Category: Reports

7 Nov 2015 – Seagrave Wolds Challenge 

Twelve Stilton Striders in attendance for the annual Seagrave Wolds challenge, a 16 mile XC event for runners and walkers, again as last year taking a route through the Wreake valley. It’s quite warm but very wet weather with many showers and quite strong winds, great when behind you bit hard going when not! As per usual we are set off by the town crier at 9a.m, 618 runners and walkers in today`s well sold out in advance event although not all did make the start line. The beginning couple of miles are best described as a warm up as on road up Berrycott Lane and onto Paudy lane as we come into Six Hills, a friend I run up with complains about `Not good in Walsh`s`. The first real stretch of muddy underfoot comes as we head towards Ragdale hall with driving rain hitting us face on, I’m running in tandem with fellow Strider Michael Atton making good headway as we hit the village of Hoby at the half way point.

For me that first hour went really quick and the route carries on through Brooksby and Rearsby, then quite a few miles of gates and stiles as we head towards Ratcliffe on the Wreake. Last couple of miles aren’t my finest but do my good turn shouting to someone who went the wrong way, and those who know me knew I’d be turning my nose up about running through a golf course! The hill back into Seagrave felt like climbing the side of Everest, not many out supporting today it is a bit rough weather-wise but get back in a time and position I’m massively proud of, mind you I think we all did well not just speed wise but conditions were erm challenging.

Naturally anyone who has done this event will tell you it’s one of the best organised and friendliest locally with extra special mention to the fabulous catering. Plenty of smiley faces from the team afterwards, not to mention a massive load of Running shirts for Katie Hateley`s Gambia appeal! [Rob]

Striders Results: Rob Beers (1:58:43, 18th place) Mike Bryan (2:03:24, 31st) Dan Valencia (2:05:48, 38th) Michael Atton (2 :05:50, 39th), Simon Bottrill (2:18:44, 91st), Richard Gray (2:24:13, 118th) Katie Hateley (2:24:16, 119th) John Houghton (2:25:13, 124th) Lee Quinn (2:26:28, 129th) Mike Brighty (2:36:47, 156th) Vicki Lowe (2:40:52, 178th) and Abigail Arnott (2:40:54, 179th)

4 Nov 2015 – Leicester City 5k race 1

A group of six Striders headed to Victoria Park for the first race in the winter series of Leicester City 5k events.  Jason Barton once again set the pace, finishing 2nd overall in 17.48.  Next back, and 3rd MV40, was Darren Glover in 19.54,  followed by Luke Eggleston (20.19, 6th SM), Shane Sharkey (22.22), Abi Arnott (2nd FV40 in 24.22) and Stuart Gregory (29.01).

1 Nov 2015 – Shepshed 7

By the time of the start at 11 am the fog had mostly lifted around the 2 lap course and it was excellent conditions for November. Another record entry with officially 491 finishers, I first did this race in 2002 and it’s always popular. First back for the Striders in 42nd position was Darren Glover in 45 min 59 secs, comfortably getting under his target of 46 mins (phew).

Followed by the ever improving Luke Eggleston in 58th position with a brilliant 47 min 42 , taking minutes off his pb , yes another pb . Next back was the ever present Stuart Gregory , in 1h 14 m 17 s adding yet more points to his strider cup campaign. 

[Darren]

1 Nov 2015 – Dovedale Dash

It was a beautiful day in Derbyshire for this year’s Dovedale Dash a ridiculously popular event with some 1274 runners lining up at the start of this years 5 mile course. From the off it’s a mad downhill dash that takes you through the river Dove, loops round for 4 miles of muddy cross country and then brings you back for a lung bursting climb to the finish line. Two Striders made the journey Simon Bottrill home in 38:45 and Tony Allen who sadly had to pull up due to injury. Also competing was Nick Smith home in 41:44 running for his first claim club Stamford Striders. [Simon]

25 Oct 2015 – Leicester Marathon and Half

Great Strider turnout and some excellent running achievements in perfect conditions on Sunday.

Marathon results: men led by Matthew Gayton 3.20:57 PB, Dan Valencia 3.31:52 PB, Simon Bottrill 3.47:25 (after riding 75 miles on bike the day before), John Houghton 3.47:39 and Jon Wilson in his first marathon 4.04:28.  Ladies: Vicki Lowe 3.49.07 (6th female vet and 12th lady) buddied by Helen widdowson 3.49:08 PB. We achieved our respective goals of good for age London time for Vicki and pb for Helen.  Also Sarah Lawrence in her debut marathon 4.49.

