The Striding Report - Penny Lane Striders

THE STRIDING REPORT
May 2014
Issue 108
May is here. Must be time for the annual bike ride!
The
Striding
Report
The Striding
PROBABLY LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER RUNNING CLUB NEWSLETTER
From the Editor
They say life is all about learning new stuff: an interesting and infuriating experience in equal
measures if you ask me. Ok, I am not the most patient of people but frankly I don’t get why we
can’t just understand everything immediately. So much more efficient than all this trying
something, reading something else, banging your head then trying again just in case and ouch no, it hurts just the same – until the time when, if you’re lucky, you find out what works for you.
Take food for example. Last year ignorance was utter bliss. I went through an entire winter and
spring eating what I normally do and running twice as long. By the end of it, even as my trousers
were clinging on for dear life to what was left of my arse, I still thought all this nutrition stuff was
a piece of the proverbial – after all there I was, eating my carrots quietly amazed that my diet of
bucketfuls of bananas and mangoes was the key to running all day. A more observant person
may well have noticed she was actually eating herself.
This year it’s all so difficult. I tried drinking more beer to top up those all-important carbs but it
gives me such a headache. Last week I nearly cleaned Asda out of cheese. I really didn’t know
what to do until Frank Martin came to the rescue with coconut and chia seeds. I am further
assured that Spirulina is the future. It is also very green. It had better be good for me cos it
makes my post run magic milkshake look like the soup in Conan the Barbarian’s orgy scene and
Pete’s already observed that green doesn’t look good on chicken. And I thought he was
colourblind.
News
Suggestions as always to thestridingreport@gmail.com
John Connolly won the Shakespeare
Raceways marathon on Saturday 15
March, a new, multi lap addition to the
national marathon calendar.
On the same day Penny Lane was
represented by two full men and
women’s team at the Northern Relays at
Heaton Park in Manchester. Both A
teams were 3rd club from Merseyside, a
great achievement in a superb quality
field with clubs from all over the north
of England. Women’s Teams were 30th
and 43rd, whilst the Men’s Teams were
38th and 62nd.
Liverpool Half Marathon saw over 50
Striders take to the city streets on a
windswept Sunday 23 March. Nigel
Grant was first home for Penny Lane
and first MV50 in an impressively apt
50th place overall.
Rachel Williams finished in a brilliant 10th
place in the women’s classification,
leading Sarah Hodgson, Emma Lawton
and Myka Heard to a fantastic women’s
team prize for PLS at the event.
Martin Swensson breaks own club
marathon record with a spectacular 2h32
in Manchester on Sunday 7 April.
First multiterrain of the season took place
at Delamere parkrun on 12 April, with
Lawrence Eccles first boy and Gill Darby
first girl home for PLS. Next race in the
calendar was Rivington Pike on Saturday
19 April, with Lawrence Eccles once again
first home. The lads won team silver and
Cristina Puccini individual bronze in the
Merseyside Fell Running Championship.
Finally, all ready for the Awards Night on
Friday 9 May at the Aigburth People’s Hall
– prizes, disco, buffet: PLS has it all!
IN THIS ISSUE
Membership News
2
Strider of the Month
3
Shakespeare Raceways
4
Captain’s Log
5
Zatopec
6
7
Issue
Date
Rant from Grant
8
Personal Profile
Oulton Park Half Marathon
9
Parbold Hill Race
10
Stato’s Report
11
Race Calendar
17
Liverpool Half
18
Bulletin Board
19
Classifieds
21
Editor:
Cristina
Puccini
thestridingreport@gmail.com
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
2
Membership News
by Mike Roxburgh
Beware the membership fairy: he can turn you into a Strider!
Some of you like me will have been disappointed
recently by the last minute cancellation of the
Cheshire Half Marathon due to what I’m told was a
waterlogged car park. How you can have a
waterlogged car park in the absence of any heavy
rainfall is a question I have no intention of delving
into but it did get me thinking how cursed I am
when it comes to Half Marathon running.
Over the past 5 years I’ve ran over 20 odd races of
this distance but within that number can count two
races that were cancelled, one race that was
measured one mile long, one that was measured
two miles short, one that was ridiculously hot, one
that was flooded, one I was late and missed the
start and one in which I famously did a Mo Farah
....and collapsed!
Not a good track record really I’m thinking I’m
cursed – has anybody else got a record of disaster
like that I wonder?
On a more positive note however I recently took
part in the St Helen’s 10k which was taking place for
the first time since the death of its creator the St
Helens Rugby League legend Steve Prescot. This is
a tough little race with a couple of long steep climbs
not helped when you have a hangover to contend
with but regardless it was good to be running
alongside some local celebrities such as the ex
Great Britain & St Helens Captain Paul Sculthorpe.
I have to admit I didn’t recognise him and only
vaguely knew his name but having ran alongside
him for most of the race (until leaving him for dead
at the end ;-) I knew he must have been famous in
those parts due to the constant “c’mon Scully”
shouts that came from the crowd.
This got me thinking – how many famous people
have Striders raced with over the years? My only
other claim to fame would be the Take That also
ran Jason Orange who took part in a Triathlon I
competed in but I’m sure there are better examples
than that, so the challenge is on ....Beat That! (can
you see what I did there?!)
Memberships
Please can everyone print out, complete and return
their 2014/15 membership forms to me or Andy
Leslie as soon as possible – everyone needs to fill
one of these in regardless if you already have
standing orders set up. No form, no registration –
so get it sorted!
Enjoy your running guys!
pennylanestriders@btinternet.com
Follow the club
@TeamPLS1985
on
Facebook
and
Twitter:
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
Strider of the Month:
By
3
Rob Bruchez-Corbett
Rachel Rick
Rob has been settling into Penny Lane very nicely indeed and he’s got a string of PBs to prove it!
At the Liverpool Half
When and why did you start
running? When I was many years
younger I was always running in one
way or another. I was involved with
football, basketball, rugby, cricket and
athletics at school.
end of any difficult scenario.
What is your favourite distance and
why? This year I am concentrating on
getting my speed up, so 5ks and 10ks
are good fun. I love the thrill of moving
fast.
What achievement are you most proud of? The birth of both my
sons! Calum and Jaden. They have brought me much more than what
I could ever have anticipated. Maturity, fun, responsibility, love and
last of all lack of sleep! Being a parent is the toughest and most
fulfilling role I could ever wish to do, they both changed my life
drastically and all for the better
What is your least
favourite and why? I
don't feel I have a least
favourite distance, I
enjoy a relaxing long
runs too. I feel that
running is becoming a
major part of who I am,
and because of this I love
everything to do with it.
What's your favourite training session/run/route? I get a good buzz
from running Woolton hills, it’s a tough run (especially the extended
route), but hard training runs are what will improve your running
ability. I feel this route has helped me the most.
What is your favourite race and
why? My most memorable and
probably favourite race was the
Chester Marathon 2013. I
decided to run the race to show
Jo that she is capable of doing
things that she previously
thought not possible. The
course was excellent, very well
supported throughout the city
and really well organised.
Why did you choose Penny Lane? I didn't choose
Penny Lane, Jo (my better half) literally forced me to
And afterwards! With Laurinda, Jo and Ben
What is your best running
join the club. I ran with a large group of Striders in the
memory With the Chester
Chester Half-Marathon in 2013, and that gave me the
Marathon there was a feel good factor around the group who trained
extra push I think. I didn't have much confidence in myself at the
and ran together, and it was this sharing of pride and togetherness of
time and the thought of joining any club was a daunting prospect.
achieving something so difficult at the time that will stay with me for
The club however has always made me feel welcome. I have made
a long time to come. I was so proud of Jo and everyone at PLS for the
loads of friends through being part of the club.
commitment to the task, it was inspiring.
How long have you been with us? I think it has been about nine
Tell us something we don't know about you. It drives me mad to
months since I started.
be in a room that is not organised, I will quietly start freaking out if
What is your favourite bit of equipment and why? I love my Garmin
someone won’t take charge and deal with the situation at hand. So
and heart rate monitor, they have become an invaluable piece of
much so that people can think I can become very abrupt in my
equipment for training and races. It is still nice just to get out without
attempt to "gain control". I apologize to anyone who has seen me in
knowing your pace or time (without my watch), and the freedom it
this crazed state :o) I am strange in that I laugh in the most
brings doing it can be liberating and can remind you of why you love
inappropriate of times. I quite often speak without
running.
thinking, this is generally inappropriate and insensitive.
I apologize in advance to anyone I haven't yet done this
You're halfway through a
too. A nice thing about me is that I am sincere, if I am
race, having a bad day and
praising you I will mean it, I don't believe in purposely
feel like giving up. What
offending anyone.
makes you push on to the
end? My motivation stems
Have a look at your times for the past year. Of which
from my own sense of
one are you most proud? Most proud of my half
achievement. I am not really
marathon time. Mainly because it was my first time of
concerned with times or
pacing myself properly. It has given me so much more
medals. My drive comes
confidence in doing better next time.
from knowing that I am
How about your boys – are they future striders? Jo
working hard and how proud
and I are encouraging the boys to be active. If that
I will be of myself knowing
Beat the Reaper with Eamonn, Jo and
involves running then I will help and nurture them to
that I didn't give up. That is
reach their potential. The main thing is to get the boys
Andy
what always gets me to the
to enjoy being active.
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
4
Shakespeare Raceways Marathon
By John Connolly
John runs rings around the competition at the inaugural event of this
multi-lap marathon, ending the season in style with a brilliant win and
the Club Championship!
Towards the end of last year I had decided
to have a good stab at the club
championship which I had a great chance of
winning, but it meant I'd have run do a
marathon before the end of March. I'd
toyed with the idea of running the Liverbird
Marathon up and down Otterspool
promenade on New Year’s eve. After saying
I'd do it, I bottled out, reasoning that a
marathon was tough enough without a. not
really training for it and b. running up and
down the prom in the middle of winter on
concrete and brick surface. Luckily none of
my fellow Penny Lane Striders who I'd
mentioned it to were daft enough to run
it...oh wait!
