Category: 2016 reports

13 Mar 2016 – Keyworth Trail Run

The initial Keyworth Trail Run is an event of 15 or 30k (although they’ll happily admit it’s 31.5k), a good crowd is on hand for the event in proceed of Willowbrook primary school in Stanton on the Wolds. It’s a nice day although the fog is quite heavy and when it clouds over quite cool, having rained much of the week it’s going to be heavy going in places. There is but one Stilton Striders shirt on display this morning for this local event (cough!) and far more from our local neighbours.

The longer distance starts half an hour earlier at 9:30am, having done 21 miles and over 3000ft of ascent the previous day the idea of staying with Malcolm Harris and Simon Cole from Barrow Runners on the way round thankfully leaves my head in the first 2 miles. I can feel very uphill in my quads and by mile three the option of cutting back via the shorter route is certainly more than an idea as we head towards Wysall. Do not be put off by the word ‘Trail’, this route has some serious XC equal to and surpassing the wetter years of the Charnwood Seagrave course and the Belvoir Challenge-ploughed up fields and mud baths aplenty.

Next we head towards Wymeswold and all throughout the run I’m on tracks and paths I never knew existed, it really is that superb and rural sometimes you could be anywhere in the country let alone somewhere between local villages. A little later we head towards Willoughby and even then we are on paths I hadn’t of thought using before, although a couple of people went wrong I found the signage throughout very good indeed. On the other side of Willoughby the sun comes out, and head towards Widmerpool , there is now a few really feeling the strain, saying it’s supposed to be only 195ft of ascent its very undulating! Never does the terrain become a bore: one minute your going through fields, then a track, then road, then woodland, even though I’m familiar with the layout of the local villages it kept me guessing throughout.

Long pull back to Keyworth, with me doing a great impression of someone trying to run on the road back to Stanton on the Wolds, finally I get back and happy with the time given I used as a training run and some often brutal terrain. Great organised event with very nice marshals and event staff, chip timing, absolutely awesome route, didn’t expect a goodie bag so to get a really good one including a T-shirt was superb! Very fairly priced entry and really hope this grows next year. Really would like to see more Striders shirts next year, there were quite a few excellent events on but it’s always nice to support the local races and this was a cracker. [Rob]

12 Mar 2016 – Grindleford Gallop

I had a guy from Barrow Runners go on about this for years hence I had to give it a go, this year’s event sold out in a mere eleven minutes! Originally three Stiltons made the cut but injury meant just myself (Rob Beers) and stand in par-Excellence Dan Valencia would make it to the start line.

Very few Leicestershire clubs on show at this event of around 600 people, we meet up with Zoe Sewter from Hermitage and local legend Tim Hartley who not only hadn’t realised the event was today but hadn’t raced this distance for about 14 years!

We start mid-pack I must admit to not feeling up to it and `training run` being imprinted, in any case it was a reccie for both of us as not knowing really what to expect in 21 miles and 3000ft apart from pain. The first mile towards Froggat woods is incredibly slow with stiles and the usual bottleneck hold ups, people jumping the mud and puddles (surely? It’s an offroad race you know what to expect?). The first big hill comes and whilst I persist up it Dan has plumped for another technique (!) , we head towards the village of Eyam.

Bit too much road at the beginning but Longstone edge is plenty muddy, it’s all those high walls and stiles you have to climb that really play on the agility. Great Longstone leads us towards Bakewell and a long stretch of trail that is far too easy to just hammer and lose a lot of steam (Dan!) as at the end of which is a huge climb with some sort of cowbell at the Hill bottom!

The descent towards Chatsworth estate is one of the most scenic I find, I’m enjoying the downhill, I don’t enjoy the agility of dodging people from here to the end of the race as the weather is getting a lot better and they are coming out the cracks. We hit the village of Baslow at 17 miles and I am somewhat battered (Tim H said he suffered from here also), I’ve tried to conserve energy and definitely another gel or two wouldn’t have gone amiss. Anyway it’s the biggest climb of the lot up to Baslow edge, not knowing the course or how long I’ll be climbing the odd cheeky walk finds its way into my shattered legs as I hope saving them will help with the technical section on the edges. The top eventually came and the technical section began, testing ones agility against not only stones and mud but walkers, Dogs etc on tired legs was very hard work and by the time we came to the woods near the end of Baslow edge I felt really tired and no energy left. The final descent into Grindleford would’ve been done better by a Dalek down a flight of stairs; wearily I tread downhill through the village over the bridge and over the finish line. Thankfully getting inside to a hot cuppa, a bowl of soup and a cake can do wonders for rousing a flagging energy level!

