Category: Reports

18 Apr 2015 – Chicken Run fell race

The Second `Chicken Run` Fell Race and it’s a lovely blue skied day at Hayfield in the Peak district, a mere £4.00 entry for this race just over 9k in length (it’s all runnable!), also looking pretty killer in that spanking new Stilton vest also courtesy of Mr Bryan.

Two salty Stilton Striders out before Cock-Crow are representing all of Leicestershire in the field of slightly over 100 runners doing today`s race (40 last year), just myself and Fell legend Greg Pettingill.  It’s the Gregmeister who takes- off Eggcellently at the start of the race up a technical section known as `the Giggle Gaggle`,  which is enough to triple your heart rate in no time, I`m pretty sure Greg would’ve stayed doing hill reps up there all morning.

Thought that was the last I’d see of him but, I’m almost behind him at two miles wondering if he`s set off too fast or fell fowl of an injury, it’s a long slow climb the first few Kand taking it steadier was a good plan. As I finally get on the flat Greg has kicked on massively and finally so do my leg`s also as I’m pure Poultry in motion looking down at the reservoir beneath Kinder Scout now known as `Richards Rib`. Despite the corking hot day there are still splashes of mud and water up there, very easy to lose yourself in the scenery and end up falling over as I noticed afterwards a few had.

The Sun is blazing and there is one more long and steep climb before a very long downhill a huge section which was very stony. I`m a decent descender on roads or grass but lose my nerve on the rocky stuff and get passed a bit here, still I pass two people later and really put the speed on in the last 2k for the finish line just behind the 3rd lady.

Greg Pettingill was 2nd vet and 49 mins not sure of his position and myself 29th in 51 mins, a very good run for both of us and top third also so that`ll truly doodle-do. It did appear a Stilton Strider had attained 3rd place when we saw the name Stewart Gregory, alas not our Stuart!  

Absolutely corking race though very much one for the future calendar, lots of friendly marshals, great food,  good facilities but bit sparse on the toilets but a bouncy castle should be at more races (especially LRRL).

A Clucking great day out in Sunny weather followed by a pint at Sparrowpit and chips by the river at StoneyMiddleton, living the dream….  [Rob]

12 Apr 2015 – Belvoir Half Marathon

The 33th Belvoir Half Marathon, raising money for the Hose village Hall. A scenic circular flat route in the Vale of Belvoir always producing a few Pb’s. 497 runners successfully completed the course despite extremely windy conditions, with 15 Striders taking part.

First home and looking good for the London Marathon were Chris Southam (representing first claim club Coritanians) 1hr15 in 7th position and Darren Glover in 1hr28 in 38th, next a strong Mike Bryan in 1hr31 58th , Mick Atton continues his remarkable form producing a stunning time and PB of 1hr34 98th, next in a determined Dan Valencia produced another PB time of 1hr37 130th closely followed by young Luke Eggleston 1hr38 in 137th , Ben Pickard 1hr39 151st, John Houghton 141 PB 172nd, Shane Sharkey 1hr53 279th and finally Shaun Staff 2hrs29.

A strong Lady Strider contingent was led by Jenni Wisher in 1hr45 222nd closely followed by Vicky Lowe looking in great form for London 1hr47 234th closely followed by Louise Houghton 1hr48 240th , next in Susan Pettingill in 2hr17 452nd with Diane Atton completing a strong Strider showing in 2hrs32 488th. 

Much needed support on course was provided by Greg Pettingill, Rob Beers, Wendy Piesley, Laura Pickard (who also raced the 4.5m ‘fun run’), Simon Bottrill and Rich Gray.  Apologies for any others we have missed!  [John]

12 Apr 2015 – Sheffield Half Marathon

Stuart Gregory was the only Stilton Strider to make the trip to Sheffield for the plus net Yorkshire Half Marathon. This year’s half marathon took place on a brand new route, with the first six and half miles being up hill with big crowds all around the course. Stuart started the race at the back of group two and paced with the group until the start of the main incline at 2 miles into the race, and having hung on to the main pack until mile 5, he slowly dropped off of the back towards the summit of Ringinglow. His pace then increased again during the second half of the race as the up and quite a lot of down descent into Sheffield began, Stuart then held his own until he crossed finish line in a time of 2.25.13. [Stuart]

5 Apr 2015 – Bluebell Fell Race 4.5m

In his second race of the weekend, it was back off to Derbyshire for Stuart Gregory as he took to the line for the start of the Bluebell fell race, and after a poor result on Saturday Morning he was hoping for an improved performance. This looked to be on the cards after the first 1.5 miles, as he sat with a small group of runners near to the back of the field, unfortunately by the final 1.5 miles the group had pulled away leaving Stuart in last place, and after chasing down but failing to overtake the remains of the group Stuart finished in last place with a time of 58:45. [Stuart]

4 Apr 2015 – No walk in the park race 4

In the first of three races over the long Easter weekend, Striders’ Stuart Gregory made his way up to Chesterfield for race 4 of the no walk in the park race series. Having taken steps backwards in the previous two races, Stuart was hoping to halt his recent poor form in the event.  Unfortunately, this was not to be the case as for a third series race in a row he finished in a slower time of 28:48. [Stuart]

29 Mar 2015 – Desford 6 (LRRL)

Eight Striders travelled to Desford to run the penultimate LRRL race in toughest conditions so far this season. 

With some of the faster runners missing, due to training commitments, young guns Alex and Matt had their sights set on the “first strider” points. With a strong head wind on the outward leg and progressively heavier rain, on this undulating course, this was going to be a tough battle.

