by George Phillips
Where do we start! The Striders have cast their net out far and wide this week, with events ranging from Tuesday evening relays, 10k’s, sprint triathlons, marathons and ultra marathons, all in the space of a week. What a way to end May and kick start a summer of running in June!
Tuesday evening saw the Ashford Striders back in action for round 2 of the East Kent Road Relays held at Samphire Hoe in Dover. Representation at these events continues to grow, with Striders bringing 7 teams along to tackle the course. Brilliant running overall by all members of the Striders meant for some fantastic times. Round 3 takes place on 10th June on home soil in Victoria Park in Ashford. It would be great to have even more teams and the route lined with Striders supporting in red!
Midweek Parkrunners
Throughout the year various countries offer special parkruns to celebrate during their national holidays and of course this meant some of our Parkrun enthusiasts made the trip into the nordic countries for an extra piece of Parkrun Pie.
Nic Crawley and Justine Wearn took a trip to Vaxjosjon Parkrun in Sweden, running together around the stunning course they finished in 31.14. Whilst the Martins found themselves in the land of pastries, Denmark! They took on the course at Amager Faelled, David completed the course in 31.38 with Sarah close behind in 34.49.
Gribbin 10k
When a race comes along with your own name you have no choice but to enter. Lisa and Lee Gribbin took a trip to Cornwall and took over over 1000ft of elevation during this 10k race over mixed terrain make for a difficult challenge. Lee finished the course in 1.07.33 with Lisa just behind in 1.12.02.
Ashford parkrun
Simon Pharoah was first strider across the line with a time of 19:39, followed by Keith Haynes with a time of 20:24, and Jack Farrant third strider, with a time of 20:33
They were followed by
Harry Scott 21:55, Adam Booth 22:00, Dan Green 23:04, Matthew Gilbert with a PB time of 23:18, Jamie Penfold 23:19, Terry (fred) Sellen 23:46, Kevan Strand 24:08, Stephen Rumsey 24:29, Scott Hawkins with a new PB time of 24:47, Mark Niles 24:54, Darren Laker 25:10, Michael Ruck 25:26, David Gadsby 27:16, Carole Thomas 28:09, Pav Jagoda-souch with a new PB time of 28:10, Jamie Bartlett 29:33, Lee Gribbin 30:34, Lisa Gribbin 30:34, Eloise Pegg 31:01, Harry Lockhart 31:01, Jason Brice 32:41, Rachel Tomsett 33:04, Russ Berliner 33:57, Katie Fox 34:17, Rachel Oliver 35:17, Jennifer Watts 36:13, Michelle Brice 37:10, Pauline Tallett 37:11, Helen Rumsey 38:55, Kevin Miller 43:21, Ned Golding 43:22, Julie Foster 43:33.
As always, a big thank you to all the Striders who volunteered at parkrun this weekend. It is not possible to run without you! Thank you Jason, Danie, Jason, Don and Julie!
Parkrun Tourism
Down to Dover for a fabulous 5 of Andy, Vicky, Amanda, Becky and Jayne. Known for its potential for fast times on a flat course today was no difference. With Andy posting his quickest time for 2 years finishing in 25:54. Vicky finished with her fastest time of the year in 27.55. Amanda post her fastest time for 3 years in 28:15. Next saw Becky crossing the line with a huge 24 second PB in 28:23! Also posting her fastest time of the year was Jayne Hatton in 28:34. Some fantastic speedy striders in Dover this week!
Not content with 1 parkrun abroad, Nic and Justine found themselves at the Faelledparken in Copenhagen. They finished together in 35:44.
Lin West made the short trip to Folkestone completing the course in 36:30.
Maria Chapman opted for the Seaside in Hastings running the out and back route in 32:10.
Justin, Lee and Laura, ticking off more of the London parkruns headed to Lloyd parkrun in Croydon. Finishing in 29:35, 35:17 and 48:59.
The scenery of Mote park welcomed another group of Strider taking on the undulating course. I believe Dee was the first across the line but there may have been some confusion with counting of laps…. Lionel Hammond and Richard Randle crossed the line together in 31:28, Nige Terry followed in 38:22 with Donna Hammond closely behind in 38:45 and Katarzyna Janas in 38:50.
The Martins continued either foreign tourist trail at the Skatas parkrun in Gothenburg, Sweden. David finishing in 35:17 and Sarah 36:13.
Our final tourist this week was Isabelle Froissart, at the Tramore Valley parkrun in Ireland crossing the line in 32:13.
On to Saturdays Race!!
Saturday saw 5 Striders battling heat, no shade, trails, more heat, running, a castle, more heat, still no shade, another castle, a bit more heat, one more castle annnnddd 50km of running. Taking on the Embrace Ultra Three Castles 50km running from Rochester to Tonbridge, an epic achievement by all of them; Josh Stephens was the first Strider to collect his medal in a time of 6:30:58, next was Alice Foulger in 6:45:00. Mandy Watsons watch may have given up, but she powered on finishing in 7:40:30. Tamsin Ritchie completed the course in 8:22:48 and finally Jason Sanders in 8:33:48. A truely monumental achievement by all!
Sunday Races
Simon Pharoah was the lone Strider taking on the Marden 10k, a picturesque route and a lovely looking medal saw Simon cross the line in a time of 38:01 and finishing in 12th place in a race with over 400 runners, a fantastic result!
Lisa Gribbin just can’t stop running! On Sunday she took the role of Sweeper at the Oliver Fisher 5 & 10km in Sittingbourne. She finished in a time of 1:29:11.
Ashford Striders became the Ashford sTRIders on Sunday making the short trip to Hythe for the Hythe Bay Triathlon run by our friends at the Ashford Tri Club. A Super Sprint Triathlon consisting of a 250m pool swim, a 14km Bike ride and a 5km along the seafront. A well run event, which is perfect for first time triathletes. First Strider across the line in a time of 1:00:51 was Dan Green, Dan managed a super speedy 23:33 5k after his swim and bike! George Phillips was next to cross the line in a time of 1:04:39. Taking on his First Triathlon was Harry Lockhart, who also was the fastest Swimming Strider of the day with a swim time of 4:48, crossing the line in 1:09:17. Just 3 minutes behind was Richard Randle (dressed in Strider red), with a time of 1:12:10. Closely followed by tri veteran Andrew Cornwell in 1:13:46. Vicky Shrubsole was also taking on her first triathlon race to finish in a brilliant time of 1:20:41. Big thanks to Nic Crawley who also volunteered at the event (and managed to get some nice photos of me on my bike).
The final event for Sunday saw Izzy Froissant competing in the Cork City Marathon. The solo strider completing the event, a brilliant run saw a finishing time of 5:10:28
Thank you to everyone who went out there this week and represented the Striders up and down the country and abroad!
Don’t forget we also have a couple of big events coming up! Ned is still after a few volunteers for the Charing 10k. And if you are running, don’t forget to get signed up!
And finally the 28th June is Summer Social time! At the clubhouse, don your best neon outfit and dancing shoes for what is always a brilliant night! Guest are also welcome, check Spond for all the details!
Thanks for reading! Time for me to take another nap on the sofa!
