Author: Liz Simpson

467 runners at the barrage made it a record attendance - and a figure which included 52 Striders. Sarah Winter completed her 100th parkrun and there were new pb's for Chris Newton and Tristan Keates. Helen Mcilvenny and Kay Stokes were second and third ladies home. Kay also recorded a new pb and an impressive age grading of 84.96 - moving her up to 7th on the barrage all-time age graded league. Great stuff. Aaron A, Suzanne B, Beth D, Sarah G, Beverley H, Gareth M, Gail R and Claire T helped with volunteering. Dave Fender failed his fitness test and didn't run. Elsewhere John Corvesor got a pb at Albert Park where Emily Palmer was third female finisher. Fiona Shaw at Durham, James Heslop at Sedgefield and Mike Cleasby…

41 Striders at the barrage last Saturday. Darren Mitchell recorded a new pb and Helen Mcilvenny was first lady finisher. Lee B, Angela C, David M, Viv M and Sue R volunteered. Dave Fender was banished to the Felixstowe parkrun as part of his rehabilitation. Matron was present to ensure he dressed appropriately. Elsewhere Emily Palmer and Beth Dang were second and third finishers for the ladies at Albert Park. Beth also getting a new pb. Simon Russell was first home at The Grange. Jamie Bentley got a new pb at Albert on Christmas Day. A feat he repeated at Sedgefield on New Year's Day. There was another second place for Emily at Albert on New Year's Day - with Tom Day notching a pb at Sedgefield. Michelle Ince and…

Parkrunners at the barrage were treated to the most extraordinary spectacle on Saturday. My dear friend Dave Fender turned up completely naked - except that is for his running shoes, a Santa hat and a Striders scarf around his neck. I know what you're thinking - do Striders actually sell a club scarf? On spotting the under-dressed Strider, Harley, normally so excitable and full of life, became very quiet. He's hardly touched his food since. Anyway, I digress - back to the run. A quick glance at the results may have hinted at a tussle between Dave and Tom Day at the front of the field. However, I'm reliably informed that it was a young lad called Hassan who was setting the early pace. Unfortunately Hassan took a wrong turning…

There were 34 Striders present at the barrage on Saturday - with Andi Gray making his parkrun debut. First of many I hope Andi. Tristan Keates, James Heslop and Kay Martin recorded new pb's. Sarah Winter was second female finisher. Karen C, Julia C, Helen J, Gareth M, Gail R and Ben R all volunteered. Dave Fender failed his fitness test and didn't run. Elsewhere Peter Camp got a new pb at Sedgefield. At Flatts Lane it was a good day for the Oxley's. Christian led the field home and recorded a new pb in the process. That's two first places for Christian this year. Splendid! Tara was third female finisher. We also had runners at Albert, Stewart, Armley (Leeds), Jesmond Dene and Jubilee. Paul J

It was back to business as usual at the barrage on Saturday - with no fewer than 43 Striders enjoying some decent weather. David Edwards celebrated his 200th parkrun and Gareth Maloney his 250th. Kris Allen, Darren Mitchell, Georgina King, Tony Gallilee, Mark Dickinson and Lee Buckle took full advantage of the benign conditions to run new personal bests. Future Strider Mark Day also managed a new best time. Helen Mcilvenny and Liz Simpson were first and second finishers for the ladies. Amy G, Andrew L, Angela C, Colin F and Gareth M all volunteered. Dave Fender failed his fitness test and didn't run. Elsewhere there were pb's for Jackie Bennett at Albert, Rachel Boddy at Sedgefield and the in form James Boynton at Darlington South. David Holmes had a…