Ashford Striders

Unseasonably mild weather brought a good attendance at Ashford Parkrun this Saturday.

Justin Burden was the first Strider to finish in 23:06 followed by Brian Marsh 25:01, Darren Laker with a new personal best of 27:36, Rebecca Somerford 28:20, Jayne Hatton 30:48, Peter Broom 31:14, Martin Whittingham 31:43, Brian Forrester 32:38, Sara Dewar 32:39, Siobhan Hagan 32:40, Shane Snowwolf 32:40, Kirsty Theobald 32:48, Rachel Theobald 32:55, Kevin York 32:56, Hazel Forrester 34:30, Michelle Rowles 36:05, Danielle Moss 47:38, Clare Maxlow 47:40 and Mark Niles who was volunteering as the tail walker finished in 51:52

Justine Wearn and Jason Wearn ran the riverside course at Maidstone Parkrun, finishing in 29:23 and 29:24 respectively.

Further afield, Lee Standen completed Oxford Parkrun in 32:09 and Tamsin Ritchie ran Kesgrave Parkrun near Ipswich in 25:58.

Great running everyone!

Such a good week of running to report on this week with many Striders out and about painting the town red.

On Saturday fifteen Ashford Striders ran the 5k Ashford Parkrun. Mark Niles was the first Strider to finish in 21:00. Next was Frank Remigio with a brilliant new PB of 22:29. Justin Burden continues to improve after his knee operation with a time of 23:18. Next was Stephen Rumsey 24:23, Jason Sanders 26:07, Ian McCutcheon 27:16 and Reece Corner 29:25. First female Strider to finish was Sarah Meredith with a time of 30:13. Then followed Nicola Crawley 30:40, Rachel Forrester 30:49, Lisa Fulcher 31:12, Brian Forrester 31:43, Rachel Theobald 33:48, Kevin York 33:49, Katie Iggulden Exon 33:53 and Hazel Forrester 33:54.

A massive thanks to Strider members Don Dewar, Jayne Hatton and her daughter Kayleigh, Simon Jackson, Lee Standen, Vicky Stevenson and Justine Wearn who volunteered at Ashford Parkrun this week.

Siobhan Hagan travelled to Islington for the Highbury Fields Parkrun, achieving a PB of 31:25. Martin Whittingham collected a ‘C’ in his goal to run the Parkrun alphabet, with a time of 31:06 at Cannon Hill Parkrun in Birmingham. Tamsin Ritchie completed another Parkrun tourism trip, travelling to Pegwell Bay and was the 4th female over the line with a shiny new PB of 23:57.

A strong turnout of sixteen Striders travelled to the annual Canterbury 10 Mile Road Race. This race is run on quiet lanes to the south of Canterbury and is a challenging undulating course. First male to finish was Chris Sardo with a time of 1:15:23. Justin Burden completed a great weekend of racing, coming in at 1:22:10. First female to finish was Lauren Aldred with a PB of 1:22:33. Jason Wearn finished in 1:22:57 followed by Fabio Baiardo 1:25:58 and Rob Wood 1:30:39. Next came Kelli Sullivan 1:31:47, Jason Sanders 1:32:01, followed by David Helme with a PB of 1:34:22. Nicola Crawley finished in a time of 1:34:28 and Andy Found achieved a PB of 1:35:42. Next to finish was Gayle Bailey 1:35:49, then Hannah Lothian Rutland 1:39:02. Vicky Stevenson 1:43:35, Nadine Golding 1:43:36 and Justine Wearn 1:43:37 came in smiling, completing a fantastic day of Strider running.

Well done everyone!

Ashford Striders’ Couch to 5k course began this week, well done to all those runners that took part! Here’s what Run Leader Danielle had to say:

“The Striders 9-week couch to 5K kicked off on Monday 10th with 26 people joining up with the goal of a Parkrun graduation on the 12th March.
Some have never run before and some are returning to running but the overriding opinion was they wanted to do it as part of a group. The first week gave everyone a chance to meet each other and they all did fabulously well.
Meeting every Monday and Thursday you may see the group running around Finberry”.

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!

• Justin Burden was the first Strider to finish this week in 24:19
• Ian McCutcheon 24:24,
• Paul Dunning 24:28,
• Aimee Donohue ran a personal best of 28:05,
• Nicola Crawley 28:12,
• Sarah Meredith 28:56,
• Gwen Protheroe 29:59,
• Julia Woollaston 30:05,
• Amanda James 30:51,
• Peter Broom 31:00,
• Justine Wearn 31:18,
• Jason Wearn 31:23,
• Martin Whittingham 31:44,
• Lisa Fulcher 31:51,
• Rachel Oliver 32:00,
• Leigh Freeman 33:55.

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.