Reports – Page 3 – Stilton Striders

Livingston Relays 2018 and Big Leicester 10k

On Sunday a group of Stilton Striders travelled to Leicester for the Livingston relays , one of the oldest races on the local calendar first held in 1928 and the original silver cup is still awarded to the winning men’s team .

Last few years held at Braunstone Park, a mainly flat 1 lap coarse with a small but sharp climb in the last mile, it’s regarded as a quick coarse with some of the fastest men going under 15 minutes for the 3 mile route .

3 ladies per team , 4 men per team , each runner does 1 lap then passes on to the team mate and the quickest overall time wins .

In the veteran category, Striders Vet ladies came away with a brilliant silver medal for the 2nd year in a row , this year’s medallists were Lou Houghton 21.35, Vicki Lowe 21.39 and Julie Bass 21.13.

Ladies A team were: Michelle Farlow 21.29 , Sarah Lawrence 23.16 , then Sharon Louise 22.01 .

Ladies B team were: Emma Hope 25.33 , Rachel Heggs 24.51 , then Charlotte Allen 23.34 .

Striders Vet men came 10th in their category with Ian Howe 19.50 p.b , Neil Jaggard 21.54 , Matt Taylor 19.35 and Darren Glover 20.05 .

Striders A team came 12th in their category with Luke Eggleston in 18.03 , Jason Barton an excellent 16.25 p.b , Matt Gayton 18.57, and Niall Rennie 16.55 p.b

Striders B team were: Ross Jackson 21.26 p.b , Sean Elkington 18.31 , Tam Nicol 21.56 and Christie Jones 20.16 p.b.

Also in Leicester a few ran the ‘ Big Leicester 10k .’ A large field of over 1100 runners held in Abbey park. First back for Striders in an excellent 32nd place was Alan Thompson in 39 min 34, then 181st Greeba Heard in 48.31 , the 203rd Jon Wilson in 49.31 , then 401st Anne Craddock in 54.41 , then 434th Lynda Harris in 55.02 and 560th Deb Wilson in 58.58 .

London Marathon 2018

By Andy Nicholls

London looks much nicer in the sunshine and, with the Docklands Light Railway strike being cancelled at the last minute, I caught the train to London the day before feeling fairly happy. Registration and getting to the race start went smoothly and then it was the small matter of running 26.2 miles.

We’d had lots of warnings about not going off too fast, hydrating enough (but not too much!) and so it was a bit of a surprise when the race started and I felt pretty good. There were many sights along the way: a lady on massive stilts, many of the Grenfell firefighters walking in full gear and even a man in a full suit of armour which made the first half pass fairly quickly.

After that, the heat must have caught up with me. I slowed down and then started to walk/run from mile 16 but the great support from family, Striders and many random strangers kept me going to finish in 4:09. Well done to Chris Southam 2:54, Nat Teece who improved on her time from last year at 3:06 and Helen Metcalfe 5:31 also fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thanks to the Committee for awarding me the place and I hope whoever goes next year has better (i.e. worse!) weather.

Chris continued his great form in the capital.

More March Running

Run Fest Lee Valley Half Marathon

Stilton Striders Natalie Teece and Matt Gayton continue their Spring marathon preparation when they travelled to London to run the Run Fest Lee Valley half marathon on Sunday 25th March .

Natalie had another excellent run completing the half marathon in a new personal best time 1hr 24. 47 , finishing 2nd lady and 27th overall . Matt Gayton was not too far behind with another good run in 45th place in 1 hr 31. 36.

Desford 5

Also on Sunday 25th March, a group of Striders travelled to Desford for the 2nd leg of the Leicestershire road running league: Desford 5.

First back for Striders was Jason Barton in an excellent 8th place in 28 min 30. Next back was Luke Eggleston in 48th in 30.50 , 69th was Alan Thompson in 31.55, 130th was Darren Glover in 34.20, 132th was Ian Drage in 34.25, 216th was Julie Bass in 37.00, 248th was Vicki Lowe in 38.18, 348th was Rebecca Forester in 42.02, 352th was Jacqui Riley in 42.17, 373rd was Nick Pryke in 42.53, 395th was Ray Walker in 43.40, 416th was Celia Bown in 44.18, 427th was Vanessa Walker in 44.40, 431st was Alison Wilson in 44.58 and in 493rd was Liz Parkinson in 49.13 .

