Ashford Striders

Ashford Parkrun

Aiden Gorham led the way for Ashford Striders at this week’s Ashford Tri-Club takeover at Ashford parkrun, finishing strongly in 20:09 and 12^th position overall. Duncan Forbes was 22^nd overall and second home for the club in a time of 21:02. He was followed by Jason Wearn who narrowly missed out on a new PB in a time of 22:26 – 42^nd place overall. Greg Johnson was 53^rd overall in 23:20, with Justin Burden hot on his heels in 56^th place overall with a time of 23:26. Alison Waters was the first lady home for the club in 29^th position and 11^th female finisher setting a new PB in the process of 24:18. Cris Francis, pacing, finished in 26:57 with Steve Rumsey next in 27:01. Rachel Forrester continued her consistent form, also coming close to a new PB in 27:26 and 26^th female overall. Jamie Bartlett set a time of 27:41 with Vicky Stevenson (27:45) and Rebecca Hurley (27:52) close behind. Mel Cox came in at 28:08 with Rachel Theobald (28:25), Kevin York (28:31) and Josh Whiten (28:41) all finishing in under 30 minutes. Mark Archer was next for the club in 31:10 with Hazel Forrester (31:25) pipping husband Brian (31:37) to the finish. James Batcheller, also pacing, came in at 31:50. Danielle Moss set a new PB time of 36:25 accompanied by Katie Iggulden Exon in 36:26 and Lee Standen in 36:41. Kirsty Theobald finished in 38:49. Ian Dunning provided volunteer support.

Parkrun Tourism

At Folkestone Parkrun, Rachel Oliver finished in 30:21 setting a new personal best time for the course. Tamsin Ritchie ran at Sedgefield parkrun, coming home in a time of 27:46

Endurancelife Marathon

Kath Atkinson and Dave Hunt took part in the tough EnduranceLife marathon in Sussex on Saturday, in tough and windy conditions. Atkinson set an impressive time of 4:44:29 for the course, with Hunt finishing in 6:04:16.

Sage Reading Half Marathon

Justine Wearn and Libby Matthews travelled to Reading to take part in this year’s race, following disappointment last year when the event was cancelled due to snow. They shared joint chip times of 2:25:56 which earned Matthews a new personal best time for a half marathon race.

Ricki Savage Thanet 20 Miler

Duncan and Daniel Forbes both took part in this marathon warm-up event, with Duncan setting a sub-3 hour time of 2:50:28 and Daniel completing the course in 3:27:49.

Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon

Jacob Henwood and Pam Hunt were the Striders representatives at this year’s race. Henwood, competing in his first ever race at this distance, finished in an impressive time of 1:32:08. Hunt also set a new half marathon personal best finishing in 3:03:42.

Well done to all of those who ran this weekend.

Ashford Parkrun

Many of the runners from Ashford Striders were competing in this weekend’s half marathon and 20 mile races however that didn’t stop them from being out in force at Victoria Park for this Saturday’s parkrun.

Duncan Forbes was again the first home for the club in 14^th position overall and 2^nd in his category in a time of 20:20. He was followed by Justin Burden who was 52^nd overall in 23:57 and Cris Francis, 68^th overall in 24:44. Alison Waters was next to finish in 73^rd overall and 7^th female, in 25:04. Nicola Crawley came home in 88^th position and 13^th female in a time of 25:39.

Tamsin Ritchie was 22^nd female finisher in 27:01, followed by Josh Whiten securing a time of 27:29, with Rachel Forrester next who was also inside the top 30 ladies finishing in 27:40. Rachel Theobald (29:45), Kevin York (25:46) and Stephen Rumsey (28:47) were next to finish for Striders, with Martin Whittingham also posting a sub-30 minute time in 29:47. Mel Cox finished the run in 30:15, followed by Rachel Oliver in 31:21. Hazel Forrester (31:53) was the next club runner past the line, followed by husband Brian Forrester (32:05), Libby Matthews (32:27), Tyree Spicer (32:27), Simon Jackson (32:29) and Toyah Bicker (37:56). Jason Sanders, Kath Atkinson, Lee Standen and Mark Archer were all volunteers at this week’s event.

