Stuart Gregory was the only Strider to take part in the final race of the Nottingham 5km series and in perfect running weather lined up with 48 other runners. Before the final race Stuart was sitting just one place outside of the top 20, needing a good result to finish on the first page of the series points standing. Knowing this Stuart started at a steady pace and picked up from there by the half way point it had become clear that he was heading for a high finish on the night. Stuart then pushed on over the last half mile to move up, and finish the race in a series high 24th place, and a series best time of 27:09, he also just missed out on his first top 10 senior male placing coming in 11th!! senior male overall, but in the biggest surprize of the night did manage to gain enough points to finish in the top 20 overall to round off a very well organized series. [Stuart]
Tag: 5k
1st August 2015 – No walk in the park
After a months break due to unforeseen issues, the no walk in the park series was back, and Stuart Gregory made his way north for the 7th race in the series. With a slight cold and lots of running in his legs, Stuart set off at a steady pace. By half way around things had slowed down and he crossed the finish line in his 3rd slowest 5km time to date in 29.11 70th overall. [Stuart]
9 July 2015 – Leicester City 5k
Jason Barton and Stuart Gregory (racing for the 3rd time in 3 days) were at the 3rd race in the Leicester City summer 5k series on a warm and sunny evening in Victoria Park. Jason Barton, displaying more of his recent great form, ran a course best 17.22 to finish in 7th place, and 6th senior male [3rd per Run Britain, as most of the quicker runners were juniors – Ed.] . With much recent racing taking its toll, Stuart eased back from half way to finish in 30.31.
8 July 2015 – Nottingham 5k series
Stuart Gregory was the only Strider to make his way to Colwick Park for race three in the four race series. After narrowly missing a PB the day before, Stuart was looking for an improved time compared to recent performances over the distance. He set off well and kept a steady pace over the two laps to close out his best time on the Colwick course to finish in 33rd place in 27.45.
30 June 2015 – Holme Pierrepont Grand Prix race 3
Stuart and Jason both made their way to Wollaton Park for race three in the four race series and with Jason sitting 5th overall in the series after two races there was all to play for over the 5k course. Jason started the race well and pushed ahead to the half way point, sitting in the top ten which has become a key feature during this race series, eventually finishing 5th in a PB time of 16.52. Being one of Stuart’s best distances, he set off at a strong pace before easing back slightly after 3k and then pushing on to finish in 315th (his highest in the series to date) in 29.17.
After 3 races, Jason has retained his 5th place overall and strengthened his chances of a top 3 finish in the series, sitting just 1m 06s behind Steve Gibson of Beaumont. Meanwhile, after a slightly stronger performance on Tuesday and a number of runners dropping out, Stuart improved his position to 251st overall @ 1hr 1m 57s behind the series leader. Stuart now needs to find 7 minutes in the last race to make 240th overall following the 10k series finale at the National Watersports Centre. [Stuart]
21 June 2015 – Bradgate Park XC
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]
11 June 2015 – Leicester City 5k
Four striders – Jay Barton, Matt Gayton, Darren Glover and Stuart Gregory – made the trip to Leicester along with 100 others for the second race in the Leicester City 5km series on a sunny Leicestershire evening. Jay Barton, who had already shown good form in the first race of the series, made light work of the 5km course as he pushed ahead from the early stages finishing third overall in a time of 17.29. He was followed little more than two minutes later by Mat Gayton 19.38 14th place overall, who held on by 6 seconds ahead of Darren Glover 19.44 15th place and first vet 40. Stuart Gregory rounded off the quartet with a time of 28.01 71st place much better than his performance the previous day.
In a very close fight Stilton Striders were also crowned the overall team champions on the night, to round off a good evening by all Striders. [Stuart]
10 June 2015 – Nottingham 5k series
After his recent downward trend in results Stuart Gregory arrived in Nottingham hoping to steady the ship as he lined up with 53 other runners at the start line as the only Stilton Strider for race two in the four race series. Having missed the first race due to an unexpected situation, Stuart started the race well completing the first 2.5km lap in a steady but not overly fast 13.45, before slowing during the second lap to finish the 5km circuit 40th overall in a time of 29.36. [Stuart]
6 June 2015 – No Walk in the Park
Stuart Gregory was the only Strider to make the trip to Chesterfield for the sixth race in the series. As there were a number of other races taking place that day the field was surprisingly only very slightly depleted with 86 runners taking part on a very windy morning. Stuart started the race at a steady pace for the first 2km, before slowing down markedly at the 3km point, he then continued with the slower pace until 4km, before lifting the pace slowly over the final 1000m with a 200m sprint finish, to finish in a time of 29.23 and 78th place, his worst time and finishing position in the monthly series to date, in his first competitive race in nearly three week. [Stuart]
14 May 2015 – Leicester 5k
Thursday evening saw the first of four races in the Leicester 5k summer series. Having tasted success, both team and individual, in the winter series, three Striders made their way to the start with high hopes.
Jason Barton was first back, finishing in 6th place (5th Senior Male) in a great 17.51, with Shane Sharkey (21.11) and Stuart Gregory (27.41) also putting in solid performances.