Graham Welsh reports
So much to report this weekend, starting with news of our 10 marathon runners. In Leicester Lewis Hopkinson, Peter Davis and Dave Dews were competing in the Leicester Marathon, which also served as the Notts AAA county championship. Lewis finished 24th in the event in an amazing new PB and club record time of 3:06:58. Peter crossed the finish in 3:55:29 whilst Dave ran very strongly and finished his first ever marathon in 4:10:49 PB. County results are still pending, but Fingers crossed for age group gold medals for Lewis and Peter.
A magnificent seven Striders were in York to take on the Yorkshire Marathon. Simon Roberts finished in a great time of 3:16:13 PB in his first race over the 26.2 mile distance. Chris Young's time was 3:42:22, Richard Scott 3:53:10, Steve Martin 4:10:05, Simon Palmer 4:10:13. Jenny Palmer was also running her first ever marathon and her time was 5:32:44 PB, and it was a new PB for Anthea Moisey too, finishing in 5:54:41.
In international news, a group of 11 Newark Striders were in Palma de Mallorca to compete in the Half Marathon and 10K. Conditions were hot and hilly and Mark Jackson was first to cross the line in a time of 1:36:56. Next was Noel Henderson in 1:55:51, Steven Padgett 1:58:43 and Nige Driscoll 1:58:44, Jason Cobb 2:06:58, Cate Driscoll 2:12:36, Jacqui Jackson 2:23:44 & Nicki Padgett 2:23:42, Sara Whittaker 2:28:02, Nick Harrison 2:44:54. Sarah-Jane Cobb was in the 10K event and finished with a time of 1:08:53.
Meanwhile back in the cold, Simeon Forrest and Catherine Davies were running the Leicester Half Marathon, finishing in 1:46:06 PB and 2:05:26 PB respectively. Also in Half Marathon action was Steve Gurd who completed the Birmingham Half in a time of 1:58:05, whilst Jean-Louis Balestra and Danielle Forsey ran the Great Eastern Run at Peterborough, 1:31:16 for Jean-Louis, smashing his PB and 1:40:12 for Danielle.
Jan Bailey ran the York 10 mile race along with Nick Beveridge. 15th place for Jan and 13th fastest chip time with 57:57 and a quick time for Nick too, 1:17:44.
Four Striders were in Cropwell Bishop for the Stilton Stumble 10K. Ted Behl was first back in 44:38, then Graham Welsh 49:57, Ruth Mountstevens 58:45 and Henrietta McCabe 1:02:39. Stephen Tomlinson was racing over 5K at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, finishing in 25:09.
Finally, back to Saturday, which saw teams of two taking part in the Gruesome Twosome event, restricted to the 10K version over an adjusted course due to high winds, though it was about 10 degrees warmer than Sunday. David Cross and partner finished in 1:07:49, Debbie Bavin & Karen Illsley 1:15:40, Philippa Clarke & Stacey Atkins 1:16:53, Ann Clay & Sarah Stuart 1:21:33 and Leisa Pickles & Lynne Boby 1:24:53.
