Hello Striders! I hope that you’ve all had a great week, and that training is going well!
We’ve had two big local races today, and the sun came out to spectate at them both, big time! I mean, as a famous comedian once said, ‘I like it warm, but that was too warm!’ It was actually a beautiful day but some of us weren’t prepared for warm weather running so those races were tough!
Before we get to today’s race results, we’ll check in with Parkrun and as usual, start at home. It was a beautiful day, spirits were high and runners were there in their droves! A total of 58 Striders attended a Parkrun, 46 at Ashford, and 12 on tour.
Adam Booth was first strider across the line with a time of 20:32, followed by Neil Wood with a Personal Best time of 22:06, and then Dan Green, third strider, with a time of 23:13
They were followed by – Jamie Penfold 23:18, Terry Sellen 23:47, Harry Scott 25:08, Kevan Strand 26:15, Jack Farrant 26:26 (great finish number!), Elle Weekes 26:31, Jason Sanders 27:03, Carole Thomas 28:47, Linda-jean Delport 28:49, David Gadsby 28:59, Lisa Gribbin 29:03, David Martins 29:34, Vicky Stevenson 29:48. Mathew Norman was next with 30:35, Amanda Watson, getting stronger every week, came in with 30:47, David Helme 31:40, Scott Hawkins 32:10, Rebecca James 32:17, and Nicola Crawley 33:40. Rob Harris got another great finish number with 33:55! Michelle Brice and Justine Wearn chased the finish funnel coming in at 34:06 and 34:07 respectively!, Rachel Oliver was next, with my 3rd favourite finish time of the report – 34:43, then was Dee Millen 35:19, Ross Mcinnes 36:29, Jason Brice, on his 99th Parkrun, came in at 36:34, Heather Fraser 37:49, Richard Randle 37:51, Kate Bushell 37:52, and Mark Niles 37:56. Another Strider on their 99th Parkrun is Pauline Tallett, who finished in a time of 38:34, then Lin West 38:45, Kevin York 40:26, and Rachel York 40:31. Helen Rumsey earned a lovely PB with 41:48, and was followed by Sharni Weller 42:10, Holly Forrest 42:31, Rick Newman 45:48, Leigh Freeman 46:18, and finally, Tamsin Ritchie at 49:07!
Among the volunteers were Peter Broom, Sara Dewar, Don Dewar, Peter Heckel, Simon Jackson and Stephen Rumsey – thank you for your time and effort, you are very much appreciated!
Parkrun Tourism
Catton parkrun – Julie Foster was in Norfolk for the Catton Parkrun and ran the course in 39:02
Crystal Palace parkrun – Danielle Moss tailwalked at Crystal Palace and completed in 53:49
Dover Waterfront Parkrun – Simon Pharoah absolutely smashed the Parkrun yesterday, coming in with a PB of 17:38, and a first place position!
Folkestone Parkrun – Rachel Tomsett was in Folkestone, and in a day of lovely finish numbers, came in at 31:31!
Hackney Marshes Parkrun – Daniel Schwartz completed this parkrun on 25:22
Lordship Recreation Ground Parkrun – Justin Burden and Laura Clark visited this parkrun and getting stronger each week, came in with times of 26:33 and 41:55 respectively.
Victoria Dock Parkrun – Darren Laker completed the course in 23:38.
Whitley Bay – Eloise Pegg was in the North East and completed the Whitley Bay parkrun in 26:54
Whitstable Parkrun – Lionel and Donna Hammond were in Whitstable for their parkrun and they came in with times of 27:23 and 32:29 respectively.
Willoughby Parkrun – Last but not least, the prize for furthest travelled this week goes to Joe Fowler, except there’s no prize because he’s in Australia and didn’t invite any of us!! Willoughby Parkrun is just north of Sydney and Joe completed their parkrun in 27:40!
Now onto today’s races, there were two of note, Paddock Wood half and the Lydd Marathon and 20 Mile. Lydd is notorious for being a test of the mind as well as the limbs so massive well done to all of you who took part, there were PB’s galore so you definitely conquered any mind monkeys that may have tried to make an appearance!
In the 20 Mile version of the race, Simon Pharoah was first Strider over the line with an amazing time of 2:12:34(PB), he was followed by Konrad Gryniewicz with 2:47:58(PB), Harry Scott with 2:49:50(PB), Steve Greatorex with 2:53:12(PB), Dave Winchester 3:06:58(PB), and Gayle Bailey, first lady Strider with 3:16:00(PB) on the nose! Next was Emma Konstantinou with 3:16:24(PB), Jamie Penfold 3:23:16(PB), Steve Cartwright, 3:27:40(PB), Jason Brice 3:36:28(PB), Chloe Darling 3:40:44, Jason Sanders 3:53:43, David Helme 4:00:53, Michelle Brice 4:02:19(PB), Rachel Tomsett 4:02:28 (Course PB), and then Ash Robinson, making an amazing come back, came in at 4:30:32(PB)!
Completing the Lydd half were Aimee Donohue, she was first Strider over with a course PB of 2:13:18, next was Peter Broom 2:13:24(PB) and then Angie Craffey with 2:35:43!
Over to Paddock Wood for the Half Marathon, this course is a beautiful countryside route, the on course support from local residents and groups was lovely, and the sunshine was beautiful…but hot, and I for one wasn’t ready for a hot run!
We saw some amazing performances as always, and first over the line for Striders was Frank Remigio with 1:21:42(PB), followed by Adam Booth 1:36:54, Eleanor Weekes 1:53:03, Henrike Grund 1:56:44(PB), Richard Randle 2:06:32, Nicola Crawley gained a course PB in 2:11:29, Ned Golding, smashing her training plan, came in with 2:12:29, George Cromwell 2:14:02, Jayne Hatton got a course PB with 2:16:19, Amanda James completed her very first half marathon in a brilliant time of 2:19:24 with Andy Found at 2:19:34, Lucie Shrubsole was next in at 2:24:34, crossing the line with Amanda Watson who earned a course PB in 2:24:44, Sharon Gardner crossed in 2:27:14, Jamie Weller, smashing the marathon training, got a PB at 2:32:36. Next over was Maria Chapman in 2:35:59, Justine Wearn with a season best time of 2:36:08, Jason Wearn 2:36:12, Andrew Cornwell 2:46:54 and finally and with a course PB, was Vicky Shrubsole with 2:46:55!
Massive thank you to volunteers at all races – you’re ace! 👏🏻👏🏻
I think that rounds up the official achievements for the week, although I’m seeing some massive achievements all-round from the posts on Spond and Facebook; beginners, runners on training plans, runners completing parkruns and getting stronger each week, it’s genuinely lovely to see! Keep being great people, and keep sharing your wins, whether they’re race PB’s or that you’ve conquered that hill that always used to beat you, it’s all great to see!
Have a wonderful week all! ❤️