Despite the pain, the uphill and everything it’s a superb well organised event showing off some of the best of the Peak district, both myself and a just as tired Dan Valencia loved it. This year was very much a reccie and we hope to return next year a bit wiser of where to go quick and where to lay off a bit, great day for the offroad runner.  [Rob]

13 Mar 2016 – Silverstone Half Marathon

It was fantastic race conditions at the silverstone race circuit as Jason Barton and Luke Eggleston both went to the Silverstone half marathon on a cold but sunny morning.
Jason was in super form as always and posted a fantastic 1:18:50 just missing out on a top 10 finish (14th place).  Luke, who was also in brilliant race form, posted a 1:28:08 taking more than 4 minutes of his previous PB time for a half marathon.  [Luke]

6 Mar 2016 – Kibworth 6 (LRRL)

A week after the club’s home event at the Stilton 7, the next LRRL winter league race saw 10 Striders take on the hilly Kibworth 6.  On a cold but bright morning, Luke Eggleston continued his run of form, with a big PB for 38.20.  Matt Gayton (40.24), Clive Kent (41.51), Richard Gray (43.52), Tam Nicol (48.01) and Jon Wilson (51.00) completed the Mens team.

For the women, Vicki Lowe came home in 47.46, followed by Debs Wilson (57.38) before Jenny Kent and Steph Barlow finished together for a very creditable 62.14.

28 Feb 2016 – Stilton 7 (LRRL)

More than 450 runners were in Melton on Sunday morning for this year’s Stilton 7 road race, part of the LRRL winter league.  On a cool but increasingly bright morning, the race departed from the Stute at Holwell Sports & Social Club, Asfordby Hill, for 2 laps of the 3.5 mile loop.

Tony Woodward from Hermitage and Mark Powell from Leicester Coritanian battled it out for the overall win, with the Hermitage runner crossing the line first in 37.08, 12 seconds ahead of his rival and with Chris Jordan (also Leicester Coritanian) third in 39.12.

The women’s race was won by nearly two clear minutes by Anne Holland of Wreake Runners in 42.28, with Marie Atterbury of Anstey and Louise Insley of South Derbyshire battling it out for second and third in 44.26 and 44.43, respectively.

For host club, Stilton Striders, despite illness, injury and volunteer duties depriving the club of a number of runners, there were some great performances:
45.05 – Luke Eggleston
46.27 – Darren Glover
51.26 – Michael Cooke
51.25 – Andy Nicholls
51.48 – Clive Kent
54.16 – Vicki Lowe
55.35 – Abi Arnott
56.39 – Michelle Farlow
56.55 – Sarah Procter
57.58 – Tam Nicol
58.24 – Harriette Wright
67.29 – Harvey Hopwood
74.24 – Jenny Kent

The club would like to thank all the volunteers, supporters and runners who contributed to a successful event.

Full results available via the Stilton 7 page.

27 Feb 2016 – Belvoir Challenge

A week of mostly pleasant weather sees a lot of the course a lot drier than the week previous when we reccied part of it and was very boggy. Fixture pile up sees this year’s challenge which usually gets a huge Striders contingent battle against the National XC championships at Donington Park and Stilton’s own race the `Stilton 7` on the Sunday.

As usual a sold out Belvoir Challenge, it’s around 3 degrees and it seems I’m the only person running in a vest. This year the start is from the Village hall field which I’m not sure is an improvement but the pre-race music is the best I’ve heard at any race.

The opening 10k sees the traditional climb out of the Vale of Belvoir, this year we head through Goadby Marwood and to the first checkpoint at Scalford. Aware of the friendly rivalry with Greg Pettingill keeping with him throughout is in my thoughts as not wearing a watch also, whilst it may be drier underfoot this year the undulation is certainly more I think this year.

The route follows towards Waltham and Bescaby then to the halfway stage at Croxton Kerrial, surprisingly this is the last I see of Greg who had a few issues on the day and I’m sure will be back pushing me next time. The legs actually felt slower by 15 miles but I just sat at it on the way to Harston, a child who at 18 miles at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir tells me I’ve only six miles to go, I wish!

It’s a long slog up to Belvoir, I’m not sure if I’m running or just moving my arms but the sight of Stathern woods ahead I feel a little better after a few dark miles. Upon entering Stathern woods I take a cheeky 50 yard walk, I am tired, I actually felt delirious at the Wood Lane check point; although unlike last year the whole Stathern woods section did go a lot quicker despite the feeling I’ve been passed by every man and his dog. The last few miles do not feel pretty at all I’m just intent on finishing and pretty sure a slower start and a GPS watch would have made my overall time a lot better. The legs are shot with sharp pain into my hamstring at every uphill, without a doubt a very undulating course this year, not dry underfoot but certainly still a fair share of mud (those mud divots at the rear of Bescaby were killer), come in to a superb Stilton welcome at the finish and I believe a new Striders course record! Big well done to all who ran, a lot of Striders people running this event for the first time (including a Marathon debut!) very nice day out. For all.

15 mile results – Clive Kent (65th, 2:17:27) Katie Hateley (97th, 2:26:37) Brian Walkling (170th, 2:46:50) John Houghton (182nd, 2:49:30) Lou Houghton (257th, 3:07:14) Kaye Mead (283rd, 3:12:29) Jenny Kent (366th, 3:36:46) Susan Pettingill (370th, 3:37:19) .

