Julie Foster – Head Run Leader
How long running with Striders
Since November 2022
How long as a RL
Since October 2023
Current Running Shoe
Adidas Solar Boost
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
I’ve only done 12 locations but I quite enjoyed Sloughbottom in Norwich recently.
Proudest moment running
I have run Brighton Marathon twice (2011/2012).
Future running goals
To just enjoy and improve my times.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I’ve been running 14 years, I have been with other clubs but after covid etc I wasn’t feeling great about my running, I knew a lot of people from parkrun and generally running so gave it a go.
Andy Found
How long running with Striders
I Joined in June 2019
How long as a RL
Since 2020
Current Running Shoe
I’m using ASICS Novablast at present but yet to find one that I really like.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
I’ve not done much tourism but really enjoyed Bushy.
Proudest moment running
Completing my first marathon in 2019.
Future running goals
Just to stay fit and enjoy running for as long as possible. I think my PB days are over so no longer a priority.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I came for a trial and loved the club. The people in it are amazing and have become such an important part of my life that I couldn’t even contemplate going elsewhere 🥰
Darren Laker
How long running with Striders
Joined striders around late 2021
How long as a RL
I have been a Run Leader since late 2022
Current Running Shoe
Brooks glycerin 21
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
I have only done 2 other park runs and have got to say that eastbourne was the best one.
Proudest moment running
Completing my 1st marathon (Brighton, April 2023) which I ran for charity, supporting Versus Arthritis, raising £1165.
Future running goals
To get a sub 5 hour marathon.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I joined striders as i was just running as and when with no real aims. I Spoke to some striders at a park run and they sold striders as a great group Once I did a trial run and found the group to be welcoming, I signed up.
Elle Weekes
George Phillips
How long running with Striders
I joined in December 2023
How long as a RL
I have been a Run Leader since August 2024
Current Running Shoe
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 (long runs), Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next % (faster runs) and ASICS Trabuco 11 (trail runs)
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Holyrood in Edinburgh was lovely (and hilly)
Proudest moment running
Pacing others to their PB’s during a Parkrun.
Future running goals
I Feel like I should enter a marathon at some point! Potentially Brighton 2025!
What made you join Ashford Striders
I wanted to get faster at running (to improve my triathlon times!) and to have people to run with during the winter. Turns out, that all the members are really friendly and all make running more enjoyable!
Ian Watson
How long running with Striders
Since Early 2022
How long as a RL
Since Autumn 2022
Current Running Shoe
Road running – Hoka Mach 6. Light trail running – Hoka Speedgoat. Heavy trail running – Salomon.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Depends if there is a cafe nearby! Nevertheless without any doubt, it would be Aachener Weiher, Cologne, Germany.
Proudest moment running
The whole experience of the London marathon.
Future running goals
The Glacier 3000 run in Switzerland.
What made you join Ashford Striders
The amount of runners I saw every Thursday evening from the club. The organisation, the variety of runs, the banter and their commitment to running. Good people.
Jamie Penfold (JP)
How long running with Striders
Joined Striders in February 2023
How long as a RL
I have been a Run Leader since September 2023
Current Running Shoe
Asics Noosa Tri 15 (5k and 10k) Asics Gel Nimbus 25 (half and full marathon)
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Being a Geordie it has to be Jesmond Dene in Newcastle.
Proudest moment running
Being a Torch Bearer in the 2012 Olympics and running 3 legs of the relay.
Future running goals
To break 20 minute 5k and go sub 4 hours for a marathon.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I was new to Ashford and didn’t know anyone here so started parkrun. Saw the sea of red and got chatting to some striders who painted Striders in such a wonderful way. I wasn’t disappointed! One of my best decisions ever!
Jason Caldwell
Jason Saunders
How long running with Striders
Since 2016. I believe that I am the third longest member of Ashford Striders. When I first joined we were lucky to get 9 or 10 runners on a Thursday when we used to run from Finberry. We weren’t English Athletes affiliated then and we were called Kingsnorth Striders.
How long as a RL
I qualified as a Run Leader just after the club became affiliated (possibly 2017). In 2020 I qualified as a coach.
Current Running Shoe
Nike Pegasus at the moment. I started with ASICS and then switched to Brooks. I’m only wearing Nike because they were cheaper and because of life/work I’m not running as much as I would like to justify the expense however if anyone see a pair of Brooks Hyperion’s for less than £100 let me know.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Bushy and Worthing for different reasons.
Proudest moment running
Difficult to pin down a specific one but I’m always proud of talking about Striders if someone asks me about the club.
Future running goals
To run an Ultra. I’m planning to do a 50k in 2025
What made you join Ashford Striders
When i joined I needed a club to run with because I didn’t like running on my own.
Jennifer Davis
How long running with Striders
Since autumn 2022 I think!
How long as a RL
Since Summer 2023
Current Running Shoe
Nike Air Pegasus.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
I’ve only done 1 other in Lyndhurst!
Proudest moment running
Actually managing to complete a marathon in 2018.
Future running goals
To complete London 2025
What made you join Ashford Striders
After running 20 years on my own I fancied some company! Never looked back I love running with everyone.
Mandy Cooper
How long running with Striders
I’ve been running 10 years this year and joined Striders in early 2022
How long as a RL
I’ve been a run leader since the summer of 2022
Current Running Shoe
HOKA arahi or Speedgoats for light trail & Salomon speed cross for heavy trail
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Probably Crawfordsburn in Northern Ireland, it so pretty and it has everything- trail, path, coastal path, hills. Stunning. Also Lullingstone when the lavender is out.
