The third and final bank holiday of May gave us some sunshine at last and some great Strider activity over the course of the weekend.
Ashford parkrun
We kick off at Ashford parkrun which saw 207 participants run walk and jog in the sunshine. Adam Booth was the first Strider to finish, coming in under 20 minutes in 19.43, he was closely followed by Jason Caldwell in 20.12. Jamie Penfold and Stephen Cleaver were next in 24.51 and 24.55 respectively. Nikki Crawley was the first Strider lady to finish in 26.51 followed by David Helme in 28.21. Next through was Rita Cooke who chalked up a brand new shiny PB in 30.07. Rita was followed by Amanda James, Cathie Wall, Justine and Jason Wearn in 30.41, 30.45, 31.34 and 31.38 respectively. Peter Broom came through in 32.23 closely followed by Martin Whittingham and Tamsin Ritchie in 32.42 and 32.43. Vicky Shrubshole, on the march to 50 parkruns, finished her 47th in 33.11. As a warm up to the Edinburgh marathon Rachel Misson and Lisa Gribbin came through together in 34.21. Hazel Forrester was next through in 34.22 with Brian Forrester and Lisa Fulcher hot on her heels in 34.33 and 34.46 respectively. Just behind Lisa was Rachel Oliver in 35.00 and Kevin York in 35.14. Don and Sara Dewar were separated by a second in 44.53 and 44.54. Julie Foster completes the line up as tail walker in 1.16.07.
Parkrun Tourism
Maidstone parkrun
Four Striders headed up to Maidstone parkrun to complete the riverside course. Hazel Turner finished in 25.47, followed by Justin Burden in 26.34, Siobhan Hagan and Michelle Bryant completed in 35.50 and 35.51 respectively.
Canterbury parkrun
At the hilly Canterbury parkrun, Paul Baker completed in 27.48 and Jamie Bartlett in 28.33.
Margate parkrun
Four more Striders remained in Kent and travelled to Margate. Dermot Carr finished in 25.49, Richard Randle in 26.19, Rachel Tomsett in 30.13 and Dee Millen in 34.08.
The Lees parkrun
Mark Niles was the lone Strider who travelled to take part in the Lees parkrun and finished the course in 22.26.
The Folkestone Coastal 10k
A large contingent of Strider red headed down to Folkestone on a sunny Sunday morning to take part in the sold out 10K along the seafront.
Keith Haynes was the first Strider to cross the finish line in a time of 40.33. Hazel Turner was the first Lady Strider back in 51.33 followed by Dylan Fernandes in 51.54 and Adam Thomas in 52.02 followed by Nigel Hills 52.59 and Terry Sellen in 53.58. Andy Found was next to finish in 54.54. and hot on his heels was Graham Troman in 54.59. In the Hagan household battle, Siobhan crossed the line a few seconds before Michael (56.04 and 56.07). Siobhan did cross the line in exactly the same time as Kevan Strand (56.04). Dermot Carr and Karen Edwards were next back in 57.16 and 1.00.48 respectively. Taking part in her first 10K race, Sally Davidson-Daniel finished in 103.53. Martin Whittingham was next to finish in 1.06.32 followed by Rebecca James in 1.07.43, Dee Millen in 1.10.20 and then Julie Nicholson in 1.15.36 and Julie Foster in 1.30.50. Lastly but by no means least was Rick Newman who was superbly guided along the course by Sara Dewar, without who Rick would not have completed the course in 1.36..27.
Edinburgh Marathon
Lisa Gribbin and Rachel Mission travelled up to Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon. Lisa notched up a new personal best with 4.55.35 and Rachel fabulously finishing in 5.09.49.
Ride London-Essex 100 miles
A number of Striders traded their two feet for two wheels on Sunday as they competed in the Ride London 100 mile bike race. Huge well done to Jason Sanders, Nicki Crawley, Lorna Cheshire and Sarah Martins.
Report by Danielle Moss.
