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| Before the race – visualizing the finish |
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| “Get me out of here!” – The Start Funnel |
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| Elaine waving – Only 12 miles to go |
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| Matt striding out |
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| Elaine about to finish |
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| Nice weather for ducks |
Elaine W,
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About us
Sandbach Striders was born back in 2003. Since the early days, membership has grown with a firm ethos of the club being not just about running but social activities as well. The club is affiliated to UK AAA and has its own qualified coaches. Many other special events take place on various nights too.
The club meets on Wednesdays at 18:30 and Sundays at 09:00 at Elworth Cricket Club.
Whilst many members compete in races from 5k to Marathons, the emphasis remains purely on keeping people motivated and having fun. Why not scan through our race reports to see what we’ve been up to? Having read them, you’re sure to see why Sandbach Striders has developed the motto of being
"No Ordinary Running Club!"
Thursday, 26 February 2015
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!
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.
The race consisted of two racetrack loops of the North Promenade. The wind was gusting at 26mph from the SSW, so running north we were pushed along by the wind with the rain on our backs, but turning back southwards the wind literally took your breath away. It was truly grim and you think to yourself “What the hell am I doing this for?” Then the endorphins kick in and the adrenaline energizes you and you look around and see hundreds of like-minded runners struggling along with you.
Matt crossed the line in 1:55:43 and came 14th in his age group and 585 out of 1252 finishers (There were 1499 entries for the race). Elaine finished in 2:07:41 a PB in her second half marathon, 6:19 faster than the Congleton “Sting in the Tail”, 6th in her age group and 857 overall.
At the end of the race we received a T shirt, a giant 10x7 cm medal and bite-size piece of malt loaf. The downside of the day, were the logistics of getting in and out of Blackpool and the awful weather!
The upside is that we have booked to do another half marathon in Blackpool on 26 April, because there is a great race atmosphere, the course is flat and the event was very well organised.