If you are interested in improving your fitness and meeting new folks, feel free to turn up at any Wednesday or Sunday meeting - just let someone know it's your first time and we'll put you with a group that matches your ability (unless your name is Paula Radcliffe...)
If you would like more info, please contact any of the committee members, introduced below, who will be pleased to help.
If you would like more info, please contact any of the committee members, introduced below, who will be pleased to help.
Cheryl Hutchins (Chair)
Joining the club took my husband some persuading to get me off the treadmill, out of the gym and going public! But for those who know him, he’s very persistent and after getting me fit for road running, I joined the club in 2006 after running the Manchester 10k and realised that I could do this running thing. It wasn’t long before the bug bit and I saw the pounds that had piled on from years of just planning and teaching, drop off and stay off.
Initially I said that I would do it just to keep fit and stay trim, but as I watched and listened to people’s experiences from the races that they were entering, I realised I was missing out, so tentatively entered my second half marathon – Liverpool (my first half had been when I was 27). My time was not fast and I felt grim but it didn’t put me off and now having just completed my 5th Liverpool half, along with numerous other halves, several marathons and a few cross-country runs, I’m still improving as a runner and enjoying the experiences more and more.
Our running club is great and I know it’s what has helped me keep going and trying harder. Although I am the kit officer (I think that’s quite ironic seeing as I used to insist on good kit in the Navy) I am keen to encourage beginners get the bug and get them through those first few months when it’s hard work… but it’s worth it – honestly!
Tom Mayall (Vice Chair and Coaching Officer)
coaching@sandbachstriders.co.uk
Tom has been running since the age of 11 having accidentally qualified for the school cross country team. He has kept up running for 29 years with the occasional break for beer, exams and ankle injuries.
He has been a Striders member for about 11 years and has competed all all distances from 5k up to ultra marathon.
Tom rejoined the committee in late 2016 to coordinate club training and coaching.
Lindsay Beech (Welfare and New Members Officer)
Tracey Hale (Club Secretary)
I joined Sandbach Striders on the 2014 couch to 5k . As a 50 something woman who couldn’t run, I was a little apprehensive about joining a running club. I was made very welcome and now really enjoy my running. I never believed I'd say that because any running I'd done in the past had been really hard work and not a lot of fun. I've got the bug and run a few times a week regardless of the weather (how weird is that?), but I don't run far and I run very slowly! I am gradually improving and am hopeful that at some point I'll complete the Medoc marathon and achieve a sub 30 minute 5k. There are many good serious experienced runners here, who are generous with their time and support. Even If you don't think a running club is for you , try this one!
Martin Coleman (Treasurer)
I joined Sandbach Striders in 2009. I’d been a keen jogger for a few years, going for lunchtime runs with workmates a couple of times a week, and entering the occasional local race including the first few Super Sixes. Then I changed jobs, lost the lunchtime running mates and couldn’t get the motivation to go out and train by myself. Joining the club that set up the Super Sixes was the obvious solution. I joined up hoping to just keep fit, but it really improved my running at all distances. I’ve done a few marathons since joining and have just signed up for my first ultra, something I thought I’d never do. It’s also so much better to go out training or to running events with friends and have a sociable chat afterwards.
Karen Lovatt (Social Secretary)
I started running in February 2012, (Mid life crisis!!) I had never ran before, but slowly over a few month managed 5k runs on a regular basis but was getting bored of running on my own and with darker nights drawing in look for a Club to join. I tried a couple of local clubs but they were not for me but then I found out about Sandbach Striders. I joined the club later that year, it’s the best thing I ever did.
This is a great club, no matter how fast or slow you are, you are always welcome. I have received so much support over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve much more than I would of hoped for at the beginning of my running journey. There have been many highlights for me thanks to the club members support, London Marathon being one of them last year.
We hold many social events at the club, some involve running, some involve eating and drinking and some have over the years involved all 3!! (Medoc marathon). We also have an annual camping trip and Awards night.
This is such a friendly club, new members will receive a warm welcome, if like me you have been thinking about joining a club for a while but don’t think your good enough, go on take to plunge and come a join us, you won’t regret it !!!
Chris Holden (Kit Officer)
I first joined Sandbach Striders in September 2014 about 12 months after taking up running. I had ran two half marathons and wanted to push myself to next level a full marathon. Sandbach Striders has offered great support and encouragement towards my running goals and made the training a lot more enjoyable.
I have so far had some great experiences running with fellow club members, last year’s LDWA Canal Canter 27 miles around the Birmingham canal network being a stand out one. Around 15 striders took part in the event.
Amy Norman (Social Media and Press Officer)
I joined Sandbach Striders in 2014 after completing the Couch to 5K programme. I’d done a bit of running but never really enjoyed it. I lacked motivation to run by myself but thought I didn’t like running with other people. Then I met the Striders and realised that running with other people is the best way to keep motivated and to push yourself further than you thought possible.
My running mojo is sometimes missing, but I know that if I get out with the club, I’ll find it again. I particularly enjoy the crazy runs that we do as a club – my first long run was a club Treasure Hunt on a Sunday morning where I ended up running 16k around Sandbach half of which was spent carrying an inflatable giraffe!