There were plenty of marathons about but
none seemed to tick the box of being
drivable (I knew I'd probably be doing it solo
so I'd have to drive there and back) or
cheap. Then Neil Kelly forwarded me a link
for the Shakespeare Raceways Marathon, a
marathon in Stratford , in March, on a
runway and on a Saturday! I had a quick
nose around the web for reviews etc. and
this was the first running of a marathon but
the organisers had plenty of experience at
the venue running half marathons, 10k etc.
so I booked in and set about getting a
training regime in place.
training and I knew I was in good shape.
The plan was to get under 2.45 – the gold
standard that gains you elite entry to
London and to achieve this I was going to
set off at 6.10 pace and barring a total
disaster it would theoretically allow me to
run the second half three or four minutes
slower. I knew the run was going be
challenging, nine laps around an airfield,
plus there were four races starting at the
same time, 5k, 10k half marathon and the
marathon. Obviously I’d be lapping runners
which would only add to the time and
effort.
When I arrived, the weather was fine, nice
and sunny but during the warm up I could
feel just how exposed the airfield was to the
I had 8 weeks to tweak my training and
tailor it to get in marathon shape. Before
anyone reading this thinks 8 weeks is
sufficient to run a good marathon, bear in
mind leading up to the 'start' of my
marathon training, I was already regularly
running 2 hours on Sunday with a fair chunk
of mileage and sessions on top of that.
After consulting pretty much every man
and his dog on their recommendations for
marathon training, I felt the core workout
for me was going to be running my tempos
Saturday followed by the long run Sunday.
The logic of this tip was that when it came
to the taper, I would be feeling really fresh.
For the long runs I had plenty of company
but the tempos were all ran solo, character
building I can tell you!
Anyway, the big day finally arrived. My
training had not gone 100% to plan but I
suppose that's the nature of marathon
John Connolly on his way to a fantastic win
at the Shakespeare Raceways marathon
wind. I still set off at 6.10 pace but quickly
realised it would be too tough to maintain
that pace in the windy sections of the laps.
Although there was wind behind I never
think you make up as much as lose and
added to that I discovered there were five
dead/hairpin turns each lap! So, I quickly reassessed my game plan and decided to go
no quicker than 6.17. I stuck to that, but
passing through the supposed 5k loop I was
way over distance according to the Garmin
- not to worry, I hoped the course would
even itself out with the shorter final lap.
Now it might seem tedious to run a
marathon over 9 laps but the advantage of
the loops was that the organisers, which I
have to say were superb, had a table for
drinks and gels – this was great because I
didn’t have to carry anything and I could
take a few swigs of my drink and leave it
close by without having to lash it. The race
also had water and electrolyte drinks at the
same point.
nd
At the half way point, I could see I was in 2
on the race with a guy in a yellow vest of St
Albans around 3 mins in front. I didn’t push
on but obviously it crossed my mind from
start that I was in with a good shout of
winning the race. The laps and miles flew
by and even though I’d slowed to 6.20 I got
to 18 feeling okay which physiologically was
massive as in the previous marathons I'd
wobbled between 18 and 20. After the start
th
of the 7 lap I could see the leader was
fading, all of a sudden he was only 3 or 400
metres in front. I stuck to the pace and
about 2 miles later he was walking. I passed
the lead bike and asked it to lead me. I ran a
few miles back to back quicker, the
adrenaline carrying me along and entering
the penultimate lap I was sure that barring
injury or a major cramp I was going to win. I
lost concentration a bit and the average
slowed to 6.22. The lad did come back to
me a bit but at the start of the last large lap
I was clear.
By now my feet were hurting and I was
running 6.30ish and wind seemed to pick up
- I thought/prayed the small loop would be
about ¼ mile but the lead bike took me
back out to last switch back which meant
the run in would be into the wind some
more. I tried to push because I knew I’d be
close to the Penny Lane V40 record but it
was tough. I had about 300m left to the
finish and couldn’t summon anything else
but I’d won and was elated as I crossed the
line in a massive PB of 2:50:17
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
5
The last few
months have
been nothing
short of
fantastic for the
men.
Outstanding
individual honours along with great team
performances, team wins and a host of PB'S.
Please make a note of any pb's on the forum
even if the result is already up.
Captain’s Log
Dale Higham
The club marathon was truly smashed by an amazing 5 minutes when Martin
Swensson ran a 2 hour 32min marathon at Manchester. Martin also had the
privilege of representing Merseyside, pulling on his county vest at the national
cross country championships.
Another Strider with an end of season to remember was the Liverpool Echo's
own John Connolly who won the Stratford marathon knocked 10 mins of his
PB and sealed the club championship in one fell swoop. Nigel Grant won the
vet 50 category at the Liverpool half and a win for Neil Kelly at the montane
trail 10k.
We sent two full teams to the northern 12 stage relays at Heaton Park and
what a day it was. At the northern relays along with other small running clubs
we are also competing against the best athletics clubs who have great history
and facilities. Although we daydream of one day making the top 25 to qualify
for the nationals realistically we have three main aims: 1 enjoy the experience,
it is quite special. 2 perform as well as possible with 100 percent effort and
good performances. 3 finish higher than local clubs. At the end of the day all
the boxes had been ticked with Knowsley Harriers and Liverpool RC soundly
beaten the A had finished an unprecedented 36th just behind Wirral and the B
a respectable 62nd placed team in the north. Every place was earned through
teamwork and hard graft. thanks to Stephen Mannings, Stephen Renshaw, col
Dobbs, Martin Swensson, Dale Higham, Paul Riley, Lawrence Eccles, Mitch
Hawkins, Neil Bullock, Neil Kelly, Nigel Grant, Lyndon Easthope, Dave Lynam,
Marty Hirrel, Rob Hardwick, Mike Rox, Andy Cantwell, Richie Houston, Mal
Balmer, Ben Freeney, Ian Russell, Andrew Leslie, Simone Capponi, Dean
Connolly.
The team success did not end there. John Connolly, Lawrence Eccles and Neil
Bullock picked up a Merseyside county silver at Rivington just behind Wirral
AC in gold and ahead of Southport waterloo in bronze. It’s great to be
competing with clubs of this stature regularly. Winning a county medal is
special for a club of our size.
Another team prize for Penny Lane was won by Lawrence eccles, Simone
Capponi, Neil Bullock and Ian Russel, this time at Roddlesworth Roller.
The PB'S have been flowing:
St Helens 10k -Mark Littlefield, Greg Hocking, Mike Rox
Trafford 10k- Andy Leslie
High legh- Chris Lee, John Jensen
Trimpell 20- James Stansfield
Liverpool half- Neil Bullock, Lawrence Eccles,
Wilmslow- Andy Leslie
Cheshire 10k- Dale Higham, Ste Maguire, John Toft, Mitch Hawkins, Brendan
Morgan, Andy Leslie
Merseyvend- Andy Leslie, Michel O’Rourke, Billy Sergeson,
London mara- Dale Higham, James Stansfield
Whitley 10k- Rob bruchez-Corbett
Chester spring 5 mile- Neil Bullock, Lawrence Eccles, billy Sergeson
Princes parkrun- John Toft
Salford 10k- Dan Connel, Andy Leslie
Wrexham 10- Neil Bullock, Colin Dobbs
The rapid improvements continue for Andy Leslie, Lawrence Eccles, Neil
Bullock. James Stansfield continues his pb streak. A niggle or two can’t stop
Mike Rox from his streak. No suprise to see Chris Lee and Rob BC there
too. Good to see Ste Maguire returning to form, Billy Sergeson, John Toft and
Brendan Morgan improving. Keep pushing each other on!
Wow, what
an end to the
2013/14
season with
records, PB’s,
relays and
prizes galore!!!
Got to start with the Northern six stage
Jane Hallows
relays held in Heaton Park, Manchester, in
March. We had two full teams competing
against some of the best clubs in the North of England over a 5k (well
maybe a little longer) course. It was an amazing day out with the men
having two full teams of twelve the black and white army took over the
park. We really did stand out as very few clubs were able to field two full
teams on the day. A massive thank you to everyone who ran and
supported each other on the day, many making their relay débuts. Kate,
Laura, Kate, Michelle, Kathryn and Emma finished in 30th place and Jane,
Eunice, Ester, Rachel, Myka and Cristina came home in 43rd out of 56
teams – I was sooo proud!
Put Saturday 13th (Stockport) and Saturday 20th (Birchwood) September
in your diaries, as the next relays for the North West and Northern are
being held. If you haven’t done them before just ask me or any of those
named above who have, they are for members from across all groups and
really are great fun. It is rare we get to compete in such a team
environment, and there is no baton to worry about! It would be fantastic
to get 3 or 4 teams entered in these forthcoming events, I will be
collecting names nearer the time (you have been warned!)
There have been some great individual results too over the last couple of
months, Cristina was 1st FV45 in the Cheadle 5 miler, Liz Simpson won
her age category at the Anglesey half marathon, Emma Kearney clocked
the clubs third fastest FV35 10k time at St Helens in 44.01, and Susan
Cain was 1st FV50 at Longtown 10 miler. Steph Bullock was an impressive
8th in the NSW cross country championships in Sydney. Closer to home,
we have won team prizes at Roddlesworth Roller, and at the Liverpool
Half marathon. We last won the team prize in the Liverpool Half back in
1999 so really well done to all who ran but especially to Rachel Williams,
Sarah Hodgson and Emma Lawton who were the first three home, in
such a large event that really does put us on the map. As ever the race
was a sea of black and white.
Spring is in the air with light nights and the parks making a comeback.
Bur it also means flurry of marathons and this year is no different. We
have had participants in Bolton Hill, Paris, Manchester and London over
the last few weeks and l know many are still clocking up those training
miles for forthcoming events, especially Liverpool. Well done to all who
have completed one (especially if it was your first!). Got to congratulate
Martin who set a club marathon record in Manchester finishing in a
phenomenal time of 2 hours 32 minutes. Liz Simpson was 16 th FV65 in
London which is really impressive in such a high profile race.
