Category: 2015 reports

18 July 2015 – Crich Monument Race

The race is an 11km (7mile) event with 1,000 feet of ascent, set in the Derbyshire countryside not too far from the tramway museum and monument and is one of the main feature events of the Crich fete.

On a nice sunny day, Stuart Gregory was the only Stilton Strider to make his way to the start line.  A modest mile of undulation started the runners off, before a marked descent into the Derwent valley, which took some early victims due to the uneven nature of the ground.  This was then followed by a nice canal run of around 2 miles before the ascent to the monument began.  They early part of the climb is quite steep before levelling off and, with most people walking that section, a steady march helped Stuart to pass a few competitors who were finding the early climb a struggle.

After a short downhill section, they were off again and a strong push up the steepest part of the route saw off a further five competitors.  Some splendid views over the top of the course before a moderate mile downhill to the finish which saw Stuart overtake what remained of the back of the race with just 400 metres to go, to finish in 1hr 24min 39s.  It would be great to see a few more Striders vests in attendance next year to add to this cracking event.  [Stuart]

10 July 2015 – Rainbows 100 Lap Challenge

Rapidly becoming one of the most enjoyable evenings on the calendar, the Rainbows 100 Lap Challenge once again lived up to its reputation.  With mixed teams of 20 or so runners taking on the challenge of completing 100 laps of the Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium, the event has a great atmosphere, with huge amounts of support from all for runners from all the teams.

With intermediate timings being announced over the tannoy, it was clear from early on that 3 teams had pulled away at the head of the field – Beaumont, Striders Seniors and, in an early lead, Striders Juniors.  The three teams exchanged the lead several times and gaps of less than 1 lap of the track remained as the runners approached the 10 laps to go point.


Ultimately, and for the first time in many years, the extra “experience” of our Senior team won through as they finished in first place, closely followed by the Juniors in second.  A great night was had by all – same time, same place next year?

A few more photos can be found here.

——————————————-

A view from the track (by Mr Rob Beers):

My first time running this, in the past it sounded very much like a Scooby Doo type of thing “And we would’ve won if it wasn’t for those darn pesky kids”, in relation to our stunning junior Striders division. The Senior Striders team were up against not only our ultra fast juniors but Wigston Phoenix, Beaumont RC, Huncote Harriers, West End RC, Bowline CC,  Desford Striders, Anstey RC and a Parkrun select.

Just the small task at Saffron Lane Sports Stadium in Leicester of beating ever other team to running 100 lapsof 400 metres first. Started off by our shiny speedster Jason Barton we got the challenge underway, most interesting was thespeed of people who took off like a scolded cat for 250 metres then really felt the burn and tire in their legs. There were so many good runs and heroic moments throughout the night that I can’t chronicle them all here but will mention the forever humble Ian Johnson and Striders Lady legend Nicola Clay who just looked awesome every lap they did. The young showboating but totally speed on legs Alex Riley who may as I believe ran the fastest lap of the night. Michael Atton who found eternal stardom and notoriety with his alter ego “Chris”, it would be Striders and other clubs alike cheering in this wrongly named hero.

I got to run five laps, I must say it gets easier after the first one where you sort of naturally go off too quick then feel like your sprinting up Snowdon the last 100 metres. Special mention to Stuart Gregory representing his second claim club Desford Striders (And running very well may I add) who came on saying we were on course to win the event. Captain Mike Bryan rang the bell for 99 laps as the Baton switched for Jason Barton who started the race for Stilton to run the 100th lap and bring victory to Stilton Striders senior team in the 2015 Rainbows 100 lap challenge!

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.

5 July 2015 – Great Hucklow fell race

“Will She take a stud Sir… ?“, she most certainly would today, dry as a bone on pavement but muddy and wet offroad, should’ve worn the heavy duty fell shoes rather than summery trail shoes for this.
Besieged with a plethora of weak excuses its only three Stilton Striders at the most wonderful Great Hucklow Fell race today (Race 4-of the Accelerate Gritstone series), namely Myself, Greg Pettingill ( aka Sir Godfrey De Pettingill) and Steve Dewit (For a Chewit) [Err, his surname is Dewick… -Ed].Having done this race before variety is the name of the game, making it hugely enjoyable, a downhill start for a good while and a good `bum slide` banking to go down open preccedings, half a mile in and all are covered in mud. Over a couple of fields before a long endurance sapping climb to the first summit followed by a very marshy descent on springy marsh-like ground which see`s a few go over teeth first. Another climb to the highest point and another long marshy descent before a nice long strip of tarmac, Greg by the way has taken `Pole Strider` position clearly enjoying himself immensely on the terrain. Back onto the grass and we enter single track woodland which many would label precarious, its slippy and angled, low branches, rocks and tree routes and you have no way of passing the person in front-you think Bluebell woods is treacherous?

