Sandbach Striders

This week saw the brood of titchy Striders growing further. Congratulations to Paul Barnett on the birth of Alexander George.
In other news, Striders did what they did best this week and donned costumes galore for a variety of Christmas themed races.

10 Striders were at Astbury Mere for the free weekly 5k parkrun. Heather Carter was pipped to first female by 2 seconds and there were personal bests for Lee-Ann Galway, Collette Ellis and Amy Mayell. Full results were:
Andy Thomas 19:49
Heather Carter 20:14
Stephen Mclean 21:26
James Boon 23:58
Lisa Highfield 24:00
Lee-Ann Galway 25:05 (Personal Best)
Matthew Jones 25:32
Louise Banks 26:44
Colette Ellis 29:49 (Personal Best)
Amy Mayell 34:56 (Personal Best)
Striders at Congleton parkrun

Gareth Evans and Andrea Reynolds joined 48 others for a hilly and muddy Ludlow parkrun finishing in 22:77 and 29:33 respectively.
Gareth Evans and Andrea Reynolds enjoying a drink with the organisers after the Ludlow Hill parkrun

A sleep deprived Paul Barnett completed the inaugural Knowsley parkrun in 21:44.
Paul Barnett at Knowsley parkrun
Wendy Barnes completed the Heaton parkrun in North Manchester in 28:49.
Liz O’Keeffe was once again in action at her local Bulgarian parkrun finishing in 28:25
Liz O'Keeffe (center) with friends Krasi & Dhalia at the Varna parkrun

Angela Dale and Praksha Swinnerton got in to the festive spirit whilst raising money for charity. They both took part in the Bubble Rush at Oulton Park in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.
Angela Dale and Prasksha Swinnerton at the Bubble Run

Lynsey Astles and Mick Hutchins donned festive fancy dress to run the Staffordshire Moorlands AC Christmas Cracker at Tittesworth Reservoir near Leek. The race is a challenging 8-mile, multi-terrain run over the Roaches. Two miles of it are along the exposed ridge at 1500 feet. Lynsey and Mick finished in 1:32:15.
Lynsey Astles and Mick Hutchins at the SMAC Christmas Cracker

Cheryl Hutchins and Steve Farnell also donned their Christmas fancy dress outfits to run the Tatton Yule Yomp, a 10k run around Knutsford and Tatton Park with all funds raised go to three local charities: David Lewis, East Cheshire Hospice and Carers Trust 4 all. Steve finished in around 50 minutes and Cheryl in 55 minutes.
Cheryl Hutchins at the Tatton Yule Yomp
Steve Farnell at the Tatton Yule Yomp

Darren Varley headed to Telford for their 10k, a race with over 1000 entrants, including elite athletes. Darren finished in 37:26.
Darren Varley at Telford 10k

Paul Nicholls was again pushing himself to the limit in the Rosemoor Topping Trail Marathon. The run, which is actually 31 miles, climbs to the highest part of the North York Moors and stays at this height for several miles, meaning that you are at full exposure to the elements. Paul completed the run (in his shorts!) in a little over 7 hours.
Paul Nicholls at Roseberry Topping Trail Marathon

Sandbach Striders are a friendly and encouraging running club that welcome new members of all abilities.

ASN