The park runs continue to be ever popular, I noticed that members have
raced in ten different parks since the last Striding report in places as far
away as Darlington, Birmingham and Melbourne! Got to mention Princes
Park on 14th April, Carolyn and Shane ran this together on their wedding
day! Congratulations to them both, not just on the run (though they did
look good as they crossed the line champagne in hand) but for a very
happy future together.
All the best for a successful and injury free new season!
If you have any questions or suggestions see me on club nights or
alternatively my e-mail address is jane.ski@tiscali.co.uk
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
6
Zatopek
By Phil Quinn
He ran in agony, it seemed,
A pained expression on his face,
His head thrown back or to one side,
It was the strangest way to race!
‘I’m not skilled enough to run and smile,’
Not at the same time anyway,
But twenty world records wasn’t bad,
Smiling or not, you’d have to say,
It was said, ‘He does everything wrong but win,’
Success though rarely comes with ease,
And he completed two hundred 5 and 10K’s,
Winning more than eighty per cent of these,
At the Games of London in ‘48,
In the first Olympics since Berlin,
He won the 10K convincingly,
Missing gold in the Five by a small margin,
His greatest achievement was still to come,
At Helsinki, Finland in ’52,
He won the 5K, 10K and Marathon here,
An unprecedented Olympic coup,
‘Because you deserved it,’ Emil said,
Handing over a package to his friend Ron Clarke,
Uncertain times these in 60’s Prague,
And Ron felt edgy and in the dark,
On board the plane he opened up,
This package received with such surprise,
And there Emil’s 10K Helsinki gold,
Was revealed before Ron’s astonished eyes,
‘No-one cherishes a gift more than I do,’
The best of unexpected presents,
Not for the Olympic medal itself,
But for, ‘the man whose spirit it represents’,
Competitive always when he raced,
But also a man of good sense and goodwill,
‘Great is the victory’, Emil would say,
‘But the friendship of all is greater still.’
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
7
Personal Profile:
Ruth Fisher
Occupation: Costs Negotiator
Why did you join pls? Wanted to get into
running and improve fitness and was told PLS
was a good club to join.
Running likes: Getting a PB
How long have you been running? 14 Months
Running dislikes: Injury
Favourite male runner: Mo Farrah
Favourite female runner: Paula Radcliffe
Favourite non running person: My nan
My most appealing trait: Couldn't possibly
say
Favourite race: Tunnel 10k as its a unique
race
Most unappealing trait: Not being a morning
person
Least favourite race: Mystery 5k
Favourite running shoe: Asics gel
Favourite drink: Strawberry daiquiri
Favourite film: Godfather Part 2
Least favourite drink: White wine
Vest in or out: Vest out
Favourite food: Chocolate
Personal motto: It’s the taking part that counts
Least favourite food: Cinnamon
Favourite holiday: Long weekend in Paris
Best Times over classic distances:
What is your idea of happiness: Sitting in
Paris listening to jazz
Distance
Time
Race
Year
5k
26’
Mystery
2013
What do you always carry on you: Vaseline
5M
10k
46’
53’
Liverpool Spring 10k
2013
2013
Best running moment: Finishing first half
marathon this year
Half marathon
2h03’
Liverpool Half
2014
Favourite group: The Beatles
Worst running moment: Running the second
half of the half marathon on a bad knee
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
When you get to my age, many
things emerge as potential subjects
for derision and it may therefore
seem somewhat unimaginative of
me to bang on a about something
very similar to the last topic.
Nevertheless this piece is being
written during the weekend of the
London Marathon so I am unable to
help myself from once again falling
into a pit of despair about how great
names get abused.
Like many in our great club, I have
great experience of this remarkable
event (once running it for five
successive years) and would
recommend the experience to
anyone. The emotional high you
achieve by completing the race can
only be matched by seeing Scotland
score, and the knowledge that you
are a live participant in what has
become a great British sporting
institution is a great feeling. On top
of all that, only the most meanspirited could have any complaints
about the thousands raised for good
causes through sponsorship – never
mind being unmoved upon hearing
about the terrible ill-fortune visited
upon close relatives that
has inspired some people
to take part.
The purpose of this
column however is not to
praise or applaud, it is to
rail against stuff, so,
without further delay, let’s
get started. First of all, on
the same weekend as the
Marathon, something
called the VLM is on. Is
this, I wondered, perhaps
a music festival, some
sore of spin-off, maybe,
from the V Festival? Turns
out it is the name some people use
to refer to the marathon! Like it
somehow needs another name with
a sponsor’s initial wedged in at the
front. It has always been called the
London Marathon because it is, well,
a marathon and it takes place in
London. How much simpler could it
be? And don’t give me Twitter and
its limited characters as an excuse –
you can cut them by a third if you
shorten it to LM.
8
WTF is the VLM?!?
By Nigel Grant
According to Nige it should probably be TLM. Then again it could be
worse. When the previous sponsor was about it could have been the FLM.
Another beef I have is the use of
pace makers. I have a problem with
these people generally. I fail to
understand their purpose – other
than to line the pockets of a load of
pretty fast runners who aren’t
actually fast enough to take part in
the race itself. For pity’s sake it is a
race – the winner will be the person
who is quicker than everyone else;
he doesn’t need some other bloke
running in from of him for two-thirds
of the way before deciding he’s had
enough and heading back to his
hotel to put his feet up and turn on
the telly to watch the guys who were
behind him are spitting feathers to
try to win – while waiting for his
cheque to be delivered. Nice work if
you can get it.
The TV coverage can also send the
mellowest of us into a state of
and a river. Show us some runners!
Hell, they wouldn’t break off from
live coverage of the FA Cup Final to
invite viewers to share with them a
wonderful aerial view of the borough
of Brent.
The exposure given to celebrities
almost seems too easy a target to
have a pop at but it is so infuriating
that it’s not getting off the hook. Who
the hell wants to know how Michel
Roux’s feeling after 16 miles? And
who the hell is Amy Willerton? Mind
you, come on now, don’t pretend
you don’t feel just that wee touch of
smugness when someone’s PB
hopes go sailing down the Thames
because some lass off Blue Peter
wants to interrupt them.
Interview some of the spectators
instead. They’re all just hanging
about waiting; they’ve got
all day: ask them what
This is Amy Willerton, in case
it’s been like living with
you need a reference.
someone who’s been
The day after the er, VLM, she
training for the race for
was spotted heading to the
three months, whose
gym even though according
sweaty shoes you trip
to the DM she had just
over every morning at
completed, and I quote “…a
the front door, whose
26 mile marathon!”
incessant references to
split times, tempo runs
Well, so she should since she
and hitting the wall have
managed to cut it short. And
left them with barely the
no, I won’t go down the “as
will to live. Ask them how
opposed to what other kind of
they are looking forward
marathon” line. It’s his job to
to the prospect of a
rant, not mine.
three-hour train journey
frenzied frustration too. Granted, the
home while their partner bores the
coverage helps make the event the
backside off them comparing notes
national institution it has become
with other sweaty, foil-clad, medaland has undoubtedly inspired many
wearing types who could justify the
to take up the sport. However could
launch of a charity appeal if they got
we please have less of those bloody
any thinner.
aerial shots of London? We know
what it’s like; most of us have been
But hey, let’s not be churlish. The
there. It’s not like it’s Ulan Bator or
sun shone, everyone seemed to
Patagonia, or that we might catch a
have a good time, and Britain even
glimpse of flight MH370. It’s a city in
managed to get a runner in the top
the industrialised world and it has
10; all in all a VGVLM LOL
big buildings mixed with lots of trees
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
9
Oulton Park Half Marathon
By John Jensen
John shows his inner chimp a clean pair of heels at Oulton Park
I’d wager that six laps of a deserted motor
importantly,
spotted
the
official
Thumper, their dead pet rabbit. In my case
racing circuit in February isn't most people’s
cameraman early enough to swap my usual
the solution was infinitely less spiritual: if I
idea of a must-do running event, but when I
runner’s gurn for something marginally
don’t finish, I thought, I’ll look like a bad
first saw the Oulton Park half marathon
more photogenic. Come lap four however,
meff on Tuesday. That’s one of the joys of
advertised it was straight out with the debit
and things began to unravel. The short
being part of a running club: even when
card. After visiting the circuit for the first
climbs that had seemed manageable in the
your team-mates are nowhere to be seen,
time as a car-mad 11 year old
first half of the race had
the mere thought of them can scare you
back in 1988, I’ve been back
morphed into a grotesque,
into carrying on.
countless times since and
never-ending succession
Having re-joined the race, my focus moved
some of my experiences there
of mini-Everests. The wind
simply to finishing via any means possible.
remain etched into memory to
was grinding me down,
After staggering up the last hill I finally
this day. At 14 I drove a car for
my hamstring was playing
rediscovered a bit of pace, and made up 10
the first time on Oulton’s
up, and then I started to
or so places in the last kilometre to cross
Earlydrive scheme for wouldbe lapped by the tightthe line in just under 1:44. Nowhere near PB
be young motorists. In 2003 I
shorted running cyborgs
territory, but somehow not a PW either.
looked on with a mixture of
at the head of the field. In
Waiting on the other side of the timing
pride and seething envy as my
three years of racing that
clock was the usual battalion of volunteers
wife’s cousin Paul took his
had never happened to me
distributing race flyers, tat-filled goody
maiden victory in the British
before, and as ridiculous
bags, and magnificently, three crates full of
Touring Car Championship
as it sounds in hindsight, it
Jaffa cakes, wine gums and jelly babies!
there. And then there was the
was a psychological gutThe
bit
out
of
the
wind
trauma of witnessing the crash
punch that was far harder
I sat down, demolished seven Jaffa cakes
in 1991 that claimed the life of
to deal with than it ought
and inadvertently soaked the wine gum
Paul Warwick, younger brother of exto have been.
manager with a hapless attempt to open a
Formula One driver Derek and the man
water bottle. And so began the inquest into
Approaching
mile
9
I
was
still
on
course
to
after whom the main entrance bridge into
what had just happened. Did I start too
match my Helsby time. Except that I wasn’t
the circuit is named today.
fast? Perhaps, but then again it was no
fooled: my form and cadence had gone, I
faster than I’d gone out at Helsby. Too
Anyway, back to the present day, and
was flailing around up the hills, and each
much training? Don’t think so. Lack of
having arrived at the circuit, first
step into the wind felt like a failed attempt
sleep? Nope. Was it the
impressions were that it was windy out
to escape from quicksand. At
hills…the wind…the wrong
there. TOO windy, according to my inner
the start of lap five, against a
breakfast…the absence of
chimp (more from him later) Nevertheless I
backdrop of howling abuse
other, faster Striders to
was feeling confident: training was going
from the chimp I stopped to
aim for?
well, and I was coming off the back of a new
stretch out my malfunctioning
half marathon PB at Helsby the previous
hamstring, take on water, and
After a few minutes I came
month. My goal was to run the race with
readjust my goals.
to my senses, grabbed one
consistent splits- an art which I’m still
last Jaffa cake, and
As
I
stood
there
being
passed
struggling to master –in order to get as
shuffled back to the car. It
by
one
runner
after
another,
close to 1:35 as possible, which would
hadn’t been the greatest
the chimp saw his chance. “A
represent a two minute improvement over
run ever, but it did serve as
PB is out of the question”, he
hilly Helsby. Not an unrealistic goal…or so I
a (painful) reminder that
said.
