On a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend, we all witnessed amazing celebrations across the country to honour HRH Queen Elizabeth II 70 years reign. It certainly made us all proud to be British (apart from maybe Rod Stewart’s rendition of Sweet Caroline – not so proud). Also making us all proud, as always, was another right royal weekend of running by the Ashford Striders family.
First out the blocks this week was Kay DH who ran the Bedgebury Summer Series 10k on 03/06. On what, I can only assume, was a hilly course (?) Kat came in with an impressive time of 1:00:14 – jolly well done Kay.
Ashford Park Run
Richard Randle 25:30, Darren Laker 25:37, and Sharon Gardner 30:28 all deserve a special mention for achieving personal bests at Ashford Park Run this week, well done fantastic job. First across the line, however was one of our new members Terry Sellen 24:11, Terry does a lot to keep Ashford Park Run the great event that it is each week and we are very pleased to have Terry join our wonderful club Following Richard and Darren, was Ian McCutchen coming in at 26:02, Richard Coles 27:43, David Gadsby 28:02 and Amanda James 28:20 all coming in under the 30 minute mark. Following Sharon was Brian Forrester (31:45) and Rita Cooke (33:52). Well done one and all.
Thanks as always to our Strider volunteers.
Eastbourne Park Run
Just one Ashford Strider, Jayne Hatton, made the seaside trip to Eastbourne coming across the line in 31:07, well done Jane.
Canterbury Park Run
Rachel Tomsett was another lone Ashford Strider venturing to Canterbury to complete the 5k Park Run course and record a time of 32:18, well done Rachel.
Pegwell Bay Park Run
For the 2nd week in a row Kevan Strand made the trip to Pegwell Bay park run to help his dad achieve a PB. he came in at 28:27, well done Kevan.
Mote Park Park Run
As you may or may not know there are one or two Park Run ‘nerds’ amongst us (myself NOT included !). So when the opportunity to run this brand new park Run, and its very 1st event, – apparently it was too good of an opportunity to miss !
Once again Justin Burden was first over the line of the undulating slash mountainous course, with an impressive time of 24:28 closely followed by Simon Jackson with another great time of 25:18. Tamsin Ritchie clocked 26:30, Hazel Turner 27:05 and Jason Sanders 28:02 came in under the 30 minutes. Next was Michelle Bryant 30:54 with Nicola Crawley, Justine Wearn and Jason Wearn (after shamefully being overtaken by a dinosaur) came across the line in 30:58, 31:13, and 31:13 respectively. Martin Whittingham 32:20 Peter Broom 32:35, Siobhan Hagan 34:01 and Tyree Spicer 39:36 completed the well organised, fun, friendly, beautiful but hilly, first park run for Mote Park
Medway 10k
Not satisfied with just running Mote Park Park Run yesterday, 3 of our members took on Medway 10k Tamsin Ritchie completed the distance in an impressive 53:59, Martin Whittingham continued his impressive form, bagging himself yet another PB of 1:03:17, and almost crossing the line at the same time was Peter Broom in 1:03:20. Well done people.
Cranbrook Sprint Triathlon
A few of our members also take to water and two wheels as well as running, to take part in Cranbrook Sprint Triathlon. Special mention to Richard Randle, who not only achieved a personal best of 1:25:44, he was rewarded by coming 1st in his age group. Super impressive Richard. Well done. Also competing in this event was Andrew Cornwell and Nicola Crawley coming in at 1:32:15 and 1:37:48 respectively. Brilliant.
So as this special Platinum Jubilee weekend draws to a close well done everyone for yet more super impressive performances. Have a great week Striders.
Report by Justine Wearn
