The Ashford Striders certainly had a ‘Spring’ in their stride this week as they headed out across England, Ireland and Scotland. On the hunt for miles, medals and PBs the weather didn’t put off the Striders crew. In true British weather style, they were met with rain, sun, wind, sleet and even a rainbow or two. But the weather wasn’t the only weird and wonderful sights to experience, as some Striders even reported seeing dinosaurs on their run adventures!
First up on home ground saw a total of 45 Striders attend Ashford Parkrun on 2nd March. Dan Green was first Strider across the line with a time of 21:20, followed by Daniel Schwartz with a time of 24:32, and Josh Stephens third Strider with a PB time of 24:51. They were followed by Kevan Strand 25:05, Scott Hawkins 25:55, Ian Mccutcheon 26:50, Harry Lockhart 27:20 (PB), Jack Farrant 28:57, Sharni Copham 29:33, Terry Sellen 29:33, David Helme 30:00, David Gadsby 31:03, Don Dewar 31:17, Catherine Wall 31:23, Lucie Shrubsole 32:31, Nadine Lidbury 32:32, Lee Standen 33:19, Amanda James 33:29, Andy Found 33:30, Michelle Brice 34:09, Michelle Bryant 34:13, Jayne Hatton 34:33, Brian Forrester 35:15, Jennifer Watts 35:32, Robert Harris 35:56, Leigh Freeman 36:06, Rachel Oliver 36:12, Sally Davidson-Daniel 36:54, Rachel Tomsett 37:02, Hazel Turner 53:20 and Mark Niles 53:23.
It wouldn’t be a run round-up without our Striders on tour, with a total of 14 this week spreading their running wings and putting other Parkrun courses to the test.
Closer to home Raechel King completed the Canterbury Parkrun in 1:01:25, dinosaur hunters at Crystal Palace Parkrun were Nicola Crawley in 28:41 and Justine Wearn in 31:24. In true Tamsin-tastic style, Tamsin Ritchie was on form at Dartford Heath Parkrun with a time of 30:53. Bringing the luck of the Irish Cherith Wright completed the Ecos Parkrun, Ballymena in 23:28. In a blustery coastal Folkestone Parkrun Elle Weekes came in with a time of 26:56 and Amanda Cooper in 28:45. Proud as punch to take on the Isabel Trail course, Martin Whittingham completed the challenge in 37:40. With a mix of trail and pathways, Katie Fox took on the Royal Tunbridge Wells Parkrun and completed in 39:21. Running, or sliding, on mud was a hardy bunch as they headed to Thurrock Parkrun – a course based solely on grass. Justin Burden was first in at 26:56, Lisa Gribbin followed at 32:44, and Laura Clark completed the three musketeers action a 37:35. Jamie Penfold decided to take Parkrun tourism to the extreme by heading all the way to an alphabet marvel Wallaceneuk Parkrun in Scotland, completing the bonnie course in 28:23.
Now onto our racing crew of Striders who took on some mighty mile challenges this weekend.
The Eastbourne Half Marathon started on 3rd March in Princes Park and mostly followed the seafront promenades towards Beachy Head and back to Sovereign Harbour, where the course loops back to the finish. First in we had Jack Farrant with a shiny new PB time of 1:57:10 followed by Martin Whittingham with a time of 03:08:06.
The High Performance London Half Marathon and 10km racing distances were taken on by Striders looking to clock some miles in the closed road race which starts and finishes at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the 3rd March. For the Half marathon distance, first in for Striders was Elle Weekes with a PB time of 1:56:03. Then the Schwartz duo were on PB form with Daniel Schwartz securing a PB time of 1:57:17, and Sonette Schwartz securing a PB time of 2:14:33. Next up Lisa Fulcher crossed the line in 2:30:49 and to complete the racing crew for this race was Sally Davidson-Daniel in a time of 2:40:14. In the 10km distance Michelle Bryant was first Strider over the line in a time of 0:57:25 – a new PB time – and next up was Peter Broom with a time of 1:05:05.
Paddock Wood Half Marathon returned for its annual road running event on the 3rd March and proved to be a PB course with Adam Booth first over the line in 1:24:35 (PB), Keith Haynes at 1:29:51 (PB), Simon Pharoah at 1:30:26 (PB), Richard Randle at 1:51:31 (PB), Rachel Phillips at 2:10:18, and completing the PB accolade for Striders at this race over the finish line, Dee Millen in 2:34:58 (PB).
Well done to everyone who is taking part in races, working away at training plans or taking on their own personal run challenges. It is a fantastic effort all round! Now how long do we have to wait until we can start eating Easter eggs?