“You’ve
got
a
dodgy
thought.
chasing PBs is about more
hamstring, a 10k in two weeks,
than just choosing a faster
Around 400 of us lined up for the start: a
and Wilmslow in a month.
split to aim for, lacing up
small field for a half, and one lacking any of
You’ve got six more hills ahead
What time do you call this?
your shoes and hoping for
the familiar local club vests (perhaps owing
of you: what's the point in
Time to tell your inner chimp
the
best.
Alongside
to the Blackpool half being run on the same
continuing? Call it a day, get in
to do one, says John
training there seem to be
day). Each lap was just over two miles in
the car, go home. Who’ll
all sorts of other thingslength, with the first half being run directly
know? Who cares? You’ve already run 9
luck, the course, the weather, the
into the wind and the second containing
miles, most people can’t even do that, isn't
competition – that need to work in your
three short but sharp uphill sections. As
that good enough”?
favour if you’re going to get the result you
expected the support out on circuit was
At
this
point
in
the
narrative,
the
ailing
want. And if they don’t, well there’s no
sparse, although the organisers had laid on
runner is expected to describe how he/she
point beating yourself up about it. Just
a brass band that- to their eternal creditwas able to drag themselves back from the
head home knowing that you chalked up
walked the circuit playing non-stop for over
abyss and continue along the road to glory.
another victory over your inner chimp, and
three hours until the final runners finished.
Some go on about their iron will, whilst
that a better race will come along soon.
The race went well for the first three laps: I
others rely on a training mantra or the
maintained my form and splits and, more
ability to channel energy via the memory of
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
10
Parbold Hill Race
By Eunice Nopondo
When not busy organizing outstanding Penny Lane parties, Social Secretary Eunice Nopondo likes nothing more
than a good jump over a bale of hay. At least that’s what we thought she said…
One evening whilst casually watching a bit of telly and
scrolling through some of the messages on the forum I
noticed an encouraging post from Neil Bullock who
mentioned that his father, back in the day had really
enjoyed a fantastic 6.7m multi-terrain called ‘Parbold Hill’
which he believed lived up to its name! “Hmm” I thought
“that looks interesting”. On club night I asked Neil his
thoughts and his response was “give it a go Eunice you’ll
enjoy it”; with that in mind I enthusiastically signed up the
next day.
On the Saturday morning a few hours before the race and
in floods of rain, I legged it down to Sports Direct in L1 to
bag myself a pair of new trail shoes. Dripping wet and
whilst persecuting the sales assistant to try every type of
trail shoe in the shop, I noticed another shopper also trying
similar shoes on to me. Being a nosey parker I began
quizzing the shopper about what he was planning to do
with his shoes and it turned out he was doing Parbold Hill
too. It also turned out that he was a new strider to the club,
Steven Renshaw.
Fortunately I was lucky enough to
get a lift up to Skelmersdale with
Jane, Cristina, Oonagh and Billy
Sergeson, who like me was a 1st
timer. En route Billy and I endured
tales from the others of jumping
over hay bales, copious amounts
of mud and barbed wire fences,
my anxiety levels began to slowly
rise and on reflection
subconsciously I started thinking
of ways and excuses to try and get
out of it.
left and right of me on the start line. With my finger poised
over my Garmin Forerunner start button, the gun went off
and the pack set off on our adventure. My attention was
drawn to the shouts of ‘come on Penny Lane!’ from the
great support of the happy family and friends of PLS
standing outside the pub all wrapped up in their waterproof
winter gear. Having spurred me on with their cries of
encouragement, we turned left onto shale paths.
The course weaved its way up a narrow muddy path until it
reached some fields for about 2 km. With camera aimed
firmly in the runners direction stood Pinno clicking away.
The path opened up to farmers fields that rolled
downwards until it reached a turn style and it was a quick
hop over were on the other side the race continued down
again onto even more deeply filled muddy fields. The uphill
sections climbed until reaching the tarmac road where it
climbed up yet again. I was so lucky to have the support of
the two Billy’s to help push and encourage me on. After
turning left over yet another turn style, we reached the
‘Kamikaze’ section of the course,
a steep, fast descent. As I sped
downhill my inner child escaped
and I returned to my childhood
days laughing uncontrollably.
Under the misapprehension that
the terrain could only get better,
this was in fact where the fun
really started!
I have never been instructed by a
marshal to walk in a race but
Parbold I guess is the exception.
In a section that was particularly
muddy and rocky it made sense
Billy & Eunice on their first Parbold Hill race
to step sideways through the pass
As we arrived at the numbers
but, it also gave you a chance to
collection point in the Farmers Arms pub, I found the place
catch your breath in preparation for the next challenge,
buzzing with enthusiastic runners carrying out their pre-run
hurtling yourself over a massive hay bale with a decent
warm up routines, pinning numbers on their vests and
drop on the other side of it.
generally mingling around. Penny Lane Striders were well
represented by the lads who all looked keen to get stuck in.
Finally came a stream which had a bloke in thigh high
The girls Oonagh, Jane Eardsley, Gill Darby and Cristina
wellies giving racers a helping hand to cross it. With a
looked as equally keen to tackle the course. Having never
crowd of spectators looking down on us from a bridge Billy
run in the ‘Parbold Hill’ before I was blissfully oblivious to
Sergeson looked like he was rescuing Shamoo from Sea
what lay ahead. With the weather being pretty rough
World when I went for a Burton and he had to hoist me out.
earlier in the day it had now settled down and looked to be
A marshal shouted out to us “ just around the corner into
on our side.
the field and your finished folks”, our 6.7 mile adventure
was almost over when we crossed the finish line to a bag of
As we walked towards the muddy field were the start line
goodies, stand in line for a hose down and back to the a
was situated, slightly ahead of us I spotted a chap wearing a
great atmosphere in the pub.
lime green mankini and within the same split second he
caught my eye, he decided to bend over to fasten his shoe
The course was well marshalled but arduous, certainly not mudlace (a vision that has now scarred me for life)!
free but very enjoyable. It was nice to see some familiar faces. I
can’t wait for next year! This was my first Multi Terrain
Following on from the shock of mankini man, I took a sip of
experience and what a fantastic and memorable experience it
water and braced myself. I felt really happy to have two
was. I would highly recommend it but don’t just take my word for
fellow striders who both happened to be called Billy – Billy
it, give it a go….
