Category: 2016 reports

Bandage Tour 2016 update

5 more parkruns completed since the last news report taking the years tally to 21 different ones so far. I have been to Mansfield which is a flat 3 lap course on a local park. Next up was Belton House a nice local one for a change, 2 laps all on grass or rough track, pretty flat but a bit uneven underfoot. Back to Nottinghamshire to Sherwood Pines and for a change just a one lap course all off road through the forest, couple of climbs a tricky downhill section and a bit uneven but a smashing course and a nice cafe afterwards. Lots of runners being pulled along by big noisy dogs which was a bit odd.

Followed this up with a holiday run at Southsea which began not 2 minutes from our hotel door. Nice flat course 2.5 km one way then turn around and come back should have been a fast one but was up all night with the old weaver fish foot trouble again (longer serving members will recall this) however quite happy with a 21.55 on the day. Over 300 runners here.

Finally last Saturday I went all the way to Leicester for the Braunstone Park run, another field of over 300, which is a big lap and a smaller lap around a large park with a lake, which quite a few at the club have run before either at parkrun or other races. Fastest time of the year for me so far with a 21.35 which I was chuffed with.

Got about 6 or 7 more on the radar so should reach 25 before end of July. Who knows after that.

More updates next month, bet you cant wait.

Regards Neil  

17 Jun 2016 – Beacon Hill Solstice Race

After last year’s resounding success of running round Leicestershire`s second highest point twice followed by Barbecue and beer worked so well even more Stilton Striders came along this year!

A quickly sold out field for this trail 5 miler got to the start line hot on the heels of the very noisy Canix division who set off 5 mins earlier. It had been very wet just an hour before start although luckily we got no more rain during or more thankfully after the race. Luke Egglestone quickly took the lead at the race start for the Striders contingent, have to admit a couple of times I thought I saw him wobble as in second place I made ground on him only for him to remain strong- a great testament to training! The first climb up the Beacon felt even longer this year and I backed off a tad on the descent letting technique help me get my breath back somewhat. Credit again to Luke who lost so much last year to myself on the descents really let go and was flying here, although the race is still in its infancy I feel slow going up from the plantation and the second climb up Beacon Hill.

Thankfully the legs do wake up again on the descent and I`m enjoyably sparring with a guy from Poplar RC (There’s so many!) , Luke is up and away and by the final pull I can just about see Mike Bryan in my rear headlight. Despite feeling like a clapped out old Ford Cortina I make it round about a minute faster than last year although at the time It certainly never felt like it!

The whole team make it in and it turned into a really great after party, big thanks to Mike Bryan, Rich Gray and the Houghton`s amongst the many who helped with making the after party so much fun and helping the club be as sociable and friendly as it is.


Luke Egglestone (32:59, 10th) Rob Beers (34:47, 20th) Mike Bryan (35:38, 26th)Simon Bottrill (36:26, 27th) Richard Gray (38.11, 35th) Ben Pickard (38:43, 42nd) John Houghton (38:47, 43rd)Katie Hateley( 38:57, 47th) Dan Valencia (38:59, 48th) Shane Sharkey(39:12, 51st)Lou Houghton (42:43, 83rd) Jon Wilson (43:06, 86th) Tony Allen(45:25, 61st ?) Kaye Mead (50:05,174th)Laura Pickard (50:51, 184th) Deborah Wilson (53:11 , 203rd) Jenny Kent (26:31, 223rd). [Rob]

17 Jun 2016 – Grantham Summer Solstice 10k

There were just a couple of Striders who headed along to the Grantham Summer Solstice 10k race held last Friday evening. The start was from Long Bennington and the course was all on road – a few hilly parts but predominately flat. Lots of positives for this race – lots of support throughout from locals & marshals (we heard lots of shouts out for the Stilton Striders which was great), chipped timing, really fast results which were on display and texted straight to your phone…..and most importantly a bottle of beer at the end within a fairly decent goodie bag. Results were Brian Walkling 48.32 (very impressive after a bike ride to the race) and Sarah Procter 48.35.  [Sarah]

14 Jun 2016 – Rothley 10k

5 Striders made the short journey to Rothley for this years 10K. Luke Eggleston was first back with a fantastic new PB time of 40:01 (21st place). Next back was Dan Valencia in a time of 45:38 (113th place). Only 2 minutes later John Houghton crossed the finish line in 47:14 looking in fine form (147th place). Dan Howley was still running strong stopping the clock at 49:00 in (187th place). Louise Houghton was also running strong crossing the finish line in 50:07 in (211th place). [Luke]

12 Jun 2016 – Edale fell race

Family commitments mean only three of us here today at Edale for race 3 of `3 in 3`, Rob Beers (Me), Katie Hateley with an ultra in her legs from yesterday and Matt Chalmers.

