Sandbach Striders

From track marathons to half Ironmen, yet another busy week for the members of Sandbach Striders running club.

On Thursday, Andy Thomas headed to Bowdon near Altrincham to compete in a 5k race which is part of the North Cheshire 5k Grand Prix series. The course which was a mixture of road and some parkland trails proved a little muddy in places after heavy rain in previous races. Official results not yet in, but Andy clocked his run in 19:57.

Andy Thomas at the Bowdon 5k Race

On Saturday 10 members from the club participated in 4 different parkruns. Colin Dalton achieved a personal best around Astbury mere at Congleton.

Congleton Parkrun

Runner Time  
Tony Taylor 00:19:08
Andy Thomas 00:19:49
Colin Dalton 00:22:06 Personal Best
Mick Hutchins 00:22:07
Tim Wilson 00:29:12
Gillian Fallows 00:29:14
Gillian Fallows, Colin Dalton, Mick Hutchins, and Andy Thomas at Congleton parkrun

Workington parkrun

Runner Time
David Sharp 00:23:48
David Sharp at the Workington parkrun

Warrington parkrun

Runner Time
Lisa Highfield 00:24:22
Stephen Mclean 00:29:25
Steve Mclean and Lisa Highfield at Warrington parkrun

Cannon Hill parkrun

Runner Time
Paul Barnett 00:23:58

How does running 105 and nearly a half laps of standard 400 metre running track sound? What about doing that twice in two days. Well this is exactly what Steve Mclean did on Saturday and Sunday, following his parkrun in Warrington. It was the Summer Track Marathon event, two marathons over 2 days also in Warrington. Steve completed the race on Saturday in a respectable time of 3:59:58, and then smashing that time on Sunday with a new personal best of 3:33:06. Well done that crazy man!

Steve Mclean at the Summer Track Marathon

On Sunday it was time for the annual passing clouds event. Starting from Tittesworth reservoir in Leek, the race sees the participants heading out to run along and over the roaches. It is classed as a B class fell races and sees the runners climbing over 550 metres in 15.7 kilometers. Craig Edwards completed the event in 1:37:59

Craig Edwards at the Passing Clouds race

Also on Sunday the popular Potters ‘Arf took place in Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent. The hilly half marathon attracts a good crowd of supporters and starts in Hanley town centre. The route heads south to Longton, before heading back up towards Bucknall, and Baddeley Green, before heading back down to Hanley for the finish. Well done to Jamie for his first half marathon, with the full results are as follows:

Runner Chip Time Gun Time  
Heather Carter 01:36:12 01:36:16
Jayne Pyatt 01:54:30 01:55:09
Lindsay Beeston 01:56:35 01:57:16
James Boon 02:10:56 02:11:37
Jamie Matthias 02:11:13 02:11:52 Personal Best
Jane Pyatt, James, Boon, Heather Carter and Jamie Matthias at the Potters Half Marathon

Finally for this week, 6 Striders took to wetsuits, and bikes, to take on the “Ultimate Half Triathlon” near Whitchurch. The event is a half Ironman triathlon, which for the uninitiated is a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a mere 56 mile bike ride, and finishing with a 13.1 half marathon on foot. The swim is in Dearnford Lake, with the bike ride and run taking place in the roads around Whitchurch. A tough challenge for all, with the results below:

Runner Time
Alastair Melton 05:28:08
Nigel “Billy” Fishwick 05:50:03
Giles Hodges 05:52:15
Rick Kelso-Davies 05:55:30
Gordon Hutchins 05:59:49
Steve Farnell 06:18:43
Rick, Giles, Steve, Alistair at the Ultimate Half Triathlon Gordon Hutchins at the Ultimate Half Triathlon Nigel Fishwick at the Ultimate Half Triathlon

Full results for our members are available here

Entries are open for the Sandbach 10k sponsored by Butcher and Barlow. This year's event takes place on an exciting new course and is run entirely on traffic-free roads. It promises to be a great event for both new runners or for those looking to beat their personal best. Secure your starting place now at Our Races