Small opening  - will be difficult to clean. A separate lining for drinks bladder would be beneficial to minimise it sloshing around. Waste buckle and strap would also help.

Other Comments:

Very good value – when compared to other makes e.g. camel back.

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Reviewed by: Adrian Mercer

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Comfortable but tendency to leak when laid flat

Worst Points: moves too much when running

Other Comments:

good for long slow running

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