 

Alex started strongly and was well ahead in the first 2 miles. Matt paced Greg until the 3 mile marker, when the wind direction changed, to slowly reduce the gap to a mere 1 second at the line.  With everyone desperate to seek shelter from the elements, four runners recorded PBs.

 

Alex Riley 110, 40:36 PB; Matt Gayton 113, 40:37 PB; Greg Pettingill 125, 41:01 3rd MV 55-59; Luke Egglestone 152, 41:56 PB; John Houghton 242, 45:14 PB; Louise Houghton 314, 48:45; Harvey Hopwood 423, 54:30; Stuart Gregory 467, 57:48. [Greg]

22 Mar 2015 – Wolf’s Pit fell race

Eager for some early season fell race training, Greg Pettingill and Steve Dewick headed to the Peak District for the first race in the “Accelerate” series. With the catchy slogan “Running made easy” and wall to wall sunshine, we were expecting running heaven…..how wrong can you be?

Unusually for a fell race, the start was downhill over perfect pasture, a short length of farm track and a stream crossing followed by reality…350m of ascent in 1km ! The rest of the race was perfect running on moorland paths and tracks followed by a knee crunching descent of the ascent. A fiver well spent!  Out of the 361 finishers Greg Pettingill was147th 53:28; Steve Dewick 338th 69:33. [Greg]

22 Mar 2015 – Ashby 20

For those building up to a spring marathon, the Ashby 20 is often a key milestone, either pacing well for a solid training run, or pushing on to test fitness – it is certainly a tough test in itself, with 20 undulating miles over the roads.

On a sunny spring day, the start/finish area had a great atmosphere, so much so that Jason Barton couldn’t stay away for long – his time of 2.07.42 being the 3rd quickest ever at a 20 mile race as a Strider, with only Chris and Nicola ever going faster.

Simon Bottrill was next home, in an impressive 2.34.54 (given the previous day’s efforts), with Dan Valencia and Michael Atton also putting tired legs to the test in 2.43.43 and 2.44.00.  Rob Beers (representing first claim club, Barrow) 2.43.47.  Rich Gray (2.46.43), Vicki Lowe (2.52.12), Abi Arnott (2.52.13), Michelle Farlow (2.53.27) and John Houghton (2.57.08) put in solid performances whilst building up to longer challenges, as did Sarah Lawrence (3.36.43) and Shaun Staff (4.23.52).  [Rich]

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Whats tapering? Race two for some of us this weekend (Grr Shiny Road Runners) and there didn’t seem to be many creaks this morning for the race which most people do as part of their Marathon training.  Now, when you go to an event you see people with T-shirts of `Madrid Half-Marathon` or `Los Angeles Marathon` but let’s be honest in the Midlands running circles the only true respect your going to get is if you sport the famous Ashby 20 hoodie!

It’s pretty much a Bucket list race if just for the Hoodie.  So quite a few debutants this year in fact I think there were seven Strider debutants for this race and it’s not an easy one, all about getting your splits right and not going off like a whirlwind I must admit I had it good on the pressure front as was only pacing a friend yet thoroughly enjoyed it, Michael Atton despite feeling it somewhat after running so hard yesterday managed a great time in his debut, Michelle Farlow looking very ready for the Virgin London Marathon, oh to be honest we all ran very well! Totally a race where I think you can learn from about your running pacing and stamina and we also found out they don’t serve good cups of Tea in Ashby.  [Rob]

21 Mar 2015 – Charnwood Marathon

Rawlins School and Community Centre in Quorn was the location for the start of this year mis-named Charnwood Marathon as there are two distances to choose from a 16 and 27, neither of which exactly constitutes a marathon, but for £10 (£5 of which goes to charity) and some fabulous views you can’t really go wrong. Six [first claim] Striders and Rob Beers made the trip all opting for the 16 miles distance with six of the participants competing in races the following day the plan was for a steady and enjoyable run around Charnwood.
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At home among a number of salty looking fell racers is was no surprise to see Greg Pettingill coming in 5th and complete the course in 2:06 followed home by the youthful Alex Riley, a new addition to the Striders with bags of potential, home in 2:16 then Michael Atton who seemed to have completely forgotten that he had the Ashby 20 the next day in 2:26 and bringing up the rear, ably led by Rob Beers from start to finish was John Houghton, Dan Valencia and Simon Bottrill all finishing in 2:46.
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This was a great event with the organisers laying on an impressive spread for the returning runners/walkers including hot & cold beverages, 4 different soups, filled rolls and vast array of cakes. [Simon]
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My Fourth Charnwood Marathon and for myself the best race in Leicestershire, more ascent than Charnwood Hills, stunning route and all for a mere tenner going towards a great cause. With fixture pile up today’s race would only be a gentle outrun with the boys so no building on last year’s colossal placing (Have I ever mentioned that?).  As per usual the group are unable to stay together due to sheer excitement of being in a race with both Alex  Riley and Michael Atton chasing `Salty old Fell Runner` Greg Pettingill from the race start at Rawlings college Quorn.
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It’s quite a pull in the first two miles even up to Woodhouse Eaves although our group aren’t racing there is camaraderie thus anyone walking up the Hills gets the round in, thankfully our strong Stilton legs have no problems with upper Broombriggs, Beacon Hill, Windmill Hill or Cardiac Hill. Into Bradgate Park and were all running really well, we did forget our selfie at the top of Old John but we have real fun navigating our own way to Swithland gates where again we scoffed cake. Through Swithland woods and Swithland village and an easier three miles back to Quorn, 16.3 miles in all a wonderful day out in great company, we got some smashing photos and ended up at a Pub in Barrow on Soar.  [Rob]
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