Half marathon: led by Jason Barton 1.16.29 (6th SM and 8th overall), Jim Hatherley 1.24.18, Darren Glover 1.28.42, Luke Eggleston 1.32.44 PB, Nicholas Smith 1.39.38, James Ridealgh 1.53.24. Leading the ladies team was Louise Houghton 1.45.10 (15th female vet), Celina Silver 2.00.10, Deborah Wilson 2.02.44, Kaye Mead 2.14.43 and Laura Pickard 2.15.03 PB.  [Vicki]

24 Oct 2015 – Snowdonia Marathon

My third Snowdonia Marathon, sadly without co strider Richard Gray on today`s start line who was ill on the race morning (thankfully now better).

The weather is very heavy rain, similar to that when a few of us did Snowdonia trail Marathon earlier in the year, yep glum and that white low cloud over Snowdon itself. Yet it was good of the organisers to provide disposable rain macs when we picked up our numbers and superb Technical T-shirts from Electric Mountain the day before, they were a big help at the start line.

This is a bucket list Marathon for those who collect them, I’ve yet to hear someone who dislikes the event and the 2700 places are snapped up from January 1st in no time whatsoever, this is a testing and visually sumptuous 26.2 miles and a real credit to North Wales.

10:30 the race starts and naturally despite the bad weather its Striders vest all the way, a slightly downhill first mile towards Nant Peris before four miles up the highest Road in Britain (Pen Y pass), it’s a long slow climb so it’s best to just pick a speed and sit at it-already by mile four quite a few walk.

Over the top of the Pass and drop off the top downhill, I really enjoy this descent and pass lots of people on the way down to Pen Y Gwyrd, from there it’s a long trail descent down into the Gwynant valley.

The plan is going well, run strongly but leave something in the tank for Bwlch Y Groes at 21 miles more on that later, I`m running at good speed as we get into the popular tourist village of Beddgelert at the halfway point. The next few miles out of Beddgelert is the hill that many forget, I can tell that I feel a lot stronger than last year as we head towards Pen Y Groes where there’s a bloke in Fell Kit running a largely road marathon in Inov-8 X-Talon`s!

The miles between 19 and 21 were my `wobble miles`, largely because I find the Betws Garmon area a bit dull on road (Although Llyn Cwellyn and its backdrop are remarkable) so was actually glad when we got into the village of Waunfawr and `That` climb. So 21.5 miles in and you have a climb that perhaps 90% of runners end up walking that goes over the lower slopes of Snowdon, at about 23 miles it goes to trail. All the offroad Fell running has paid dividends as I run from Waunfawr straight over Bwlch Y groes without a problem, very happy about this as felt awful last time I tried.

The trail section was utterly soaked, complete water and mudfest in road shoes, pretty much carnage with runners slipping over constantly (one bloke fell three times in a hundred yards) Although pretty much soaked and muddied up I remained on my feet. For once I was happy to hit tarmac again on the long descent back into Llanberis chasing a young blonde (!) back towards the finish line which she duly crossed and immediately threw up!

Very happy with the day`s performance which I dedicated to my Dad, 25 minutes off my course PB coming in at 3 hours 33 mins not bad with 2036ft of ascent!

Hope some more Stilton Striders will give this a whirl in the coming years it truly is worth doing on so many levels, really is a race you`ll never forget. [Rob]

25 Oct 2015 – Worksop Half Marathon

On a cool but very sunny morning Stuart Gregory made his way to north Nottinghamshire as the only Strider in attendance for the annual Worksop Halloween half marathon and joined 1984 other runners at the start line all hoping for a good performance. After the normal slow march to the official start line Stuart got into his pace very quickly and having learned the lessons of the previous year took the first few miles at a steady pace before extending his legs as mile five approached. There an old saying what doesn’t hurt you won’t kill you and by mile nine having attached him self to the remains of the main group Stuart slowed the pace slightly as the final long hill approached and with the final three miles being mostly down hill a speedy finish was on the cards and this proved to be the case as Stuart pulled away from the Group in the final mile to finish the race in 2hr 15m 59s, 8m 51s faster than the year before. [Stuart]

21 Oct 2015 – Derby Midweek Races

Stuart Gregory attended the Derby Midweek Race Series and took part in both races on the night:

1 mile – Stuart completed the race, finishing as 4th Senior Male in a time of 8.20.

5k – After a short break, Stuart then took part in the 5k race, completing the event in 29.43 – 2 min 46 sec faster than the month previous.  [Stuart]