Category: Reports

6th Sep 2015 – John Fraser 10 (LRRL)

A bumper crowd of 630 runners were at the final LRRL summer league race of the season on Sunday morning, the John Fraser 10.  Held over 10 miles of undulating roads starting from Countesthorpe, the race was to also be the Leicestershire 10 mile road championships.

The team of 12 Stilton Striders were led home by Jason Barton, who continued his excellent form to take 6th place overall (5th Senior Male) in 57.28.  The next four Striders were all close together, exchanging places late into the race, with Rich Gray finishing in 70.37, closely followed by 100% award winner Luke Eggleston (71.23), Dan Valencia (72.05) and Shane Sharkey (72.46).

Iain Howe was next to finish in 74.20, followed by a close battle between Michael Cooke (76.01) and Ben Pickard (76.03).  John Houghton, nursing his damaged hand from the prior day’s fell race (see prior report), finished in 80.08 before Vicki Lowe and Laura Pickard, the Striders’ two female finishers, in 82.08 and 97.40.  Stuart Gregory completed the team in 103.17.

5th Sep 2015 – Man Vs Mountain

So it was off to the beautiful Snowdonia again for the 20 mile, (query 22 or query 24 mile) Man Vs Mountain Event. The race began in the historical Caernarfon Castle for the 1211 runners, 1020 of these being male and a smaller number of 191 females. The weather was certainly on our side as I set off at 8.15am in the second wave of runners as we all attempted to squeeze through the castle fortress.

All of the runners were in good spirits which always creates a fantastic atmosphere and once again I chatted to various people, whether they wanted me to or not! The views were stunning and due to the fortune of clear weather you could see for miles which helped numb any pain that makes itself apparent as your legs realise once again what you are doing to them.

Just before you reach the summit you are clocked in to check no one is lost en route and then it’s your choice to go the wee bit further to the summit at 1085 metres. This, in my mind, is a no brainer especially on a sunny day. I hugged the summit and the only photo evidence I have of me being there was from a German Surgeon who took my picture, I also think he will be the only one with a copy!

I took the descent at a steady pace down into Llanberis and waved to the passengers on the train. The support from the many walkers visiting Snowdon was fantastic with lots of cheering on! Once I reached the 2nd Pit Stop, which was like a tuck shop that you physically felt unable to eat any of, I knew that I must be at around mile 18 which meant the Vertical 1km climb was coming up. I was lucky enough to have completed the Snowdon Half Marathon in July with Luke Eggleston so the route became familiar and then it dawned on me that myself and Luke had already encountered some of this 1km stinger of a climb!

The climb is timed for those crazy enough to run up it, apparently someone completed it in 10 mins! Once at the top I was clocked in again by a marshal and was told I was the 14th female, I could not believe my ears! So with hearing this and eating a lump of Kendal Mint Cake I was spurred on and started to pick my pace up. I reached the abseil area where your chip time is stopped due to any queuing and then picked up again at the bottom of the abseil.

Then came the water jump which I was dreading. After choosing your gang plank you jump into cold water from a height of about 17ft and then after getting your breath it’s a short swim to get out. Luckily friends were here cheering me on which was very much appreciated. Once out it’s a short run to some more water with some little obstacles and then another wee run before a 25 metre swim. At last I had completed the water part and was dragging, what now felt like, a very heavy body to the final 3 obstacles.

The first 2 were 7 foot walls, I utilised a metal rail to flop over in a very non-military fashion the 1st wall and then a kind chap offered a leg up for the 2nd, then the final obstacle was in site and with the use a of a rope I pulled myself over and then I leapt over the finish line! I completed the event in 4hrs 42mins and was the 8th female back. I was over the moon!

I have a huge thank you to say to all of the runners at Stilton Striders, because I can honestly say if it was not for your support and training there is no way I would ever have finished in such a time. Also being part of the team that completed the half and full marathon up Snowdon in July was also a huge learning curve, less wine the night before being one of them. So thank you all and bring on the next race! [Katie]

5th Sep 2015 – Longshaw Fell Race

A fine day on the fells marred by a number of incidents highlighting the need for FRA safety equipment on more exposed races. In separate falls, two Striders sustained injuries to their hands. John Houghton breaking a bone two miles into the race and Steve Dewick dislocating a finger in a fall when crossing a stream two miles from home. First Strider home Greg Pettingill 36th (3rd MV50) 51:04; Michael Atton 47th 53:01; Simon Bottrill 58th 56:18; Dan Valencia 65th 57:34; Stephen Boylan 88th 65:06; Steve Dewick (DPFR) 112th 71:47.

[Greg]

31st Aug 2015 – Old Dalby Hill Race

The 3rd Old Dalby Hill race held again naturally on Old Dalby day in very wet conditions, she would definitely be taking a stud today.