Taylor (his first race in 2 years) and Billy Sergeson to the
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
11
Stato’s report
by Andy Keeley
February 2014
01-Feb-14 5k
Heaton parkrun
John Jensen
00:21:38
01-Feb-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Barnaby Hirons
David Griffiths
Craig Hawley
Simone Capponi
Paul Riley
Mark Thomas
Dave Lynam
Hannah Bruce
Joe McGlynn
Matthew Tollitt
Cath Nevin
Esther Van Ginneken
Oonagh Jaquest
Kate MacFarlane
Laurinda Atkinson
Rachel Rick
00:19:58
00:21:26
00:22:49
00:22:59
00:23:07
00:23:21
00:23:36
00:23:39
00:23:58
00:25:37
00:25:43
00:26:19
00:27:01
00:27:42
00:28:38
00:29:24
01-Feb-14 5k
Merseyvend
Dale Higham
Lawrence Eccles
Christopher Lee
Rob Bruchez-Corbett
Marty Hirrell
Martin Kelly
Kathryn Sharkey
Andy Cantwell
John Kelly
Gregory Hocking
Michelle Kelly
Jo Sutherland
00:17:31
00:18:04
00:19:09
00:20:09
00:20:53
00:21:23
00:22:01
00:22:30
00:22:47
00:23:13
00:25:27
00:28:41
02-Feb-14 5m
Alsager
Cristina Puccini
Andrew Leslie
00:34:58
00:35:14
08-Feb-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Lawrence Eccles
Andrew Biddle
David Griffiths
Steve Pemberton
Dave Lynam
Frank Martin
Gregory Hocking
Craig Hawley
James Scholey
Mark Thomas
Mike Welsby
Cath Nevin
Laura Cairns
Matthew Tollitt
Laurinda Atkinson
Keith Boyle
Rachel Rick
Liz Simpson
00:18:24
00:21:15
00:21:30
00:23:01
00:23:13
00:23:59
00:24:14
00:24:30
00:24:35
00:25:09
00:25:31
00:26:03
00:26:25
00:27:10
00:28:13
00:28:27
00:30:19
00:30:19
08-Feb-14 5k
Seweby parkrun
Michelle Kelly
John Kelly
00:27:53
00:27:54
08-Feb-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:22:07
Sue Cain
00:22:38
09-Feb-14
XC Race 6 – Birchwood
Men:
Martin Swensson
Lawrence Eccles
Neil Kelly
Neil Bullock
Ian Russell
Jonathon Toft
Simone Capponi
Thomas Rimmer
Colin Dobbs
Tony Man
Tommy Burke
Mike Devereux
1
8
10
11
26
28
30
39
43
81
82
92
Women:
Cristina Puccini
14
Pam Thurtle
17
Kathryn-Adele Sharkey20
Rachel Rick
41
Eunice Nopondo
46
09-Feb-14 10k
Mad Dog – Southport (VOID)
Stephen Renshaw
00:39:25
Lyndon Easthope
00:41:05
Christopher Lee
00:41:41
Marc Littlefield
00:41:55
Rob Bruchez-Corbett 00:42:58
Rachel Williams
00:43:45
Jerome Doyle
00:43:59
Andrew Leslie
00:45:53
Laura Sanderson
00:46:20
David Griffiths
00:46:54
Hannah Bruce
00:47:43
Ben Freeney
00:48:11
Dave Lynam
00:48:31
Louise Warn
00:48:35
Tommy Gates
00:51:35
Clare O'Callagan
00:53:23
Matthew Tollitt
00:53:45
Mark Thomas
00:53:49
Mike Welsby
00:54:06
Dave Mangan
00:54:45
Ruth Fisher
00:57:04
Kevin Mooney
00:57:53
Terence Long
00:59:05
Eamonn Brady
01:00:01
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
01:00:01
Caroline O'Neill
01:11:54
15-Feb-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:21:43
Sue Cain
00:22:35
15-Feb-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Lyndon Easthope
David Griffiths
Craig Hawley
Kate MacFarlane
Hannah Bruce
Joe McGlynn
James Scholey
Anthony Woods
Matthew Tollitt
Mark Thomas
Cath Nevin
Cheryl Pace
Rachel Rick
Tony Hewitson
15-Feb-14 MTCT
Parbold Hill Race
Lawrence Eccles
Dale Higham
Steven Renshaw
Neil Bullock
Neil Kelly
John Connolly
00:18:51
00:21:17
00:22:35
00:22:55
00:23:31
00:23:59
00:24:25
00:25:15
00:25:19
00:25:51
00:26:10
00:27:00
00:27:15
00:31:38
00:46:52
00:47:27
00:47:31
00:48:00
00:49:16
00:49:30
Chris Anderson
Simon Maskill
Simone Capponi
Ian Russell
Cristina Puccini
Rob Hardwick
Martin Hirrell
Gill Darby
Oonagh Jaquest
Dave Mangan
Jane Eardley
Billy Taylor
Andrew Richards
Billy Sergeson
Eunice Nopondo
00:52:55
00:54:21
00:55:06
00:58:13
00:58:19
00:59:25
01:04:30
01:09:15
01:09:49
01:14:31
01:15:20
01:18:33
01:20:07
01:22:10
01:22:10
16-Feb-14 Half
Wrexham - Village Bakery
Martin Swensson
01:17:15
Lawrence Eccles
01:27:09
Steve Maguire
01:30:15
Adrian Loughrey
01:37:12
Mike Roxburgh
01:44:21
Emma Kearney
01:46:37
Cristina Puccini
01:46:51
James Stansfield
02:28:39
22-Feb-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Martin Swensson
Rob Bruchez-Corbett
David Griffiths
Craig Hawley
Mark Hannett
Stephen Gorman
Joe McGlynn
Mike Welsby
Cath Nevin
Mark Thomas
Shane Knott
Cheryl Pace
Carolyn Houghton
Tony Hewitson
00:17:15
00:19:46
00:20:47
00:22:55
00:23:05
00:23:11
00:23:26
00:24:26
00:25:10
00:25:25
00:25:29
00:26:19
00:27:23
00:29:54
22-Feb-14 5k
Darlington South parkrun
Louise Warn
00:37:23
22-Feb-14 5k
South Manchester parkrun
Genna Carr
00:33:06
22-Feb-14 5k
Warrington parkrun
Andrew Leslie
00:21:41
John Kelly
00:25:35
Michelle Kelly
00:25:35
22-Feb-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:21:11
Sue Cain
00:22:14
23-Feb-14 10m
Rhyl
Paul Brady 01:16:36
Terence Long
Rachel Rick
Kevin Mooney
Eamonn Brady
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
01:30:34
01:31:46
01:37:31
01:42:23
01:42:23
23-Feb-14 Half
Oulton Park
John Jensen
Dave Lynam
01:43:56
01:49:23
23-Feb-14 Half
Great North West
Dale Higham
Craig Hawley
Eunice Nopondo
01:25:42
01:44:00
02:01:12
March 2014
01-Mar-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:20:43
Sue Cain
00:21:58
01-Mar-14 5k
Merseyvend
Lyndon Easthope
Christopher Lee
Andy Keeley
Rob Bruchez-Corbett
John Jensen
Daniel Connell
Marty Hirrell
Andrew Leslie
Kathryn Sharkey
Ben Freeney
Michael O'Rouke
Michael Sharkey
Michelle Kelly
James Stansfield
Eunice Nopondo
Jo Sutherland
00:18:41
00:18:51
00:18:52
00:19:24
00:19:41
00:20:06
00:20:12
00:20:22
00:21:34
00:22:28
00:22:56
00:24:03
00:24:34
00:25:59
00:26:03
00:28:33
01-Mar-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Neil Bullock
Lyndon Easthope
Jonathan Toft
Andrew Biddle
Frank Martin
Joe McGlynn
James Scholey
Mike Welsby
Mark Thomas
Cath Nevin
Matthew Tollitt
Craig Hawley
Elizabeth Formella
Tony Hewitson
00:17:57
00:18:56
00:19:31
00:20:24
00:22:34
00:23:49
00:23:52
00:24:26
00:24:53
00:25:16
00:25:19
00:25:22
00:27:09
00:29:10
02-Mar-14 5m
Cheadle
Lawrence Eccles
Cristina Puccini
00:31:09
00:35:20
02-Mar-14 10k
Stanley Park - Blackpool
Steve Maguire
00:39:25
Esther Van Ginneken 00:53:58
Amy Waugh
00:59:54
Andy Whalley
01:01:35
02-Mar-14 Half
Anglesey
Owen Jones
Liz Simpson
01:40:54
02:03:58
08-Mar-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:21:23
Sue Cain
00:22:34
08-Mar-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Jonathan Toft
Steve Maguire
David Griffiths
Joe McGlynn
Mike Welsby
Mark Thomas
Craig Hawley
Matthew Tollitt
Cath Nevin
Andrew Biddle
Liz Simpson
00:19:13
00:19:46
00:21:19
00:23:29
00:24:02
00:24:58
00:25:04
00:25:14
00:25:44
00:26:11
00:28:00
08-Mar-14 5k
Preston Park parkrun - Brighton
Tony Peacock
00:25:33
08-Feb-14 5k
Darlington South Park parkrun
Louise Warn
00:23:18
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
08-Mar-14 5k
South Manchester parkrun
Genna Carr
00:32:37
08-Mar-14 Mara
Bolton Hill Marathon Day 1
Lawrence Eccles
03:33:56
Cristina Puccini
04:14:50
MTCT
26th Roddlesworth Roller, 9km
approx
Sun 9th March
Neil Bullock
Lawrence Eccles
Simone Capponi
Ian Russell
Cristina Puccini
Gill Darby
Jane Eardley
W Darby
Eunice Nopondo
35:48
36.20
40:00
41:57
43:56
47:20
48:35
57:22
58:32
09-Mar-14 10k
St Helens
Marc Littlefield
Gregory Hocking
Emma Kearney
Mike Roxburgh
Mark Thomas
Ruth Fisher
00:38:41
00:43:44
00:44:01
00:44:13
00:48:29
00:53:03
09-Mar-14 10k
Trafford
John Connolly
Dale Higham
Mitch Hawkins
Andrew Leslie
00:35:40
00:36:25
00:40:08
00:43:04
09-Mar-14 10k
High Legh
Christopher Lee
John Jensen
09-Mar-14 10k
Oulton Park
Steve Pemberton
00:39:54
00:42:38
00:48:51
09-Mar-14 Mara
Bolton Hill Marathon Day 2
Eamonn Brady
06:21:34
Rachel Rick
06:21:34
Graeme Hind
07:54:15
15-Mar-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:20:52
15-Mar-14 5k
Cannon Hill parkrun
James Scholey
00:24:24
Tony Peacock
00:25:14
15-Mar-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Andrew Biddle
12
Craig Hawley
Joe McGlynn
Mark Thomas
Matthew Tollitt
Mike Welsby
Cheryl Pace
Cath Nevin
Laura Binsdale
Liz Simpson
Laurinda Atkinson
Tony Hewitson
00:23:23
00:23:24
00:23:45
00:23:53
00:23:58
00:24:42
00:25:16
00:26:01
00:27:32
00:27:41
00:30:19
15-Mar-14 5k
South Manchester parkrun
Genna Carr
00:31:08
15-Mar-14 10m
Sweatshop St. Anne's
Steve Pemberton
01:19:27
John Kelly
01:28:37
Michelle Kelly
01:28:37
15-Mar-14 Mara
Spring Shakespeare
John Connolly
02:50:17
22-Mar-14 5k
Warrington parkrun
Dale Higham
00:17:50
22-Mar-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Martin Swensson
Lawrence Eccles
Barnaby Hirons
Andrew Biddle
Andy Cantwell
Shane Knott
Michael O'Rouke
Frank Martin
Joe McGlynn
James Scholey
Kate MacFarlane
Tony Peacock
Cath Nevin
Oonagh Jaquest
Cheryl Pace
Nathan Brady
Paul Brady
Liz Simpson
Mark Thomas
00:16:34
00:18:23
00:19:38
00:21:35
00:22:10
00:22:30
00:22:49
00:23:02
00:23:11
00:24:16
00:24:28
00:24:31
00:25:15
00:25:29
00:25:45
00:26:08
00:26:09
00:27:59
00:33:48
22-Mar-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:21:13
23-Mar-14 10m
Thrisk
John Kelly
Michelle Kelly
01:24:53
01:24:53
Stato’s report
by Andy Keeley
23-Mar-14 Half
