19 Feb 17 – Hampton Court Half

I decided to try out this half. Standing at the start line in my lonely striders vest thinking I wouldn’t know anyone – at the side of me was our fellow Melton parkrunners Emma Machowska and Gosia Garnier and was a lovely surprise to see them. The course was a winding first half mainly streets, but second half made up for it along the Thames river bank and past the grounds of Hampton court palace. I was pleased with my efforts 1.42.00 and 8th in age cat. A well organised and friendly race in a beautiful part of London, nice thick medal and tech teeshirt. [Vicki]

1 Feb 2017 – Leicester City 5k race 4

On Weds a group of Striders travelled to Leicester for the Nice Work Leicester 5k winter series at Victoria Park, the 4th and final round.  Vicki Lowe won her age category on the night which won her a bottle of wine and also secured the overall female title which is a points based scoring on the best 3 of the 4 races , and was awarded a bunch of flowers and chocolates.

First back for the Striders on the night was Darren Glover in 13th in 19min 50 secs and first vet 45, winning a bottle of wine, followed by Sean Elkington 14th in 19.57 with Luke Eggleston in 15th in 20.04.  Darren, Sean and Luke mistimed their warm up and ended up missing the start by around 25 – 30 secs so had to catch up and work through the field as best they could.

Next Strider was Wayne Hackett in 22nd in 22.04 followed by first female Strider Michelle Farlow in 27th, 3rd lady in 22.14, Michael Cooke 34th in 23.22 , Vicki Lowe 35th in 23.30, then Liz Goodbourn 37th in 24.22 and first vet 50, won bottle of wine .The ladies also won the team prize on the night and all received a bottle of wine so a successful and eventful race. [Darren]

7 Jan 2017 – County XC Championships

A small group of Stilton Striders travelled to Burbage Common near Hinckley for the 91st Leicestershire and Rutland Cross Country Championships.

On a mild misty day with rain having fallen on the course overnight, the course was soft underfoot with some very muddy sections.  Third race of the day was the under 20, senior and masters (over 35) women’s race and Natalie Teece had a fantastic run covering the advertised 6k (more like 4.3 miles) in 30 min 19 secs to claim a bronze medal in the masters category and 11th place overall.  Natalie went on to celebrate by running an extra 10 mile training run after the race…

Final race of the day was the men’s under 20, senior and masters race over 10k (6.5 miles).  First back for the Striders was Darren Glover (44 min 15 secs, 72nd overall, 26th in masters category), followed by Paul Geeson (after a parkrun in the morning, 46.32, 99th overall, 37th in category) and Nick Brown (46.50, 104th overall, 41st in category).

Great enjoyable event.  [Darren]

31 Dec 2016 – Huncote Hash 

A nice muddy run for the few Striders that joined 341 runners at Huncote ending the year. This is a friendly approx 10 k covering footpaths, a climb up Croft Hill and a stream crossing. 

Rob Beers led the way in 52.01, Paul Geeson 53.31, Vicki Lowe 61.00, Matt Chalmers 61.51, Rebecca forester 74.13 , Sarah Lawrence 74.14, Jacqui Riley and Dan Howley 74.16. [Vicki]

4 Jan 17 – Leicester City 5k race 3

On Wednesday evening a small group of Striders joined 56 runners in the 3rd round of the Victoria Park 5k winter series. This is a very friendly race around Victoria Park. First back for the men was Jason Barton in a great time of 17.10 (2nd place) and followed Clive Kent – 20.19 (9th male).

Excellent running from Michelle Farlow – 22.37 winning the ladies race followed by Vicki Lowe – 22.58 (3rd place) and Liz Goodbourn – 23.43 (v50 winner). Ladies Striders were triumphant again winning the ladies team for the third time in this series (one more to go ladies). Great support from Jenny Kent cheering us all on.  [Vicki]

26 Dec 2016 – Barrow Boxing Day Challenge 

This is my 6th or 7th year doing this event which is now in its 36th year, for those unfamiliar with this handicap challenge it’s an annual Boxing Day event with slower runners starting first with minute intervals with the idea of all runners finishing together.

If you haven’t done this one before it’s a great way to get on out there on Boxing Day rather than watching Goldfinger or polishing off the Quality street. Very happy to report this year got the record Stilton Striders turnout with Boxing Day regular David Hall (debuting in his Stilton top), Kaye Mead, Katie Hateley, Sarah Procter and John and Janet Hudson out for team Melton. Although this is now pretty much the same course as the Barrow 6 LRRL race probably 70% are in fancy dress, another 15% are hung over or taking it steady and the rest are semi-taking it serious.

Half between little confidence, half between fatigue I set myself an easy target this year of 7:30`s and an easy plod round a course I’ve never been fond of, I thought I’d be amongst old running friends in my group but set out with no-one I knew. The plan was to catch up with Katie who set off a minute earlier and run with her, although I was gently reeling her in and she was running a blinder, its David Hall I catch first on that awful undulating road out towards Hoton.Nice and steady as we hit the flat, I pass Katie who waives me on and next catch up with John Hudson where I slow up and run beside him for a bit, pressing on I find an injured and tearful Sarah Procter who despite running with painful injury still managed a sub 50 min time! My run takes me past various Fairies, Roman centurions, men in drag, Santa`s, jockey`s, Leprechaun`s, Schoolgirls and giant Chickens!

Last mile and a half I find Kaye Mead in Super Mario Bros outfit, she`s suffering she reckons, it was hard work but she did it, no doubt! I told her she`d done the worst of it lying through my teeth as that horrid hill back into Barrow loomed.

Heavy traffic round the park and then the long straight road back to Humphrey Perkins School and the finish, 41:32 in a course nearer to 10k than six miles and not even out of breath! That certainly bodes well for 2017.

The entire Stilton contingent had a great day and the praise for the event was unanimous, Barrow Runners put this on tremendously well and it’s a very friendly and supportive event that really is good for all ability of runners all for about £7 entry, see you again next year!  [Rob]

17 Dec 2016 – Gaddesby Gallop

So I travelled up the road to have a dirty run in the annual Gaddesby Gallop, I’d like to do more X country but they tend to be on a Saturday which is a bit awkward for me but I was given the green light for this with strict instructions to meet the other half for lunch before half 12.  I did the run got home had a shower and was in the pub in town by quarter past 12 where 5 mins later my lunch arrived, perfect.

Anyway, the Gallop is a 5.2 mile off road race with a dew pond, a drainage pipe and Stream crossing as well as stiles and gates to contend with. And a christmas hat to wear if you want.  A field of 120 gathered in quite decent conditions on the day and I wasn’t sure how my new bright yellow inov 8 would perform in the mud so I took it steadyish to start and as my confidence grew and started to get a feel for it I worked my way through the field catching people all the way round feeling good. 

I finished in 10th position in 38min 2 secs, other Striders running were Christie Jones one of our new recruits who got round in 51 min 27 in 69th place and just behind was Steve Dewick in 52.10 in 74th. But run of the day must go to another Strider , I didn’t know who he was (or that he was a Stilton Strider) until I saw the results but in 5th place , in 36 min 23 secs was Owen Blair, who is a junior.  Amazing run, I spoke to him and his dad briefly after congratulating him on his run, he was only a little lad, very impressive. 

I really enjoyed it, great event, bring on more mud. 

[Darren]