This weekend was certainly a game of two halves weather-wise! However, whatever the weather brings, there will always be Striders getting out there and enjoying running in the great outdoors.
Saturday was mild and sunny, which encouraged plenty of club members out to parkrun.
Starting at our local Ashford event, Keith Haynes was the first Strider to finish in 20:48. Kevan Strand was next in 22:04, followed by Neil Wood 23:08, Dave Winchester 23:16 and Adam Thomas 23:25. Nicola Crawley was first Strider lady this week, running 25:59, David Helme followed in 26:44, then Graham Troman 27:23, David Gadsby 28:10, Jamie Bartlett 28:13, Vicky Stevenson 28:31, Siobhan Hagan 28:46, Michelle Bryant 29:32, Peter Broom 31:25, Rachel Tomsett 32:43, Rita Cooke 32:49, Rachel Oliver 33:02, Lisa Fulcher 33:19, Jennifer Watts 33:48, Brian Forrester 33:54, David Holland 34:00, Danielle Mackenzie 36:53, Hazel Forrester 36:54, Martin Whittingham 37:34, Julie Nicholson 39:06 and finally Terry Sellen, who was volunteering as tail walker, finished in 54:45.
The other Striders who were volunteering at Ashford this week were: Hazel Turner, Jason Caldwell, Justine Wearn, Rachel Tomsett and Simon Jackson. Thanks to you all for your help and encouragement!
Special mentions go to Rachel Oliver who ran her 200th parkrun this week, and to Dave Winchester, Adam Thomas and Michelle Bryant who all earned themselves new course personal bests. A big well done to you all!
Parkrun tourism
Mark Niles ran at Maidstone parkrun for the second time, he was just 3 seconds off his course PB, finishing in 23:10. Justin Burden continued his tour of Kent parkruns with a 24:48 finish at Dartford parkrun. Lee Standen parkwalked around the fields at Squerryes Winery parkrun, coming in at 1:03:15. The prize for furthest travelled Strider this week goes to Richard Randle who went to Penrose parkrun, a woodland course held on a National Trust estate in Cornwall. Richard finished in a time of 27:28.
Beachy Head races
Lots of Striders travelled to Eastbourne to take on some of the South East’s toughest trail races. Four races of different distances are held over the weekend, in the picturesque South Downs. There are lots of hills to tackle, including the legendary first steep climb just metres from the start, but runners are rewarded with fabulous views!
Saturday’s racers got lucky with the weather. Tamsin Ritchie opted for the marathon and finished in a terrific 6:21:03. Not satisfied with running 26 miles was Mandy Cooper, who added on the extra 10k loop to finish the Ultra race in an amazing 7:33:38.
Sunday’s runners taking on the half marathon weren’t so fortunate with the weather, having to deal with torrential thunderstorms. Despite this, our club mates managed some fantastic running. Jason Kennedy was first Strider in 2:03:17, followed by Andy Found 2:32:43, then Ian Watson running a personal best time of 2:38:34. Justine Wearn finished in 2:43:00, closely followed by Jason Wearn 2:43:12, then Nadine Golding 2:52:53, Nicola Crawley 3:04:01 and Rachel Tomsett 3:20:03.
Woodchurch 5 and 10 miles
Also braving the heavy rain on Sunday, were those taking part in these undulating road races in the Kent countryside. Nigel Hills opted for the 5 mile race and completed it in an impressive personal best time of 40:43. Completing the 10 mile distance were David Helme in 1:35:29 and Angie Craffey in 1:54:10.
A huge well done to everyone who ran this week, you are all amazing!
Report by Lisa Fulcher.
