Race Alert: Central Lancs Half, Stafford 20, Chester Half

Three more races that you may be interested in running in 2012...

Paul, Clare and Terry battling along the Stafford 20 last year

Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash

Thanks to everyone who made this mornings Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash a success!

Race Report; Pisa Marathon 18/12/2011

To say this weekend turned out better than expected would be a massive understatement. As I left work at 3pm on Friday I was faced with a vicious snowstorm and what should have been a straight-forward 20 minute journey home turned into an hour and twenty minute skidfest. At home out of my window I watched several cars skid across the crossroads. The thought of battling through all of this ice and snow all the way to Stansted was extremely worrying and I started to think the chances of making the flight were slim and decreasing with every subsequent flake of snow.

Torre di Pisa. Not a bad spot to finish a marathon.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everybody!

See you all on Boxing Day at 10am for the Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash!

Race Report: Tour de Helvellyn 17/12/2011

The Tour de Helvellyn is a 38 mile ultra race held on the shortest Saturday of the year. The event was first held in 2010 in very cold and challenging conditions and was immediately hailed by some as a new classic. This year’s event had slightly better conditions which made for a still challenging but extremely pleasant day out. Excellent organisation, courtesy of Nav4 and a fantastic route are likely to reinforce claims for classic status. The route starts at the village of Askham from where it crosses Askham Fell to Howtown before going up Boredale and over Boredale Hause to Patterdale. From Patterdale a circuit around Helvellyn is taken by heading over Sticks Pass to Thirlmere and returning via Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale from where the outward route is reversed back to Askham.

Competition Time!

It's Competition Time!

'Tis the season to be jolly and also to get creative with your computer and art skills.

Your task is to take this photograph of Grant and put him into a scenario of your choice.

Entries will be posted on the special page on our website and prizes will be given for the best entry at the Awards ceremony in February.

Striders training kit

I will be placing an order for the long sleeved hi-viz training tops and hoodies In the coming week or so...

• The long sleeved hi-viz tops will be available in both a mens and ladies cut
• The hoodies will be available in cornflower blue or black with the stitching in the contrasting colour - these can also be personalised for an additional fee
• The hoodies will also be available in childrens' sizes in either sky blue or black and again can be personalised

I am awaiting some confirmation on the sizing as the supplier seems to have changed but will be sending out order forms asap.

Thanks

Catherine

Race Report: Sneyd Striders Pudding Race 11/12/2011

Sneyd Striders Pudding Run (10 mile race) – Sunday 11th December 2011. 

This 10-mile race was arranged by Sneyd Striders and was just off junction 11 on the M6. The venue was easy to find, even for me! It was a flat course that did 2 laps along fairly quiet side roads and then through a housing estate. Not the most picturesque area but I enjoyed it. 

Walsall: Not yet a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Torchlight Run - Rudyard Lake 12/12/2011

“Barking!” they said as I left work on this cold, wet, windy evening, having informed them that I would travel to Rudyard Lake to run 6 miles in the dark... I didn’t argue.

Run Report: Trigger Training Run

It’d just been a training trip, John Lawton and I, quietly going off to reconnoitre the route over Black Hill part of the classic Marsden to Edale route. No need for any fuss, then Jill mentioned it in front of “Mik - you need to write a report – Escolme”. So here it is:

The Trigger is the latest event that pitches competitors against the classic Dark Peak 21 mile challenge route over Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder Scout. John and I set off last Wednesday to get in some valuable training and to familiarise ourselves with part of the route.

Race Alert! Peak 'o' Trial 28/12/2011

If you fancy squeezing in a fell race during the Yuletide festivities, then this may be the race for you - the Peak 'o' Trial on Wednesday 28th Dec 2011 at 10:00, 8 mile, 2000 feet of ascent. Starting at the Grouse Inn, Chunal, Glossop. No entries on the day. Race entry £6

The Grouse Inn, Chunal, Glossop

More information at the FRA website here.

Race Report: Yuletide Yomp 11/12/2011

Two reports for the same race this time from Liz and Alan.

We set off from the club at 9am, the weather in sandbach was cold ,but dry, as we got closer to knutsford the rain started! It wasn’t torrential but enough to dampen spirits and remind me that I really must invest in a sandbach striders shirt and pack my vest away for summer use only.

