On a beautiful, breezy Friday evening 9th June 2023, in the village of Charing, history was made. Ashford Striders, partnered with Nice Works, put on their first official race. It’s all been said over the last couple of days, but it really doesn’t hurt to say it all again, does it?
What a night, in true Ashford Strider style, we put on a show. There was a children’s race, there were cakes (all proceeds from the cake stall was donated to Charing school, over £100) and there was a sell out field of 265 runners. Outstanding for our first official race!
I am sure you will agree the organisation that went into this was huge but carried out to perfection by Andy, Ned and Jason C. Without their blood, sweat and tears (and the odd message back and forth) none of this would have happened and WE ALL THANK YOU for your effort, time and dedication to our wonderful running club.
Many thanks also to Kirsty whose brilliant idea of a Prosecco van coupled with the Ice-cream van, Coffee van and Cake stall I’m sure boosted the attendance on the night. The children’s race was a success, unfortunately, we were unable to recruit any new members from this due to age restrictions, shame!
Obviously, goes without saying, Strider attendance on the night was immense. Marshalls and carpark Marshalls were all brilliant (I’m definitely a better Marshall than runner, dancing and shouting at runners is definitely my forte.)
Runners, you were awesome on a tough, ‘undulating’ course, huge kudos to you all with some impressive performances, along with some shiny personal bests!
The results have been verified and are as follows:
Keith Haynes: 41:16
Mark Niles: 46:42
Jack Farrant: 46:49 (PB)
Adam Thomas: 47:47
Paul Baker: 52:52 (PB)
Dermot Carr: 54:15 (PB)
Katie Stroud: 54:36 (PB)
Nicola Crawley: 54:38
Graham Troman: 54:42
Darren Laker: 56:42
Gayle Bailey: 57:54
Siobhan Hagan: 58:30
Lisa Gribbin: 59:25 (PB)
Andy Found: 59:47
Scott Hawkins: 1:00:28
Sharon Gardner: 1:02 (PB)
Jayne Hatton: 1:02
Michelle Bryant: 1:04
Julie Moore: 1:12:39
Angie Craffey: 1:12:43
Holly Forrest: 1:22
Kirsty Theobald: 1:24:12
Phew, and the weekend had only just began!
On a beautifully hot Saturday morning, the traditional parkrun.
Home performances at Ashford Parkrun were as follows:
Andrew Maund: 20:35
Dan Green: 23:19 (red suits you)
Justin Burden: 24:46
Keith Haynes: 25:30
Terry Sellen: 25:47
Tamsin Richie: 29:32
Amanda Cooper: 29:37
Kevan Strand: 31:21
Dave Winchester: 31:22
Don Dewar: 31:37
David Gadsby: 31:58
Rachel Theobald: 33:06
Kevin York: 33:08
Michelle Brice: 33:23
Jason Brice: 34:07
Jennifer Watts: 34:39
Sharni Copham: 40:41
Lynnette Whittingham: 1:04:07
Martin Whittingham: 1:04:09
Many thanks as always to the Strider volunteers this week; Michelle Bryant, Jason Caldwell, Dermot Carr, Lisa Fulcher, Simon Jackson, Amanda James, Danielle Moss, Mark Niles, Kirsty Theobald, Dave Warner.
Further afield Parkrun touring this week:
Siobhan Hagan and Lee Standen got their Parkrun fix at Beckton recording times of 29:05 and 33:53 respectively.
Vicky and Lucie Shrubsole along with Sharon Gardner travelled to the sunny seaside completing Folkestone Parkrun in 36:41, 36:41 and 37:05.
Slightly further afield, Pauline Tallett was in beautiful, albeit rainy, Devon and completed Tamar Lakes Parkrun in 29:09.
Even further afield Adam Booth was in sunny Scotland finishing the Holyrood Parkrun in 21:00!
Thames Path Parkrun was the choice of Nicola Crawley and Justine Wearn, a new Parkrun in its 6th week. Definitely worth a visit if you fancy the relatively short trip to Woolwich with its unique curly wurly hill. It has some great photo opportunities at the top if you don’t mind forfeiting a PB, we competed the course in 32:00 and 32:01 respectively.
The Pilgrims Way Challenge, which raises vital funds for Pilgrims Hospice, took place on Saturday. There were three distances to choose from; 25km, Wye to Canterbury. 35km Canterbury to Dover. 55km, Wye to Canterbury to Dover.
Chloe Darling, David Helme and Karen Edwards competed the 25k in 6 hours and Rachel Misson and Lisa Gribbin went for the 55k and finished in an astonishing 10 hours and 45 minutes.
Well done all of you, a beautiful route I’m sure but on such a hot day it must’ve been tough so massive kudos. ust when you thought the weekend of running had come to an end … oh no !! On probably the hottest day of the year so far, Danielle Moss decided that running Tenterden 5k was the thing to do! Massive well done to complete the hilly, hot and hard course in 45:28 Danielle
That’s all folks on what was a brilliant weekend of Ashford Strider running and supporting. We go from strength to strength and long may it continue; stay safe with your running this week.
Report by Justine Wearn.
