Sandbach Striders

I started running in 2021 having decided to try and become a healthier 30 something year old - very cliched I know! In 2022 I decided to join Sandbach Striders to step up my training and become a more social runner.

I can regularly be seen at Congleton parkrun as well as attempting to play football and keep generally active. I joined the Striders committee as Secretary in 2024 and look forward to helping around the club.

I took part in the Striders' Couch to 5k program in April 2014 and subsequently joined the club.

I had only ever run a Race for Life event before, so was virtually new to running and soon caught the bug.

After completing a few 10k events I completed my first half marathon in February 2015 and the 27 mile Canal Canter in September 2015. This remains one of my favuorite runs.

I was awarded the Sandbach Striders most improved female 2015 and this is all down to the support and encouragement provided by my fellow members.

The many social events and club runs are always really enjoyable and a great chance for slower runners, like myself, to get to know the faster members better.

I have been running since I left University & joined the Club shorty after moving to Sandbach. I originally started to keep fit but since then running has taken me to so many places that it’s just become a part of my life.

I particularly enjoy discovering new areas on foot & realising how much more of places you can see when exploring on a run. Any holiday or business trip is another opportunity to explore somewhere new.

Over the years when I’ve lost my motivation or busy with other life priorities the Club is always there & I always try to attend on a Wednesday to keep ticking over & catch up with my fellow runners.

I rejoined the committee in 2023 re-taking on the role of Treasurer.

I have been running since the age of 11 having accidentally qualified for the school cross country team. I kept up running for 29 years with the occasional break for beer, exams and ankle injuries.

I have been a Striders member for about 11 years and have competed all distances from 5k up to ultra marathon.

I rejoined the committee in 2024 to coordinate club training and coaching.

I joined Sandbach Striders in 2017 and have been a regular ever since! Having run individually for a number of years beforehand, I was looking to join a club to make new friends and meet other runners locally and that’s exactly what Sandbach Striders gave me.

I run mainly for personal fitness and I regularly take part in my local park run, however I’ve also completed a few 10k’s, half marathons and the London Marathon in 2016 (definitely my best running achievement so far – still to be repeated!).

I joined the club committee as welfare officer in 2023 and my role, alongside the rest of committee, is to ensure all our members feel welcome, supported and encouraged in their running. We are a really friendly club, which welcomes runners of all abilities and celebrate everyone’s achievements equally.

I started running in February 2012, (Mid life crisis!!) I had never ran before, but slowly over a few month managed 5k runs on a regular basis but was getting bored of running on my own and with darker nights drawing in look for a Club to join. I tried a couple of local clubs but they were not for me but then I found out about Sandbach Striders. I joined the club later that year, it’s the best thing I ever did.

This is a great club, no matter how fast or slow you are, you are always welcome. I have received so much support over the last few years which has allowed me to achieve much more than I would of hoped for at the beginning of my running journey. There have been many highlights for me thanks to the club members support, London Marathon being one of them last year.

We hold many social events at the club, some involve running, some involve eating and drinking and some have over the years involved all 3!! (Medoc marathon). We also have an annual camping trip and Awards night.

This is such a friendly club, new members will receive a warm welcome, if like me you have been thinking about joining a club for a while but don’t think your good enough, go on take to plunge and come a join us, you won’t regret it !!!