THE RACING calendar in September has been full to bursting. For those still feeling the post-GNR blues, here are some of the highlights from the remainder of an incredible month for our members.

On the roads…

As many of our clubmates were hell-bent on reaching the east coast in the GNR, three headed west to the Lake District to compete in the undulating Langdale half and full marathons (13/09). Penny Browell came third lady in the half, finishing in 23rd place overall (1:38:17) only narrowing beating Jon Ayres (28th overall in 1:40:39). Outstanding performance Penny, well done. Tamsin Imber took on the full marathon and completed it in 4:35:08.

On the same weekend Gareth Pritchard journeyed south in search of a half marathon PB at Bristol (13/09). This well-supported and largely flat race didn’t disappoint, with a PB of 1:18:55 – an improvement of just over three minutes. Watch out Stephen Jackson!

On the trails and fells…

Beyond the final Mountain GP fixture (below), highlights of the trails and fells in the latter half of September maintained the ultra- theme.

Denise Benvin took on the Rat Race Scottish Coast to Coast (12-13/09) – two days of kayaking, cycling and trail running 105 miles between Nairn in the north-east to Ballachulish in the south-west.

Dave Robson and Kath Dodd continued their September ultra-running streak and completed the Hardmoors 60 along the east coast (20/09).

Two Striderettes tackled the breathtakingly beautiful St. Oswald’s Ultra from Holy Island (26/09). Kathryn Sygrove finished 31st of a field of 85 in 6:12:54 in the 50km. Juliet Percival went twice the distance as part of an incredible number of challenges she set this year to raise money for Christian Aid. There were only 23 finishers in the 100km of which Jules came 11th in 14:59:53. Inspirational feats of endurance on all counts.

GP 2014-15 Season Finale

The Viking Chase (Mountain GP, 20/09) saw only a handful of Striders racing around four peaks in Cleveland. Men’s Captain Paul Evans was first Strider home in 9th place (1:11:47), securing a narrow victory as King of the Mountain over Mike Bennett (24th, 1:16:59). Penny Browell was first lady Strider in 16th place (1:14:48) which also won her Queen of the Mountain over Jan Young (61st, 1:37:53). Jan takes second place in the QOM and also won her age category – congratulations Jan. Till Sawala finished only one place and ten seconds behind Mike, whilst new Strider Lorna Simpkin was the penultimate runner across the finish in 2:00:25.

Men’s VC Jon Ayres ticked off one of his long-held running goals at the Redcar half – the final GP fixture for 2014-15 (Endurance GP, 27/09), smashing 90 minutes and crossing the line in 1:27:30, Elaine Bisson was first lady in 1:33:45, keeping a consistent time from the GNR. Redcar was Helen Hall’s debut at this distance, finishing 2:12:00 with PB’s for Karen Jones (1:49:47) and Sophie Dennis (2:20 – a 12 min PB from the GNR). The results of this race are yet to be finalised, so the overall 2014-15 GP results will be announced in the next round-up.

GP 2014-15 Season Begins

Tanfield XC (Mud GP, 26/09) was the first race of the new GP season. Striders were out in force at the event, both newbies and stalwarts alike. Counters for the women’s team were Louise Warner, Katy Walton (both promoted to the medium pack – well done!), Sarah Davies and finally Penny Browell who stormed through the field from the fast pack. Some of our newest members made their first XC appearance at Tanfield, packing the field well for the women were: Joan Hanson, Caitlin Mooney, Joanne Parkinson, Rebecca Devine, Marita Grimwood, Jenny Search, Jan Ellis, Helen Thomas, Clare Metcalfe and Catherine Elliott. The women finished strong in sixth place in Division One.

For the men, Stephen Jackson was first male counter, qualifying for the fast pack (fantastic Stephen!); followed by Simon Gardner, Paul Evans, Matthew Archer, debutant Jack Lee and James Garland as the remaining counters. Other Striders’ gents making their first appearance were: Adam Bent, Andrew Rayner, Alex Collins, David Case, Tim Matthews and Richard Stollery. The men finished a very respectable seventh in Division Two. Well done to everyone who raced, it looks like the race for GP Mud glory will be intense this season.

Parkrun Corner

Jean Bradley had the highest age-graded score (76.49% for the time 24:40) at Durham parkrun on the 19/09.

Peter Matthews recorded two PB’s on the bounce in September, finally cracking the 24-minute mark.

Lap 2

Lap 2 catches up with the odd error and omission from previous round-ups.

Congratulations to Helen Allen who also completed her first ultra-marathon at the Hardmoors Princess Challenge, only two years after doing her third ever parkrun. Well done Helen!

Further PB successes at the GNR were for Sue Gardham who knocked 5 minutes off her time, coming in at 1:53:10 and just a year on from having a baby. Congratulations on both counts Sue! Also, Jayne Freeman in 2:09:12, a whole 11 minutes better than last year. Brilliant!

Submitted by Steph Piper