Race Alert: Central Lancs Half, Stafford 20, Chester Half

Three more races that you may be interested in running in 2012...

Paul, Clare and Terry battling along the Stafford 20 last year

Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash

Thanks to everyone who made this mornings Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash a success!

Race Report; Pisa Marathon 18/12/2011

To say this weekend turned out better than expected would be a massive understatement. As I left work at 3pm on Friday I was faced with a vicious snowstorm and what should have been a straight-forward 20 minute journey home turned into an hour and twenty minute skidfest. At home out of my window I watched several cars skid across the crossroads. The thought of battling through all of this ice and snow all the way to Stansted was extremely worrying and I started to think the chances of making the flight were slim and decreasing with every subsequent flake of snow.

Torre di Pisa. Not a bad spot to finish a marathon.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everybody!

See you all on Boxing Day at 10am for the Boxing Day Bacon Butty Bash!

Race Report: Tour de Helvellyn 17/12/2011

The Tour de Helvellyn is a 38 mile ultra race held on the shortest Saturday of the year. The event was first held in 2010 in very cold and challenging conditions and was immediately hailed by some as a new classic. This year’s event had slightly better conditions which made for a still challenging but extremely pleasant day out. Excellent organisation, courtesy of Nav4 and a fantastic route are likely to reinforce claims for classic status. The route starts at the village of Askham from where it crosses Askham Fell to Howtown before going up Boredale and over Boredale Hause to Patterdale. From Patterdale a circuit around Helvellyn is taken by heading over Sticks Pass to Thirlmere and returning via Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale from where the outward route is reversed back to Askham.

Competition Time!

It's Competition Time!

'Tis the season to be jolly and also to get creative with your computer and art skills.

Your task is to take this photograph of Grant and put him into a scenario of your choice.

Entries will be posted on the special page on our website and prizes will be given for the best entry at the Awards ceremony in February.

Striders training kit

I will be placing an order for the long sleeved hi-viz training tops and hoodies In the coming week or so...

• The long sleeved hi-viz tops will be available in both a mens and ladies cut
• The hoodies will be available in cornflower blue or black with the stitching in the contrasting colour - these can also be personalised for an additional fee
• The hoodies will also be available in childrens' sizes in either sky blue or black and again can be personalised

I am awaiting some confirmation on the sizing as the supplier seems to have changed but will be sending out order forms asap.

Thanks

Catherine

Race Report: Sneyd Striders Pudding Race 11/12/2011

Sneyd Striders Pudding Run (10 mile race) – Sunday 11th December 2011. 

This 10-mile race was arranged by Sneyd Striders and was just off junction 11 on the M6. The venue was easy to find, even for me! It was a flat course that did 2 laps along fairly quiet side roads and then through a housing estate. Not the most picturesque area but I enjoyed it. 

Walsall: Not yet a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Torchlight Run - Rudyard Lake 12/12/2011

“Barking!” they said as I left work on this cold, wet, windy evening, having informed them that I would travel to Rudyard Lake to run 6 miles in the dark... I didn’t argue.

Run Report: Trigger Training Run

It’d just been a training trip, John Lawton and I, quietly going off to reconnoitre the route over Black Hill part of the classic Marsden to Edale route. No need for any fuss, then Jill mentioned it in front of “Mik - you need to write a report – Escolme”. So here it is:

The Trigger is the latest event that pitches competitors against the classic Dark Peak 21 mile challenge route over Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder Scout. John and I set off last Wednesday to get in some valuable training and to familiarise ourselves with part of the route.

Race Alert! Peak 'o' Trial 28/12/2011

If you fancy squeezing in a fell race during the Yuletide festivities, then this may be the race for you - the Peak 'o' Trial on Wednesday 28th Dec 2011 at 10:00, 8 mile, 2000 feet of ascent. Starting at the Grouse Inn, Chunal, Glossop. No entries on the day. Race entry £6

The Grouse Inn, Chunal, Glossop

More information at the FRA website here.

Race Report: Yuletide Yomp 11/12/2011

Two reports for the same race this time from Liz and Alan.

