This week's news: 26/05/2014

The free weekly 5k parkrun in Congleton once more attracted a good number of runners from Sandbach Striders running club. 

There was a debut from new member Francis Gilchrist recording an impressive time on his first parkrun. There were also appearances from three members of the free couch-to-5k programme that Sandbach Striders regularly run. Amy Norman and Lindsay Beech both made their debuts at the parkrun and Sarah Feaver earned herself a new personal best time.  Adam Mayell (aged 6) ran his second full 5k parkrun and also earned himself a new personal best time.

Tony Taylor: Runner of the month at Congleton parkrun

Tony Taylor, a regular runner, run director and volunteer at the Congleton parkrun was awarded the runner of the month accolade and a free pair of trainers by way pf reward.


19:25 Tony Taylor
20:34 Rick Kelso-Davies
22:25 Tom Mayell
22:37 Francis Gilchrist
31:15 Amy Norman
31:17 Terry Coppenhall
31:42 Sarah Feaver
31:49 Lindsay Beech
31:49 Catherine Greaves
35:24 Adam Mayell
35:45 Amy Mayell

Meanwhile further south club chairman Michael Escolme was in action at a very rainy Buckingham parkrun. Running the event underneath a large umbrella Michael finished in 32:54

Mary Chadwick and Michael Escolme at the Buckingham parkrun

The Isle of Jura Fell Race is a 28 km fell race which includes 7 mountain summits (including the Paps of Jura). It features 2370 metres of climbing and starts and finishes at the Craighouse on the Isle of Jura. Chris Brumby completed this event whilst enjoying an otherwise relaxing camping holiday.

On Sunday the inaugural Liverpool Rock n Roll marathon was ran. This event featured live music on route and a free concert at the finish line. The weather was very warm and the route took in all the ups and downs of the city of Liverpool, including the football stadia, the Cavern club and the River Mersey. Steve Farnell earned a new personal best time as did club social secretary Karen Lovatt who managed to knock an impressive 22 minutes off her previous best time.

Steve Farnell, Cheryl Hutchins and Elaine Tatham before the Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon

The full results were as follows:

3:31:11 Steve Farnell
3:36:36 Paul Barnett
4:04:33 Cheryl Hutchins
4:13:14 Michael Escolme
4:22:26 Elaine Tatham
4:32:45 Perry Wyatt
5:03:56 Karen Lovatt

Cheryl Hutchins, Michael Escolme, Karen Lovatt and Perry Wyatt after the Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon

An hour earlier the half-marathon version of the event was also run. Taking in a similar route around the city this event started at the Albert Dock and finished by the wheel of Liverpool next to the imposing Echo Arena. Matt Wood was the sole Strider present finishing the event in  01:59:15just one week after completing the 28 mile Leaden Boot challenge.

Matt Wood at the Liverpool Rock n Roll Half-marathon

Also on Sunday was another inaugural event, the Flying fox marathon based in Knighton, Staffordshire. Two Striders ran this event with Paul Nicholls earning a new personal best time.

Mat Simister and Paul Nicholls at Flying Fox Marathon

Mat Simister coming in first at 4:29:54 with Paul Nicholls bringing up the rear in 4:30:02

Sandbach Striders are a small, friendly running club who welcome new members of all abilities. Don;t forget to find us on Facebook or on Twitter at @SandbachStrider,