Three Stilton Striders made the short trip to this year’s Badgers 10K in the small town of Atherstone. Stilton Striders’ Jason Barton won the race last year, and first back for the Stilton Striders was Jason Barton in a very good 3rd place in a time of 36:10, a few minutes later Luke Eggleston crossed the line in 39:37 in 13th place. Stuart Shaw was still running strongly when he crossed the finish line in 42:23 in 31st place. [Luke]
Tag: road
14 Aug 2016 – Hermitage Carl Rutt Memorial 10k
Stilton Strider’s Jason Barton was in top form as he raced to a new personal best and a top 6 finish in a 550- strong field at Whitwick last week.
Barton joined his club mates at this year’s Carl Rutt Memorial 10K, the latest round of the Leicestershire road running league.
The race, hosted by the Hermitage Harriers, is held annually on a ruthless hilly course, but he clocked a super PB of 34min 57 Secs to cross the line in sixth place.
Next to cross the line for the Striders was Luke Eggleston with another strong run with a time of 39:05, while Stuart Shaw (39:53) also broke the 40 minute barrier.
Mark Stoneley clocked 41:10, just ahead of Nick Brown (41:25), making his welcome Striders return.
Darren Glover was next back in a time of (41:38), Natalie Teece was first Strider lady home in a 104th place overall in a time of 42:40, followed by Katie Hateley (47:03), Louise Houghton (50:11), Sarah Procter (51:06), David Hall (51:47), John Houghton (52:07).
Just six seconds separated Vanessa Walker (57:35) and Laura Pickard who crossed the finish line very strong and recorded a new PB with a time of (57:41).
3 Aug 2016 – Huncote Joy Cann 5 LRRL
So I do realise I have to do a few league runs and support the road runners in my role, actually if I’m honest I do like road `now and again` if in the right mood but a good reason to do this was the Stilton Striders club standards. If you’re not familiar with them they are a great way of getting an award at the Xmas dinner (!) or simply a good initiative to aim towards with road running, pretty sure mine was the former but after looking I had only one race to do well in to get a Silver award this year for my (Young) age category.http://www.stiltonstriders.co.uk/club-standards/
`Snowdon legs` and not resting afterwards gave an old injury time to rear its ugly head and the previous Saturday missed the 5K Silver award time by a mere 3 seconds (which could’ve been avoided by tying my shoes properly pre-race) so it was all about doing the biz at Joy Cann.
This was my first time running Huncote Harriers Joy Cann 5 and the knee had been pretty dodgy the days preceding, so much so I wasn’t even sure I’d make it past the warm up. The biggest disappointment was how fast the race sold out, a mere 4 or 5 days this year something I hope the league will remedy as I’m sure a lot more of our club would’ve liked to have raced. Still we have a good field of runners from Stilton and its real shoulder to shoulder at the start line where I line up besides fellow warriors Shane Sharkey and Mark Stoneley, looking forward we can see Jason Barton on the front line with Luke Eggleston immediately behind. It’s a quick start, not too much dodging and swerving needed, I think sticking to Mark (who actually unlike me uses a watch) is a good idea and we go out following Alex Toll of Barrow Runners. First mile in and someone clocks 6:00, just for the record Luke did 5:35! The winner Stuart Spencer`s average pace being 5:00!
From Huncote into Narborough it’s a mainly flat course, I back off at any uphill knowing my downhill form is good enough to catch up and settle in just behind Mark. Big problems arise at 2 miles when my knee pings, I pull over and thought that was it as I’m on the verge doing a quad stretch, oh to hell with it, I start a hobble to run beside Shane and eventually get going again. Could this be magic? Nope despite making up so much ground, the knee pings again just over 3 miles, another long quad stretch and wait for Shane (who is having similar problems with his hamstring). Get going for the last two miles but it’s with a bit of anxiety, decent pace but didn’t push for the glory just in case yet make it back with a crowd of solid runners. Mark had a great run of 31 minutes and although my result was far quicker than I thought it looks like I’m 10 seconds short of my Silver award, bah! Still a 6:45 average pace for a bloke with a well dodgy knee and two stops I can live with.
