Well what a weekend that was! Ashford Striders were out in force this weekend at various races at a variety of distances and courses. We are so proud of each and every one of you.
I shall start with Parkrun.
A total of 43 Striders attended a Parkrun on 06/04/24.
Keith Haynes was first Strider across the line at Ashford parkrun with a time of 20:33, followed by Alice Foulger with a time of 24:30, and Claire Green third Strider, with a time of 24:53
They were followed by: Josh Stephens 25:12, Harry Lockhart 26:16, Robert Harris 27:28, Richard Randle 27:33, Simon Pharoah 28:35, Christopher Wicks 28:52, Jason Sanders 29:48, Jason Brice 29:51, David Gadsby 29:58, George Cromwell 30:21, Jamie Bartlett 30:42, Vicky Stevenson 31:13, Jayne Hatton 31:15, Daniel Forbes 31:16, Amanda Cooper 31:32, Catherine Wall 31:55, Lucie Shrubsole 32:00, Stephen Rumsey 32:31, Dave Warner 32:33, Leigh Freeman 35:35, Rachel Oliver 36:08, Rachel York 36:37, Kevin York 36:39, Jennifer Watts 37:26, David Helme 37:27, Michelle Brice 37:28, Hazel Forrester 37:57, Holly Forrest 39:32, Julie Foster 40:28
Parkrun Tourism
Josh Whiten completed the Canterbury parkrun in 32:19, Mark Niles completed the Chevin Forest parkrun in 25:57, Tamsin Ritchie completed the Hartlepool parkrun in 28:02, Mark Fairbrother completed the Mersea Island parkrun in 27:29, Nicola Crawley completed the Mole Valley parkrun in 36:35, Justine Wearn completed the Mole Valley parkrun in 36:35, Lisa Gribbin completed the Osterley parkrun in 32:53, Justin Burden completed the Osterley parkrun in 33:02, Laura Clark completed the Osterley parkrun in 35:45, Sally Davidson-Daniel completed the Trentham Gardens parkrun in 33:07, Lee Standen completed the Victoria Dock parkrun in 29:35.
As ever parkrun cannot take place without volunteers so please if you can head out and try to volunteer as well I know the teams appreciate it.
Also on Saturday Daniel Schwartz was the lone Strider taking on the Easter Ultra Challenge Windsor completing the historical 25 km in a fantastic time of 2:47:00.
I would like to start Sundays array of races with Brighton Marathon because (we believe) a first for Ashford Striders and a sub 3 hour marathon! Adam Booth absolutely stormed it home for a 2:54:58 PB Marathon – amazing achievement Adam.
Next in with another PB performance, and his first marathon, was Simon Pharoah with 3:40:45, followed by the stealth Strider Steve Greatorex who managed to dodge almost all cameras with a time of 4:07:34, Kevin North flying in with another PB this week to complete his marathon in 4:09:57. Hazel Turner looking pretty in pink crossed the line in 4:33:19. Speaking of stealth next was Dermot Carr who tried to throw everyone off the scent pretending his was running the 10km when he was, in fact, heading for a PB of 4:48:57 in his first marathon! Lisa Gribbin completed her first of two marathons this month in 4:58:22, followed by Jack Farrant quite literally sprinting home with a very first marathon time of 5:07:00 PB. Rachel Misson came home with 5:14:09 closely followed by Dave and Hazel Winchester who completed their marathon in 5:14:40. ‘Disco’ Dave Helme lapped up the support on route with 5:15:33 with Darren Laker on his tails with a PB of 5:16:02. I was convinced Scott Hawkins was having far too much fun as he was so happy every time we saw him and with good reason, Scott claimed a fantastic PB of 5:18:58. Angie Craffey was our final Strider home with her self proclaimed ‘bad day’ in a very respectable time of 6:05:34 to not only earn a PB but to cross the line with a huge smile on her face. Well done all.
While in Brighton two more Striders decided they would like to run too and so took park in the Brighton 10km race. First up with a PB time of 52:31 was Aimee Donohue, followed by Sharon Gardner, who was busy climbing mountains, in a fantastic time of 1:02:53.
Next up two Striders travelled up town to London to take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon. This beautifully scenic race takes you through London crossing paths with some of its most famous landmarks.
First up to finish was Jason Sanders in a time of 2:08:29 and continuing his PB performances was Ash Robinson scoring a great PB of 2:24:53!
Back along the coast Adam Thomas and Kay Hunt decided they were going to take on the Southampton Marathon to quote Kay the course was ‘Windy and hilly but a lovely route. Really well organised and so much support. Still not entirely sure how I feel about 2 laps!!’ Kay and Adam completed the marathon together in a time of 4:50:31. Well done to both of you.
Kate Stroud travelled over to Berlin to complete the rather warm Berlin Half Marathon in 2:30:00 – well done Kate.
Finally we had a gaggle of Striders over in Paris to complete the Paris Marathon!
Completing her first marathon with an amazing PB time of 4:23:05 is Eleanor Weekes. Next up Sarah and David Martins also earning a PB of 5:31:50 and David’s first marathon! Lorna Cheshire was the final Strider home in Paris with a fantastic time of 5:32:00!
What a weekend. Well done to everyone who ran and raced! To everyone who was able to go and support in the various cities thank you – it really means so much so see friendly faces in the crowd!
