A friendly local running group based in Ashford, Kent
Unfortunately, Ashford Parkrun was cancelled this week due to icy conditions.
Lisa Fulcher travelled to The Leas Parkrun, Minster and finished in 32.24.
Nicola Crawley finished a sunny Margate Parkrun in 25.58.
Julie Virani tackled the CFT 5km March and Shoot obstacle course and finished in 51.26.
Well done everyone!
Running at Ashford Parkrun this week were:
Justin Burden 23:51
Stephen Rumsey 25:18
Darren Laker 28:12
Michelle Bryant, 32:00
Rachel Forrester 32:02
Brian Forrester 32:06
Martin Whittingham 32:32
Siobhan Hagan 32:52
Leigh Freeman 34:17
Lisa Fulcher 34:48
Sara Dewar 41:07 (as a guide runner)
Tamsin Ritchie travelled to Folkestone Parkrun and finished in 25:06
Nicola Crawley ran the hilliest Parkrun in Kent at Lullingstone, completing it in 31:21
Well done parkrunners!
On Sunday fifteen Ashford Striders ran a distance of 14km or 21km starting from Park Farm as training for spring marathons commenced, led by one of the club’s most experienced marathon runners, Chris Sardo.
In the absence of an Ashford Parkrun on New Year’s Day, several club members travelled to other towns to experience the unique community atmosphere this timed 5km event offers.
Nicola Crawley beat her previous time at the scenic riverside Maidstone Parkrun, achieving a time of 27.39.
Peter Broom travelled to Lincoln and came home in 30.30.
Tamsin Ritchie was the second female to finish with a time of 26.49 at Stewart Parkrun in Middlesbrough.
Mark Niles was 5th overall at Hunstanton Promenade Parkrun with his time of 21.44.
Five Striders travelled to Folkestone Parkrun.
Justin Burden finished in 24.02.
Shane Snowwolf 26.46.
David Holland 32.05.
Martin Whittingham 32.55.
Siobhan Hagan completed her first run at this event with a time of 33.43.
DEANO’S CHRISTMAS EVE ZOO RUN
Ashford Striders started the Christmas weekend on 24th with 13 members attending Deano’s Christmas Eve Zoo Run; not an official race but an annual interclub and open-to-all Christmas fun run! The route follows part of the Royal Military Canal and includes some of the beautiful “Lympne Castle Circular Walk” taking in Lympne Castle, Port Lympne Zoo (including a particularly muddy steep incline!) and stunning views across Romney Marsh.
CHRISTMAS DAY PARKRUNS
Christmas Day 2021 saw 12 Striders take part in the Ashford event plus a couple on tour as well!
Mark Niles 21:37 was the first Strider home, followed by
Justin Burden 25:25,
Andy Found 27:23,
Nicola Crawley 29:34,
Justine Wearn 29:34,
Jason Wearn 29:36,
Catherine Wall 31:35,
Lisa Fulcher 31:38,
David Holland 31:53,
Martin Whittingham 32:05,
Kirsty Theobald 37:53.
Lee Standen volunteered as tail-walker finishing 1:02:32.
Also providing volunteer support were Shane Snowwolf and Simon Jackson.
Striders doing a spot of Christmassy parkrun tourism.
Peter Broom ran Lincoln parkrun in 30:21.
Tamsin Ritchie paid a visit to Marshall Drive parkrun, Brotton. in 27:23.
STAPLEHURST END OF YEAR 10 MILER
Frank Remigio crossed the finish line in a fantastic time of 1:23:41. He was the sole Strider to take part in this event, taking advantage of an opportunity to work off that turkey and Christmas pudding!
Well done all!
Ashford parkrun
On the last parkrun before Christmas Day, there was a food collection for Ashford Vineyard food bank. Thank you to those who donated!
Parkrun Tourism
Malling parkrun
Two Striders ran at Malling parkrun: Jason Sanders 27:38 and Lee Standen 30:03
Festive Races
Grey and gloomy weather didn’t stop some Striders from having fun at Christmas-themed races on Sunday.
Chatham Maritime Christmas Dash 5k
The Forresters ran together around St Mary’s Island in Chatham.