Our whole team did superb, although myself and Shane were the walking wounded we both did pretty well, John Houghton had another stormer as did Darren Glover, Jason Barton cemented himself as a major player with 6th place and a 5mile PB. Really good course and `if ` you can get in next year it’s a good race with great potential for PB`s , if not see you at Huncote pavilion in January for the Hash! [Rob]
Full results: Joy Cann 5 website
10 Jul 2016 – Caistor ‘Sting in the Tail’ 10k
Alan Thompson represented the Striders at the Caistor ‘Sting in the Tail’ 10k on 10th July – 67th place 45.15. Good race for anyone who enjoys an uphill finish! [Alan]
8 Jul 2016 – Whissendine 6ix
What`s this two tarmac slapping races in two days? Well after enjoying the last one somewhat and also feeling compelled to support a local race again I donned the road shoes for this one. There`s a lot to be said for positively promoting an event which I’d been doing the last week and it paid off superbly as we were by far the best supported club on the night with a massive attendance of fellow Stilton Striders, must’ve been easily double the shirts than last year.Political statements started early with the army of blue and white running down together en masse to the start line, if anyone hadn’t heard of Stilton Striders they certainly did after.
Start time of 7:30 and Jay Barton and Luke Egglestone lead the field on the downhill start to the centre of the Whissendine before the long pull up past the church. Initial ideas are to stick near Darren Glover but legs are more tired than I thought after Wednesday and going off more moderately would’ve helped also. I instead run near Mark Stoneley but the fast start and cooling down after my warm up have an effect on me, further excuses include its very humid which is my worse running weather. Mark pulls in front at 3 miles and I don’t feel so great until I reach the top of Stapleford Hill. Overtaken by three more people shortly after on the uphill, thankfully that was it for the rest of the race as I really felt I had slowed so much that every man and his dog was passing me.
Completely missed the four mile sign and suddenly realised the 5 mile sign I had a mile to go, the legs woke up somewhat in the last mile and a half but can’t quite catch anyone in front. Slam back into the village for the descent to the finish, it`s a good time but not a great performance-not bad for a salty though who rarely does road I guess.
Jay said it right, when you pay £10 for a cracking road race and a memento glass and bottle of beer as a goodie bag it is rather superb. We stood there watching our runners come in and it seemed like every couple of seconds a blue and white vest would be coming through with loud shouting accompanying, very good night to be a Strider! [Rob]
Full results, including all 27(!) Striders racing, via race website: http://www.whissendine6ix.org.uk/about.html
6 Jul 2016 – Hungarton 7 LRRL
So its best intentions as Club Captain to represent the club even if it means not only tarmac slapping but doing LRRL races also! The idea being if I can do it hopefully others will and what an excellent turnout we got for this mid-week summer league race! So I thought it was sorted, myself (Rob) and Simon Bottrill would just run round easy and put out the club colours.
So looked like quite a pack of us didn’t want to take it seriously as many of us Striders lined up together near the back, “I hope you know how seriously I’ll be going” warned Simon. Can I point out by the time the klaxon had gone Mike Bryan had already snuck off towards the front and when it was time to run certain Striders set off like Usain Bolt! So much for the easy run!
So beside Simon we go off ducking and weaving through the heavy traffic and it certainly is for at least the first two miles, I haven’t done this new course although I was out marshalling last year I’ll be honest it’s a bit flatter. Still although not as over the top hot as last year it’s still a trifle humid out and a couple of Stilton runners are suffering in it, was nice to be able to provide some words of support on the way round. Five miles in and an onlooker described me as `positively casual`, even having time to stop and have a word with Barrow Chairman Mick Ballard mentioning he`s not having the 3-club challenge shield back!
I put my foot down the last mile of the race and given it was simply a run around I’m really happy at the time and dare I say I really enjoyed it. The shouting in of Stilton runners was superb, I`m sure LRRL debutant Kaye Mead got the loudest of all for her smiling sprint finish, really great Striders spirit from the team well done all!
