Tag: trail

25 Jun 2016 – Nomad 50k

The sixth year of this popular ultra distance event put on by the very friendly lot at Long Eaton Running Club. You may remember quite a few of us did it last year and for most our first ultra distance, can you believe this is my third ultra Marathon of this year?

Just myself and Katie Hateley running today for Striders, this being Katie’s first 30+miler after doing 27.5 miles at Baslow two weeks ago, if it goes wrong it’s my fault for talking her into this! The race starts at 9:00am and at a nice social pace we quickly get onto the canal towpath towards Shardlow and before we know it we hit our first checkpoint at 10.5 miles where the rain absolutely hammers it down.

The rain continues as we pass Shelton and head into Derby, although it clears up its still ominous and showery throughout the day. The cycle route we are on through Derby isn’t the most interesting but I tend to find that working through it is actually a part which helps an ultra runners mind; it’s not too bad as we meet a great guy called Andy from Draycott who ran with us the entire race.

The second checkpoint is at 18 miles, very nice to see our Club Chairman Rich Gray out supporting us here, checkpoint 3 and the race finish. I really felt like I’d ran 3 miles which Rich said “Who’d have thought training makes you better?”, many a true word!

Next couple of miles along the trail path are followed by more serious offroad stuff as we hit Morley; this is very much the ‘second half’ of the race with far more offroad and undulation. Still happily we make it to the 3rd checkpoint at 26 miles and my only worries are being a little dry throated, although the team has spread out on occasion we pretty much ran together.

The hilliest part of the root is the long pull over Stanton on the Wolds before a long downhill over the golf course, a few fields and for me the hardest part of the race the seemingly never-ending half mile of tarmac along Longmoor Lane to the race finish.

The Nomad is pretty brilliantly put on by LERC, very friendly team, the signage was a lot better this year on what is a cracking route through South Derbyshire, how many races give you a pint of hand pulled beer and a large filled jacket potato on finishing amongst many other goodies? I cannot rate it high enough and so glad we have now had six Striders do this event who can testify how worthy it is.

The Nomad is a great step up for those looking at moving up from Marathon distance,

I guess I have to mention our lovely Katie Hateley who came 1st lady in her first 30+ miler! Not only did she run a great race (bit of a natural here if I’m honest), but she got a superb lot of prizes for doing so!

Katie is running this as part of her ‘Gambia Trilogy’, with Beacon24 next week and Snowdonia Trail Marathon at the end of next month. Katie is raising funds for Humanity first medical to raise money for things like defibrillators for disaster relief in countries less fortunate than our own. If you would like to sponsor this remarkable lady the link is below:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Katie-Hateley4

[Rob]

17 Jun 2016 – Beacon Hill Solstice Race

After last year’s resounding success of running round Leicestershire`s second highest point twice followed by Barbecue and beer worked so well even more Stilton Striders came along this year!

A quickly sold out field for this trail 5 miler got to the start line hot on the heels of the very noisy Canix division who set off 5 mins earlier. It had been very wet just an hour before start although luckily we got no more rain during or more thankfully after the race. Luke Egglestone quickly took the lead at the race start for the Striders contingent, have to admit a couple of times I thought I saw him wobble as in second place I made ground on him only for him to remain strong- a great testament to training! The first climb up the Beacon felt even longer this year and I backed off a tad on the descent letting technique help me get my breath back somewhat. Credit again to Luke who lost so much last year to myself on the descents really let go and was flying here, although the race is still in its infancy I feel slow going up from the plantation and the second climb up Beacon Hill.

Thankfully the legs do wake up again on the descent and I`m enjoyably sparring with a guy from Poplar RC (There’s so many!) , Luke is up and away and by the final pull I can just about see Mike Bryan in my rear headlight. Despite feeling like a clapped out old Ford Cortina I make it round about a minute faster than last year although at the time It certainly never felt like it!

The whole team make it in and it turned into a really great after party, big thanks to Mike Bryan, Rich Gray and the Houghton`s amongst the many who helped with making the after party so much fun and helping the club be as sociable and friendly as it is.


