Race Report: Great North West Half Marathon 22/02/2015

What better thing to do on a very windy, rainy, cold day in February than go to Blackpool and run a half marathon!

Before the race – visualizing the finish

The half marathon was very well organised by Fylde Coast Running, there was ample parking, toilets and bag drop, showering and changing facilities provided at the Blackpool Hilton. 

Race Report: Knype Pool 5m 23/02/2015

Biddulph Running Club, held there annual 'Knypersley Pool 5 Mile Race' on Sunday 22nd February. It's a trail run which follows a path around Knypersley pool reservoir, then climbs up to the top off Biddulph moor, before returning around the  reservoir to the finish.

This Week's News 23/02/2015

Members of Sandbach Striders running club were represented in four different free weekly 5k parkruns around the country. Nearest home were the nine Striders who ran the Congleton parkrun at Astbury Mere. 

Phil, Gayle, Martin, Rachel, Nick, Denis, Jason and Terry at Congleton parkrun

 Three Striders ran new personal best times including one of the clubs founder members Jason Bulley showing that it’s never too late to show an improvement. Gayle Robson and Rachel Green also improved their times.

Race Report: Osmotherley Trail Marathon 15/02/2015

Well they call it a marathon but it is actually 29.3 miles of sheer brutality. 

In typical Hardmoors fashion I loaded the camper with wife and dog and set off to stay a little way from the town of Osmotherly in a place called Boroughbridge.  Much of this was due to Osmotherly being such a

Race Report: Parbold Hill Race 15/02/2015

Yesterday Denis and I did the Parbold Hill Race. This takes place near Parbold, Wigan. 

Was a very enjoyable event with great comradery amongst the runners, although it was challenging. We gathered at a tiny village school, then about 450+ runners set off from a field behind the school. 

This week's news: 16/02/2015

Thirteen members of Sandbach Striders Running Club ran the free weekly 5k parkrun at Astbury Mere near Congleton. 

Sandbach Striders at the Congleton parkrun

Four Striders managed to run new personal best times; Darren Varley who finished 6th overall, Denise Dowling, Amy Norman and young Thomas Taylor. 

This week's news: 09/02/2015

Sandbach Striders are once again organising their hugely popular free Couch to 5k running programme. This ten week training programme provides a route into running for anyone who wishes to build fitness, meet new friends and make regular running part of their lifestyle. With qualified run coaches on hand to give advice and help the participants attain their running and fitness goals. Around 50 new runners joined the Striders at Elworth Cricket Club at 6:30pm on Wednesday and took the first steps into the world of running.

On Saturday, Fourteen members of Sandbach Striders ran the ever popular free weekly Congleton parkrun, with three Striders recording new personal best times. Darren Varley, Nick Hogan and George Nicholls all improved their personal best times with Darren finishing in an impressive 3rd place overall.

Sandbach Striders at Congleton parkrun

The full results were as follows:

Kit Review: Kalenji Men's Trail Bag

An excellent backpack for longer runs, ultras or anytime you need to carry more stuff and lots of liquids.

The pack fits very closely with shoulder straps that are light weight and has soft bottle holders integrated into the straps. These can be used to hold gels, food or small items of kit, but easily hold a 500ml sports bottle in each with easy access and stowage, and cord fastenings to secure them in the pouch on the move. The two chest straps are adjustable to easily secure the shoulder straps in place in the most comfortable way for the individual.

*Free* Couch to 5k programme now underway!

Well done to all our Week 1 Couch to 5k runners!

You all did really well! 

We hope to see you all again next Wednesday. In the meantime you can download a copy of the Couch to 5k training programme by clicking here.

This week's news: 02/02/2015

On Monday members of Sandbach Striders running club began the week with a track training session at the Cumberland Athletics Arena in Crewe. 

Sandbach Striders at the Cumberland Arena

Using a 10k training method used by Olympic athlete Jo Pavey, it involves runners interspersing fast 800m runs with slower 400m recovery runs.