Ashford Parkrun
Nine Striders ran at this week’s Victoria Park event. David Helme was the first male Strider to sprint over the line with a time of 27:23, followed by Jason Sanders finishing in 28:38. First female Strider was Lisa Fulcher 30:19. Next to finish was Peter Broom 30:36, Jason Brice 30:42, Rachel Forrester
31:13, Kevan Strand 31:30, Martin Whittingham 32:13 and Michelle Rowles 36:27.
Huge thanks to Don Dewar, Brian Forrester, Hazel Forrester, Darren Laker and Shane Snowwolf for giving their time to volunteer.
Bedgebury Pinetum Parkrun
Strider, Nicola Crawley kindly organised a Parkrun tourism trip to this scenic, hilly course near Goudhurst. Mark Niles was first Strider, finishing 14th overall in a time of 22:06. Nicola Crawley came next, finishing 27:52. Next was Justin Burden 27:54 followed by Tamsin Ritchie 28:06. Aimee Donohue chased Rebecca Somerford to the finish with times of 30:47 and 30:48 respectively. Justine Wearn was next with a time of 31:33, then Lisa Gribbin 33:32, Andy Found 33:35, Siobhan Hagan 34:32 with Tyree Spicer coming in at 35:19
Brrrillliantly Brutal Bedgebury (report by Lisa Fulcher)
We had a chilly start this morning for our 12 touring striders (plus 2 guests). Tamsin Ritchie arrived in true Tamsin style just in time for the start & then we were off. Highlight of this Parkrun is that you start & finish next to the Gruffalo OK, so there are a few hills too but underfoot it was dry & running through a pine forest is always good (unless you’re in a Norwegian crime drama, of course) We all made it back safely with big smiles on our faces. A big well done to everyone for getting up extra early & completing a challenging course I didn’t have time to stay for coffee but the coffee shop in the visitor centre offers park runners 10% off when they show their barcode & I heard that the cake was so light it floated off the plate into mouths very quickly. We will plan another tour, just need to find a date in between training & the big races coming up!
Girlings Solicitors Ashford & District 10k
First to finish was Jason Caldwell 43:33, then Kevan Strand 48:01. Justine Bushell came in next at 57:16, followed by Karen Edwards with a time of 1:01:25, then Catherine Wall 1:04:15. Alison Newman ran a 1:04:53, Rachel Forrester 1:05:12 followed by David Holland 1:05:21. Hazel Forrester ran 1:05:32, a personal best for this distance. Not to be outdone, husband Brian also achieved a PB of 1:08:13. Sara Dewar finished with a time of 1:09:00.
Headcorn Half Marathon
There were a host of personal records for Striders runners at this rural course. Justin Burden was first over the line with 1:55:22. Nicola Crawley finished an impressive weekend with a 1:57:21. Kelli Sullivan smashed it with 1:58:21 personal best. Jason Sanders came in at 2:03:34. Gayle Bailey was next with a personal best of 2:04:34. David Helme ran a 2:06:12, another personal best. Mandy Cooper ran a 2:06:27, followed by Julie Virani, who ran a personal best of 2:09:24. Justine and Jason Wearn came in with 2:09:29 and 2:09:31 respectively. Danielle Mackenzie ran a fantastic personal best of 2:16:00 followed by Peter Broom with a time of 2:19:01, another personal best.
London Winter Run 10k
Four Striders ventured to London to take in the landmarks. Kate Stroud was first out of the Striders contingent with a time of 55:52, Lauren Aldred and Ned Golding came across the line together in 1:02:31 and Charisse Whitbourn achieved a time of 1:20:17.
Wales
A special mention to Richard Coles, who ran in red for the first time in the hills and horizontal rain in Bryngyn, Wales.
Last, but not in the slight bit least…
USA
Jayne Hatton ran the Gridiron 4-mile race in the iconic Central Park, New York. Running in the snow Jayne achieved a time of 41:57.
Well done for a fabulous weekend of running everyone!
Report by Paul Dunning.