A small but high level field of rainproof runners, quite a few shirts from both Ivanhoe and Barrow Runners but a massive contingent of Stilton Striders! Reigning two-time champion Tim Hartley of Barrow out injured wouldn’t be able to defend his crown thus we placed our hopes on a Stilton victory after such a good week.

Race starts at 11:10 with Luke Eggleston doing his stung cat routine (!), getting the excuses in early (3rd event of the weekend, don’t like short races, wearing meagre shorts I should’ve saved for my wedding night) I more or less think that being near Fell legend Greg Pettingill is a good pacing move (who similarly did the fell race yesterday).

The fast initial dash upon tarmac for the first half mile is quickly replaced to a groan as we go off road into `moon boots` the second ploughed up field we come to. Throughout the race there are five of us interchanging positions pretty much continuously myself (Rob Beers), Greg, Matt Atterbury, Mike Bryan and Michael Atton depending on our strengths it’s a really good fight.

For me I lost it a bit coming down the steepest part in Old Dalby Woods, similarly like myself Greg mentions he isn’t the best at stiles either. I come in as 7th Strider just behind Greg and Michael which shows the quality of runners we had out today and how much strength in depth we are starting to show as a club now.

Jay Barton came 2nd overall, excellent considering it’s not his terrain at all and he raced yesterday (Coming first!), Katie Hateley 1st lady and 1st local lady, Mike Bryan 1st local male runner and some great individual running from quite a few.

Superb goodie bag courtesy of the Grange at Asfordby Hill with a very welcome and large scone in it, however the rain made short work of the paper bags they came in to which we all had a friendly dig at Houghty for! [Rob]

Full results:

  • 2 Jason Barton 31.04
  • 4 Jim Hatherley 32.44
  • 8 (1st local) Mike Bryan 34.00
  • 9 Michael Atton 34.03
  • 10 Matt Atterbury 34.12
  • 11 Greg Pettingill
  • 12 Rob Beers 34.29
  • 17 John Houghton 37.49
  • 18 Michael Cooke 38.56
  • 20 (1st lady, 1st local lady) Katie Hateley 39.07
  • 23 Andy Nicholls 40.46
  • 27 Luke Eggleston 41.29
  • 29 Tony Allen 41.35
  • 37 Steve Boylan 47.33
  • 45 Stuart Gregory 55.22


  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

30th Aug 2015 – Badgers Atherstone 10k

Having got out of doing the extremely hilly League race at Hermitage by being in another country, I allowed myself to be talked in to entering the 2nd Badgers Atherstone 10k Road Race by Mr Jason Barton. As this was my first race over 5k for quite some time, I started scrawling through my old race times to come up with what I think I should achieve over a nice quick 10k course.

HOWEVER, the bullet that I dodged at Hermitage came back with a vengeance at Atherstone! The course has a lovely downhill/flat finish that takes up the last 2 miles, although the first 4 contains 20 metres MORE ascent than the ENTIRE course at Hermitage!!! Any dreams of quick times went out of the window, and were replaced with hopes of respectable times, followed by prayers of finishing!!!

Throughout the race, Jay was battling with Che Compton of Kent AC for the lead, with Jay gaining an advantage on the inclines and then immediately losing it on the descents. The long straight and flat finish through Atherstone town centre allowed for a true head-to-head battle. With half a mile to go, Jay was slightly ahead and managed to hold off his adversary to finish 10 seconds clear, and win the race.

Humble as ever, Jay stood around the finish area cheering people in and chatting with fellow runners, asking how they got on, but at no point disclosing that he had won the race in a course record time of 35.51.

Way back in the field of 367 runners, I too was having my own battles and winning them to eventually finish 42nd overall in a relatively satisfactory time of 44.29.

The church by the finish line were doing cups of tea/coffee for 50p and FREE CAKE!! Whilst inside, I happened to let slip to one elderly lady manning the tea stall that my accomplice was the overall race winner and we were then subjected to a 15 minute wave of praise as Jay was given a full hero’s welcome! He was asked about the course, asked about the club (which we advertised whole-heartedly), and was even asked for kisses by one of the old ladies present while introducing him to her daughter who had also ran.

During the presentation there was mass exasperation when Jay’s time was read out as 31.19 with everyone expecting some Kenyan to step forward to claim the £50 cash, £15 gift vouchers, and trophy (for some reason his time had BOTH been written down wrong AND then read out wrongly too).

The race pack at the end was brilliant with a technical tee, heavy medal, snacks, drinks, and L’Oreal for Men sample pots and Moisturiser testers. Not bad for the £14 it cost to enter. A very well organised race that has a testing course, but I will be returning to next year and would recommend it to anyone.  [Shane]

30th August 2015 – Bradbourne Fell Race

Bradbourne, notable for being valued at 30 shillings (£1.50) in the Domesday Book and not losing any inhabitants in the Great War, showed another remarkable feature today – accepting entries on the start line seconds before starters orders. Result – the race started 15 minutes late!