26.2 mile results – Rob Beers (40th, 3:56:02) Dan Valencia (69th, 4:15:44) Simon Bottrill (78th, 4:23:08) Richard Gray (119th, 4:51:05) Greg Pettingill (150th, 5:09:51) Helen Metcalfe (202nd, 6:26:25).

[Rob]

14 Feb 2016 – Stamford Valentines 30k

On Track for London Marathon
Proving that their preparations for the upcoming London Marathon are well on track, 2 Stilton Striders finished strongly in the very hilly Stamford 30km. In icy cold conditions and a very strong wind, seasoned marathoner Vicki Lowe finished 14th in the 45-50 year old category recording 2:37:45. 

In only her second attempt at the distance Theresa Coltman recorded 2:44:15 finishing 10th in the 50-55 year old category. With 10 weeks to the London Marathon both ladies were pleased with their performance and look forward to their next test at the Ashby 20 mile race in 5 weeks time.  [Theresa]

7 Feb 2016 – Charnwood Hills Race

This year’s CHR sold out in some 25 mins, the 350-odd places snapped up so quick the website almost crashed. One of only two fell races in Leicestershire this race has now become one of the most popular and oversubscribed, given how many Leicestershire athletes we see on the actual fells (apart from Stilton of course and a few exceptions!) perhaps previous entry in a set number of FRA races over the previous 12 months would be a good race pre-requisite? Given that near 700 ran the Bradgate Derby runner league race and only 300-350 allowed here it may be a way for the race to move forward as a CL Fell race not just an extended XC.

Anyway CHR 2016, a mere three Striders this year with colds and flu depriving us late on of two Stilton entrants, it’s Rob Beers and Greg Pettingill out there suffering with heavy colds and Katie Hateley swearing she`s done no training. Not thankfully overly cold but a cold wind and quite a breeze, a few spots of rain in the sky but it has rained heavily the few days before and the mud is very plentiful.

The usual start off around the field with many people going off as usual with a far too positive split and an early faller who got tangled up in Mr Pettingill`s legs! The Greg-meister has made an impressive start and I’m towing him as we head into Bradgate Park and the looming Old John in the distance, at least I`m comforted by the fact he didn’t run all of that said hill. Yours truly does and then it’s the usual job of getting the breathing back to normal on the descent and down a very muddy cardiac hill into the (Bloody) golf course. Sue Pettingill is playing lead Stilton cheerleader today at Broombriggs and ahead of me is Greg climbing (walking!) upper broombriggs, I finally feel I’m gaining on the veteran warrior a little although I throw far too much into my descent towards Beacon Hill. Never my favourite climb the Beacon but for once no-one over takes me, a nice downhill off the Beacon where I sensibly go past Greg who is at the time suffering somewhat (you wouldn’t have thought given how effortlessly he was running).

Into the (Bloody) golf course and Cardiac Hill is a mud rink, back into Bradgate Park and by now I`m feeling not having a gel or water as by the technical section by Lady Jane Grey`s house my feet have the agility of your average Ogre. The last two miles I felt I lost 2-3 mins and the pace slowed greatly for me, I looked behind to see Greg climbing the long slow path towards the school thinking he had no way of catching me. Anyway a `Bottrill-esque` finish saw him take me in the last 100 metres followed by my climbing into the final field like it was Everest!

Greg Pettingill (73rd, 1:59:27), Rob Beers (77th, 2:00:09) and Katie Hateley a superb debut (131st, 2:11:14), felt like a letdown in the end (elusive sub 2hrs!) but given we were full of cold and results of similar runners I reckon team Stilton did very impressively.

And again thanks to the Blue Lion at Thrussington for their impressive Chip Cobs!  [Rob]

3 Feb 2016 – Leicester City 5k race 4

Four Striders made it to the last race of the 5K winter series of the year in very cold winter conditions. First back for team Stilton was Jason Barton in a time of 17:15 who came 2nd place overall narrowly missing out on 1st place by a few seconds. 

Next back was Luke Eggleston in a brilliant time of 19:02 (PB) and 3rd place overall. Abigail Arnott was next back in a very respectable time of 23:39, 25th place overall . Stuart Gregory was the last Strider to cross the finish line in a time of 31:57 69th place. [Luke]

31 Jan 2016 – Derby Runner XC, Grace Dieu

Seven Striders made the trip over to Shepshed on Sunday morning for the derby runner cross country league. It was a cold, damp morning but we soon got warm once the race started. There was a kid’s race, followed by separate men’s and ladies’ starts. 

It was a two-lap course (about 5.3 miles) through the fields and woodland around the school. Lots of mud, a couple of river crossings and some fairly hilly hills. There were hundreds of people cheering on the finishers and a great atmosphere. 

Rob Beers led in the Striders contingent in 41:29 (87th), followed by Clive Kent (44:50, 144) and Matt White (50:28, 237). In the ladies’ race, Debs Wilson finished in 58:23 (131rd), Kaye Mead (60.58, 146) and Jenny Kent (66:04, 164). Jon Wilson cheered us all on and was official photographer. The chip cobs and cups of tea at the Blue Boar at Thrussington were well deserved and much appreciated.

[Jenny and Clive]