Author: Liz Simpson

15 Striders attended Wynyard on Saturday - where Gareth Maloney got a 70%+ age-grading. Kirsty Alderthay and David Mogie volunteered. Elsewhere, Stewart Park saw Maxine Buckton complete her 100th parkrun and David Green get a new PB. Samantha Gray bagged a new PB at Redcar as did Mark Horton at Worsley Woods and Katie Barlow at Hartlepool. Emily Palmer (70%+) was 1st lady home at Wakefield Thornes. Emma Fleming (new PB and 70%+) and Izzy Morgan were 1st and 2nd ladies home at Thorp Perrow. Striders too at Albert, Silksworth, Durham, Sedgefield, Darlington, Kingsbury Water, Rushmoor, Northallerton, Chevin Forest, Potternewton, Herrington Country and Vermuyden Way. PJ

A crisp morning at Wynyard Woodland saw Jill Abel complete parkrun number 550. Samantha Gray continued her recent good form with a new PB. Gareth Maloney and I achieved a 70%+ age-grading. Helen Johnston and David Mogie volunteered. Elsewhere, there were new PB's for Kevin Dove at Redcar, Sarah Cotton at Newbiggin-by-the Sea, Doreen Morris at Herrington Country and David Murphy at Cotsford Fields. Emily Palmer (70%+ a-g) was 1st lady home at Albert. Beth Dang was 2nd lady home at Workington. Striders too at York, Durham, Sedgefield, Stewart, Goole, Hartlepool, Hillsborough, Keswick, Rushmoor and Isabel Trail (Stafford). Sunday saw The Thirsk 10-miler. It's described as fast and flat - and there were over 900 entrants. The listed Striders participating (with 'power of 10' PB's where known) were: Tom Holland…

It may have been hotter than Marbella on Saturday - but Steve Dickson kept his cool at Wynyard to post a new PB. David Mogie and Kirsty Alderthay volunteered. Elsewhere, at the Striders trip to Thorp Perrow, Kris Allen (2nd finisher) bagged a new PB and Abby Barker (1st lady home) got a 70%+ age-grading. 14 Striders attended Albert where Victoria Slatcher did her 150th parkrun. It was a good day for the Gray's at Hartlepool. Ian (new PB) did his 150th parkrun and Samantha recorded an all-course PB. Tidy work folks. Tom Ramsey had a run at Mosman in Sydney and Beverley Harvey attended Poolbeg in Dublin. Tom Murphy (70%+) was 2nd home at Silksworth. Beth Dang was 2nd lady home at Old Deer. Emma Fleming got a 70%+…

Sunday's Middlesbrough Half Marathon was the undoubted highlight of the weekend. It proved to be extraordinarily popular with club members - with some amazing support and performances. We'll delve a little deeper into the event after a quick look at Saturday's parkruns. Glenn Cooper achieved a 70%+ age-grading and Michael Kilding got a new PB at Albert. Pam Steadman bagged a new PB at Denton Dene. Tom Ramsey had a run at Coffs Harbour in Australia. Striders too at Wynyard, Windy Nook, Sedgefield, Redcar, Stewart, Woodley (Reading), Whinlatter Forest, Marshall Drive, Tyne Green, Hamsterley Forest and Vermuyden Way (Scunthorpe). Close to 3000 runners and plenty of supporters gathered in Central Square before the 9am Half Marathon start. It was a chilly morning and there were long queues for the loos.…

A bright and mild morning welcomed the parkrunners at Wynyard this week. Energised by a double espresso and some industrial strength creatine tablets, Dave Fender passed his first fitness test in 6 months and joined the assembled starters. Dave and I recorded 70%+ age-gradings and top 3 finishes. Matron was delighted. Jim Wright and Steve Mitchinson volunteered. Elsewhere, I've just read Gail's report on the Striders trip to Blyth Links. Well done again to Steve Dickson on his all-course PB. Leanne Warters got a new PB at Albert. Kris Allen and Glenn Cooper achieved 70%+ a-g's at Rothwell. Beth Dang (new PB and 2nd lady home) and Dan Meucci continued their Toronto adventure at Downsview. Michael Meggs was 3rd home at Hartlepool as was Gareth Maloney at Flatts Lane. Emily…