Proudest moment running
Every marathon especially the 26 (including a couple of ultras) after a hip operation when I thought I’d never run again.
Future running goals
I’d love to go sub 4:30 in a marathon but otherwise just to keep running for as long as possibleTo just enjoy and improve my times.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I was training for Belfast marathon and kept seeing the Striders gang on their LSR on a Sunday morning and it looked more fun than running solo. It was definitely more fun and has made every training run a lot more enjoyable
Nadine ‘Ned’ Golding
How long running with Striders
Since March 2020- 1 run in before Lockdown!!
How long as a RL
About 4 years! I Helped out a seasoned Strider RL with some trail runs in Summer 2020 and ended up doing it on my own. It Has grown and developed from there.
I was Head RL from Jan 2023 to Nov 2024
Current Running Shoe
At this time Brooks Adrenaline GTS23. Likely to change back to Asics GT’s soon!
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Fountains Abbey- North Yorkshire
Proudest moment running
Doing Brighton and London Marathon within a week of each other.
Future running goals
To keep running with a smile on my face and enjoying it! Would love a sub 5 at Manchester Marathon April 2025!!
What made you join Ashford Striders
I am rubbish at running on my own. Several friends were already Striders and talked me into it!! ❤️
Rachel Tomsett
Richard Randle
How long running with Striders
Since January 2022
How long as a RL
I am still new to being a run leader , about June 2024 , I never believed I would be good enough to lead a group, Ned had faith in me, and I’m really proud to be part of the strider run leader team .
Current Running Shoe
ASICS Gt 2000
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Moors Valley – it is a Trail parkrun
Proudest moment running
The moments that stand out in running, are finishing marathons and in 2024 actually winning my age group (60) at St Giles house trail marathon,the other moment that isn’t running but swimming the channel in a relay team is still unbelievable.
Future running goals
I love striders , the people make the club , hopefully I can keep running as long as possible and maybe still get somewhere near a 4 hour marathon in my much loved ASICS!
What made you join Ashford Striders
I’ve been running for years, mostly alone , Nicola Crawley invited me along to a long slow run as a trial run in January 2022 , I had almost signed up before the end of the run !
Rob Harris
How long running with Striders
I joined at 0:05 1/1/24, after we’d seen the new year in.
How long as a RL
Since maybe late July.
Current Running Shoe
Hoka Bondi X
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
I don’t have one other than Ashford because I haven’t actually done any others yet.
Proudest moment running
Completing the Brighton marathon in 2019 and seeing my friend Claire get into running Park Run regularly with me when she was nervous about running in crowds.
Future running goals
I want to do more marathons. Maybe push for an ultra once I get a few of them under my belt.
I want to beat my park run PB of 22:49 at some point but focussing on long distance in the short term.
What made you join Ashford Striders
I got divorced and moved back to England from America in august 2022 and once I was settled and had a job and stuff I thought it would be a good way to get out and meet new people
Simon Jackson (Shouty)
I hope to see many of you on my runs.
Simon Pharaoh
How long running with Striders
I think since winter 2022.
How long as a RL
Since the start of 2024.
Current Running Shoe
5k – Half Marathon Nike Vaporfly
Marathon – ASICS Gel Cumulus. Will upgrade to Alphafly for Manchester Marathon next year.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Gateshead.
Proudest moment running
In race terms I’d say 1:30 half marathon in April or Parkrun PB of 18:18 in June.
Future running goals
5k = sub 18, 10k sub 37, half sub 1:25.
What made you join Ashford Striders
My wife signed me up after a take over. I was mainly running alone with zero discipline or training plan (not much changes there!) and she thought it was be good for me. Plus she knows I’m not great around new people so was a bit of a challenge too. Seems to be working out ok!
Vicky Shrubsole
How long running with Striders
I have been running with Ashford Striders for just over 2 years but have been running for 6 years.
How long as a RL
I have been a run leader for 5 years but leading with striders for just over a year now.
Current Running Shoe
I am currently running in Brooks Adrenaline gts 23’s, I have achilles and feet issues that these trainers work well for.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Ooo favourite parkrun…. I love Bedgebury but I think my favourite would be Malling, Leybourne Lakes.
Proudest moment running
I was proud to complete the first London virtual marathon. I had been training for Brighton marathon in 2020 but Covid saw all races cancelled! I had trained to 20 miles just as lockdown hit but luckily got to run the virtual in the October.
Future running goals
Having just cracked a sub 30 5k (28.37) I would now love to get under an hour for a 10k. My ultimate goal is always to keep running and to keep smiling.
What made you join Ashford Striders
Having run at another club it was time for a change and Ashford striders have been so friendly and welcoming it was the only running club for me to move to.
Vicky Stevenson
How long running with Striders
I joined Ashford Striders in January 2019.
How long as a RL
Since Summer 2020 when Covid restrictions were relaxed a little and we could run in groups of 6! I joined the RL team, along with a few others, aiming to give everyone the chance to get back to running with the club.
Current Running Shoe
New Balance Fresh Foam v13.
Favourite Parkrun (other than Ashford)
Poole, Dorset.
Proudest moment running
A few… getting sub-4h30m on my first marathon (Brighton 2019), running the London Marathon 2024 and raising over £2500 for Macmillan, and introducing strength & conditioning sessions to the club.
Future running goals
To just keep running!
What made you join Ashford Striders
I was training for my first marathon with a friend and we knew we needed a little help! I never looked back! ❤️