We set off from the club at 9am, the weather in sandbach was cold ,but dry, as we got closer to knutsford the rain started! It wasn’t torrential but enough to dampen spirits and remind me that I really must invest in a sandbach striders shirt and pack my vest away for summer use only.

Race Report: Everest Marathon 02/12/2011

In all the marathons I have run I've never underestimated a race as badly as I did this one.

It all seemed so simple when I read about it. A leisurely walk up to Everest Base Camp and then turn round and run back down.

A man points at a very large mountain

Run Report: The Rainy Cloud 06/12/2011

'Twas a cold wet snowy hail stone morning when my iphone bleeped to say there was a message. It was Evonne, stating that she thought The Cloud 9 hill run we had set for today was going to be too dangerous. “MMMM” I thought, I had still arranged to meet the two Chris’s so thought I had better turn up anyway. At that point another text from Christiana telling me that perhaps we should stick to Moston and about four miles today. "No problem" I thought, slightly disappointed. Anyhow, we soon all arrived at the club with Chris (that’s male Chris) turning up dressed for mountain climbing. It seemed a shame to spoil it for him and as soon as Chris (that’s female Chris) suggested we may give it a try, we were all in my car and on the way to Congleton.

Race Report: Torchlight Run 05/12/2011

For the first time the route organisation for this weeks torchlight run fell to me, which is where things started to go wrong. I had all good intentions of planning an interesting 10k or so cross-country route ready for this evenings run but a combination of work and a weekend away got in the way.

Heather, Perry, Chris, Paul and Michael back at the Hawk Inn. 
It's just Ribena and protein shakes in front of us. Honest.

However, we all met in the club car park as usual. It was a cold and dark winter evening so

Race Alert! Friends of Mick 'n' Phil Half Marathon 11/03/12

"'Legend' is a word that gets used too often" is a phrase that gets used too often. But Mick and Phil Curry deserve every last bit of recursive cliché you can muster. Phil has cerebral palsy and sodium valproate syndrome, and his dad Mick has a fondness for Vaseline and the energy of ten bears.

All the Striders who ran or helped out at the Crewe Déjà vu will be familiar with Mick 'n' Phil and the enthusiasm, friendliness and Joie de Vivre they both exhibited throughout the day despite unfortunately being unable to complete the race on this occasion.

Mick 'n' Phil at the Crewe Déjà vu

Race Alert! High Legh 10k 26/02/2012

100% of last year's runners who contacted Runners World said that they would run the High Legh 10K again - so don't delay. Race registration is progressing even faster than last year. We have got permission to have up to 400 places this year, so if you register now you can still get a place in the acclaimed Best Small Race in Britain.  

Race Alert! Cloud 9 Hill Race 04/03/2012

25th Cloud Nine Hill Race 11am, Sunday 4th March 2012

Just to let you know that the Cloud 9 Hill race in Congleton is now open for entries. They are not doing on the day entries this year so it may well fill up quickly. It's only £7 and a great race, well organised and great fun. 

 

Bob on top of The Cloud in 2011...

Jason & Jo FINISH the Everest Marathon!

News just in, direct from Nepal..

.

Jason and Jo have just finished the toughest marathon either of them have ever done (and they've done a lot of tough marathons between them!)

Jason managed around 8:40ish whilst Jo managed a very impressive 8:30ish.

The start line was located at 17,500 feet above sea level and people were throwing up within 400 yards.

It was like trying to run at 20°c with a pair of socks in your mouth.

Jason fell at ten miles and is nursing a twisted ankle, but otherwise they are both ok.

CONGRATULATIONS from all at Sandbach Striders!

Bob is running the London Marathon!

Sandbach Striders' own Bob Kettle is running the London Marathon next year in aid of The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Pancreatic Cancer is a particularly nasty form of cancer it is difficult to diagnose and once diagnosed is usually very advanced and the patient has a very limited life expectation.

You can read more about Bob's challenge and donate some hard cash at his website.

Jason and Jo Everest Marathon Update (Updated 1/12/2011))

Latest news live from Nepal... (More added 1st Dec)

Jason and Jo have now landed in Lukla, a day late, but obviously glad to have arrived given the difficulties Nepal have faced recently with inclement weather conditions.