Vitality Big Half

A small number of Ashford Striders took part in the Vitality Big Half on Sunday in London, having the privilege to run in a field containing elite UK athletes and taking in some of the sights of the London Marathon route.

Despite the strong winds on the course, the some of the team set new fastest times with many finishing under the 2 hour mark. Cris Francis ran a new personal best time of 1:44:15 for the 13.1 mile distance, with Daniel Forbes being the next Strider to finish, achieving a time of 1:53:18. Alison Waters, running for charity, also ran a new half marathon personal best in 1:54:21, and Nicola Crawley too came in under 2 hours in 1:58:21. Simon Jackson posted a time of 2:01:47 with Katie Iggulden Exon finishing the race in 2:34:42.

Lydd Half Marathon and 20 Mile

A wild and windy Lydd was the venue for Sunday’s other big races, where many club members took part to build up to their spring marathons.

In the half marathon, Linda-Jean Delport finished strongly to post a time of 1:42:15. Tyree Spicer set a new personal best in 2:07:51, closely followed by Rebecca Hurley in 2:10:54. Toyah Bicker, running her first half marathon, completed the race in 2:32:36.

In the 20 mile race, Jake Davison set an impressive time of 2:39:52. Christopher Sardo was next for the club in 2:51:37. He was followed home by Kyleigh Austen who was next to finish in 3:01:36, with Jason Sanders close behind in 3:05:03. Greg Johnson was not far back in 3:09:44, with Justin Burden just 3 minutes behind in 3:12:44. Corrie Shackle completed the run in 3:20:25 closely followed by Vicky Stevenson in 3:20:54, Reece Corner in 3:33:52, Gemma Wicks in 3:35:20 and Charlotte Butler in 3:36:25. Carly James, recovering from injury, went on to complete the race in 4:31:03, with Danielle MacKenzie in 4:42:33 and Kirsty Theobald in 4:43:25 completing the Striders team.

Ashford Parkrun

Jason Wearn was the leading Strider at this week’s Ashford Parkrun finishing in 19^th position overall in an impressive time of 22:25, earning him a new Personal Best. He was followed closely by Linda-Jean Delport whose second place in 22:33 for the ladies also earned her a top 20 overall finish. Ross Sadd was 21^st overall just one second behind in 22:34.

Greg Johnson finished in 30^th position overall in a time of 23:30. Daniel Forbes finished in 42^nd place in 24:33 and Jason Sanders in 24:51 and 45^th position. Alison Waters secured a top 10 ladies place in 9^th position in 25:53 with Cris Francis just behind in 25:55.

Josh Whiten came in 92^nd place with a time of 27:46. He was followed by Simon Jackson in 28:07, Mel Cox in 28:42, David Gadsby in 29:18 and Rachel Oliver in 30:43. Tamsin Ritchie (31:22), Rachel Brisley (31:26) and Willem Delport (31:56) were next to finish, with Louise McDonnell (36:45), Katie Iggulden Exon (36:46) and Tyree Spicer (36:47) all running together and Danielle Moss who finished in 40:31.

Ashford & District 10k

Many of the Club turned out to support fellow runners Ashford & District RRC’s 10k race around the lanes of Westwell in their 30^th annual event. This year’s slightly modified course, coupled with the weather and several puddles brought some challenges, but also some strong finishes and good times for Striders’ runners.

Ross Sadd led the way for Striders with an excellent time of 42:42 in 28^th place overall. Jason Sanders finished in 50:29 and 139^th overall. Daniel Forbes was close behind in 50:50 in 144^th position. Alison Waters was next to finish in 52:03, placed as 28^th female overall. Josh Whiten was next to complete the run in 53:26. Oli Mason and Tom Bullen both recorded times of 54:56, just ahead of Jason Wearn (56:08) and Justine Wearn (56:09), 53^rd female overall. Rebecca Hurley recorded a time of 56:54 and Vicky Stevenson who was close behind in 56:57. Tyree Spicer achieved a time of 58:28. Rachel Forrester, running her very first 10k race, came in under the hour mark with a time of 59:19. Gemma Wicks was next to finish in 1:00:41, followed by Willem Delport in 1:01:27. Hazel Forrester, also running her first ever 10k race, finished in 1:08:24, Carly James (1:12:52), Allison Button (1:15:05), Kirsty Theobold (1:15:21 – PB), Pam Hunt (1:18:28) and Danielle Moss (1:31:46) completed the Striders team

