News from Sandbach Striders 08/06/2015

Members of Sandbach Striders Running Club once again competed in four different 5k parkrun events around the country. Closest to home were the fifteen Striders who ran the three laps of Astbury mere that make up the Congleton parkrun. 

Sandbach Striders at Congleton parkrun

Six Striders earned themselves new personal best times Andrew Ayres, Duncan Robertson, Helen Child, Molly Pheasey, Tracey Surridge and Barbara Evans. 


The full results were as follows:

20:45 Rick Kelso-Davies
22:03 Andrew Ayres
24:03 Duncan Robertson
25:14 Robert Kettle
26:13 Darren Varley
26:31 Andrew Gibson
27:15 Helen Child
27:43 Catherine Greaves
27:43 Molly Pheasey
27:43 Clare Pheasey
27:52 Terry Coppenhall
30:09 Karen Lovatt
30:49 Tracey Surridge
30:50 Barbara Evans
31:22 Tracey Hale

Over at Delamere Forest two more intrepid Striders ran the lap of Blakemere Moss which makes up the bulk of the 5k course at Delamere parkrun. Lynsey Astles finished in a time of 28:17, with Steph Cooper shortly behind.

Steph Cooper and Lynsey Astles at Delamere parkrun

In the village of Marple Bridge, near Stockport, Michael Escolme ran the Marple parkrun located in Brabyns Park and is run on grass, off road track and footpath. Michael finished in 31:51

Michael Escolme and Mary Chadwick at Marple parkrun

Further afield was Claire Dalton who ran the Chichester parkrun in the famous Cathedral city and county town of West Sussex. The course is a three lap route around Oaklands Park which affords the runners fantastic views over the 900 year old Norman Cathedral. Claire finished in a time of 29:42.

Ben Dalton, Claire Dalton and Sarah Haig at Chichester parkrun

Also in action was Paul Nicholls who ran the Bolton Hill Marathon, a race that sees runners traverse the West Pennine Moors and Winter Hill. Paul finished the course in 

Paul Nicholls at the Bolton Hill Marathon

Nine Striders travelled to Derby to run the Derby Half-marathon known colloquially as the Ramathon. The race starts and finishes at Pride Park Stadium, home to Derby County football club and takes the participants on a flat route around the villages of Shardlow, Ambaston and Elvaston. 

Sandbach Striders before the Ramathon Half-marathon

The flat course provided an excellent opportunity for quick times. Heather Carter came second in the F35 category and Liz O’Keeffe came fifth in the F55 category helping the Sandbach ladies to finish tenth in the team competition overall. Darren Varley, Martin Gunther and Lindsay Beech all recorded new personal best times, whilst for Amy Norman and Rachel Green is was their first ever half-marathon race.

Sandbach Striders after the Ramathon Half-marathon

The full results were as follows:

1:23:15 Darren Varley 
1:31:08 Heather Carter
1:37:19 Martin Gunther
1:45:52 Nick Hogan
1:56:50 Liz O'Keeffe
1:58:22 Rachel Green
2:10:35 Dennis Culloty
2:13:37 Amy Norman 
2:13:37 Lindsay Beech

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