This week's news: 03/11/2014

Members of Sandbach Striders running club once more participated in a broad range of events last weekend. 

Denis Culloty and Terry Coppenhall at Congleton parkrun

On Saturday it was the turn of the free weekly 5k parkruns. There are now 298 of these popular events run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of runners.

The free weekly parkrun at Astbury Mere in Congleton saw five Striders take part: The club social the evening before had obviously taken its toll as there were unusually no personal best performances.

The full results were as follows:

20:58 Nick Hogan
25:19 Denis Culloty
25:20 Terry Coppenhall
32:23 Cheryl Hutchins
35:27 Gayle Robson

Striders at Congleton parkrun

Darren Varley partook in a spot of parkrun tourism when he ran the Plymvalley parkrun which starts amidst the wildflower meadows of Plymbridge Woods, Plymouth. Darren finished in 6th position overall in a time of 20:04

Meanwhile Michael Escolme ran the Wythenshaw parkrun, a two lap course around the grounds of Wythemsahw Hall in a time of 30:55

Michael Escolme and Mary Chadwick at Wythenshaw parkrun

Also in action on Saturday were Steve Farnell, Alan Wilcox and Craig Edwards who ran the Hell up North race at Delamere Forest. This notorious event has runners scramble up mud banks and wade waist height through the fabled ‘bog of doom’. Craig Edwards finished in 2:21:45, Alan Wilcox finished in 2:30:10 with Steve just behind in 3:01:26

Craig Edwards at Hell up North

Nearby at Arley Hall three Striders ran the 10k event along the quiet country lanes of Antrobus.

0:52:52 Joanne Smith 
1:03:46 Perry Wyatt
1:03:46 Terry Coppenhall

Perry Wyatt, Terry Coppenhall, Louise Downing, Jarrod Wilkinson at Arley Hall 10k

Over in the Lake District Lucy Darling ran the 14km trail run from Howtown to Glenridding. This hilly event winds its way amongst the lakes and waterfalls of Ullswater. 

Lucy Darling and Becky Johnson at the Ullswater Trail Race

On Sunday 23 Striders ran an event organised by the club called the cultural tour of Stoke-on-Trent. This 14.5 mile route started and finished in Hanley park taking in many of the cultural highlights of the potteries industry and its legacy. For several club members this was the furthest distance they’d run to date, including Philip Truman, Nick Hogan, Tracey Howe, Lindsay Beech, Janet Burgess and Andrew Gibson. All the finishers were presented with a special mug handcrafted in the Potteries to commemorate the event. 

Striders at the Cultural Tour of Stoke-on-Trent

Sandbach Striders welcome new members of all abilities. Prospective members are welcome to run with the club for a month with no obligation to join.