In this edition we profile a current club member (Greeba Heard), her incredible progress and motivation, then highlight members’ charitable fundraising efforts and revamp the London Marathon eligibility criteria for the club’s place(s) plus introduce our new race “the Bison Bash” as well as a round up of the many events over the last month or so.
On a warm muggy evening I travelled to Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium for my first ever track race. Leicestershire Rutland and Northamptonshire 10,000 m championship.
So 25 laps of the track and with only 28 entries I wanted to make sure I paced my own race correctly so I tried to look at it like a road race and with my garmin I just focused on the miles ticking by and I think I got my pacing spot on. First 3 miles was 18.38 and my second 3 miles was 18.39 so with the bit extra to make 10k my final time was 38 mins 33 seconds , ave 6 min 13 a mile my fastest 10k for a few years and although I dont think Mo has too much to worry about my time I was very pleased with that, I would like to do more but there is not many about. Maybe next year. [Darren]
A fantastic evening, once again, at the Rainbows 100 lap challenge, with 3 teams of Striders joining in the competitive fun at this event which raises much needed charity funds for Rainbows.
Link to Melton Times report: http://www.meltontimes.co.uk/sport/other-sport/record-breaking-stilton-striders-win-rainbows-100-lap-challenge-1-7487791
As in prior years, we will be entering teams in this great charity event, held at the Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium in Leicester. Mixed teams of around 20 runners – with each runner doing around 5 laps of the 400m track each in a relay. It really is a fantastic summer’s evening event, all run in a great spirit. Please let Mike Bryan know if you are interested in joining in.
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]
Rapidly becoming one of the most enjoyable evenings on the calendar, the Rainbows 100 Lap Challenge once again lived up to its reputation. With mixed teams of 20 or so runners taking on the challenge of completing 100 laps of the Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium, the event has a great atmosphere, with huge amounts of support from all for runners from all the teams.
With intermediate timings being announced over the tannoy, it was clear from early on that 3 teams had pulled away at the head of the field – Beaumont, Striders Seniors and, in an early lead, Striders Juniors. The three teams exchanged the lead several times and gaps of less than 1 lap of the track remained as the runners approached the 10 laps to go point.
Ultimately, and for the first time in many years, the extra “experience” of our Senior team won through as they finished in first place, closely followed by the Juniors in second. A great night was had by all – same time, same place next year?
A few more photos can be found here.
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A view from the track (by Mr Rob Beers):
My first time running this, in the past it sounded very much like a Scooby Doo type of thing “And we would’ve won if it wasn’t for those darn pesky kids”, in relation to our stunning junior Striders division. The Senior Striders team were up against not only our ultra fast juniors but Wigston Phoenix, Beaumont RC, Huncote Harriers, West End RC, Bowline CC, Desford Striders, Anstey RC and a Parkrun select.
Just the small task at Saffron Lane Sports Stadium in Leicester of beating ever other team to running 100 lapsof 400 metres first. Started off by our shiny speedster Jason Barton we got the challenge underway, most interesting was thespeed of people who took off like a scolded cat for 250 metres then really felt the burn and tire in their legs. There were so many good runs and heroic moments throughout the night that I can’t chronicle them all here but will mention the forever humble Ian Johnson and Striders Lady legend Nicola Clay who just looked awesome every lap they did. The young showboating but totally speed on legs Alex Riley who may as I believe ran the fastest lap of the night. Michael Atton who found eternal stardom and notoriety with his alter ego “Chris”, it would be Striders and other clubs alike cheering in this wrongly named hero.
I got to run five laps, I must say it gets easier after the first one where you sort of naturally go off too quick then feel like your sprinting up Snowdon the last 100 metres. Special mention to Stuart Gregory representing his second claim club Desford Striders (And running very well may I add) who came on saying we were on course to win the event. Captain Mike Bryan rang the bell for 99 laps as the Baton switched for Jason Barton who started the race for Stilton to run the 100th lap and bring victory to Stilton Striders senior team in the 2015 Rainbows 100 lap challenge!