Liverpool
Nigel Grant
Neil Bullock
Lawrence Eccles
Lyndon Easthope
Marc Littlefield
Jonathan Toft
Steve Ricketts
Rachel Williams
Rob Bruchez-Corbett
Colin Dobbs
Andy Cantwell
Gregory Hocking
Sarah Hodgson
Paul Brady
Mark Murphy
Dave Lynam
Robert Cooper
Emma Lawton
Myka Heard
Hannah Bruce
Paul Turp
Craig Hawley
Neil Hannett
Rachael Quinn
Stephen Gorman
Louise Warn
Liz Lynan
Barry Bright
Mike Welsby
Daniel Sweeney
Gill Darby
Matthew Tollitt
Mal Taylor
Bill Sergesson
Esther Van Ginneken
Rachel Rick
Clare O'Callagan
Terence Long
Anne Oxbrough
Judith Dyer
Syd Omar
Laurinda Atkinson
Kevin Mooney
Ruth Fisher
Eunice Nopondo
Sue Bradley
Katie Burrows
Anthony Woods
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
Eamonn Brady
Althea Deane
Clare Stanistreet
Jo Sutherland
01:21:56
01:22:33
01:22:59
01:23:59
01:28:29
01:29:07
01:29:59
01:30:01
01:33:30
01:34:01
01:35:49
01:37:52
01:37:52
01:39:08
01:39:44
01:40:05
01:40:21
01:40:38
01:41:57
01:43:00
01:43:20
01:43:36
01:44:38
01:46:31
01:47:03
01:47:03
01:48:28
01:48:42
01:49:57
01:50:08
01:51:02
01:53:03
01:55:56
01:56:30
01:56:30
01:56:38
01:57:28
01:58:15
01:58:29
02:01:04
02:02:05
02:02:25
02:02:30
02:03:46
02:04:13
02:04:39
02:08:52
02:14:41
02:14:48
02:14:50
02:16:31
02:16:46
02:31:43
23-Mar-14 Half
Wilmslow
Jerome Doyle
Andrew Leslie
John Jensen
01:33:30
01:34:26
01:39:59
29-Mar-14 5k
Albert Melbourne parkrun
Andy Keeley
00:19:38
29-Mar-14 5k
Princes parkrun
Lyndon Easthope
Andrew Biddle
Paul Brady
Paul Riley
Michael O'Rouke
Shane Knott
David Griffiths
Steve Pemberton
Joe McGlynn
Mark Thomas
Tony Peacock
Matthew Tollitt
Oonagh Jaquest
Nathan Brady
Elizabeth Formella
Rachel Rick
Tony Hewitson
Samantha Kenny
Kevin Obrien
00:18:48
00:20:33
00:21:15
00:21:22
00:21:37
00:21:50
00:22:00
00:22:23
00:23:14
00:23:19
00:23:47
00:24:50
00:25:44
00:26:30
00:27:20
00:27:42
00:28:26
00:29:48
00:32:27
29-Mar-14 5k
Workington parkrun
Dave Cain
00:20:25
Sue Cain
00:21:44
29-Mar-14 5k
Delamere parkrun
Lawrence Eccles
00:17:56
29-Mar-14 5k
Warrington parkrun
Cheryl Pace
00:26:03
29-Mar-14 5k
Sheffield Hallam parkrun
Kate MacFarlane
00:32:43
30-Mar-14 10k
Cheshire
Dale Higham
Steve Maguire
Jonathan Toft
Mitch Hawkins
Colin Dobbs
Brendan Murphy
Mal Balmer
Andrew Leslie
John Bampton
John Kelly
Michelle Kelly
Liz Lynan
Ruth Fisher
Eunice Nopondo
00:35:20
00:38:03
00:38:56
00:39:47
00:39:54
00:40:20
00:41:02
00:42:02
00:45:28
00:49:22
00:49:23
00:49:23
00:53:19
00:54:06
00:21:06
Stato’s Report
G’Day from the land down under. This month we have the usual bumper review of the past year giving a summary of the
breakdown of how the past season compares with previous years together with a summary of the results in the road, multi-terrain
and XC competitions.
First up is a comparison of the total number of races run at each distance, together with the turn out for XC and the multi-terrain
challenge trophy series. The growth of parkrun can be seen in the rate of increase in 5ks over the past 2 years. We have also seen
half marathon runs back at 2011-12 levels which will in part be due to the improved winter weather which lead to the cancellation
of the 4 Villages event last year.
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
Distance
5k
5m
10k
10m
Half
Marathon
XC
MT
2013-14
882
92
188
34
156
42
148
95
13
Men
Women
Total
2012-13
2011-12 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
548
158
355
232
55
1,237
780
213
108
107
39
48
44
131
156
151
161
161
103
92
83
291
253
244
25
42
14
14
20
48
39
62
114
174
80
43
66
236
157
240
44
62
21
15
22
63
59
84
136
141
58
80
60
206
216
201
80
95
39
45
35
134
125
130
On the road the final standings in each age group are shown below. Too many people to highlight each of the great
performances but congratulations to John Connolly & Sue Cain as respective Men’s and Women’s club champions.
Key
Qualified times
1 time
only
M Open
F Open
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
James McNally
0:31:31
Martin Swensson
0:32:03
5k
Rachel Williams
0:39:38
Michelle Cobourn
0:40:34
5m
James McNally
0:52:29
Martin Swensson
0:53:15
5m
Fiona Dutton
1:05:17
Louise Warn
1:21:32
10k
Martin Swensson
1:08:36
James McNally
1:09:22
10k
Emma Lawton
1:24:55
Kate MacFarlane
1:32:50
10m
Martin Swensson
1:49:38
Dale Higham
2:01:46
10m
Michelle Cobourn
1:12:40
None
0:00:00
HM
Martin Swensson
2:30:26
Lawrence Eccles
2:46:11
HM
Emma Lawton
3:12:49
Hannah Bruce
3:23:57
Mara
Martin Swensson
2:36:59
Lawrence Eccles
3:00:07
Mara
Clare O'Callagan
4:27:22
Louise Warn
4:33:37
M40
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
F35
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
John Connolly
0:34:18
Paul Riley
0:38:05
5k
Emma Kearney
0:44:54
Oonagh Jaquest
0:46:11
5m
John Connolly
0:57:04
Paul Riley
0:59:56
5m
Emma Kearney
1:14:29
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
0:45:57
10k
John Connolly
1:10:58
Paul Riley
1:15:27
10k
Emma Kearney
1:30:12
Liz Lynan
1:38:27
10m
John Connolly
1:58:03
Dave Owens
1:09:07
10m
Sarah Hodgson
2:27:37
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
1:42:23
HM
John Connolly
2:36:57
Paul Riley
2:52:44
HM
Sarah Hodgson
3:13:07
Emma Kearney
3:28:07
Mara
John Connolly
2:50:17
Paul Riley
3:10:02
Mara
Emma Kearney
3:50:54
Jo Bruchez-Corbett
5:00:41
M45
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
F40
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Simon Birtles
0:36:31
Ste McNicholas
0:38:54
5k
Carolyn Houghton
0:50:09
Jane Hallows
0:23:26
5m
Ian Russell
1:06:08
Eamonn Brady
1:18:50
5m
Jane Hallows
0:38:34
Carolyn Houghton
0:44:47
10k
Ian Russell
1:23:54
Mark Thomas
1:32:25
10k
Carolyn Houghton
1:48:51
None
0:00:00
10m
Tony Man
2:22:55
Ste McNicholas
1:06:17
10m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
HM
Adrian Loughrey
3:05:59
Eamonn Brady
3:37:48
HM
Robby Richey
2:04:30
None
0:00:00
Mara
Adrian Loughrey
3:20:01
Mark Finch
3:34:18
Mara
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
14
M50
F45
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Nigel Grant
0:35:50
Andy Keeley
0:38:10
5k
Cristina Puccini
0:41:14
Eunice Nopondo
0:53:15
5m
Tommy Gates
1:18:58
Nigel Grant
0:30:34
5m
Cristina Puccini
1:10:18
Myka Heard
1:12:54
10k
Trevor Astell
1:28:20
Barry Bright
1:32:56
10k
Cristina Puccini
1:27:52
Myka Heard
1:29:33
10m
John Kelly
2:53:30
None
0:00:00
10m
Cristina Puccini
2:25:29
Myka Heard
2:39:49
HM
Craig Hawley
3:26:17
Mike Roberts
3:39:11
HM
Cristina Puccini
3:16:32
Judith Dyer
3:52:11
Mara
Andy Keeley
3:22:35
Phil Chivers
3:39:33
Mara
Cristina Puccini
3:33:41
Myka Heard
3:47:01
M55
F50
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Dave Cain
0:41:08
Steve Pemberton
0:41:49
5k
Gill Darby
0:48:10
Michelle Kelly
0:48:50
5m
Dave Cain
1:08:45
Steve Pemberton
1:09:05
5m
Gill Darby
1:21:12
Michelle Kelly
1:22:09
10k
Dave Cain
1:26:34
Steve Pemberton
1:33:18
10k
Michelle Kelly
1:35:12
Gill Darby
1:38:51
10m
Dave Cain
2:24:21
Steve Pemberton
2:38:55
10m
Michelle Kelly
2:53:30
Rachel Rick
1:31:46
HM
Dave Cain
3:13:36
Dave Mangan
3:42:01
HM
Gill Darby
3:41:22
Rachel Rick
3:56:08
Mara
Dave Cain
3:42:29
Dave Mangan
4:40:17
Mara
Rachel Rick
4:41:30
None
0:00:00
M60
F55
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Tim Warn
0:42:16
Tony Peacock
0:48:18
5k
Sue Cain
0:43:21
Cath Nevin
0:48:23
5m
Tim Warn
1:11:52
Mike Devereux
1:16:36
5m
Sue Cain
1:14:08
Cath Nevin
0:40:18
10k
Tim Warn
1:29:40
Terence Long
1:40:27
10k
Sue Cain
1:29:41
Cath Nevin
1:40:29
10m
Tim Warn
2:27:50
Terence Long
2:55:38
10m
Sue Cain
2:32:53
None
0:00:00
HM
Terence Long
3:50:33
Tim Warn
1:37:38
HM
Sue Cain
3:32:51
None
0:00:00
Mara
Mike Devereux
3:47:31
None
0:00:00
Mara
Sue Cain
3:57:39
Val Desborough
4:05:45
M65
F65
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Tommy Burke
0:43:02
Tony Hewitson
0:56:12
5k
Liz Simpson
0:52:56
None
0:00:00
5m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
5m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
10k
Myles Buckley
1:00:28
None
0:00:00
10k
Liz Simpson
0:54:02
None
0:00:00
10m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
10m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
HM
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
HM
Liz Simpson
4:18:37
None
0:00:00
Mara
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
Mara
Liz Simpson
4:53:12
None
0:00:00
Distance
Leader
Time x 2
Runner Up
Time x 2
5k
Kevin Obrien
0:32:27
None
0:00:00
5m
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
10k
Phil Murray
1:04:22
Philip Quinn
1:12:16
Mara
None
0:00:00
None
0:00:00
M70
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
15
In the Multi-terrain challenge Trophy competition Lawrence Eccles was Men’s champion with Simone Capponi runner up and
Cristina Puccini was Women’s Champion with Gill Darby as runner up. Tony Man was first male vet ahead of Rob Hardwick. In the
women’s we did not have any other trophy winners as Cristina & Gill were the only 2 to complete the required 5 races.
