2016 – Page 4 – Stilton Striders

The Bandage Tour 2016

In January this year I made a rash statement about completing 20 different parkruns at 20 different locations from the start of the year hoping to complete the challenge before the end of June. I am pleased to say I am well on target. I have missed three Saturdays, through work, giving blood a couple of days before and a bout of man flu but I have now completed 16. With runs in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and of course Leicestershire the sporting capital of England. Travelling as far as Lincoln, Gainsborough, Peterborough, Swadlincote, Moira, Corby and a host of other places.

The great thing is I don’t decide where I am going until I get in the car on a Saturday morning and I never know what I am going to find until I get there. With courses ranging from tarmac paths, gravel paths, grassy paths muddy paths or in the case of Gainsborough waste land at the back of the leisure centre. Some are pan flat such as Mkt Harborough others very hilly like Gedling. Most of them are 2 lap courses or out and backers, others like Lincoln and Gainsborough are 3 laps. Some very picturesque like Rosilston in the national forest others less so such as Forest Rec which is in the middle of Nottingham. But which ever one you do they all present a different challenge and are always a friendly social occasion and always near a cafe for a cuppa at the end.

After completing 16 my favourites so far are the 2 in the National forest at Rosilston and Conkers with my least favourite being one in Lincolnshire that wasn’t Lincoln. Times range from 21.41 at best down to a couple around 24.30. with a few age category ‘wins’, a few top 20 finishes and a few 70% age grading results but remembering all the time its a run not a race.

In fact I have enjoyed it so much so far that I have revised my challenge hoping to complete 25 or even all the parkruns within 50 miles of Melton Mowbray which is still on this years to do list.

Mansfield on the radar for this week, another one to tick off.

2 May 2016 – Woodhouse May Day Challenge

This must be my 5^th or 6^th May day challenge and it’s an event I always sing highly of as it despite its `tough` profile is one for everyone.

As usual a very large crowd of runners is on hand in the serene village of Woodhouse Eaves for this year’s challenge, as 9:30 strikes the runners start in pursuit of the walkers who have set off an hour earlier. Good turnout today from Stilton Striders and Melton Running club, many doing this event for the first time and although it’s not quite as nice weather as years past it’s still quite pleasant.

Not wearing a watch today my plan is to stick near Barrow Runners Russ Lewin and Chris Trinder and aim for 1:40 or even more hopefully under. The usually painful slog up Deans Lane isn’t too bad this time, someone else said it that it’s not Deans Lane so much but the pull up to the Beacon straight after. A nice long descent down Beacon Hill country park and back into Woodhouse Eaves before the slog which I dread most Woodhouse golf course!

Feel a little bit better on entering Bradgate Park this year than last (stitch from not breathing properly) and enjoy the descent down to Newton Linford gates. The flat through Bradgate Park isn’t too bad although it’s here I lose my pacers in Russ and local legend Tim Hartley at 9 miles in, not often I’ll be able to say about running alongside Tim! I`m running alongside Stuart Shaw doing this event for the first time who despite saying he`s really feeling it is actually looking very fresh. Just over 10 and a half miles and I can feel it, not sure whether to blame the 19 mile XC route from Saturday or not doing enough long tempo work but I’m tiring and it can be the hardest few miles for many doing this race. I urge Stuart on “If you’ve anything left its two miles” , He definitely looks more fleet footed than I do and I seem to drop pace slowly until I hit the tarmac again at Old Woodhouse. Another `forgotten killer` is Old Woodhouse with the mean incline at its rear before the slow pull back into Woodhouse Eaves playing field, followed by the `loop of shame` around the field (Anyone who has run this knows what I mean!).

Bit off the time I wanted but as usual really enjoyed, very proud how everyone did, Kaye calling me every name under the sun but loving it really, Brian Walking coming over the line like he’d scored a hat trick in a cup final and pretty much a great day out for all. [Rob]

Stuart Shaw (24^th, 1:40:59), Rob Beers (26^th, 1:41:27), Katie Hateley (74^th, 1:53:29), Brian Walking (160^th, 2:06:31), Simon Proctor (175^th, 2:09:58), John Hudson (230^th, 2:17:51), Susan Pettingill (260^th, 2:29:12), Kaye Mead (261^st, 2:29:13), Helen Metcalfe (309^th, 2:46:41), Elizabeth Gray (310^th, 2:46:52) and Stuart Gregory (314^th, 2:49:45)

LRRL Summer league – Gaddesby 7, 22nd May

The deadline is rapidly approaching for entries to another of the summer league races – this one very local to us, the Gaddesby 7. Entries by 13th May – all details are at the link below:

Team Anstey Website

24 Apr 2016 – Orston Spring Dash

A well run 10k for a tenner – proceeds were going towards Orston school which is where the race began and finished. The majority of the run was mainly along the quiet country roads in and around Orston (the route went from Orston to Flawborough, Thoroton and to Orston) with a small part being run along a track. Good value for money …….with a slightly longer than expected 10k (ended up being about 6.5 miles) and a piece of cake at the end. My time was 52mins 43. [Sarah]

New year, new committee, subs now due

Following last week’s AGM, annual subs are now due (these are the same as the prior year – £30 first claim, £55 joint, £20 second claim, £10 competing junior).

A big thank you to Andrew Bentley for his efforts as membership secretary for the last two years, and welcome to the committee to Andy Nicholls (replacing Andrew), Rob Beers (new Club Captain) and Abi Arnott.

10 Apr 2016 – Belvoir Half Marathon

A bright spring morning greeted the runners for this year’s Belvoir Half Marathon, drawing out almost as many Striders to support as to race. The flat 13.1 mile course from Hose in the Vale of Belvoir is a regular for those looking to test themselves ahead of a spring marathon, or as a target in its own right.

Strider results: Darren Glover 1.30.31, Dan Valencia 1.36.36, Mark Stoneley 1.38.56, John and Louise Houghton crossing the line together in 1.45.30, Sarah Procter 1.50.06, Brian Walkling in his debut over the distance 1.54.23 and Sarah Lawrence 1.54.32. Well done all!

Well done also to Dan Howley (1.51.27) and Liz Parkinson (2.14.30) who will be joining for the new season.

AGM reminder – 8.30pm, Weds 13th April

This year’s club AGM will be held at 8.30pm on 13th April 2016 at the usual location – the Dance Studio next to the bar at KE7 Sports Centre. Agenda and a copy of last year’s minutes have been emailed out to members.

As usual, membership fees for the coming year (1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017) will be agreed at the meeting and become due immediately. We will also have our stock of kit there, so bring some cash! Orders for club kit that we don’t currently have in stock can be discussed on the night.

AGM, Weds 13th April 8.30pm

This year’s club AGM will be held at 8.30pm on 13th April 2016 at the usual location – the Dance Studio next to the bar at KE7 Sports Centre. Agenda and a copy of last year’s minutes will emailed out to members shortly.