Brian Forrester and Hazel Forrester both finished in 36:39 and Rachel Forrester’s time was 36:40
Wimbledon Christmas 10k
David Holland and some running buddies ran at Wimbledon Common and met a local resident 😀. David’s time was 1:04:18. Michelle Rowles 34:47
Maidstone parkrun
Festive fancy dress was encouraged at Maidstone parkrun this week, Tamsin Ritchie dressed up and ran it in 25:02
Folkestone parkrun
Mark Niles travelled to the coast to complete Folkestone parkrun in 21:08
For week ending 12th December 2021
Parkrun
This week’s Parkrun supported the Food Bank at Bright City Church. Thanks to all of you who donated food.
Seventeen gallant Striders turned out for a cold, crisp morning at Victoria Park on Saturday. Mark Niles was the first Strider to finish, returning to form after sustaining a calf injury, with a very respectable time of 21:51. Next came Stephen Rumsey (24:18), Paul Dunning (24:35), Ian McCutcheon (25:06) and Justin Burden (25:47). Tamsin Ritchie (25:53) was next home, followed by Ross Sadd, running with his 10-year-old son, Freddie, who completed his first timed Ashford Parkrun in an impressive time of 26:35. Next came Amanda James (28:18), Darren Laker (28:36), Peter Broom (30:07), Brian Forrester (31:40), Rachel Forrester (31:43), Martin Whittingham (31:58), Lisa Fulcher (33:05) and Hazel Forrester (33:18). Jason Sanders ran with his 9-year-old grandson, Thomas, running his first Parkrun with a time of 38:19 and Michelle Rowles ran with Henry, her 8-year-old son, who achieved a PB of 42:33.
Massive thanks to Jayne Hatton, Simon Jackson, Clare Maxlow and Shane Snowwolf who helped Parkrun take place by volunteering this week.
Update, apologies to Peter Broom his time has now been corrected to 30:07.
Maidstone Harriers Turkey Run
Justine Wearn, Nicola Crawley and Simon Jackson travelled to East Malling for the Maidstone Harrier’s Turkey Run. This light-hearted run covers six and a half miles of country lanes, footpaths and woodland tracks around East Malling and Barming. Simon crossed the finish line with a time of 1:15:15. Justine and Nicola’s times were 1:21:25 and 1:21:28 respectively.
Well done for all your efforts this week.
Ashford Striders Race Report week ending 28/11/2021
The weekend was a quiet one for Striders as the club fulfilled the Ashford Parkrun volunteer roster for the “Ashford Striders Parkrun Takeover”.
A total of 27 Striders braved the freezing temperatures, stormy winds and pouring rain to fill the various volunteer roles of marshaling, timing, finish tokens and barcode scanning. A huge “THANK YOU” to all of them!
Three Striders also took part in the 5k route as some volunteer roles such as ‘pre-event set-up’ still enable participation.
Frank Remigio finished in 23:28.
Justin Burden ran the course in 24:34.
Steve Rumsey as Tailwalker came in 51:34.
Ashford Striders Race Report week ending 21st November.
Ashford Parkrun
A gloomy and breezy morning didn’t put off the following from coming to Parkrun. First Strider this week was Justin Burden 23:25, followed by Stephen Rumsey 24:13, Vicky Bean with a personal best time of 24:39, Jason Brice 27:56, Andy Found 29:46, Rachel Oliver 31:28, Sara Dewar 31:55, Brian Forrester 32:25, Tamsin Ritchie 32:41 and Hazel Forrester 33:00
Lulllingstone Parkrun Two Striders took on the challenging off-road course in West Kent. Lee Standen finished in 33:58 and Jason Sanders in 34:16
Ashford Tri Club 666 Trail Run
This tough 6.66 mile race in King’s Wood is popular with local trail runners. It was a lovely sunny morning and recent dry weather meant that the course was not as muddy as it usually is. Kevin Rose was the fastest Strider, finishing in 1:02:32, followed by Tamsin Ritchie 1:05:25, Greg Johnson 1:08:26, David Helme 1:14:36, Lauren Aldred 1:19:42 and Nadine Golding 1:19:42