I hope you’ve all enjoyed the sunshine this weekend!
Picture the scene, Saturday morning, Victoria Park, Ashford. The forecast said sunny, and potential for warmth, but nope, there was a lovely fresh breeze and a covering of cloud hiding that glorious sunshine and sending shivers and goose bumps through the crowds. Perfect for running!
275 people took part in Ashford’s 413th Park Run which was organised by Ashford Tri-Club. Thirty two Striders took part and first of the bunch to finish was Jason Caldwell who flew in at 20:13 with Keith Haynes just behind at 20:37. Then we had Mark Niles; 23:13 and Jamie Penfold; 24:24. Dermot Carr was next, achieving a cracking new PB with 25:26, then was Adam Thomas; 25:30, Terry Sellen; 25:34, Stephen Cleaver; 25:51, and, with a PB, Paul Baker at 25:58! Vicky Stevenson was the first lady strider home, finishing the 5k in 27:07. Siobhan Hagan was next in at 27:56 followed closely by; Tamsin Ritchie; 28:06, Scott Hawkins; 29:01 and, last of the sub-thirties was Sally Davidson-Daniel with 29:37. Jason Brice just missed sub-30, coming in at 30:09, Rebecca Somerford was next with 30:28, then; Catherine Wall; 30:31, Rita Cooke, 30:56 and Sharon Gardner; 32:50. Nadine Lidbury, set a Parkrun PB and came in with a time of 32:13, Victoria Shrubsole, came in at 32:35, and then Mark Archer; 33:03. Neck and neck with a time of 33:04 were Rachel Tomsett and Dee Millen, Mandy Cooper was next at 33:08 then Michelle Brice got a time of exactly 34 minutes. Amanda James came in just two seconds behind at 34:02, then; Rachel Theobald with 35:23, Kevin York; 35:24, Kirsty Theobald; 38:38, Julie Foster; 43:09 and last but by no means least, Justin Burden finished in 47:32.
Although most of the volunteers were provided by Ashford Tri Club, we still had representation from Jason Caldwell, Lorna Cheshire, Sharni Copham and Nicola Crawley. Thanks, as always, to all of the Volunteers.
According to my sources (the Parkrun website) we only had one tourist this week! Brian Marsh was in Tavistock, Devon and took part in the Tamar Trails Parkrun. This Parkrun is a trail through woodland and is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, sounds beautiful! Brian completed the course in a fantastic time of 25:48.
Sunday saw several Striders travelling to Whitstable to take part in the Saxon Shore Half Marathon and there were a flurry of PB’s.
Fastest finisher was Dave Helme, he earned a PB with a time of 2:13:21, next, and with another PB was Rapid Rita! Rita Cooke, continuing fantastic running form came in with a fantastic time of 2:20:15. Chloe Darling came in at an impressive 2:25:38, Peter Broom was next with a superb 2:31:16. Jenny Watts earned a PB with a wonderful 2:37:36, Angie Craffey achieved a fabulous 2:47:05 and just behind, and with another PB, was Hazel Forrester in at a marvellous 2:48:06.
Finally, Mandy Cooper and Ian Watson travelled to Goring Gap (somewhere between the Chiltern Hills and the Berkshire Downs near Reading) to partake in a few scenic, and muddy, miles. Ian tackled the Half Marathon and completed it in a very respectable time of 2:33:45 Meanwhile, Mandy thought it would be fun to run an Ultra! 53, hot, hilly, muddy kilometres in 7:35:49. amazing and a PB, well done.
As always, well done to all of our members who were out in force, running in official events, training for official events, clocking up miles/steps for various challenges or just running for fun! Have a great week everyone.
Report by Sharon Gardner.