Multi-Terrain Challenge Trophy 2013-14 – Final Standings (Best 5)
Men
Position
Points
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
250
245
241
240
239
188
182
144
117
111
98
94
89
88
86
84
79
78
50
49
48
48
47
46
45
44
44
44
43
43
39
38
38
37
36
33
32
30
Name
Lawrence Eccles
Simone Capponi
Neil Kelly
Tony Man
Rob Hardwick
Andrew Keeley
Steve Pemberton
Neil Bullock
James Stansfield
Andrew Richards
Dale Higham
John Connelly
Tim Warn
Ian Russell
Shane Knott
Tommy Burke
Mike Welsby
Keith Boyle
James McNally
Marc Vincent
Stephen Renshaw
Paul Riley
Thomas Johnson
W Darby
Ste McNicholas
Chris Anderson
Frank Martin
John Kelly
Simon Maskell
Barry Bright
Martin Hirrell
Dave Mangan
Ben Feeney
Billy Taylor
Tommy Gates
Sam Darby
Kevin Mooney
Eamon Brady
Women
Cat
Races
Points
M
M
M
MV
MV
MV
MV
M
M
MV
M
MV
MV
MV
M
MV
MV
MV
M
M
M
MV
M
M
MV
MV
MV
MV
M
MV
MV
MV
MV
M
MV
MV
M
MV
14
10
5
6
7
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
250
247
144
99
96
96
92
49
49
48
48
47
47
46
Name
Cristina Puccini
Gill Darby
Jane Eardley
Michelle Cobourn
Oonagh Jaquest
Ellie Darby
Eunice Nopondo
Myka Heard
Tarja Kinnunen
Michelle Kelly
Oonagh jaquest
Rachael Quinn
Ruth Fisher
Alice Spooner
Cat
Races
FV
FV
F
F
FV
F
FV
FV
FV
FV
FV
F
F
F
10
11
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Club Records
Some great performances as people saw the benefits of winter training with a new F65 record one of the highlights. The club
records name the 5 fastest runners at each distance for a given age group.
John Connolly moved up to 3rd fastest in the M40 age group following his win at the Shakespeare marathon.
Nigel Grant posted a new 2nd quickest half marathon time in the M50 age group at Liverpool
Rachel Williams improved her 3rd fastest half marathon time at Liverpool in the FOpen age group.
Emma Kearney moved up to 3rd fastest at 10k in the F35 age group following her run at St. Helens.
Cristina Puccini improved her 3rd fastest 5m time at Alsager in the F45 age group.
Liz Simpson posted a New F65 Half Marathon Record at Anglesey.
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
16
The cross country had strong performances in both men’s and women’s competitions. The club did well finishing in second in the
men’s league. In the internal competition Martin Swensson was a deserved winner of the men’s with Ian Russell winning the vets
competition. In the women’s competition Cristina Puccini was the clear winner with no other women completing the required 5
races.
North-West XC Series 2013-14 - Final Standings (Best 5)
Men
Position
Points
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
250
239
236
217
214
209
204
195
193
192
191
174
166
164
160
153
149
142
114
114
110
107
105
103
95
95
95
91
90
83
83
83
83
67
64
62
61
61
45
38
28
28
27
24
Name
Martin Swensson
Neil Kelly
Lawrence Eccles
Ian Russell
Jonathon Toft
Colin Dobbs
Simon Birtles
Thomas Rimmer
Christopher Lee
John Connolly
Neil Bullock
Tony Man
Andrew Keeley
Tim Warn
Lyndon Easthope
Simone Capponi
Martin Hirrell
Dale Higham
Michael O'Rourke
Mitch Hawkins
Steve Maguire
Robert Bruchez-Corbett
Jerome Doyle
Tommy Gates
Mike Devereux
Tommy Burke
Dave Mangan
Nigel Grant
Paul Riley
Steve Pemberton
Joe McGlynn
Ben Freeney
Graham Halsall
James Stansfield
John Bampton
Rob Hardwick
Marc Vincent
Andrew Leslie
Dean Connolly
Mark Littlefield
Dave Clarkson
Greg Hocking
Matthew Tollitt
Mike Welsby
Women
Cat
Races
Points
M
M
M
MV
M
M
MV
M
M
MV
M
MV
MV
MV
M
M
MV
M
M
M
M
M
M
MV
MV
MV
MV
MV
M
MV
MV
M
M
M
MV
MV
M
M
M
MV
MV
MV
MV
MV
6
6
5
6
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
5
4
4
5
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
4
2
2
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
248
190
187
182
181
173
146
144
124
99
90
88
87
83
82
79
50
49
43
42
42
41
40
36
35
Name
Cristina Puccini
Kate-Barbara McGing
Kathryn-Adele Sharkey
Gill Darby
Michelle King
Louise Warn
Pam Thurtle
Emma Lawton
Eunice Nopondo
Kate MacFarlane
Myka Heard
Michelle Kelly
Rachel Rick
Cheryl Pace
Ruth Fisher
Carolyn Houghton
Rachel Williams
Michelle Cobourn
Mairéad McCawley
Clare O'Callaghan
Ester Van-Ginneken
Jackie Chen
Debbie Williams
Laura Cairns
Ann-Marie Lashley
Cat
FV
F
F
FV
F
F
FV
F
FV
F
FV
FV
FV
F
F
FV
F
F
F
F
F
FV
F
F
F
Races
6
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
17
Race Calendar
MAY
JUNE
Fri 02-May
Dalton Charter 10k, Dalton-in-Furness
Sun 01-Jun
Crazy Cow 10k & Fun Run, Preston
Sat 03-May
Merseyvend Halewood 5k, Liverpool
Sun 01-Jun
Wigan Trail 10k & 2.5k Fun Run, Wigan
Sun 04-May
Wed 04-Jun
Littleborough 5k Road Race Series (3/3), Littleborough
Sun 04-May
Great Hameldon Hill Race, Accrington (Pendle & Burnley
Grand Prix)
Northern Vets AC Monthly Run 5k/10k, Sale
Thu 05-Jun
Sun 04-May
The Sherriff 10k, Scorton, nr. Preston
Thu 05-Jun
Sun 04-May
Keswick Half Marathon, Keswick
Thu 05-Jun
Cuerden Valley Badger 10k Trail Race (Series entry), Bamber
Bridge, Preston
Cuerden Valley Badger 10k Trail Race (1/3) (Race 1 entry),
Bamber Bridge, Preston
Dunham Massey Park 5k (race 1/2) (N. Ches GP 3/5), Altrincham
Mon 05-May
Avenham Park 5k, Preston
Sat 07-Jun
Weets Fell Race (Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix)
Mon 05-May
Fox Cross Four, New Mills
Sun 08-Jun
Morecambe 10k (Lancaster Series 1/3)
Tue 06-May
Geoff Doggett Memorial 5k, Whitworth
Sun 08-Jun
Prestwich Challenge, Whitefield
Wed 07-May
Astley Park Trail Senior Series (1/3), Astley Village, Chorley
Wed 11-Jun
3 Sisters Country Park 5k, nr. Wigan
Wed 07-May
Littleborough 5k Road Race Series (2/3), Littleborough
Wed 11-Jun
Gosforth 10 Mile & Fun Run
Wed 07-May
Kendal 10k, Kendal
Thu 12-Jun
Walsh Two Lads Fell Race, Horwich, nr. Bolton
Fri 09-May
Sat 14-Jun
Man V Horse Llanwrtyd Wells
Fri 09-May
Pinhaw Fell Race, Earby (Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix Race
2/15)
Dronfield Town FC 10k Run, Dronfield
Sat 14-Jun
Sat 10-May
Last Drop Loop Fell Race, nr. Bolton
Sun 15-Jun
Sun 11-May
Sun 15-Jun
Sun 11-May
Long Marton Helm Winds 3 Villages Road/Ghyll 10k Run, 3k &
1.6k Fun Runs, nr. Appleby
Blacksticks Blue 10k Road Race, nr. Preston
Naden Valley 6 Mile Multi-Terrain (Rochdale 3 Day Event 2/3),
Norden, Rochdale
Knowl Hill Fell Race (Rochdale 3 Day Event 3/3), Norden,
Rochdale
Blue Light 5 Mile Race, Bispham, Blackpool
Sun 11-May
JWK Morecambe Half Marathon
Sun 11-May
Comberbach Fete 5k Fun Run, nr. Northwich
Tue 13-May
Thurstaston MT challenge
Tue 13-May
Moorclose 10k, Workington
Thu 15-May
Ian Casey Memorial Cowm Race, Whitworth
Fri 16-May
Fri 16-May
Wed 18-Jun
Hendon Brook Half Marathon(ish), Nelson (Pendle & Burnley
GP)
Coppice Fell Race, Accrington
Wed 18-Jun
Hawkshead 10k, nr. Ambleside
Thu 19-Jun
Sat 21-Jun
Dunham Massey Park 5k (race 2/2) (N. Ches GP 4/5),
Altrincham
46th Great Hill Fell Race, Brinscall, nr. Chorley
The McAuley Chase, Hurst Green
Sat 21-Jun
White Bear Way 10 Mile, Adlington, nr. Chorley
Alderley Edge Carnival Multi-Terrain Four, Alderley Edge
Sat 21-Jun
White Bear Way 21 Mile, Adlington, nr. Chorley
Sun 18-May
Kirkby Stephen 10k Road Race, Kirkby Stephen
Sat 21-Jun
Lymm 5k, nr Warrington
Sun 18-May
Worden Park 10k, Leyland
Sat 21-Jun
Lancaster 10k Series (1/5), Pilling
Tue 20-May
Diane Modahl Commonwealth Trail 5k Race, Rochdale
Sun 22-Jun
Freckleton Half Marathon, nr. Preston
Tue 24-Jun
Welcome Tavern 5k Tuesday Night Series (3/4), Preston
Wed 25-Jun
Harrock Hill Race (3/4), nr. Parbold, Wigan
Thu 26-Jun
Warrington 10k
Sat 28-Jun
Lancaster 5k Race Series (2/5), Salt Ayre, Lancaster
Sat 28-Jun
Vegan Welsh 3000s 55k Fell Race, Carneddau, Snowdonia
Sat 28-Jun
Vegan Welsh 3000s 90k Fell Race, Carneddau, Snowdonia
Sat 28-Jun
Vegan Carneddau Half Marathon, Carneddau, Snowdonia
Sun 29-Jun
Sotos 10k, Fleetwood
Sun 29-Jun
Sotos 2k, Fleetwood
Sun 29-Jun
Burnley Boys Club 5k (Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix)
Sun 29-Jun
Arley Hall Summer 10k, nr. Northwich
Wed 21-May
Stanhill Fell Race, Oswaldtwistle
Wed 21-May
Carlisle City Urban Trail Race, Carlisle
Fri 23-May
Burnley Lions 10k, Colne (Pendle & Burnley GP 4/10)
Sat 24-May
Lancaster 5k Race Series (1/5), Salt Ayre, Lancaster
Sun 25-May
Fishwick 5 Trail Race, Preston
Mon 26-May
Bowley Hill Trail Race, Great Harwood, nr. Blackburn
Mon 26-May