Race Report: Everest Marathon 02/12/2011

In all the marathons I have run I've never underestimated a race as badly as I did this one.

It all seemed so simple when I read about it. A leisurely walk up to Everest Base Camp and then turn round and run back down.

A man points at a very large mountain

Run Report: The Rainy Cloud 06/12/2011

'Twas a cold wet snowy hail stone morning when my iphone bleeped to say there was a message. It was Evonne, stating that she thought The Cloud 9 hill run we had set for today was going to be too dangerous. “MMMM” I thought, I had still arranged to meet the two Chris’s so thought I had better turn up anyway. At that point another text from Christiana telling me that perhaps we should stick to Moston and about four miles today. "No problem" I thought, slightly disappointed. Anyhow, we soon all arrived at the club with Chris (that’s male Chris) turning up dressed for mountain climbing. It seemed a shame to spoil it for him and as soon as Chris (that’s female Chris) suggested we may give it a try, we were all in my car and on the way to Congleton.

Race Report: Torchlight Run 05/12/2011

For the first time the route organisation for this weeks torchlight run fell to me, which is where things started to go wrong. I had all good intentions of planning an interesting 10k or so cross-country route ready for this evenings run but a combination of work and a weekend away got in the way.

Heather, Perry, Chris, Paul and Michael back at the Hawk Inn. 
It's just Ribena and protein shakes in front of us. Honest.

However, we all met in the club car park as usual. It was a cold and dark winter evening so

Race Alert! Friends of Mick 'n' Phil Half Marathon 11/03/12

"'Legend' is a word that gets used too often" is a phrase that gets used too often. But Mick and Phil Curry deserve every last bit of recursive cliché you can muster. Phil has cerebral palsy and sodium valproate syndrome, and his dad Mick has a fondness for Vaseline and the energy of ten bears.

All the Striders who ran or helped out at the Crewe Déjà vu will be familiar with Mick 'n' Phil and the enthusiasm, friendliness and Joie de Vivre they both exhibited throughout the day despite unfortunately being unable to complete the race on this occasion.

Mick 'n' Phil at the Crewe Déjà vu

Race Alert! High Legh 10k 26/02/2012

100% of last year's runners who contacted Runners World said that they would run the High Legh 10K again - so don't delay. Race registration is progressing even faster than last year. We have got permission to have up to 400 places this year, so if you register now you can still get a place in the acclaimed Best Small Race in Britain.  

Race Alert! Cloud 9 Hill Race 04/03/2012

25th Cloud Nine Hill Race 11am, Sunday 4th March 2012

Just to let you know that the Cloud 9 Hill race in Congleton is now open for entries. They are not doing on the day entries this year so it may well fill up quickly. It's only £7 and a great race, well organised and great fun. 

 

Bob on top of The Cloud in 2011...

Jason & Jo FINISH the Everest Marathon!

News just in, direct from Nepal..

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Jason and Jo have just finished the toughest marathon either of them have ever done (and they've done a lot of tough marathons between them!)

Jason managed around 8:40ish whilst Jo managed a very impressive 8:30ish.

The start line was located at 17,500 feet above sea level and people were throwing up within 400 yards.

It was like trying to run at 20°c with a pair of socks in your mouth.

Jason fell at ten miles and is nursing a twisted ankle, but otherwise they are both ok.

CONGRATULATIONS from all at Sandbach Striders!

Bob is running the London Marathon!

Sandbach Striders' own Bob Kettle is running the London Marathon next year in aid of The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Pancreatic Cancer is a particularly nasty form of cancer it is difficult to diagnose and once diagnosed is usually very advanced and the patient has a very limited life expectation.

You can read more about Bob's challenge and donate some hard cash at his website.

Jason and Jo Everest Marathon Update (Updated 1/12/2011))

Latest news live from Nepal... (More added 1st Dec)

Jason and Jo have now landed in Lukla, a day late, but obviously glad to have arrived given the difficulties Nepal have faced recently with inclement weather conditions.

They have now started their long trek to the start line ready for the race start on the 2nd of December.

Jason and Jo have now reached Namche Bazar and are now residing some 10,000 feet above sea level!

Latest Update (from Jason)