This Week's News: 18/05/2015

This weekend members of Sandbach Striders running Club took part in eleven different running events as diverse as the 5k fun run to a marathon in the peak District with just about all other distances and terrains in between also represented.

Nick Frost at Bromley parkrun

On Saturday, Striders participated in four different 5k parkrun events. First up was Nick Frost who found himself in Bromley, Kent along with over 500 other runners running twice around Norman Park. Nick finished in a time of 23:30.



Meanwhile at West Glebe Park in Northants, Karen Wright completed the Corby parkrun in a time of 31:40.

Twelve Striders opted for something a little closer to home at the Congleton parkrun. Duncan Robertson completed his first ever parkrun since recently joining the Striders, whilst Paula Woodruff ran a new personal best time. Heather Carter was first female to finish, finishing in sixth position overall.

Sandbach Striders at Congleton parkrun

The full results were:

20:25 Heather Carter
21:47 Francis Gilchrist
22:24 Lindsay Beeston
24:17 Stella Stilwell
25:23 Duncan Riobertson
25:34 Clare Pheasey
25:35 Terry Coppenhall
25:52 Denis Culloty
30:16 Tracy Howe
31:01 Michael Escolme
32:14 Tracey Hale
37:36 Paula Woodruff

Also in parkrun action were two newer members of the club, Lynsey and Tracey, who opted to try out the scenic splendour of the Delamere parkrun. Lynsey finished in a time of 28:45 with Tracey close behind in a time of 32:54.

Lynsey Astles at Delamere parkrun

There were two other 5k events at the weekend both with the emphasis on fun and raising money for good causes rather than all-out speed,

Steph Cooper participated in the Bubble Rush, a 5k event at Oulton Park organised to raise money for the East Cheshire Hospice.

Steph Cooper at the Bubble Rush Run

Perry Wyatt joined his daughter Charlotte in Bristol to run the Colour Vibe 5k. Starting at Washing Pool Farm near Bristol the event sprays each participant in huge clouds of coloured powder.

Perry Wyatt and Charlotte Wyatt at the Bristol Colour Vibe 5k

In the Peak District at the pleasant village of Alstonefield Matt and Elaine Wood competed in the 26.2 mile Leaden Boot Challenge. Organised originally to raise money to replace lead stolen from the roof of the village Church this popular and challenging event includes over 5800 feet of ascent. Ever the gentleman, Matt finished in a time of 7 hours 27 minutes leaving Elaine to finish on her own in a time of 8 hours 9 minutes.

Matt Wood giving his feet a well deserved cooling off

Also participating in off-road racing were Chery Hutchins and Jill Young who ran the Montaine Trail 13, a half-marathon route starting at Howgills near the Cumbria / Yorkshire border this hilly race promises to test the calf muscles and lung power of those hardy enough to finish. Both Striders finished in a time of 3:21.48

Cheryl Hutchins and Jill Young at the Montaine Trail 13

Steve Treweeks and Steve Farnell travelled to Wales to participate in the Cadair Iris fell race. The event starts and finishes in the market town of Dolgellau, at sea level, and climbs almost 3000ft to the summit of Pen y Gader, the event is considered one of the toughest in the region. Both Steve’s completed the 10.5 route in a time of 2:23

Steve Treweeks and Steve Farnell at Cadair Idris fell race

Opting for a significantly flatter route were seven Striders who participated in the annual running of the Chester Half-marathon. Known for its wide flat road route and its potential for fast times the race is popular with runners from all over the country and abroad.

Proving the potential for favourable running conditions right, five Striders ran new personal best times and coincidentally were the first five Striders to cross the line. 

Lucy Lee and Karen Lovatt at the Chester Half-marathon

The full results were:

1:25:16 Tony Taylor
1:41:07 John Wright
1:54:20 Chris Holden
1:54:50 Christiane Bunte
1:59:37 Lucy Lee
2:07:24 Philip Truman
2:22:00 Karen Lovatt

Tony Taylor at the Chester Half-marathon

Also in action were Liz O’Keeffe and Denis Culloty who competed in the Worden Park 10k, a two lap route starting and finishing in Leyland, Lancashire. Liz finished in 54:24 with Denis hot on her tails in a time of 55:13. Rumours that Liz tried to give a soft-focus to the post-race photograph are, as yet, unfounded. 

Denis Culloty and LIz O'Keeffe at the Worden 10k

A big thanks you as always to those Striders who emailed me their results and photographs after the race, thus making this task significantly easier than it might otherwise be.

Sandbach Striders are a friendly, supportive and welcoming running club serving the communities of Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager, Holmes Chapel and beyond for over ten years. As well as a varied running programme the club has an excellent social calendar and for those runners looking to improve, Sandbach Striders have a number of fully-qualified running coaches to offer advice on training and ensure the safety and well-being of its members. They also organise the Sandbach 10k, a popular local running event which this year in its tenth anniversary promises to be the most fun and family friendly running event in the North-west. Entry details can be found at www.sandbachstriders.co.uk