This week's news: 04/01/2016

The members of Sandbach Striders running club started their 2016 running campaign early with several Striders braving the New Year’s Day hangovers to register their first runs of the new year.

Craig Edwards at the Hardmoors Marathon

On New Year’s Day, Craig Edwards travelled to Robin Hood’s Bay in Whitby, North Yorkshire to participate in the Hardmoors 30 mile trail race. Craig completed the event in 6:31:12 



Congleton parkrun organized a special bank holiday event in which six Striders competed.

Sandbach Striders at Congleton parkrun

The full results were:

18:24 Darren Varley
22:56 Lindsay Beeston
22:58 Tom Mayell
30:08 Lynsey Astles
30:08 Terry Coppenhall
33:12 Sarah Feaver

As the event at Congleton started at 9am and the Hanley parkrun at 10am one intrepid Strider opted to complete both. Darren Varley finished the Hanley course in 19:08. 

Sandbach Striders at Congleton parkrun

Congleton parkrun was back in action the following day where having had sufficient time to shake off the New Year’s Eve festivities, eighteen Striders completed in the three laps of Astbury Mere.

The full results were:

18:52 Darren Varley
20:02 Rick Kelso-Davies
20:50 Giles Hodges
26:03 James Boon
27:14 Clare Pheasey
27:15 Jason Bulley
27:15 Terry Coppenhall
27:19 Denis Culloty
28:36 Lynsey Astles
29:54 Grant Stanning
29:55 Adam Mayell
29:56 Tom Mayell
30:36 Tracey Hale
31:12 Lucy Lee
31:12 Nathan Lee
34:54 Martin Coleman
34:54 Lucy Coleman
29:26 Amy Mayell

Also in parkrun action was Andrew Gibson who completed the Warrington parkrun in a time of 29:08. Nick Hogan and Rachel Green completed the Delamere parkrun in a time of 24:44 and 26:05 respectively.

Lou Hayward completed the Barrow parkrun in 29:27.

Lou Hayward at Barrow parkrun

On Sunday 3rd January 2016, two Striders ran the Hit the Trail race. Darren Varley finished in 31:03 and Denis Culloty narrowly behind in 52:09.

On Monday 4th Sandbach Striders played host to a very special visitor. Ben Smith is currently embarking on the challenge of a lifetime running 401 consecutive marathons in a bid to raise £250,000 for the charities Stonewall and Kidscape, charities which work tireless to combat bullying in our schools and society. Ben joined members of Sandbach Striders running club to run 26.2 miles on what was his 126th consecutive marathon. The Striders planned a route which took in many of the sights of Sandbach including the Saxon crosses, the Pink Church and the many examples of Sir Gilbert Scott’s gothic revival architecture.

Ben Smith and Sandbach Striders on the 401 Challenge

Ben’s challenge is explained in more detail on his website at www.the401challenge.co.uk

Ben Smith and Jason Bulley

Sandbach Striders are a friendly and encouraging running club that welcome new members of all abilities. For more information visit their website at www.sandbachstriders.co.uk