Four Striders made their way to Bradgate Park for the 5km and 10km races, with around 100 other runners.
In the 5km race Stuart Gregory was the only Strider taking part and made hard work of the course in his third race of the weekend finishing the very tough route in 46.40 his slowest time to date with one race still to go later that morning.
In the 10km race, Rob Beers was the first Strider home and 2nd overall in a none too shabby 52.34, followed in 7 minutes later by John Houghton (8th overall) in 59.39, and Louise Houghton (2nd lady) in 1.05.05 to continue her solid form of results on a very hilly course. [Stuart]
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It’s well known that a few of the more intrepid of us would be doing the double and following this with the Prestwold 10k straight after. Following Excuses (!) by Dan and Mike , its myself, Lou and John Houghton running the 10k and Stuart Gregory doing the 5k who are rocking the Stilton colours at Bradgate this fine morning.
It is laid back and nicely organised and looks like it’ll be a growing event (the next one in March 2016), the race starts with a mainly downhill route towards Newton Linford gates although I set off far too quick not realizing my legs are badly hung over from Friday`s Beacon Hill run. Sharp left at the bottom and the first of the climbs but it’s a nice route through the park they’ve chosen, quite an incline near what I’d refer to as ‘the climbers rock’ see’s the first of people walking. Around the Tree plantation followed by the long pull up Old John which definitely see’s even more people walking (Well apart from certain people, ahem).
As the course is multiple lap, I seem to have woke up a little and kick on more the second lap, although two people passed me in the last 2k the `all runnable ` adage is a winner as going up Old John the second time I leave them standing (ok walking) . It’s all downhill from here (literally) as the guy behind me isn’t going to catch me on the descent or the rare sprint finish and I’m quite surprised to find I’m second in the 10k race!
John Houghton `s impressive form saw him 8th in the 10k and Lou Houghton 2nd lady, both Houghton`s in great form! Not a PB race by any stretch of the imagination and we`d all have done the 15k instead of racing over to Prestwold in hindsight but was a really great day overall none the less. [Rob]
Tag: 10k
14 June 2015 – Stathern 10k
It was the 10th anniversary of the Stathern Festival last weekend and possibly the last ever. During the two weeks of fetes, shows and celebrations, this little village plays host to a flat-ish road race – Stathern 10k. Perfect running conditions greeted a smaller field than usual with only 62 competitors taking part.
The first Strider home was Jason Barton who finished in 2nd place in a time of 35:41. In 22nd place was MRC and parkrun regular Matt White finishing in a time of 44:43. 2nd Strider back was Tony Allen finishing in 34th in a time of 50:22 and Stuart Gregory was the final Strider to finish in 57th place in a time of 1:01:51.
Nicholas Smith and Celina Silver, who were running for their first claim club Stamford Striders, both finished well with Nicholas in 26th with 45:56, and Celina finished in 44th place with a time of 54:21. [Jay]
16 June 2015 – Rothley 10k
Six Striders made their way to the race start on a warm Leicestershire evening to join the 600+ other runners taking part in the event. First out of the blocks and first home for the Striders was Michael Atton who finished 66th with a time of 43.56 and 6th male Vet 45. Next back just fourteen seconds later was Dan Valencia 75th overall in 44.10, nearly three minutes later John Houghton crossed the line 129th overall in 46.54, Tam Nicol followed in just 40 seconds later 139th overall and 8th male vet 50 in 47.34.
The in form Louise Houghton continued to make her presence felt finishing 210th overall and 3rd female Vet 45 in 50.27. Last back was the ever present Stuart Gregory 448th overall in 1.02.53 his third fastest 10k this year and just a little slower than Stathern 10k two days previous. [Stuart]
10 May 2015 – Clawson 10k
This race on the doorstep is a cheery favourite amongst many in the club, with the appeal been building for quite a few months there is a significant Stilton Striders contingent running today. Only fatigue to Andrew Bentley and injury to Simon Bottrill keep them from joining the mass of blue and white, there is a strong contingent of Striders out in support though.
With a much more appealing run through the village rather than hitting the stile in the first 400m the race is greatly improved, Mike Bryan goes off like a scolded cat throughout the village just to prove he can stay ahead for at least a while of eventual race winner Tim Hartley. The initial climb up to Bluebell woods doesn’t get any easier, three of us had run a fell race the previous day and it did show a bit in the legs of the young and ever improving Luke Egglestone, I’m trying to keep Greg Pettingill in my sights that’s my sort of plan. Thought Michael Atton had gone off too quick as he`s breathing hard on the uphill, nope he had an awesome paced race, kicked on superbly through the wood section and then began troubling Greg for the rest of the race.
I spent most of the race either looking at Greg in front or wondering how far away the Stilton legend Mick Stevens is behind me, that I passed him in the last 1k and seemed to be cruising only to see him go past me in the last 40m of the race, darn. Have to admit the finish is way better with the straight route to the finish instead of doing that silly loop.Great event, we all seemed very cheery after (Could’ve been the beer) and throughout, special mention to John Houghton`s number which apparently is being framed.
