Tag: road

17 May 2015 – West End 8

A warm and sunny Sunday morning greeted the runners at the final ‘winter’ league race of 2015, the West End 8.  One of the more challenging league courses, the first two miles are steadily uphill, followed by nearly two miles (slightly) down and then a steep hill into (and out the other side of) South Croxton.  There is then around four miles of downhill and a bit of flat into the finish.

Jason Barton had another great run to finish in 46.59 (16th overall, 12th Senior Male), followed home by Luke Eggleston (54.18), who held off Greg Pettingill (3rd MV55, 54.47).  Shane Sharkey (56.10), Rich Gray (58.01) and Stuart Gregory (82.26) completed the Striders contingent.

Full results can be found on the Network website.

10 May 2015 – Bosworth Half Marathon

Two striders headed to Market Bosworth to take on the best that Leicestershire and Rutland has to offer in the Bosworth Half Marathon, which incorporates the Leicestershire and Rutland ACA championships. Nearly 600 runners lined up at Market Bosworth Water Trust on a warm and mostly sunny day, with just a touch a breeze to provide some relief. 

The course follows the undulating roads that wind through the villages and countryside around Market Bosworth, passing by, as the organisers point out in some detail, many sites of historical interest linked to the recently re-interred King Richard III. With two tough climbs towards the end of the race, this course offers little in the way of PB potential. First there is the 120ft climb along Fenn lane into Sutton Cheney at mile eight, closely followed by the 115ft climb into the town of Market Bosworth at mile ten. However, both Striders rose to the challenge on the day. 

First Strider home was Mark Stoneley in a time of 1.33.31 (58th), followed by Iain Howe in 1.48.18 (219th). Iain Howe’s performance was particularly impressive given his recent comeback from injury. [Mark]

10 May 2015 – Wymeswold Waddle

241 runners took to a sunny undulating out-and-back course at the annual Wymeswold Waddle 5 mile road race. Only 3 Striders made the very short journey to this local and very well supported event with everyone receiving a technical tee. All Striders put in good times, Jason Barton was the first Strider back finishing in 5th place (2nd place senior) in a time of 28.57. Next home was Mike Brighty finishing strongly in 75th in a time of 37.23, and finishing the trio of Striders was Tam Nicol in 208th in a time of 49.10, who was running with Stephanie Barlow who finished well in a time of 49.09 in 207th position. A quick mention to the Wilson family from Melton, Joshua finished 29th – 33.15, David finished 98th – 39.34 and Jane finished 102nd – 39.40. (Jay)

26 Apr 2015 – London Marathon

5 Stilton Striders joined the 38,000 people in the 35th London Marathon in perfect running conditions.  Jason Barton had an excellent run 2.47. Vicki Lowe 3.54 and Wayne Hackett 4.07  both are no strangers to this course. Completing the marathon for the first time was Michelle Farlow in 4.08 and Shaun Staff 6.06.  Thanks to our Strider supporters on the day Kirsty Black and Shane Sharkey. [Vicki]

26 Apr 2015 – Shakespeare Marathon

It was once more unto the breach as Rob Beers and Dan Valencia headed to Stratford upon Avon for a crack at the Shakespeare Marathon. There certainly were quite a few thousand running it but it seems to have been strangely overshadowed by some other Marathon going on today? 

So a good performance was needed to burn the odd pound of flesh but very heavy traffic in the early going as runners from the full and Half Marathon are not sorted out in any order and the streets aren’t overly wide.  Finally after three miles were out in the country and not people dodging, Dan has set an impressive split pace given his Ashby 20 time and although the course isn’t as flat as I’d believed(at all) it’s very scenic and enjoyable. 

Water stops throughout the course are very numerous (actually so are WC`s) however Gels/Mars bars or similar nutrition nope.  It’s a two lap course but slightly different on the second lap,  Dan hadn’t been well in the few weeks leading up to the race and tells me to push on at the halfway point, he had been running superbly the first half.  

The worst part is the offroad compacted trail which is bad enough the first lap is the second lap it goes on forever and compared to the earlier scenery is as dull as dishwater. Last three miles become more of a struggle but I get in at 3:30 I clocked which made my brow bound with victorious wreaths, Dan was a bit miffed at himself at 4:04 but given his first run for a few weeks and illness I thought it mighty credible, its 26.2 miles!  

Good performance from Stuart Gregory the only Strider running the Half Marathon, running 2:12 and jangling his Car keys in his back pocket throughout!  

As a race, they claim 40% goes to charity (doesn’t 100% of Leicester?) it’s very meagre on the goodie bag given the entry price (Banana/Water/Medal) but it is a nice race although there are parts of it I don’t feel are suited to the outright Road Runner(sharp turns along the canal, the trail parts) , very scenic and enjoyable  I think possibly even a PB course for those running the half marathon (PB or not PB that is the question).  [Rob]

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Shakespeare half marathon

With Rob and Dan running the full marathon, Stuart was the only Strider to take on the half marathon, after a steady start Stuart began to lift his pace from mile 3, completing the first half of the course in just over an hour, Stuart then maintained his pace to the finish to compete the course 24 minutes 3 seconds faster than last year in a course PB of 2hr 12m 56s, only 5 minutes 1 second slower than his PB for the distance set in Nottingham last September. [Stuart]

19 Apr 2015 – Manchester Marathon

3 runners from Melton made the trip up the M6 to run the Manchester Marathon for what turned out to be a good day out for all concerned. 

In near perfect conditions, first over the line in front of Old Trafford Stadium was Stilton Striders Matt Gayton who clocked a time of 3:25:57 beating his previous PB by 36 minutes, at mile 20 Matt had plans of overtaking the 3:15 pacer however this didn’t transpire as the pacer speeded or maybe Matt slowed down. Next home with a PB by 14 minutes was fellow strider Abi Arnott finishing in 3:42:57. Mark Ninnis followed soon after making an impressive Marathon debut in 3:46:48. 

The race was well supported and organised and has proved it is a definite PB course.  [Abi]

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]