Luke Egglestone (32:59, 10th) Rob Beers (34:47, 20th) Mike Bryan (35:38, 26th)Simon Bottrill (36:26, 27th) Richard Gray (38.11, 35th) Ben Pickard (38:43, 42nd) John Houghton (38:47, 43rd)Katie Hateley( 38:57, 47th) Dan Valencia (38:59, 48th) Shane Sharkey(39:12, 51st)Lou Houghton (42:43, 83rd) Jon Wilson (43:06, 86th) Tony Allen(45:25, 61st ?) Kaye Mead (50:05,174th)Laura Pickard (50:51, 184th) Deborah Wilson (53:11 , 203rd) Jenny Kent (26:31, 223rd). [Rob]

11 Jun 2016 – Baslow Boot Bash

This had `training run` written all over it, some tired legs after last night at Castleton and more so tired eyes after listening to Dan Valencia snore all night!We had pre-entered this 14 or 26 mile walk or run a mere £10 I think it was and Dan never actually paid!

Anyway this morning its Rob Beers (Me), Dan , John Houghton, Greg Pettingill and Simon Bottrill doing the 14 and young Katie Hateley who is going one better than us and doing the 26 miler! I`ll point out I’m wearing second claim colours this morning as a tribute to Barrow Runners Paul Osborne who sadly died last week whilst running the Ramathon half marathon in Derby-Stilton Striders offer sincere condolences to Barrow Runners and Paul`s family.

So a sold out boot bash starting just outside the Cannon Gate at Chatsworth estate, the opening 7 miles have a similarity to doing Grindleford Gallop backwards from the same spot. It’s quite a pull out of the estate which isn’t good as a few of us have funny tummies and the humidity is really bad, the option to walk is taken quite a few times.

We leave Katie at 5 miles where the route splits although the checkpoint a mere 4.1 miles later felt like forever, I know there were all times where we could’ve all just stopped and sat down for an hour. By the second checkpoint we are on more unfamiliar territory and despite the often grand undulation (read hills) we are starting to feel a little more awake and enjoying it more. Miles 10-11 take in some gorgeous scenery through some woodland and offer great views over the peak district, pretty much running Nirvana we were loving it.

Final checkpoint and only two miles to go, a great drop into Baslow over the fields and a nip up back through the town back to the village hall for Pie and Mushy peas courtesy of the entry fee all crossing the line together. We actually finished quite high up the field saying we were messing about and walking, might be one to try with a bit of speed one year as really lovely event and very well organised.

Have to mention Katie who did her first ultra with the `Marathon` clocked at 27.5 miles! Think we have a natural!

5 Jun 2016 – Northants Ultra ‘Shires and Spires’ 35

The `Northants 35` is a multi-terrain ultra starting and finishing at Lamport Hall, The Stilton ultra crew today are myself (Rob Beers), Richard Gray, Simon Bottrill and Dan Valencia.

It’s quite a cool morning with the cloud not yet burned off and we are all vested today (Although Valencia insists on his mohair base layer!), we are all in good spirits for the day ahead. 8:30am we start off and typically like many other long races its a few offroad fields that are as memorable as nothing, myself and Simon have pushed slightly ahead of Dan/Rich although it’s an easy pace. We hit the village of Cottesbrook and a bit alarmed to find the first checkpoint/feed station at a mere 4.5 miles in! 10k or 10 miles would’ve been far better. This is followed by a lot of country road towards Naseby (same route as `Battlefield Run`) which has a couple of quite `Kibworth-ish` hills, hitting historic Naseby on about 8.5 miles comes the second and far too soon checkpoint/feed station. We are doing ok, happily chatting and making observation and before we know it we are at Silsworth at 17 miles, now joined by Mr Valencia who must’ve gone some to catch up with us.

From here on there was a lot more offroad and a couple of miles later I start to move ahead of Dan/Simon, let me tell you there are some nasty climbs throughout this race, flat it never will be. The next checkpoint is Althorp Park at 25 miles and by now the sun is starting to wake up and the thought of 10 more miles seems a hell of a lot. The next few miles aren’t pretty I’m sitting in quite a big group of `fellow sufferers` and drink 3 cups of water after the climb to the final checkpoint at Teeton even taking a bottle with me. The next hill at 30 miles I’m that dehydrated and fatigued I’m forced to finally walk a bit, having lost the group ahead and not knowing which way I`m stood at the top for a couple of minutes waiting for the next person.