See you next year! [Rob]
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Mike Bryan – 45.56;
Greg Pettingill – 47.44;
Michael Atton – 48.03;
Mick Stevens – 49.05;
Rob Beers – 49.06;
Luke Eggleston – 49.31;
Dan Valencia – 50.58;
Andy Nicholls – 52.24;
John Houghton – 53.37;
Nicholas Smith (representing first claim club, Stamford Striders) – 54.02;
Danny Casey – 55.49;
Tony Allen – 57.13;
Louise Houghton – 57.32;
Ben Pickard – 57.33;
Lloyd Willett – 59.09;
Celina Silver (representing first claim club, Stamford Striders) – 1.06.15;
A special mention must also go to Nicholas and Celina for bringing over a huge number of runners from their first claim club, Stamford Striders.
19 Apr 2015 – Beacon Bunny Run 10k
In near perfect running conditions, Mike Bryan and Stuart Gregory made their way to Beacon Hill for their second race each of the weekend, and in the 111 strong field Mike Bryan was the first Strider home in 6th place with a time of 43.04, only 51 second off a top 3 finish on his first attempt at the double assent course. Next home, 18 minutes 13 seconds later and completing the striders contingent for the day, was Stuart Gregory finishing 70th overall his highest finish in this race and in a course best of 1.01.17. [Stuart]
19 Apr 2015 – Derby 10k
Luke Eggleston was the only Stilton Strider to make the short trip to the Ipro stadium in Derbyshire for this years Derby 10K. It was brillant racing conditions with over 4000 runner running the race. Luke got a time of 40:05 and came 168th overall. [Luke]
19 Apr 2015 – Grantham Cup 10k
Having done this awesome event at Belton House last year just had to do it again as it’s as much a day out as a race. For the £10 or £12 entry you get the entrance for yourself and one other into the Belton Horse Trials and country fair, including the race (and fine memento’s) although they didn’t `officially` let you into Belton House for free this year.
Very cold, grey and blowy start and I’m hoping my legs are rested from yesterday`s fell race enough to put in a credible performance and get near last year`s 15th place. It seems that the good word has spread and the attendance has tripled to over 300 runners this year, many I’m guessing also started late due to the huge tailback of traffic into the venue.
Tony Allen the only Strider in full kit today (Sorry!), Norman Starks we didn’t see but we did have Diane and Michael Atton as cheerleaders so no scrimping on the Strider Cup points!
Race starts at 11:30 and although it looks like short neat grass to start within the first 1k it`s not only uphill but the grass lengthens to the stuff that drags your pace, still it’s nothing bad. Mind you the first real hill at 3.5k is and its one many are forced to walk (it’s all Runnable!), my legs get going again at the top and start hitting form) passing people through the woods section and especially on the descents (thank you Inov-8 trailroc 245`s).
Second big hill is a killer and although its slow still `no walk in the park` for this guy, the last 3k is back the way you went out but it does feel a hell of a lot longer especially as your going for scalps and trying to do that on tired legs. Complacency lost me four places in the last 100m instead of putting a sprint on but I’m very happy with my placing of 30th and time of 45:55 some six minutes quicker than last year!
Norman Starks and Tony Allen ran superb races also coming 55th and 90th in 48:51 and 52:48 respectively, it’s one of those races that hurt like hell at the time but you feel great afterwards – it is a tough tough course and I hope that despite that we can see more Striders shirts there next year as it is one for the family as well as the runner. [Rob]
6 Apr 2015 – Notts Easter 10k
Natalie Teece and Stuart Gregory made the short journey to Wollaton Park in Nottingham for the Easter 10km. Natalie was first home, 57th place (and 2nd V35) in a time of 41:07.
Stuart then followed home 25 minutes later in a much improved 530th place and a course PB of 1:05:00 to finish on a high after three days of running. [Stuart]
8 Feb 2015 – Markfield 10k LRRL winter league race 2
Fourteen Striders competed in the second winter league race, which was run in almost perfect conditions. With racing experience and the intervening “technical sessions” most Striders ran at a faster pace then at the Barrow 6. Will this trend continue at Kibworth?
First Strider home was Jason Barton in 23rd overall, 36:18; followed by Jim Hatherley 30th, 36:47; Darren Glover 83rd, 39:07; Natalie Teece 124th (7th female) 40:47; Greg Pettingill 128th (4th in category) 40:56; Matt Gayton 164th, 42:11 (pb); Shane Sharkey 188th, 42:52; Luke Eggleston 219th, 44:01; Ben Pickard 258th, 45:17; Neil Jaggard 292nd, 46:16; John Houghton 316th, 47:06; Vicki Lowe 334th (7th in category) 47:57; Louise Houghton 406th, 50:37 and Stuart Gregory 571st,61:56. [Greg]
