After a week of ice and cold the Striders certainly were on fire this weekend travelling the length and breadth of the country to get a parkrun in.
Ashford parkrun
Despite a few local parkrun’s cancelling due to the weather, Ashford was all systems go with a large Strider turnout. Kevan Strand was the first Strider back speeding home in 23.06, Terry Sellen was close behind in 23.48. Jack Farrant celebrated a new PB on a chilly morning coming in at 23.58. Next through were Mark Niles, Dave Winchester and Ian McCutcheon in 24.03, 24.05 and 25.35 respectively. The second of today’s PBs came from Graham Troman who sprinted home in 26.37, Darren Laker was only a couple of seconds behind in 26.39 and following was Dermot ‘Rocky’ Carr who cemented the third PB of the day with 26.42. Stephen Cleaver, David Helme and Scott Hawkins were next in 26.44, 28.47 and 28.51. Amanda James was the first Strider lady to finish in 29.12, with Jason Brice close behind in 29.23. With the fourth PB of the day in under 30 minutes was Dave Warner in 29.30 followed by Lisa Fulcher, Aimee Donohue and Catherine Wall in 30.49, 31.23. Rachel Theobald and birthday boy Kevin York were next in 31.49 and 31.50. Rita Cooke came in next in 32.20 followed closely by Sonette Schwartz in 32.57. Rachel and Brian Forrester were next home in 33.01 and 33.03. Jenny Watts and Hazel Forrester came through in 34.58 and 36.24. Completing the Strider contingent were Leigh Freeman and Don Dewer in 37.15 and 37.16. Thank you to the volunteers, Jason Caldwell, Simon Jackson, Jason Sanders Lee Standen.
Saturday 28th January will be a sea of red at Victoria Park with the Ashford Striders takeover.
Parkrun tourism
To Kent and Beyond!
Following the cancellation of Canterbury, Tamsin Ritchie hotfooted it to Whitstable and finished up that steep hill in 26.53.
Nicki Crawley went up the M20 to take part in the Mote Park parkrun along with a visit from ex Strider Kath Atkinson with Nicki finishing 30.46. Victoria Shrubsole and Sharni Copham went in the other direction on the M20 for a bit of sea air in Folkestone finishing in 33.09 and 33.14.
Rachel Tomsett headed off to Dartford parkrun completing the course in 31.07.
Justin Burden packed his wellies for Riddlesdown which was under water during the week but luckily, he only needed his trainers and sped round in 29.27.
Following in the footsteps of Justine and Nicki last week, Ian Watson and Mandy Cooper travelled to South London to take on the Burgess course for the first time. For anyone wondering where this course is, it is close to Elephant and Castle. They completed it in 28.06 and 28.42 and certainly earned their breakfast croissants afterwards.
Heading further afield and on their way to the National Running Show in Birmingham, an early morning road trip was required for Siobhan Hagan, Michelle Bryant, Lisa Gribbin, Rebecca Somerford and Rachel Misson who took part at the very misty Ilchester Country parkrun. Siobhan completed the course in 28.20 with Michelle coming in, in 31.52 followed by Lisa, Rebecca and Rachel in 48.24, 48.25, 48.26 respectively.
Also on his way to the Running Show was Martin Whittingham who stopped off at the University Parks parkrun and come in, in 32.49.
Canterbury 10 Mile
A crisp sunny Sunday morning saw the Striders head off to Canterbury to take part in the Canterbury 10 mile. The undulating course bought with it a fantastic amount of PBs.
First to complete the course was Chairman Andy Found in 1.26.54 (PB) who knocked 9 minutes off the same race from last year. He was followed by Nicki Crawley in 1.31.07, Vicky Stevenson 1.31.34 (PB) and Gayle Bailey in 1.32.27. Kay Hunt and Adam Thomas finished together both clocking 1.33.13 (PBs). Jamie Bartlett and Dave Helme were hot on their tails with 1.33.35 and 1.33.53 (PB). Pauline Tallent was next across the finish line in 1.34.44. Following her parkrun road trip Siobhan Hagan knocked an impressive 17.5 minutes off her 10-mile PB and finished in 1.35.14. Coming through next were Aimee Donohue and Mandy Cooper in 1.36.07 and 1.36.59 respectively. Chloe Darling completed the course in 1.39.06 which was a PB for her.
Well done to everyone that ran this weekend!
Report by Danielle Moss.
