Sandbach Striders

The annual Sandbach Striders 10k club handicap was held last week, an event which remains very popular amongst club members. 
Heather Carter receives her prize from Michael Escolme at the Club Handicap 10k

The route is a slightly longer version of the Sandbach 10k route but each runner is given a handicap based on their current form and race times. The first Strider back was Heather Carter whose recent form has been excellent. She was followed by Giles Hodges in second place with Megan Latham in third place. A full report of the night can be read here.

Members of Sandbach Striders running club didn’t let the storms and heavy rain dissuade them from participating in the free weekly Saturday morning parkrun at Astbury Mere. Five members were on volunteering duty ensuring that the runners were kept safe and their times logged accurately, whilst six more ran the 5k event.

Tony Taylor finished in 8th position overall in a time of 19:39. Janet Burgess knocked nearly four minutes off her previous parkrun personal best finishing in 26:50. Andrew Gibson, Michael Escolme, Jason Bulley and Stella Stilwell finished in 23:01, 23:27, 25:49 and 36:15 respectively.


The Arley Hall half-marathon which was due to take place on Sunday was once more cancelled at the last minute. The private events company behind this event once more disappointed hundreds of runners including several members of Sandbach Striders who had trained hard for this event.


Club social-secretary Karen Lovatt was back on her home turf to run the 5k Race for Life in Reading. Berkshire alongside her sister Nicola.


Karen Lovatt and Nicola Lane at Race for Life 5k
Also in action on Sunday was club chairman Michael Escolme who participated in the Lion’s Bridge trail marathon. This event starts at the Gin Pit Miner’s Welfare club in Astley, Lancashire and consists of six laps around the land where once stood the grand entrance to the Atherton Hall estate.

Mid-race Michael had the unusual experience of rescuing a lost hen which was found wandering amidst the woods. After a search for its owner Michael took it back to the race HQ and to a new adopted life.


Michael Escolme at Lion's Bridge trail marathon
Entries for the ever-popular Sandbach 10k on Sunday 21st September are now open, entry details can also be found here.