The last 2 and a half miles go on forever, the sun is now baking me and it’s a case of run/walk although I still manage to pass someone! Finally make it home in 5:58:02 and 16th place overall with a lovely medal and rather camp long sleeve. Over 2,600 foot of ascent and yet it felt much more! It`s not an easy ultra if anyone fancies this as dipping their toes.

The Pros: Well organised company putting the event on, wrist band usage at checkpoints, number of feed stations, very scenic and some beautiful villages, gels at every feed station, nice medal.

The Cons: Too much road – yes Northants is gorgeous but could’ve made use of the offroad more, an awful lot of navigation and we saw lots of people go wrong, how the feed stations were spaced out, yellow and purple long sleeve! Lack of marshals and signage. [Rob]

Results:
Rob Beers 5.58.02, 44th, 16th MV40
Rich Gray 6.20.16, 60th, 20th MOpen
Simon Bottrill 6.23.31, 66th, 29th MV40
Dan Valencia 6.38.18, 82nd, 36th MV40

14 May 2016 – Dukeries 30

How could one resist the offer of a run around Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park even if it was 30 miles?

A very early start saw Rob Beers and Rich Gray head over to the Dukeries area of north Nottinghamshire for good initial tester for the ultra season. A mixed and varied lot of runners here today to do both the 30 and 40 mile courses put on by Hobo events and definitely the most entertaining race briefing I’ve ever heard!

7:30am the race starts, it’s cool early on but the clouds soon shift to a quite lovely day, the one real XC bit is in the first mile where drainage problems see us shin deep in water for 100 yards, this is the only `OMG` moment throughout. Very soon it appears we are running in the garden of Eden or at least some of Mercia`s finest scenery, there are just so many picturesque places throughout the race it would be hard to pin point just one, stunning.

Race splits at 6.5 miles with the 40 milers (including our mate Zoe from Hermitage Harriers) going via the Major Oak. Poor Rich has to listen to me blabber on about all kinds of things as we hit a selection of quaint villages and some prehistoric caves known as Creswell crags, before we know it we are upon the next checkpoint.

Rich tells me to go on at 20 miles he either thinks I’m running exceedingly well or has earache, the marshal up ahead says the next checkpoint is 1.5 miles in reality it was about 4 miles. Having not worn a watch or anything, I’m quite happy to find out that I’ve “ Two Park run’s left” to go as I run off doing the maths in my head.


Going very well and still passing people, quite a few walking from 20 miles, the terrain has been a good mix of everything without being hard going, certainly even Rich quoted it as `all runnable`. The mix of everything kept it interesting, it wasn’t just field after field , the navigation was spot on also-if I didn’t get lost anyone can do it!

Knee started ceasing up about 28 miles and by 29 miles I was forced to have the odd cheeky walk due to it becoming painful.

Sprint finish had more in common with `the Hunchback of Notre Dame` than Usain Bolt but I made it and loved the event, would recommend this highly for anyone looking at a longer than Marathon event or enjoying an off-road jaunt.

Really good Technical vest and medal with a buffet after, very good value for money , and a real credit to the organisers for putting this excellent event on. Rob Beers (4:48:11) and Rich Gray (5:00:36). [Rob]

8 May 2016 – Clawson 10k

A perfect day for spectating at this year’s Clawson 10k, with sunshine and warm temperatures a shock to the system for the runners.  158 started this hilly 10k – the climbs and descents giving it the feel of a fell race.  The route would be familiar to anyone who has joined one of our head torch runs from Long Clawson over the last couple of years – although it is definitely a different test in the sunshine as opposed to the dark, wind and rain!

There was a bumper turn out of Stilton Striders for this local favourite, with Katie Hateley taking home a chunk of Stilton as 3rd lady and four other top 10 finishes (some aided by a number of other runners going off course).
Luke Eggleston (4th, 46.53), Darren Glover (5th, 47.03), Rob Beers (6th, 49.30), Rich Gray (8th, 49.46), Michael Atton (14th, 51.14), Katie Hateley (3rd lady, 22nd overall, 52.49), Dan Valencia (23rd, 53.14), John Houghton (33rd, 56.29), Dan Howley (44th, 58.40), Louise Houghton (46th, 61.17), Sarah Procter (50th, 62.56) and Lynda Harris (57th, 65.02).  Nicholas Smith, Celina Silver and their dog (all representing Stamford Striders) were 116th in 80.41.  Di’s junior Striders training sessions are also clearly paying off with Finn Mulholland first junior in 68.37 and Archie Parrott in 76.50.