Well done everyone!

Inter Counties Cross Country Championships

Stilton Strider Natalie Teece was called up to run for Leicestershire and Rutland in the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships. The top runners in the country got the opportunity to run for their county and Leicestershire’s team included Gemma Steel; a former National and European cross country champion.

The race took place this year on Saturday 10th March at Prestwold Hall. The conditions were atrocious with the 8km route deep in mud after the recent wet weather. With the conditions proving difficult even to stand, Natalie struggled with grip running in shoes without spikes and finished in around 42 minutes in 218th place. She would have been further up the field had she had cross country spike shoes but she really enjoyed the experience.

Well done Natalie!

Full results for this event and details of next year’s event can be viewed here:

http://www.ukcau.co.uk/crosscountry.htm

Freezing February Runs

A few Striders travelled to Stamford to join over 600 other runners for the St Valentines 30k (18.6 miles). In cold windy conditions, first back for Striders in an excellent 51st place overall and 2nd lady was Natalie Teece in 2:06:53. Next was Matt Gayton in 82nd in 2:11:49, then David Hall who finished 2nd in his age group in 2:49:02 .

A group of Striders travelled to Keyworth for the rescheduled Turkey Trot. In cold windy conditions and in a field of nearly 700, first back for Stilton was Michael Atton in 88th in 1:33:10. He was followed by Jon Wilson in 1:41:06 , Lou Houghton 1:43:32 , Michael Cooke 1:44:13 , Greeba Heard 1:45:48 , Christie Jones 1:47:08 , Sharon Eshelby 1:51:28 , Nick Pryke 1:53:53 , Jaqui Riley 2:00:20 , Debs Wilson 2:04:56 , Kaye Mead 2:22:02 and Celia Bown 2:34:47.

Additionally, a couple of Striders travelled not far from Melton to Prestwold Hall for the inaugural Leicestershire half marathon. In a large field of 1200, first back for Stilton in 93rd place was Alan Thompson in 1:35:34 despite struggling with a calf problem the last couple of miles. Sarah Lawrence also completed it in 1:51:26.

Leicestershire county XC champs – 6th Jan 2018

Rotherby Lodge Farm was the local venue for the Leicestershire County Cross Country Championships on Saturday 6 January 2018. The earlier rain and slippery mud made this an extremely challenging course. Natalie Teece had a great race amongst the top county cross country runners to win a bronze medal in the Masters category. The ladies masters (6K) fielded a full team and achieved a credible 5th place out of 11 teams; Natalie Teece (29:48 3rd), Vicki Lowe (35:08 26th), Sharon Eshelby (36.40 33rd) and Lou Houghton (37.48 37th).

Alan Thompson led the Striders Masters Men in the 10K (52:19 20th), followed by Paul Geeson (59:25 50th) and Ian Howe (60:22 52nd).

A number of junior Striders also ran, putting in creditable performances:

U13 girls (3K) – Georgie W 18:42, Zoe N 19:00, Izabella R 19:58, Lucy J 20:26, Milly C 22:06

U15 girls (4K) – Amy J 24:36

U15 boys (4K) – Joe B 18:17

For those who enjoyed the terrain, the Frisby Fun Run on 14th April uses some of the same course but is considerably shorter!

[Vicki]

* Interested in entering races? Not sure what you need to do?
Sometimes races need to be entered in advance, normally via an online form (but not always). Other races can be entered on the day as well, but may cost a little extra. Most races involve safety pinning your numbers on before the race. The League races often have chip timing too, which marry up to your race number.

Terrain and distances vary, but most races follow similar courses to previous seasons. Ask other Striders if they remember the course. An ‘oooh watch out for the hill at mile 4’ can be useful 🙂 Wear the club vest or t-shirt to get those Strider Cup points and most of all have fun!

Any questions, please email stiltonstriders@yahoo.co.uk
The event calendar is here (races are constantly being added): www.stiltonstriders.co.uk/upcoming-events/

Chilly round up early late December and early January 2018

A couple of days before Christmas a group of Striders travelled to Gaddesby for the Gaddesby Gallop, a 5 and a half mile X-country race with a number of stiles, a dew pond and a drainage pipe to negotiate, and the mild wet weather had made it very muddy .