Parkrunners were greeted with another chilly and grey day at Wynyard. Gail Robinson and Kirsty Alderthay volunteered. Elsewhere, 32 Striders attended Albert Park where Caroline Horton achieved a 70%+ age-grading. Spurred on by Everton's recent form, Kris Allen bagged a new PB and 70%+ a-g at Riverside. Tourism award this week goes to Beth Dang (new PB and 2nd lady home) and Danielle Meucci at Downsview (Toronto). Striders too at Stewart, Hartlepool, Flatts Lane, Whinlatter Forest, Northallerton, Marshall Drive and Midenhall Hub. After finishing at Wynyard I drove see my dear friend, veteran Strider Dave Fender, in Yarm. On entering the facility I could hear soft music emanating from Dave's room. A compilation album from Dave's 'exceptionally' easy listening collection was playing. (The Carpenters, Johnny Mathis, Roger Whittaker, Dave Brubeck,…

It was cold and murky as parkrunners mingled around the start at Wynyard. Loud bangs from the nearby farmers field didn't help the mood. Flo lightened up proceedings by appearing in a colourful jacket - and Steve Mitchinson celebrated his 350th event. Graham Barker got a new PB. Gareth Maloney and YouTube parkrun guru Grant Mcgrath volunteered. Elsewhere, Mark Dickinson did his 200th parkrun at Stewart and Charlotte Morgan reached number 50 at Fountains Abbey. Sarah Cotton bagged a new PB at Town Moor as did Reece Mackey at Darlington. David Murphy had a run at Castlehaven (Co Cork). Striders too at Albert, Highbury Fields, Cannon Hill, Gateshead, Roundhay, Sedgefield, Redcar, Hartlepool and Herrington Country. Sunday saw the 4th cross-country event of the season at Whitby. A small band of…

It was cool with light winds at Wynyard this week. Matt Kirby bagged a new PB and I was 3rd home. Kirsty Alderthay, Glenn Cooper and Andy Laverick volunteered. If you get a chance, check out Grant Mcgrath's 'Endorphin Empire' YouTube channel. Grant filmed his latest parkrun at the beautiful beach setting of Big Bay in Cape Town. (There's another excellent video of Striders at the recent Brass Monkey Half Marathon on the channel). Back in Dear Old Blighty, Steve Dickson got a new PB at Riverside as did Mark Horton at Millfield. Sharon Lawson-Green achieved a 70%+ age-grading at Albert as did Michael Meggs at Hartlepool. Michelle Ince was 2nd lady home at Cotsford Fields and Emily Green was 3rd lady home at Flatts Lane. Striders too at Edinburgh,…

There was good and bad news this week. The bad news was Wynyard got cancelled and veteran Strider Dave Fender failed his pre-parkrun fitness test for the 24th consecutive week. The good news was 16 Striders travelled to Gateshead - 11 of whom were first-timers at the venue. Dara Mavi celebrated his 100th parkrun. Michelle Ince and Pam Steadman got new PB's. Alan King achieved a 70%+ age-grading. Elsewhere, Francesco Brito recorded a new PB at Hartlepool. Kevin Dove PB'd and Rachel Kate was 3rd lady home at Sedgefield. Izzy Morgan got a new PB and Emma Fleming (70%+) was 3rd lady home at Cannon Hill. Tom Murphy was 1st finisher at Herrington Country. Glenn Cooper (70%+) was 2nd home at East Park (Wolverhampton). 19 members attended Albert where Caroline…

It was a chilly weekend for our parkrunners and Brass Monkey participants. Dinah Owen, Sarah Cotton and Sarah Griffiths bagged new PB's at Wynyard. Dinah's effort all the more impressive as she told me afterwards that the field had already set off by the time she arrived! I was 1st finisher. Grant Mcgrath and Kirsty Alderthay volunteered. Elsewhere, Michael Meggs completed his 150th parkrun at Hartlepool. Lee got a new PB and Glenn Cooper a 70%+ age-grading at Albert. Emma Fleming was 1st lady home at Oakwell Hall and Beth Dang was 2nd lady home at Carlisle Park (Morpeth). Striders too at Sedgefield, Redcar, Riverside, Stewart, Hackworth, Flatts Lane, Frickley Country, Millfield, Jubilee and Thorp Perrow. Sunday saw the first big race of the year with the Brass Monkey Half…