IN THE weeks following Elvet Striders’ epic charity relay along the Pennine and Weardale Way at the end of July, there have been no end of achievements for our club members. The final two sprint GP races took place this month, wrapping up the category and have made for exciting changes in the table with only two races of the GP left for this year.

‘Super’ Kate Macpherson has featured in on the Active in County Durham blog the local press on Saturday 22nd with her mission to introduce more people to running by becoming an England Athletics Super Run Leader. Well done Kate!

On the Roads/GP Sprint

The 28th Sherwoods Vauxhall Darlington 10km dominated the road races this month. As the penultimate sprint category GP race there were points at stake. An astounding 51 Elvet Striders stormed the streets of Darlington on 9th August. This two-lap course is well known for its PB potential and didn’t disappoint.

First Strider home Gareth Pritchard smashed out a personal best of 35:30, testament to the dedicated training of the last few months under our omnipotent coach Allan Seheult. Allan, who has only recently returned to running, put in a sterling performance finishing in 1:23:06.

A flurry of PB’s followed: Rob Everson came in with 36:24; Michael Littlewood with 38:10; Michael Ross took 52 seconds off his last 10km PB at 45:56, which was 86 seconds quicker than his performance last year at Darlington. There were further PB’s for Catherine Elliott coming in at 48:44, and Andrew Davies at 48:26. New Strider Rebecca Devine took 2 mins 26 seconds off her PB and Lisa Hall, who only started running in January smashed 6 mins off her 10k time. Well done all!

Sedgefield parkrun followed two weeks later to round up the sprint GP category.

It was a Striders 1, 2 for Steven Jackson and Gareth Pritchard who went all out round the two-lap course with Elaine Bisson first Strider lady. A special mention to Graeme and Katy Walton who ran very respectable times, despite arriving after the start of the race, straight off the plane from Florida – total dedication! Katy did enough to secure her victory as Queen of the Sprint category and also places her top of the women’s table overall. Graeme was also able to gain enough points to maintain his lead at the top of the men’s table, with Gareth taking the Sprint championship after his lead at Darlington.

Two races remain for the GP competition, one in the mountains and one in the endurance category, which will feature next month.

On the Trails and Fells

On the first day of the month Aaron Gourley took on the Borrowdale fell race. This 60+ miler takes in >6500 feet of ascent and some of the classic peaks of the Lakes. All competitors must qualify for the privilege of standing at the start line. No records smashed, just pleased to have made it round. Great effort Aaron.

Only a day later five lady Striders headed to Northumberland for the Clennell Trail Marathon. New member Tamsin Imber was the fastest Strider in 6:04:05, followed by Anita Clementson and Camilla Lauren-Maata only 40 minutes later. Camilla also won her age category and was awarded free entry in to next year’s race – congratulations Camilla! Anna Seeley and Diane Watson also took part in the longer-than-expected route through some challenging terrain.

As the ladies took in surplus amounts of the Northumberland National Park, Dave Robson and Mel Hudson embarked on five days of racing in the Tour of Fife which included up a big hill, down a big hill and gentle trails.

More 10k PB’s were gained at Gateshead Trail race on the 15th. Alex Witty was first Strider home with a PB of 44:07, Louise Simpson first for the ladies a little over a minute and a half later. Catherine Smith PB’d at 56:44 and special mention to Lucy Herkes for running her first race. All Striders were home in under 75 minutes. Excellent running.

A small field of 72 marathoners completed the second marathon to take place in Northumberland this month (16th), this time along the coast. Of the three Striders in attendance, Martyn James took third place in 3:14:03; Juliet Percival, a mere 20 places further behind was third female and first in her age category (congratulations Jules!) and Anna Swallow also made it in well below the fifth hour chimed.

parkrun Corner

Three Striderettes took a trip over to Ireland to visit Portrush parkrun on the 8th of this month for a bit of parkrun tourism. Kelly, Laura and Claire’s lovely smiles made the face of parkrun global stats for that week. Brilliant publicity for the club ladies!

At our ‘home’ parkrun in Durham this month there have been an incredible four PB’s on the bounce for Karin Younger. Well done Karin! Jim Nicholson and Anthony Clish PB’d three weeks in succession, along with David Browbank, Philip Connor, Frances Timson, and Victoria Brown who all PB’d twice in a row. Summer training is clearly paying off, well done all!

Striders first over the line in August:

1/8 – Penny Browell, Durham parkrun

8/8 – Helen Todd, Tamar Lakes parkrun (Cornwall)

15/8 – Elaine Bisson, Riverside parkrun

22/8 – Stephen Jackson and Elaine Bisson, Sedgefield parkrun; Sally Hughes, Riverside parkrun

29/8 – All Striders pipped to the post!

Submitted by Steph Piper