A spot of “gardening”, on the warm up, to remove some ankle breaking rocks (fallen dry stone wall) and branches from a narrow muddy path received no thanks, although Rob did manage to stay upright this weekend.

With the start at the foot of the first hill there is no warm-up, just a 100m climb onto the high gently undulating pasture typical of the White Peak – “all runnable” followed by a fast descent through a picturesque dale for the chance to repeat it on lap 2!!

First Strider home was Greg Pettingill 16th (3rd MV50) 37:05, followed by Rob Beers 24th (3rd MV40) 40:09.

[Greg]

29th Aug 2015 – Tim Wealthall Miles

Stuart Gregory was the only Strider to take part in the Tim Wealthall Miles event in Nottingham. Stuart was competing in the first supporting race of the night in the 6 to 10 minute category.  Having just recovered from a minor chest issue, Stuart lined up at the starting hoping for a top three finish.

After the official starter had lined up the field, they were off with a group of four including Stuart setting the early pace.  He completed the first lap in 1.32 and the second in 1.35.  Unfortunately this did not continue as side effects of his recent issues began to show in lap three as the pace dropped and the final two laps took 2.30 and 2.40 respectively.  This resulted in a fight to hold onto a now distant 5th place.  Luckily enough ground had been gained early in the race to hold on to 5th by just six seconds, finishing in 8min 16sec – 5th place and 2nd senior male in the race, his best finishing position to date.  [Stuart]

29th Aug 2015 – Runner Bean 12hr

Not formally a race so doesn’t really count; this initiative was seen as a celebration of 30 years of our neighbour club Barrow Runners.  The idea was to use the grounds of Prestwold hall and test run a 12 hour event, totally free to enter (with proceeds to charity) not serious in the slightest with people running either all day or a lap (5 miles) when they chose at anytime during the day.

The event started at 8am with the Husband/wife team of Clive and Jenny Kent (known as “Time for Tea”), Rob Beers’ multi- Club team (“Five in a Bed”) and the Melton Running Club collective (“Just scoff more cakes”) of future Striders representing “Meltonium” .

Rather wet and dewey underfoot initially but the offroad course around the grounds is very scenic and well thought out, dare I say a fair bit of undulation and some very steep climbs up bankings. From watching the Porsche racing on the driving circuit to almost navigating the equine course to the wooded bit near the Church which comes out nr the Hall a pleasurable course indeed.

I’ve no idea how well everyone did; I left having done five laps as had a fell race the next day and ever improving Jenny Kent was on her fourth! No idea how many she got in the end but ultra Clive managed seven! The MRC contingent all managed at least 3 laps each also that’s 15 miles, offroad!

I really hope that Barrow Runners do put this on next year even if it’s used not a competitive event, even as a hippy festival with running it worked brilliantly with lots of friendships made over the weekend and a good sum for the charity.  [Rob]

16 Aug 2015 – Trail des Hauts Forts, Morzine

This incredible race now in its seventh year is growing in popularity, with 150 entrants taking on the 26 mile route and nearly 500 tackling the 13 mile route. And so it was that four intrepid Striders stood at the start line at the centre of the very popular and beautiful ski resort of Morzine poised ready to tackle the infamous off road course.

Conditions on the day were bleak to say the least, heavy rain and low temperatures, reminiscent of the Snowdonia marathon only a few weeks before. Because of inclement weather some last minute course changes had to be made adding an extra 400 metres of elevation and 2 miles in distance, in total 15 miles and 2200 meters of climb, this is an epic! As we set off all seemed fine and soon settled into a comfortable easy pace, nice and steady, knowing what was ahead. Despite climbing and sleeping at altitude on a nearby Italian mountain (Gran Paradiso) a few days earlier we all felt the effects of heavy exertion at altitude 2400 metres on the highest point of the course. Understandably this race is used as a qualify for the ‘Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc’.

First Strider home in an incredible debut performance Mike Bryan 3 hours 27 (138th) followed by Daniko Milko Fastidio in an excellent 3 hours 42 (189th) not far behind a bedraggled John Houghton in 3 hours 46 (208th) then wife Louise Houghton 3 hours 58 (257) despite 2 extra miles and 400 metres being added recorded a course PB!

This race can be ran over a long weekend break, cheap return flights from Luton to Geneva, Friday – Monday, Morzine is only an hours transfer up the mountain, Good quality affordable B&B’s and great restaurant’s abound. It would be so good if more Striders would consider this race for next year, you’d love it, just ask Mike and Dan! [John]