Author: Liz Simpson

Plenty happening this weekend. There was Jill Abel's 450th parkrun at Sedgefield, a cross-country event at Richmond and the first of the 2023 club league races at Ripon. I'd like to start, however, with a bit of good news for one of our members. Abby Barker got a nice email recently confirming that she's been selected for the England team (in her age-group) for the England Athletics Age Group Masters Championships - at The Chester Half-Marathon in May. That's a great achievement Abby - well done. Back to Sedgefield and Jill was joined by 36 other Striders. It was nice to see Debbie Edwards complete another parkrun and Ben and Gail giving their support to the runners. Simon Russell was doing his 100th parkrun and Sue and Sonny Russell were…

It's possible that Emma Fleming was 'carb loading' with pasta at Friday's club birthday event - as the next day she was breaking records at Hartlepool. Her all-course personal best was smashed by over a minute with a speedy sub-21-minute time. Emma also recorded a 70%+ age-grading and was first lady to finish. Great work. Helen Mcilvenny also got an impressive 70%+ a-g and was second lady home. Elsewhere, Zoe Cornforth completed her 50th parkrun at Stewart Park. At Albert Park Sam Johnston recorded a new pb and Jane Storher achieved a 70%+ a-g. Maxine Buckton pb'd and Izzy Morgan was second lady to finish at Sedgefield. Striders too at Redcar, Flatts Lane, Fountains Abbey, Betton House (Grantham), Herrington Country and Hamsterley Forest. Thank you to those who helped organize…

14 Striders wrapped up warm and headed to Sedgefield on Saturday. Michael Meggs was third home in a new pb and Izzy Morgan was first lady to finish. Elsewhere, Glenn Cooper and Joanne Cooke got pb's at Stewart Park. Tom Ramsey pb'd at Darlington as did Phil Baines at Marshall Drive. Abby Barker (70%+ age-grading) was first lady to finish and Emma Fleming third at Babbs Mill near Birmingham. Incidentally, veteran Strider Dave Fender was a regular at the nearby Pebble Mill parkrun during the 1970's. Striders too at Hartlepool, Windy Nook, Hackworth, Kingsbury Water (West Midlands), Fountains Abbey and Doddington Hall (Lincoln). PJ

A bumper weekend of running to cover this week as we had parkruns, cross-country and a big Striders interest in the Brass Monkey Half Marathon. 16 Striders were at Albert Park where Simon Russell got a 70% age-grading and Michael Meggs was second finisher. Hartlepool saw both Helen Mcilvenny and Mick Fawcett achieve 70%+ a-g's. Holly Taylor took another trip 'daan saaf' and was the first lady to finish at Houghton Hall (Bedfordshire). Diane Johnson recorded a new pb at Redcar. We had a further 15 Striders at Stewart, along with Durham, Sedgefield, Darlington, Osterley (Isleworth), Flatts Lane, Rushmoor, Northallerton and Bowling Park (Bradford). Sunday saw round 4 of the cross-country season with an event at Ormesby Hall. It was clear, crisp winters day with bright sunshine and less wind…