A huge well done to all those that ran and raced this weekend whilst in the middle of a September heatwave. This week saw some great races and lots of parkrun tourism.
We start this week on Friday evening as we did last week.
Great North 5K
Simon Pharoah took part in a warmup to the Great North run in the Great North 5K which he completed in 23.20.
Parkrun
Ashford parkrun
Starting at home, 257 people ran, jogged or walked the 430th Ashford parkrun in the sunshine. Keith Haynes was the first Strider to finish in a time of 20.07, Graham Troman was next through achieving a PB of 25.07, Terry Sellen was close behind in 25.21. Lydia Huntley was the first Strider lady to finish in 25.44, followed by Claire Green in 26.59, David Helme in 29.58, Amanda James in 30.18 and Andy Found in 30.18. Amanda Cooper was just one second behind Andy in 30.19 followed by Vicky Stevensen in 31.01, Catherine Wall in 31.37, Jason Brice in 32.33, Leigh Freeman in 32.34. Celebrating her 25th parkrun Michell Brice completed the course in 32.59, followed by Sara Dewar in 34.05, Jennifer Watts in 35.02, Dave Warner in 39.03, Sharon Meadows in 40.21, Rachel Theobald in 43.44 and Kevin York in 43.45.
Huge thank you to the volunteers, who without, parkrun cannot take place. Jason Caldwell, Dan Green, Simon Jackson, Darren Laker, Jo Mason, Andrew Maund, Terry Sellen and Kevan Strand.
Zuiderpark parkrun
Travelling 258 miles to Holland, Martin and Lynette Whittingham got their Z for the parkrun alphabet at the Zuiderpark parkrun finishing in 35.39 and 1.05.24 respectively.
Edinburgh parkrun
Lisa Gribbin made the journey up to Scotland before her Great North Run adventure and completed the Edinburgh parkrun with a brand new shiny PB of 28.01.
Moors Valley parkrun
Richard Randle and Dee Millen travelled to Dorset on their way to the New Forest half marathon and completed the Moors Valley parkrun in 34.52 and 34.51 respectively.
Lymington Woodside parkrun
Also on their way to the New Forest Jason Wearn and Chris Sardo completed the Lymington Woodside parkrun in 24.10 and 24.37 with Nadine Golding, Justine Wearn and Nicki Crawley finishing in 50.23, 50.25 and 50.29.
Gateshead parkrun
Another Strider in the northeast for the Great North Run was Simon Pharoah who as well as running on Friday also took part in the Gateshead parkrun finishing in 26.12
Folkestone parkrun
Staying closer to home was Hazel Turner and Tamsin Ritchie who completed Folkestone in 26.06 and 28.59.
Bedgebury Pinetum
Rachel Tomsett travelled to Bedgebury and completed the 5K in 32.53
Millfield parkrun
Also heading north was Daniel Schwartz who was in North Yorkshire taking part in the Millfield parkrun completing in 29.49
Irchester parkrun
Yet another Strider heading north up the motorway for the Great North Run, Dermot Carr stopped off at Irchester parkrun finishing in 27.25
Mote Park parkrun
Justin Burden headed towards Maidstone and completed the Mote Park parkrun in 24.21
Thornham Walks parkrun
Scott Hawkins travelled East to Suffolk taking part in the Thornham Walks parkrun finishing in 29.29
Dover Waterfront parkrun
Taking part in the inaugural Dover Waterfront parkrun was Lorna Cheshire, Siobhan Hagan, Rachel Misson and Michelle Bryant completing the course in 27.51, 31.24, 32.04 and 32.40 respectively.
The Great North Run
Sharing the same course as Sir Mo Farah’s last competitive race, 13 Striders made the long journey North for the Great North Run 2023. Michael Davies was the first Strider to complete the half marathon in 1.36.33, followed by Simon Richter in 1.57.27. Next to finish was Simon Pharoah in 2.01.06 closely followed by Dermot Carr who celebrated a personal best in 2.04.21.Daniel Schwartz was next in 2.17.45 with Lisa Gribbin close behind in 2.21.25. Sally Davidson-Daniel finished in 2.27.17 a personal best for her with Jayne Hatton completing in 2.28.55 followed by Ian Watson in 2.31, Sonette Schwartz and Sharon Gardner in 2.36.06 and 2.36.32. Taking part in her first half marathon, Julie Nicholson completed in 3.24.32.
New Forest Marathon/Half/10K
Further south and faced with rain 12 Striders headed to the picturesque New Forest taking part in the half marathon and 10k events.
Nikki Crawley completed the 10K in 1.17.27. Chris Sardo was the first Strider to finish the half in 1.49.45 followed by Jason Caldwell and Richard Randle in 1.51.09 and 1.59.55 respectively. Vicky Stevenson was next to finish in 2.13.02 closely followed by Amanda Cooper in 2.19.57. Andy Found was next through in 2.26.17 followed closely by Nadine Golding (2.26.25) Justine Wearn (2.26.29), Rita Cooke (2.26.29) and Jason Wearn (2.26.30). Dee Millen, taking part in her first half marathon crossed the line in 2.47.31.
Rye Ancient Trails 30k & 15k
Even closer to home but faced with the heat and hills in Rye, 11 Striders took part in the Rye Ancient Trails which was either a distance of 30k or 15k.
Taking part in the 30K was Jason Kennedy completing the distance in 3.29.47. Siobhan Hagan, Rachel Misson and Becky Somerford all came through the finish line after 30K in 5.48.37, 5.48.43 and 5.48.43. In the 15k distance Tamsin Ritchie was first to finish in 2.04.35 followed by Kay Hunt and Adam Thomas in 2.10.02 and 2.10.03, they were closely followed by Darren Laker in 2.11.51 and Josh Stephens in 2.15.51. Vicky Shrubsole and Sharni Copham completed the race in 2.41.49 and 2.42.35.
Report by Danielle Moss.