We come out in a long valley which is totally made up of ups and downs along sheep tracks, before a sharp pull out of the valley and a V-shaped down and up that makes the last hill. Into the woods and were descending down now to the finish at Great Hucklow, even get me doing a sprint finish! Covered in mud from so many bogs and muddy sections, feels great.

Greg may have made under the hour, I was about 80 seconds behind, didn’t catch Steve`s time but superb race lovely mix of everything and the Stilton top is dripping its quite humid out there, yep all runnable also!

£5.00 entry for a 6.2-ish mile race, Inc Flapjacks of many varieties after the race and probably the best post Banana I’ve ever tasted (locally sourced?) , great day out and great race, i`ll continue to sing very highly its praises.  [Rob]

5 July 2015 – Chesterfield Spire 10

Stuart Gregory made his way to Chesterfield for the Spire 10 mile road race. The race takes in around 776 feet of ascent mostly in the first five mile with a slight to modest incline over the final mile. Stuart started the race very well and found himself ahead of last years times over the first five miles, unfortunately this went to pot over the 3.5 mile down hill section of the course coming off of old Brampton, as his pace was slightly slower than 2014.  At mile 9 it was still looking very close as to whether Stuart would beat his course PB and as the final modest climb back to Holmbrook Park began his pace slowed slightly as he crossed the finish line in 1hr 46m 04s, 2m 36s slower than his time from 2014. [Stuart]

2 July 2015 – Holme Pierrepont Grand Prix race 4

With all to play for, Jason and Stuart headed off to the National Watersports Centre for the final race in the series, which is a 10km road race around Holme Pierrepont Country Park. Going into the race Jason Barton sat 1m 04s behind 3rd place, and at the bottom of the table Stuart Gregory needed to make up 7m 30s to overhaul Karen Parkin, his main rival during the series.  Things started well for both Stuart and Jason with both making strong starts over the first 2km, with Jason making the most of a days rest closed the gap on his rivals, meanwhile towards the back of the pack Stuart was pushing hard with the job of finding seven and half minutes and by the half way point had opened up a gap in the region of 4 minutes.  At this point Jason was nearing the end of the 10km event and pushing hard to close the gap and move up in the overall standings. Jason crossed the finish line in a PB 35.03. 

Next back was Stuart who picked the pace up over the final few miles to finish in a seasons best 1hr 00m 30s. the wait was now on for both Jason and Stuart for their final finishing positions. Jason finished 5th overall @ 4m 58s behind the series winner and 1m 37s behind 3rd place. Stuart finished 1m 31s ahead of Karen Parkin of Woodthorpe unfortunately not enough to overhaul her substantial lead, Stuart finished 6m 02s behind Karen overall and moved up 20 places on the final day to finish 231st overall @2hr 7m 11s behind the leader. Big thank you to Shane for coming to support at the series grand final, always nice to see a few striders supporting the efforts of the fellow runners.  Also a big well done to the organisers, hopefully see a few more striders taking part at next year Grand Prix. [Stuart]

1 July 2015 – Hungarton 7 LRRL

The hottest July day on record was perhaps not ideal for running great times at what is generally thought to be the hilliest road race in the county, but Striders were still out in force on the roads around Hungarton.  With the race replacing the club’s usual summer outrun, a host of last minute entries meant that 18 Striders joined the field of nearly 500 runners.

Mike Bryan found his way through the field to be first Strider to finish in a creditable 50.22, followed by Luke Eggleston in 51.45, Dan Valencia in 52.33 and Mark Stoneley in 53.08.  Close together behind them were Rich Gray (54.01), Simon Bottrill (54.37), Andy Nicholls (54.41), Clive Kent (55.39) and Tam Nicol (55.41), John Houghton (56.13).

Katie Hateley put in a storming debut race for the club, finishing in 57.36 before putting her first aid skills to good use in helping marshalls deal with a number of overheating runners at the finish line.  Abi Arnott (58.27), Shane Sharkey (59.24) and Michael Cooke (59.11) were then closely followed by Louise Houghton (59.33), Will Blythe (60.11) and Helen Plant (63.11).  The team was completed by Stuart Gregory in 79.06, before heading en masse to the Black Boy for refreshments and to enjoy the last of the evening sunshine, together with Jenny, Wendy and Nina who, along with Rob and John, had been helping out around the course.

 

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]