In a record field of 195, first back for the club showing his off road skills was Michael Atton in 23rd place in 40.23, followed by Ian Drage in 25th 41.03, then Paul Geeson 43.10, Darren Glover 44.31, John Houghton 44.47. Next in her first race for the club was Vicki Hurrell 45.52, Dan Giblett 52.32, Daniel Howley 52.32, Ross Jackson 53.36, Lou Houghton 53.52, Sarah Lawrence 60.47, Debs and Jon Wilson ran together in 67.08, Kaye Mead 68.44 .

In the new year a few striders travelled to Leicester for the 3rd round of the Leicester 5k Winter Series.

First back in 4th was Luke Eggleston in 18min 18, then in 6th and first lady was Natalie Teece in 19.57, followed in 7th by Matt Gayton in 20.28, then Liz Goodbourn first vet 50 lady in 24.53.

[Darren G]

Huncote Hash

On the 31st of December, I made my way over to Huncote to take part in the annual “back to basics” Huncote Hash cross country race. I was a solo Strider this year, joining 343 other runners for the 6.5 mile run. Heavy rain the previous day ensured a particular wet and muddy run, brilliant conditions for a fun XC. The course itself started off with a short loop through the local woodland, before heading out toward Croft Hill. I managed to conquer the hill, with my mum waiting at the top to shout some encouraging support and snap some good pictures. The route then descended back down the other side of the hill before making back towards Huncote, wading through a waist deep stream before attempting a sprint finish.

Ross Jackson giving it a blast on a wet and muddy fun filled day

I managed to finish in 146th place in 1:03:36 before receiving my finishers soup and bread roll. As only my 2nd ever XC race I thoroughly enjoyed this. It is an incredibly well organised event with lots of support from the locals, without which there’s no chance I would have made it over that hill!

Ross
(Well done Ross!)

National Water Sports Centre 5K and Half

7 striders took part in this Christmas Half and 5k at the National Water Sports Centre in Notts. What a great local venue – would love to have a go at rowing. This run was 4 laps for the Half. It was billed as a great Christmas atmosphere, but would have liked to hear a bit more Christmas music around the course. Great fluorescent Christmas tree medal though. A two mile walk to the start – good job we were really chilled about it as nearly missed the gun.

Helen Widdowson was first Strider lady in 1.41.33 pb, then Vicki Lowe in 1.42.32, Michelle Farlow 1.43,14. All in top 20 ladies. Running together for the first 7 we paced ourselves well. Matt Gayton achieved 1.37.19, and Alison Wilson a fantastic 2.08.44. Dan Moult did the 5 k in a great time of 27.54. [Vik]

Dalby Dollop

A small selection of Stilton Striders and a dog braved a bitterly cold Sunday morning, with a biting wind which was enough to make your eyes water, to stand shivering in the middle of a field in Lycra for the Great Dalby Dollop.
The race started off with a section of undulating lumpy fields, which were not kind to the ankles, as an assortment of cow pats were dodged. Next, some slippy sleeper things for added instability and a few stiles were conquered before an uphill climb with plenty of trainer stealing mud and some rather overly familiar bramble.
After a quick water stop, just after the halfway point, there was a short section of well received downhill tarmac before everyone’s favourite… a damp, ploughed field. More muddy fields were then covered by the runners followed by another uphill trudge through a farm possessing plenty of strong ‘country smells’. Once over that experience, there was a bit more uphill before finally an interesting wave effect field to exhaust runners further as they bobbed up and down before approaching the finish line.
The Dollop was a thoroughly enjoyable, well organised, 4 mile local event involving runners, kids, walkers and plenty of Canicross entrants. A relatively small race by comparison but meaning no giant queue at the toilet beforehand and a more than sufficient supply of good cake and soup at the end. Surprisingly, there were three different finishers medals to choose from with some pretty fancy rosettes for the four-legged participants.
Congratulations to Andy who was the first male to cross the line. Other runners included Helen Metcalfe (and son), Andy Nicholls, Shaun Staff (plus supporters), Dan Giblett (and son), Ben Pickard and Jeff (with Laura supporting) and Sarah Lawrence (no show from the husband as he just doesn’t get running). Natalie Teece was also one of the organisers.
Would definitely recommend.

Sarah Lawrence