They have now started their long trek to the start line ready for the race start on the 2nd of December.

Jason and Jo have now reached Namche Bazar and are now residing some 10,000 feet above sea level!

Latest Update (from Jason)

Race Report: Torchlight Run 28/11/2011

Paul Nicholls kindly volunteered to lead this week’s extra-curricular run round Haslington and Winterley.  We arrived at Paul’s house, and having had our crotches sniffed by his (extremely large but very unintimidating) dog we donned the head-torches and hi-vis and set off into the wilderness.

The route according to Garmin and Google Earth

 

Hanley Parkrun Information Video

Students at Staffordshire University have produced a short film about the wonders of the Hanley Parkrun.

Look closely and you might spot a couple of Striders!

Race Report: Valencia Marathon 27/11/2011

The 31st Valencia Marathon, now named the Divina Pastora* Marathon, is one of the highlights of the Spanish road racing calendar. It has recently moved to November to improve the chances of more favourable weather for running and they have also moved the start and finish to the architecturally stunning Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences).

(* "Divine Shepherdess" - the name given to the image of the Virgin Mary)

Near the start and finish at La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias.

Race Report: Hanley Parkrun 26/11/11

What an Ace Race!

My first 5k… I’d run 1500m competitively at school, and as an adult I’ve run most distances from 10k to Marathons, but never a 5k… then Mik Escolme started banging on about the Hanley Park Run. So after a couple of weekend where I was unable to join in, last Saturday I took the plunge and went along with Liz O’Keefe and Chris Coppenhall to give it a go.

Go! Race start at the inaugural Hanley Parkrun

Race Alert! Cardington Cracker 04/12/11

The Cardington Cracker. It's an institution. Over 200 turn out on a cold December day to pay homage to this annual fell race as part of the traditional runners build up to Christmas. It's 9 miles and 2,600 feet of hell but well worth it for the carrot soup followed by a few pints of Shropshire Lad in the Royal Oak. 

Steven, Giles and Michael layer up ready for the 2009 cracker..

Race Report: Hanley Parkrun 20/11/2011

 

Race report: Free 5K race series, Hanley Park run #9

What's that you say a free 5K in the Hanley Parkrun series with a tempting trip to a greasy spoon afterwards, count me in!

Michael, Perry, Christiane, Chris, Giles and Jill

The great thing about the park run series is it’s simple and easy. All you have to do is register once and print off a small barcode label, from then on you can simply turn up on the day of an event and race. No need to worry about filling in entry forms or sending off money as all the events are totally free ( excluding the optional breakfast).

This particular run take place each Saturday morning at 9am in a scenic park in Hanley and was to be my second parkrun. Yes that's right folks Hanley can be scenic too, outside the boundaries of the shopping centre is its park with a lake, bandstand and pavilion.

At this event the striders had a good turn out with myself, Giles, Michael, Christiane, Jill J and Perry all

Race Report: Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race 20/11/2011

Race Report: The Wrekin Wrecker 20/11/2011

John and the invisible man tackle the Wrekin together.

I am told that the Wrekin is a very distinctive hill which dominates the views of mid Shropshire near the town of Telford. However, on Sunday 20 November, Chris, Mik, and I ran up and over this hill from several directions but, given the mist on that day, are unable to confirm this observation.   Nevertheless, my aching legs do indicate that the hill is indeed ‘very distinctive’.

I met with Chris, Mik, Jill and Andre the dog at the Buckatree Hall Hotel, walked ½ mile to the start and set off on what appeared to be a jolly jog through the woods. At about 1 mile, I realised that there were some challenges, the first being the scree slope. This was not therugged scree of the Lake District; it was more

Race Report: Torchlight Run 21/11/2011

Torchlight Run #4 (21/11/2011) - Brereton

 

Another nice route suggested by Chris Brumby that started and finished at The Bears Head car park, I like these night runs more and more, could it be the pub finish?