2 May 2016 – Woodhouse May Day Challenge

This must be my 5th or 6th May day challenge and it’s an event I always sing highly of as it despite its `tough` profile is one for everyone.

As usual a very large crowd of runners is on hand in the serene village of Woodhouse Eaves for this year’s challenge, as 9:30 strikes the runners start in pursuit of the walkers who have set off an hour earlier. Good turnout today from Stilton Striders and Melton Running club, many doing this event for the first time and although it’s not quite as nice weather as years past it’s still quite pleasant.

Not wearing a watch today my plan is to stick near Barrow Runners Russ Lewin and Chris Trinder and aim for 1:40 or even more hopefully under. The usually painful slog up Deans Lane isn’t too bad this time, someone else said it that it’s not Deans Lane so much but the pull up to the Beacon straight after. A nice long descent down Beacon Hill country park and back into Woodhouse Eaves before the slog which I dread most Woodhouse golf course!

Feel a little bit better on entering Bradgate Park this year than last (stitch from not breathing properly) and enjoy the descent down to Newton Linford gates. The flat through Bradgate Park isn’t too bad although it’s here I lose my pacers in Russ and local legend Tim Hartley at 9 miles in, not often I’ll be able to say about running alongside Tim! I`m running alongside Stuart Shaw doing this event for the first time who despite saying he`s really feeling it is actually looking very fresh. Just over 10 and a half miles and I can feel it, not sure whether to blame the 19 mile XC route from Saturday or not doing enough long tempo work but I’m tiring and it can be the hardest few miles for many doing this race. I urge Stuart on “If you’ve anything left its two miles” , He definitely looks more fleet footed than I do and I seem to drop pace slowly until I hit the tarmac again at Old Woodhouse. Another `forgotten killer` is Old Woodhouse with the mean incline at its rear before the slow pull back into Woodhouse Eaves playing field, followed by the `loop of shame` around the field (Anyone who has run this knows what I mean!).

Bit off the time I wanted but as usual really enjoyed, very proud how everyone did, Kaye calling me every name under the sun but loving it really, Brian Walking coming over the line like he’d scored a hat trick in a cup final and pretty much a great day out for all. [Rob]

Stuart Shaw (24th, 1:40:59), Rob Beers (26th, 1:41:27), Katie Hateley (74th, 1:53:29), Brian Walking (160th, 2:06:31),  Simon Proctor (175th, 2:09:58), John Hudson (230th, 2:17:51), Susan Pettingill (260th, 2:29:12), Kaye Mead (261st, 2:29:13), Helen Metcalfe (309th, 2:46:41), Elizabeth Gray (310th, 2:46:52) and Stuart Gregory (314th, 2:49:45)

16 Apr 2016 – Frisby Fun Run

A few weeks since this race and I’m looking back on it with rose-tinted specs. However, the memory of the hailstorm during the adults race is still fresh, as is seeing new Strider Alan Thompson sprinting effortlessly past me up the hill on the 2nd lap!

As well as Alan, Brian Walkling, Natalie Teece (1st lady) and myself running in the adults race, Sarah Procter and son Harry ran together in the pre-school category with Conrad Gray, Luke & Zoe Nicholls and a whole tribe of Walklings competing too.

Helping make the day go smoothly, it was fabulous to also have a number of Striders volunteering with Rich Gray & Ian Johnson marshalling, Natalie Teece haring and Tony Allen tail running for all 5 races and still managing to smile. Top job Striders!  [Andy]

Old Dalby outrun (& new kit!)

Looking forward to the Old Dalby out run on Wednesday… There’s two routes, one is going to be faster and slightly longer than the other. Also the new kit has (finally) arrived and will be on sale on Wednesday after the run.

£20 – vest

£20- t-shirt 

£25 – long sleeve shirt 

£35 – jacket 

£20 – hoodie 

See you all on Wednesday.