Sandgrounder 10k, 5k and 3k Runs, Southport
Tue 27-May
Welcome Tavern 5k Tuesday Night Series (2/4), Preston
Wed 28-May
Harrock Hill Race (1/4), nr. Parbold, Wigan
Wed 28-May
Wed 28-May
Dove Stone Diamond 10k Multi-Terrain Race, Greenfield,
Oldham
Levens 10k, nr. Kendal
Thu 29-May
Bowdon 5k, Altrincham
Sat 31-May
Catforth Canter 5k (1/3), Catforth, nr. Preston
Sat 31-May
Kelbrook Fell Race (Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix)
Sat 31-May
Peter Lowe Memorial Hollins Green 5k, nr Warrington
Sat 31-May
Wincle Trout Run, nr. Macclesfield
Sun 15-Jun
Multi terrain championship
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
18
Penny Lane Women defy the Wind
By Nigel Grant
Penny Lane’s women confirmed that it takes more than a bit of wind
to hold a good team back as they stormed to victory – by an overall
margin of six minutes – in last month’s Liverpool half-marathon. Our
th
fab four of Rachel Williams (10 overall), Sarah Hodgson, Emma
Lawton and Myka Heard underlined
the strength in depth within Penny
Lane Striders which had more runners
in the race (54) than any other club.
Every single one of those Striders will
have experienced that horrible
moment – just before 9 miles on the
exit from Otterspool Park – when the
realisation dawns that there are still
more than four miles to go and that
every single remaining stride will be
into a ferocious head wind and there is
**** all you can do about it.
What a contrast to the start of the race
when we all lined up full of hope and
excitement, wondering how our bodies
Nigel Grant, 1st MV50
would react to being pushed to the
limit. I like to do my own thing before races, running in different
directions to establish which way the wind is blowing and jogging the
first 200-300 yards to get a feel for the start of the race (and to
ensure I know where we are meant to go; I was part of an infamous
cock-up at this race five years ago when the leading group were all
sent up a cul-de-sac). It was nevertheless nice to meet up with Neil
Bullock and former Strider Tim Fletcher in the pen beforehand, each
of us well placed get off to a flyer when that nice Brendan Rodgers
sounded the horn to send us on our way.
The wind on our backs led to a faster start than I had envisaged and it
was with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I realised how
quickly I’d run the first two miles given that they had included the
climbs up Jamaica Street and Upper Parliament Street. The flatness
of Princes Avenue afforded
me the opportunity to
continue to fairly zip along
without feeling I was leaving
my comfort zone.
young Martha Kelly insisting that her parents take her for a walk in
the park (with Rob and Jane invited along too), Ian Lawton insisting
on giving everyone their full title (come on Nigel Grant; I was sorely
tempted to tell him that it’s Mr Nigel Grant to non-PLS members),
Martin and Dale jumping about excitedly like cats on a hot tin roof
in numerous locations, Cristina waiting by the side of the road
hatching a scheme to ask the first lucky Strider she saw to write
this report , and of course the ubiquitous Dave Pinnington was
there with camera doing the honours and sparing us all from having
to take our own no make- up selfie.
Otterspool Park was of course quite literally the calm before the
storm. No spectators go down there and the neglected bandstand
makes it decidedly eerie ; like some sort of empty subterranean
bowl occasionally used in films to depict a world now devoid of
human life – the calm beneath the storm as well as before it. It
seemed rather fitting that you had to go inside a tunnel before
entering. On this particular day of course the park could only be
described as a veritable gateway to hell......
For how else could you describe the forces battering you as you
turned right off the little path which runs alongside the children’s
play park? Don’t ask me why but I found myself recalling last
November’s Penny Lane Lamplight 5k down on the Prom when
conditions were positively serene and the river resembled a millpond
in the still, cool evening air. Conditions were a tad different on this
occasion. What had we done to deserve this?
However we’re all committed runners and so we all go out in the
sorts of conditions you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy’s dog so
we did what we Brits do best – we cursed under our breath and
stoically got on with it. We put our blinkers on, got into little bunches
and shared the workload and ever so gradually the magnitude of the
effort required to reach the finish started to recede and familiar
sights like the Albert Dock, the Arena and the Pier Head appeared on
the horizon.
The Winning Team!
You know you are doing ok
when the mile markers seem
to appear with an
encouraging regularity and
it seemed that we had
reached Sefton Park within
no time. As always, nonrunning Striders were out in
force with John Connolly
enjoying watching others
grafting after his marathon
conquest the previous week,
Rachel Williams, Sarah Hodgson, Emma Lawton & Myka Heard
And then, almost within
a blink of the eye, the
deed was done – time to
stop, to check the
Garmin and to discover
that, remarkably, the
course had been exactly
as it was meant to be –
13.1 miles. Well done
BTR, you’ve had stick in
the past but you’ve
rd
learned and on the 23
March you staged a
show the city could be
proud of, with Penny
Lane women playing
starring roles.
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
19
Ruth, Jo and Lou
Mal, Tommy,
Clare and Lou
John & friend
Esther rocks the national colours
Tommy & Eunice
Jo at the finish
Anne, Mal & Ruth
Paul, Neil and Marc
Job and Rob in the pub
Jonathan & Ruth
Who’s that bloke next to you Lyndon
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
20
Neil John Lawrence team silver @ Rivington
nd
Steph Bullock 2 Woman
at Anzac day xc
Jon &
Tom
Ian Lawton
Tom Rimmer
Happy Bus in March
THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 108
21
The View from the Back:
Are you a running bore?
by Rachel Rick
It's official - I've become a running
bore. It's becoming a real
problem. My long-suffering
family switch off very very quickly;
even my mother is bored of the
video of last year's Tour of
Merseyside. People get quite
excited about a friend / family
member / colleague's first 10k or
full marathon, but then their
interest wanes really quickly - and
who can blame them? They lose
sympathy for your aches and
pains, too - your achilles tendon
AGAIN? So why did you run,
then? Your own soft fault!
To avoid alienating strangers, I
have worked out a few
strategies:
Wear open-toed sandals or
flip-flops. Not great in the
The
Striding
Report
A newsletter
for Readers
of all
abilities
winter, but a sure-fire runner
detector in the summer. All
eyes will be drawn to your toenails; the fellow-runner can be
distinguished from others
because they won't baulk, but
will rather ask sensible
questions like 'When did you
do that?'; 'What shoes do you
wear?'; 'Was that a race?'. And
you're off!
Check out wrist furniture.
Always a good one this - we
give up, don't we, on normal
watches? I've lost two this
year - fortunately, not
expensive ones but both with
new batteries, which is a bit
annoying. Sports watches are
a dead give-away,
though! You only need to ask
'how do you find it?', and
you're off!
3. Supermarket baskets can
help - any two of lucozade /
vaseline / Immodium /
bananas / industrial quantities
of pasta is a pretty good
indicator. Roll up your cuff
and flash your sportswatch,
and you're off!
There is an alternative, which
is to talk about other stuff, but
I'm really struggling with that
one. If you see me in the Coop nosing in people's baskets,
you'll know I'm just looking for
someone to talk to. Just give
me a wide berth!
CLASSIFIEDS
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Training
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Sore hammies?
Monday 7pm to 8pm £3
0151 281 1087
Greenbank Gym @ IM
Marsh College
Barkhill Road Liverpool
18
Why not try a sports
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07776115497
mallybalmer@btinternet.com
Warm up sessions
Tues and Thurs
Garston Lifestyles
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