The hottest July day on record was perhaps not ideal for running great times at what is generally thought to be the hilliest road race in the county, but Striders were still out in force on the roads around Hungarton. With the race replacing the club’s usual summer outrun, a host of last minute entries meant that 18 Striders joined the field of nearly 500 runners.
Mike Bryan found his way through the field to be first Strider to finish in a creditable 50.22, followed by Luke Eggleston in 51.45, Dan Valencia in 52.33 and Mark Stoneley in 53.08. Close together behind them were Rich Gray (54.01), Simon Bottrill (54.37), Andy Nicholls (54.41), Clive Kent (55.39) and Tam Nicol (55.41), John Houghton (56.13).
Katie Hateley put in a storming debut race for the club, finishing in 57.36 before putting her first aid skills to good use in helping marshalls deal with a number of overheating runners at the finish line. Abi Arnott (58.27), Shane Sharkey (59.24) and Michael Cooke (59.11) were then closely followed by Louise Houghton (59.33), Will Blythe (60.11) and Helen Plant (63.11). The team was completed by Stuart Gregory in 79.06, before heading en masse to the Black Boy for refreshments and to enjoy the last of the evening sunshine, together with Jenny, Wendy and Nina who, along with Rob and John, had been helping out around the course.