Jason Barton (6th, 39:29), Luke Eggleston (54th, 43:27), Darren Glover (77th, 45:06), Mark Stoneley (95th, 46:22), Mike Bryan (129th, 48:14), Rob Beers (161st, 49:24), Simon Bottrill (197th, 50:53), Michael Atton (199th,50:55), Michael Cooke (244th, 52:37), John Houghton(251st, 52:26), Iain Howe (275th, 53:28), Mike Williams (300th, 54:42), Louise Houghton (324th,55:42), Jon Wilson(329th, 56:00), Dan Howley (334th, 56:11), Mike Brighty (355th, 57:30), Kaye Mead (481st, 1:05:48)
[Rob]
26 Jun 2016 – Prestwold 10k
10 Stilton Striders went to the Prestwold 10K on a cloudy Sunday morning.
Jason Barton was in fine form as always and was the first strider back in a time of (35:30) in 8th place, next back was Matt Gayton in a time of (38:21) who managed to hold off Luke Eggleston who got round in (38:39). Stuart Shaw (38:39) and Darren Glover (39:41) both managed to get under 40 minutes which later meant Stilton Stirders mens team had won the Men’s team prize!
Mark Stoneley was next back in (40:31) John Houghton was a few minutes later who posted a time of (46:37), David Hall ran a PB in his Striders debut (49.48), Helen Plant crossed the line in (51:47) and Lynda Harris was still running very strong crossed the finish line in (52:30) completed the Stilton Striders team. [Luke]
19 Jun 2016 – Road2Recovery Half Marathon
This was the inaugural running of a fantastic half marathon from Eye Kettleby Lakes, just outside Melton Mowbray. There was a great showing from the Stilton Striders and our MRC and parkrun friends running, volunteering and supporting. The route started in the campsite and followed quiet country lanes to Great Dalby, where there was enthusiastic support and another water stop, before heading off on an undulating loop round to Little Dalby and past (not up!) Burrough Hill to rejoin the road back to Eye Kettleby. Some great views and perfect running conditions, slightly breezy and overcast to start and brightening later.
Jay Barton won the race and so was first Strider home in 1:19:25, followed by Luke Eggleston who also got onto the podium in 3rd place in a PB time of 1:26:05. Also well placed were Stuart Shaw (6th, 1:27:49), Matt Gayton (8th, 1:29:26), Darren Glover (10th, 1:30:59), and Mark Stoneley (12th, 1:34:50). Natalie Teece was 15th overall and first lady home in 1:35:14. Michael Cooke was 20th (1:39:58), followed by Andy Nicholls (1:40:23), Greeba Heard (2nd lady in 1:43:18), John Houghton (1:44:06), Alan Thompson (1:46:37), Michelle Farlow (4th lady, 1:48:15) and Vicki Lowe (8th lady, 1:49:35), Abi Arnott (1:52:28), Simon Proctor (1:54:51), Mike Brighty (1:56:36), Mike Williams (1:56:55), Helen Plant (1:57:16), Jon Wilson (1:57:30), Matt Chalmers (1:58:30 PB), Sarah Lawrence (1:59:53), Vanessa Walker (2:08:31), Nicholas Smith (2:12:57), Celina Silver (2:13:01), Kaye Mead (2:13:49 PB), Charlotte Allen (2:14:15), Lou Houghton (2:20:07), Alison Wilson (2:22:28) and finally, dressed as cavemen Clive Kent (2:27:25), Jenny Kent (2:27:27) and Laura Pickard (2:27:28), chased home by best-dressed dinosaur Ben Pickard (2:27:28).
Unfortunately we had a few injuries and Ray Walker and Debs Wilson weren’t able to finish the half. Despite injuries, Liz Parkinson completed the 5k run that was held at the same time. They also took lots of great photos.
Many thanks to Shane Sharkey, Theresa Coltman, Helen Benzie, Nina Snowling, Wendy Piesley and all the other volunteers for their cheerful support on the course.
Following the race, there was lots of catching up over tea and cake, a hog roast and some amazing ice cream. All sat outside admiring the beautiful views across the lakes and listening to George Simpson doing a lovely acoustic set. An ideal way to spend a Sunday and we’re all hoping that it’s on again next year. For more details keep an eye on: www.claireschallenge.co.uk [Jenny]
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]