Category: 2015 reports

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]

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]

18 Apr 2015 – Frisby Fun Run

RACE ONE

Future Strider Lily Bryan completed the course, along with Dad Mike warming up for later, in a very impressive debut time of 15.46.

RACE TWO Yrs 3-4

Race Two saw 5 junior Striders take on the 0.8 mile course, with Jorden Isaac being first home in 8th place with a time of 6.51, next in was Sammy Homewood in 7.15, with Grace Sercombe 7.26, Kaitlyn Pickard 7.52 and Megan Pressland 8.10 completing the contingent.

RACE THREE Yrs 5-6

Race Three saw more strong finishes for the junior Striders as William Sercombe was first home in 7th place with a time of 6.11 and he was followed closely behind by Archie Cropper 6.25, Daisy Sharpe 8.24 and James Pearson who completed the Striders contingent in 8.35.

RACE FOUR Yrs 7-12

Jess Hill was the only junior Strider to take part in race four which took place over two laps 1.6 miles, and finished 19th in a time of 15.54.

RACE FIVE ”seniors”

Race Five saw two senior Striders take to the two lap course, and in true form Mike Bryan was first to complete the 1.6 mile course in 3rd place with a time of 11.50, it was a further 5.32 before Stuart Gregory rolled in, in 36th place with a time of 17.22.

Overall, a brilliantly run, fun and friendly event, well done to everybody that took part and helped out on the day.  [Stuart]

19 Apr 2015 – Longhorn Marathon

On a busy day in the race calendar, the inaugural ‘Longhorn’ took place in the picturesque grounds of Thoresby Hall in North Notts.  With 10k, half and full marathon options on offer, a looped course was used (4 for the full marathon), taking in a good mix of farm track, woodland trail and Tarmac path – all dry and solid after recent sunshine.  

With enough undulations to keep interest, without trashing the legs, sole Strider Rich Gray put in an even paced 3.44 to finish in 11th place (of 35) in the marathon, 10th male.  With around 350 entries overall, this one is likely to grow in future and well worth a look as something a bit different from the big city marathons.  [Rich]

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]

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]