We all have absolutely shot legs and the warm up seems impossible let alone a 5 mile fell race, its a mere £5.00 entry which includes parking and the absolutely superb Village show. Despite the spots of rain we are cheerful near the start with the words `training run` and `bit of fun` mentioned numerous times as we view the sheer uphill path which starts the race to the ridge.

A good field of runners as we head off up `the Nab` and around `Ringing Rodger`, I try as much as possible to keep running but its heavy traffic and get irked at having to walk. I am following the Dark Peak girl I beat on the line at Castleton Friday night, she`s a tough runner throwing a lot into it. Suprisingly now my legs don’t feel bad and I`m making decent progress and passing quite a few people over the often quite scary and technical edges.

First wrong going of the day begins when we have the chance to go one of two ways along the edge or more through the middle, this quarter mile section I choose wrongly and must’ve lost about 8 places by hugging the edges.

I make the final hard ascent to the top and drop down what can only be described as `a fall`, it’s that steep thankfully its heather and some opt to slide down via the bottom! The descent then goes on to some very rocky scree track which again I’m not good at descending like an 100 year old man in Stiletto heels. So when the option again goes to descend via grass I follow a Steel City Strider along a trail path only to come out at the drop of doom! I’ve never descended off anything so steep and thank goodness I have both strong ankles and balance but it’s playing hell with my quads. When I resume to the normal path I must’ve lost 15 places with my awful descent and my quads have limited my speed temporarily, back on the flat it’s down an alley and the last half mile to the finish. Its hear like a `secret shiny` I sort of redeem myself by knocking a 5m/m to the finish line, overtaking a whole lot of people and as usual collapsing in a heap over the finish line.

Despite by the time Matt coming in the rain just bucketing down we got changed and enjoyed the great English traditional festival at Edale, it really is a corker. My second Edale fell race and I hope very much next year is my third, great hard technical fell race that feels a lot longer than it is.

Rob Beers (94th, 50:02) , Katie Hateley (145th, 55:12), Matt Chalmers ((189th, 1:00:29) Steve Dewick (210th, 1:06:45)

11 Jun 2016 – Baslow Boot Bash

This had `training run` written all over it, some tired legs after last night at Castleton and more so tired eyes after listening to Dan Valencia snore all night!We had pre-entered this 14 or 26 mile walk or run a mere £10 I think it was and Dan never actually paid!

Anyway this morning its Rob Beers (Me), Dan , John Houghton, Greg Pettingill and Simon Bottrill doing the 14 and young Katie Hateley who is going one better than us and doing the 26 miler! I`ll point out I’m wearing second claim colours this morning as a tribute to Barrow Runners Paul Osborne who sadly died last week whilst running the Ramathon half marathon in Derby-Stilton Striders offer sincere condolences to Barrow Runners and Paul`s family.

So a sold out boot bash starting just outside the Cannon Gate at Chatsworth estate, the opening 7 miles have a similarity to doing Grindleford Gallop backwards from the same spot. It’s quite a pull out of the estate which isn’t good as a few of us have funny tummies and the humidity is really bad, the option to walk is taken quite a few times.

We leave Katie at 5 miles where the route splits although the checkpoint a mere 4.1 miles later felt like forever, I know there were all times where we could’ve all just stopped and sat down for an hour. By the second checkpoint we are on more unfamiliar territory and despite the often grand undulation (read hills) we are starting to feel a little more awake and enjoying it more. Miles 10-11 take in some gorgeous scenery through some woodland and offer great views over the peak district, pretty much running Nirvana we were loving it.

Final checkpoint and only two miles to go, a great drop into Baslow over the fields and a nip up back through the town back to the village hall for Pie and Mushy peas courtesy of the entry fee all crossing the line together. We actually finished quite high up the field saying we were messing about and walking, might be one to try with a bit of speed one year as really lovely event and very well organised.

Have to mention Katie who did her first ultra with the `Marathon` clocked at 27.5 miles! Think we have a natural!

10 Jun 2016 – Castleton Fell Race

We are here in wet and humid Castleton on day 1 of the `3 races in 3 days series`, tonight’s effort is a 6.7 mile fell race. We are tonight Rob Beers (Me), John Houghton, Dan Valencia, Steve Dewick, Greg Pettingill, Dan Valencia, `Fell Virgin` Matt Chalmers and staying with us this evening Barrow Runner Haydn Williams who is also doing the Edale Skyline tomorrow. So despite multiple traffic jams and forgotten Bra`s (!) we get to Castleton in time, I`m in retro kit this evening and quite un-ironed it looks actually thought the rain might increase it but everyone seems to notice.

Set off as usual with Greg in my sights for the first half mile of tarmac, I`m watching the old warhorse slide up the pack whilst I get stuck behind some of the pointiest elbows this end of the Western Roman Empire. I finally get past Greg on the ascent towards Lose Hill, I have it in my head that I can stay ahead of him on the climbs at least and hopefully put some distance. Not far off the top of Lose Hill `Captain Cautious` is passed by a flying Pettingill on the descent and it’s a game of catch up as he`s looking strong and I’m still pattering on behind.