Olympic Park Half Marathon

Three Ashford Striders travelled to London to take part in the event. Linda-Jean Delport ran an impressive 1:40:29 for the 13.1 mile distance, which placed her in 6^th position for her category. Scott Williams ran in a time of 2:24:11 followed by Rachel Misson who netted a time of 2:25:32

Eastbourne 5 Mile

Danielle Mackenzie travelled to the South coast and was the lone Strider running at the 5 mile event in Eastbourne, which she completed in a time of 57:12.

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Ashford Striders is an all ability club, meeting on Mondays and Thursdays.  We welcome new members, please check our Facebook page or website for more information.  This is a recent testimonial from one of our members:

Following a 5 weeks to 5k course, I was introduced to Ashford Striders in April 2018. I’d only moved to Ashford a few months before… but life wasn’t great and I struggled. However going along to Striders meant I started to make friends who both supported and pushed me. Since joining Striders I have taken part in 5k and 10k races and enjoyed Parkrun on a weekly basis. Not every run has been enjoyable but there is always a sea of red at the end to cheer me and get me to the finish. Running has helped my head immensely during this time and although I will never be the fastest, no one ever gets left behind and the support is absolutely amazing

Ashford Parkrun

This week’s Ashford Parkrun saw 14 Ashford Striders take part in the 5k run at Victoria Park. Linda-Jean Delport’s time of 22:26 put her in 2^nd ladies position and 29^th finisher overall. Justin Burden ran a time of 25:36 putting him in 66^th position overall. Rebecca Hurley (27:19) and Rachel Forrester (27:22) both secured ladies top 20 positions, with Rachel knocking over a minute off her previous parkrun personal best. Stephen Rumsey ran a time of 28:18 and Mark Archer was close behind in 28:37. Rachel Brisley (29:07) and Mel Cox (29:58) achieved sub-30 minute times. Rachel Oliver was next to finish in 30:25 with David Gadsby in 30:28, Hazel Forrester (31:04), Danielle Moss (41:23) and Tamsin Ritchie (43:33).

London Winter 10k

Reece Corner joined the crowds to run in the London Winter 10k race where he achieved an excellent chip time of 57:57.

Ashford Parkrun

Ross Sadd put in a superb performance at Ashford Parkrun this week, finishing in 18^th place overall in a time of 20:09.  Linda-Jean Delport was again high up the rankings, as the 2^nd female finisher and 27^th overall with a time of 22:43.  Greg Johnson was close behind in 43rd place, setting a personal best time of 22:59 to celebrate his birthday.

Alison Waters was 7^th female finisher in 25:00, with Justin Burden, one of two Striders who was running a milestone 50^th Parkrun setting a time of 25:45.  Sara Hunt (25:56) was next home, followed by Mark Archer who was next to finish in 26:18 and Stephen Rumsey (26:53), with Josh Whiten in 26:37, Emma Jeffery (17^th female finisher) in 26:47 and Willem Delport in 27:52.  Rebecca Hurley (28:03), Dave Hunt (28:28) Tamsin Ritchie (28:38), Simon Jackson (28:51) Rachel Forrester (29:15), Mel Cox (29:26), Tyree Spicer (29:37 – new personal best) and Cris Francis (29:38) all completed the 5k in under 30 minutes.

Hazel Forrester finished in 31:33 and Katie Iggulden Exon, also running her milestone 50^th Parkrun finished in 35:39.  Louise McDonnell (35:40), Allison Button (39:28), Toyah Bicker (39:30) and Danielle Moss (40:40) completed the team.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k

Tom Bullen was the solo Strider to take part in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k on Saturday 12^th January.  He finished the race in an excellent time of 54:51.