 

Rehydrating afterwards in the Bears Head, Brereton

 

Race Report: Torchlight Run 14/11/2011

Well I could put it off no longer. Having managed to find excuses for the previous two extracurricular Monday night runs, I had finally ran out of reasons not to go. I was in from work on time, it wasn’t raining or windy and I had batteries in my head torch. My main concern was being able to see with just a head torch, as I struggle to walk to the end of my drive in the dark.

Five of us met at the Broughton Arms car park in Rode Heath, myself, Chris B, Mik, Perry and Chris C. I was a bit concerned to find I was the only girl, and a much slower runner than the rest, however we all stayed together and ran at a good pace... Probably more comfortable for

Race Alert! Alsager 5 05/02/2012

Entries are now open for the Alsager 5 on February 5th at 11am.

Liz, Caroline, Isobel and Catherine at the Alsager 5 last year.

Race Report: Langley 7 05/11/2011

Langley 7 5th November 2011

It was a 2 pm start from the lovely village of Langley near Macclesfield, really nice and sunny weather for early November.

Steering is made more difficult when running with your eyes closed.

Race Alert! Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race 20/11/2011

Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race

Sunday 20th November 2011 

11.00 am
8.1 miles     

Chris hurtling down the scree slope in 2009

Crewe Déjà vu: The Photos!

The photos from the Crewe Déjà vu 2011 are finally here!

Sorry for the delay folks, we hope you enjoy them. Maybe see you all again next year? ;-)

Crewe Déjà vu: The Day in Pictures

On a foggy Autumnal day at the Cumberland Athletics Track in Crewe, a group of intrepid runners gathered with the intention of running 105½ laps. This was the day of the inaugural Crewe Déjà vu track marathon, a gruelling test of mental and physical endurance. The event was conceived some months earlier by three fools from Sandbach Striders over a couple of drinks and it somehow evolved into a proper race. We're still not sure how.

We have around 3gb of photographs from the day and until we work out how to upload that many without our website falling over, here is the story of the day along with a few selected photographs.

Good luck Jason & Jo in the Everest Marathon!

Everest yesterday

Sandbach Striders' very own Jason and Jo are currently en route to the Everest Marathon. 

Race Report: Frankfurt Marathon 30/10/2011

This used to be billed as the fastest marathon in Germany until Patrick Makau broke the record in Berlin earlier in the year. As it stands it's still a fast course, with a total height difference of only 27m. It's a well attended race with around 18,000 runners. The Expo was large and well organised and located right next to the start and finish points a short walk from Frankfurt's central railway station. I collected my race number, chip and goody bag without much difficulty and also was pleased to receive a backpack in lieu of the obligatory t-shirt which unusually were an optional extra. Inside the goody bag were a pack of batteries (useful), some water (obvious), some sweets (tasty) and four painted hard-boiled eggs (I'd have preferred a protein shake...) I also received a voucher for the pasta party the night before the race.

Near the start line

The pasta party was held in the expo centre where the finish line was to be. It was a very glitzy and loud affair with BMW cars in abundance as they were the principal sponsor. The organisation was less impressive however. I arrived a couple of hours before the closing time but they were already out of alcohol-free beer and coca-cola to which we had vouchers for free drinks. Luckily there was still vegetarian pasta and water. I'd be lying if I said the pasta was one of the better meals I'd ever eaten, but it was a decent sized portion and did the trick as far as carb-loading went.

Race Report: Halloween Hellraiser 30/10/2011

 Halloween Hellraiser - 30th October 2011


 I arrived at the Vagrants Club, Shavington just before 9am, felt quite lonely at first (wot no Striders!)  but was joined by John Lawton after about five minutes. There was a good atmosphere at the start with quite a few runners in fancy dress - mainly for the fun run.

Crewe Déjà vu: Photos of the winners

Congratulations to the overall winner Pat Hudson from South Cheshire Harriers

Pat crossing the finish line in 03:07:50

Crewe Déjà vu: Results.

Full results after 105.5 laps are now live.

Finishing a track marathon is a fantastic achievement everybody - well done!