What actually happened next is I was running and Greg was getting nearer it wasn’t tactical, anyway I go past him going up Mam Tor fully expecting him to leave me standing on the descent. For non Fell people watching the leaders come off Mam Tor over Flagstones, Grass, Mud and rocky ground is something really to behold, there is some amazing nerve and skill there. I circle the trig point and start my descent, the guy just in front has taken a great line and I follow him as its mainly grass which I’m not too bad on seeing an impressive Simon Bottrill and the others on the way down the Tor shouting my best wishes.

We descend more sharply at the turn down at Hollins Cross, it’s a lot steeper and I lose quite a few places to local runners used to such rocky terrain, somehow I`m still in front of Gregmeister. Once I hit the road I feel safe in my abilities and power on to the finish even taking a Dark Peak shirt in a sprint on the line!

Lovely evening out and first fell race of the Peak district this year for a few of us, Chalmers came home ecstatic saying we were absolute nutters but loved it and was truly amazing!

Results – Rob Beers (95th, 59:07) Greg Pettingill (103rd, 59:32) Simon Bottrill (119th, 62:01) Dan Valencia (145th, 65:11) John Houghton (156th, 66:19) Matt Chalmers (211th, 76:04) and Steve Dewick (224th, 81:20)

5 Jun 2016 – Northants Ultra ‘Shires and Spires’ 35

The `Northants 35` is a multi-terrain ultra starting and finishing at Lamport Hall, The Stilton ultra crew today are myself (Rob Beers), Richard Gray, Simon Bottrill and Dan Valencia.

It’s quite a cool morning with the cloud not yet burned off and we are all vested today (Although Valencia insists on his mohair base layer!), we are all in good spirits for the day ahead. 8:30am we start off and typically like many other long races its a few offroad fields that are as memorable as nothing, myself and Simon have pushed slightly ahead of Dan/Rich although it’s an easy pace. We hit the village of Cottesbrook and a bit alarmed to find the first checkpoint/feed station at a mere 4.5 miles in! 10k or 10 miles would’ve been far better. This is followed by a lot of country road towards Naseby (same route as `Battlefield Run`) which has a couple of quite `Kibworth-ish` hills, hitting historic Naseby on about 8.5 miles comes the second and far too soon checkpoint/feed station. We are doing ok, happily chatting and making observation and before we know it we are at Silsworth at 17 miles, now joined by Mr Valencia who must’ve gone some to catch up with us.

From here on there was a lot more offroad and a couple of miles later I start to move ahead of Dan/Simon, let me tell you there are some nasty climbs throughout this race, flat it never will be. The next checkpoint is Althorp Park at 25 miles and by now the sun is starting to wake up and the thought of 10 more miles seems a hell of a lot. The next few miles aren’t pretty I’m sitting in quite a big group of `fellow sufferers` and drink 3 cups of water after the climb to the final checkpoint at Teeton even taking a bottle with me. The next hill at 30 miles I’m that dehydrated and fatigued I’m forced to finally walk a bit, having lost the group ahead and not knowing which way I`m stood at the top for a couple of minutes waiting for the next person.

The last 2 and a half miles go on forever, the sun is now baking me and it’s a case of run/walk although I still manage to pass someone! Finally make it home in 5:58:02 and 16th place overall with a lovely medal and rather camp long sleeve. Over 2,600 foot of ascent and yet it felt much more! It`s not an easy ultra if anyone fancies this as dipping their toes.

The Pros: Well organised company putting the event on, wrist band usage at checkpoints, number of feed stations, very scenic and some beautiful villages, gels at every feed station, nice medal.

The Cons: Too much road – yes Northants is gorgeous but could’ve made use of the offroad more, an awful lot of navigation and we saw lots of people go wrong, how the feed stations were spaced out, yellow and purple long sleeve! Lack of marshals and signage. [Rob]

Results:
Rob Beers 5.58.02, 44th, 16th MV40
Rich Gray 6.20.16, 60th, 20th MOpen
Simon Bottrill 6.23.31, 66th, 29th MV40
Dan Valencia 6.38.18, 82nd, 36th MV40

5 Jun 2016 – Swithland 6 LRRL

With Jay Barton preoccupied with his 3rd honeymoon and not getting his entry in, first Strider was up for grabs. I ran the race with Luke either just in front of me, beside me or just behind me, with the pair of us always in Darren’s sight. With a third of a mile to go I was able to pull away to claim 1st Strider.

Results:

Matt Gayton (37:24)
Luke Eggleston (37:37)
Darren Glover (37:56)
Mark Stoneley (40:02)
Daniel Howley (47:52)
Sarah Procter (48:25)
Helen Plant (50:50)

Great support from John and Lou Houghton. With races selling out in advance it’s definitely worth looking a few weeks ahead. It would be great to see more Striders racing. [Matt]