Author: Murph

Somewhat chilly this week. The snow did not prevent Striders travelling out and about. As well as the local events at Albert Park, Flatts Lane, Stewart Park and Tees Barrage, we had those who chose to go just a little further to Darlington or join in the 6th birthday sing-song at Sedgefield. And then we had the committed who headed of the Gunnersbury, Kingston and Fell foot. Possibly not an ideal day for PBs but that did not stop Emily Chaytor, Gavin Morley, Michelle Hart or Jason Pattison – all of whom revelled in the conditions. It’s not a race but…. We should be reporting first female home at both Albert Park and Tees Barrage with Lisa Molus at Albert but we cannot be doctoring things just yet, can we…

Note to self – always click Publish. No sign of the snow this week. Striders spread far and wide this week. We had athletes at Albert Park, Stewart Park, Flatts Lane, Sedgefield, Windy Nook, Lancaster, Gunnersbury and Alness.  It is impressive that after 377 parkruns Tony Gallilee is still getting PBs at Redcar.  17 Striders travelled to Hartlepool to help them celebrate its 200th event. Of those five, Suzanne Brodie, Antony Hamling, Katie Abel, Rachael Hall and Jason Pattison, all also celebrated new PBs for the course. The biggest Strider turnout was at Tees Barrage – nothing unusual about that. It was unusual that Nigel was run director and it did not snow plus the fact that it was Kay Stokes first time there. Jade Featherstone was the only Strider…

The weather took a bit of a turn and nationally about 80% of parkruns gave us the opportunity to have a Saturday morning lie in. That did not stop the eight Striders who took to Albert Park or the 11 others that partook at Stewart Park.  Probably no great surprise that it was not a day for PBs or tourism but Lisa Pattison was 3rd female finisher at Stewart Park.

  Flatts Lane parkrun was the latest run in the 2018 Striders league and consequently had our largest turnout of the day.  35 Striders put all those hill sessions into practice. Cat Clennett eventually got around to completing her difficult second parkrun. Seven Striders – Fran Corvesor, Jill Abel, Gavin Morley, John Corvesor, Jason Pattison, Finlay Pennington and Tom Day – rose to the white hot heat of competition and PB’ed. Elsewhere we had good representation at Tees Barrage, Darlington and Sunderland. At Albert Park Racheal Hall made it 4 PBs in 4 weeks. Tourist of the week goes to Alex Taylor for his difficult second run completed at Crichton. It’s not a race but… Stockton Strider females took 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th finishers at Flatts…

We had representation at quite a few events again this week – with the tourism award going to Anna Carruthers for her PB performance at York. Impressive timing award goes to Rachel Hall in the process of claiming her third consecutive PB whilst running at Albert Park. Talking of back to back PBs, Lisa and Jason Pattison repeated that feat at Sedgefield and Tom Day also threw one in there to join in that celebration. Finlay Pennington’s trip to Fountains Abbey also resulted in another PB. Staying local – Striders at Stewart Park, Darlington, Hartlepool and getting a preview of Flatts Lane prior to next week’s league run. At Tees Barrage 29 Striders enjoyed the conditions as both Sarah Griffiths and Jade Featherstone PB’ed. It’s not an official milestone but…

Jason Pattison took last week off from PB-ing at Stewart Park with a visit elsewhere but was back on it again this week. Not to be out-done, Lisa Pattison got in on the PB action as well this week. There were four Striders at Albert Park where Rachael Hall lowered her PB again and Caroline Horton gained a very impressive 80%+ grading. A trip to York earns the tourism award this week whilst we also had athletes at Gateshead, Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool and Flatts Lane. Angela Cox took charge of the Tees Barrage event where 31 Striders ran this week. Amongst them Suzanne Brodie took a big bite out her previous PB. It’s not a race but… Lisa Molus was 3rd female finisher at Tees Barrage  

Single Strider representation at Albert Park, Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Hull and Lancaster. Three took to the course at Stewart Park, where Philip Morley set himself a new PB. A further eight tackled the hills of Flatts lane – here Tom Day set a new Striders best. The biggest Strider turnout, 31, was at Tees Barrage – with some of our marathon trainers seemingly playing a game of catch the tail walker in the process of their long run.   It’s not a race but… Paul Johnston led the field home at Tees Barrage followed by David Fender as 3rd male. Rachael Hall set a new PB at Hartlepool whilst coming in as 2nd female finisher and Phil Swash was the 3rd male finisher at Newbiggin-by-the Sea and in the…

Who would have bet on it? Consecutive PBs at Stewart Park for Jason Pattison, possibly already got an eye on one of those league trophies for 2018? Striders were also out at Sedgefield, Darlington and Hackworth – a new PB and our only real tourist for Andrew Laverick. Gail took charge of the show at Tees Barrage to witness 29 Striders take in the fresh air and see Jonathon Archers new PB for the course. New year’s welcome new members and there was a first time appearance under the Strider banner for Tony Gallilee at Stewart Park to add another name to the Strider 250 club whilst also leaving everybody else very far behind in his dust.

What a difference a week makes. The weather stepped in to force the cancellation of many of the parkruns in the region. However, this was not going to get in the way of the 15 hardy Striders who braved Stewart Park, Albert Part, Redcar and Lancaster. Jason – dancing on ice – Pattison clearly loved the conditions as he bagged himself a new PB at Stewart Park.

Record attendance day for parkrun UK and worldwide as those New Year resolutions kicked in. It was a Striders record attendance at Tees Barrage with over 50 athletes and volunteers in attendance. However, it appears the place to be if you wanted to go quick was Albert Park where Stella Hudson, Teresa Parker, Rachel Carr and Michael Hodgkiss all PB’ed. That’s not to say nobody else matched that achievement. Joanne Camp at Flatts Lane and Jason Pattison at Hartlepool set their new best times. We also had a couple of athletes at Sedgefield and Stewart Park plus a lone star at Lullingstone.