Race Report: The 5th RAB Mountain Marathon – September 2011 – Snowdonia, North Wales

The rocks of the boulder field were treacherously slippy and the slope had reached that gradient where hands could be placed on rock without leaning forward. I moved up carefully, placing my feet so they wedged against adjacent rocks in an effort to stop them slipping. Soon I reached the cloud base and I looked down to my left where I could see other competitors continuing on the grass slope by the stream as they gradually faded

Crewe Déjà vu: Congratulations to all who participated!

The inaugural Déjà vu is over.

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to every runner.

A huge THANK YOU to all of our helpers and supporters.

Results, photos and more thanks are coming very soon, please check back again soon...

Race Alert! North Staffs Christmas Cracker 18/12/11

Staffordshire Moorlands AC have announced that this years Christmas Cracker will take place on Sunday the 18th of December.

Here's what they have to say about it:..

Striders at last years Christmas Cracker

"Yes, it’s time to start thinking of fancy dress and bracing a Sunday morning, battling the elements at the ever popular Christmas Cracker.
 

For those who haven’t run it before, the 8 mile multi-terrain course has approximately 40% run on tarmac roads. The rest is over fields and gritstone. Between the 2 and 4 miles you

Crewe Déjà vu final entry list

Crewe Déjà vu final entry list

105.5 laps of a running track?

In Crewe?

and we thought it was just us...

Seriously, we look forward to meeting you all on the day and we

Race Report: Hanley Parkrun 22/10/2011

Hanley Park Run:  9am Saturday 22^nd October

I decided to enter late on the Friday evening but still managed to get my barcode printed off OK. 

Hanley Parkrun course - two and a bit laps.

The park was easy to find (just off the A500) and there were two small car parks in the park, one near the start and one near the finish line.  Toilets were located near the finish line.

Everyone was friendly and there was a mix of running abilities.  A group of guys from Leeds had travelled down on the train and there was one man from Whalley Bridge running as well.  A few of them had ‘100 park run’ tee shirts and they commented on park runs from all around the country….

The course itself was a little hilly but not too bad (even for me); I think my biggest challenge was avoiding the geese that decided to cross the path in front of me!

After the race a few of us went to Flavours cafe (a short walk away) where you could get a decent cup of coffee and food.

I will definitely do it again.

For more information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/hanley/home

Jill.

Crewe Déjà vu is now FULL

The inaugural Crewe Déjà vu track marathon is now FULL.

Competitors will be contacted over the next couple of days with race information.

Crewe Déjà vu is filling up fast!

The inaugural Crewe Déjà vu track marathon is filling up fast!

Race Alert! Tatton Yule Yomp - 11th December 2011

The Tatton Yule Yomp will take place at Tatton Park on the 11th December 2011, already there are a few Striders who have signed up for the 10k. There is also a 3k fun run which allows

Race Report: The Cloud night run 24/10/11

Monday nights extra curriculum run: Cloud End.

24th October 2011.

Heather, Jo, John and Chris on top of The Cloud

We donned head torches and various items of night running apparel; and five of us set off from

Race Report: Glass House Mountains, Queensland

Race Report: Glass House Mountains, Queensland

September, 2011

John: still smiling at the finish!

This September I had the good fortune to enter a trail race in Australia and, whilst there,

Race Report: Hanley Parkrun 15/10/2011

After running the Chester Marathon a week previously, this 5km run had obvious appeal.  Four Sandbach Striders turned out to represent the club making the total number of runners 25.  The small number of runners lent the event a friendly atmosphere and meant that one could park easily and turn up just a few minutes before the start of the run.  

Paul, Heather, Michael and Liz at Hanley Park

Race Report: Delamere Forest night run

This was the first in (hopefully) a series of Monday night runs to keep us entertained and fit over the dark, cold and wet Winter months.

For a bit of a change we thought we'd run around Delamere Forest. 

In the dark.

On a cold night. 

In the middle of a heavy shower.

Race Report: Round Rotherham 50 2011

Here is my race report for the Round Rotherham 50.

The Round Rotherham 50 is a stupidly long race, round Rotherham.

...and there you have it.

Mile 1 - Going strong