News 2011

Wilmot Wander Sunday 30th January

Last Sunday saw the 19th WILMOT WANDER

The event is organised by leaders by the 27th Derby (Chaddesden) Scout Group.

The Wilmot Wander is a 32 mile (58km) open event for both competitive walkers and fell runners,including individuals and groups/clubs.

The route circles Derby and includes strenuous hilly sections, field paths, parkland and canal tow paths. Starting at the Chaddesden Scout  hut on Meadow Lane it heads out to Locko Park, Breadsall, Little Eaton, Duffield, Quarndon, Allestree, Vicarwood, Mackworth Village, Mickleover, Radbourne, Burnaston, Findern, Swarkestone, Alvaston Park & finally over Pride Park to finish back at the Scout hut.

Around 145 competitors took part & Shelton Striders entered 3 teams. The A mens team made up of Stephen Hawkins, Shaun Cooper & Marcel Darling (Marcel having never ran more than 20 miles before the day) finished 2nd in a time of 4 hours 47mins!

The mens B team finished in a time of 5 hours 18 minutes beating their time of last year by 2 minutes. The B team included brothers John & Dave Thornton, Harry Sloane & Andy Brooks.

The only ladies team from Shelton Striders smashed their previous records by over an hour & half finishing in 5 hours 32 minutes. Carolyn Hopkinson, Catherine Clifford & Judith Marriott made up the team along with Gill Watson. Gill however, struggling with a couple of ailments on the day finished the event in 7 hours 10 minutes.

The Beast – Sunday 27 February

Two of our club took part in something called The Beast last weekend at Aylesford Equine X Country Course, Aylesford Farm, Shoby, Melton Mowbray. 

The Beast is a Double or Quit trail race of approximately 5 or 10 miles. The course includes steep hills, water, mud, 32 obstacles usually tackled by animals of a 4 legged variety, hills, a couple of surprises, oh and did we mention water. 

Both Darren Bradley & Rob Donald chose to take part in the 10 mile option. Rob came 5th overall in a time of 1hr 8mins 24secs. Darren completed in 1hr 31mins 50secs, knocking nearly 10 mins off last years time!

National Cross Country Championships – Saturday 19 February

Seven striders made the trip to Alton Towers for an unforgettable experience. The main theme park rides had been specially opened for this event but that was not what made this trip memorable…it was the mud!

We were already expecting it to be a bit muddy due to the rain overnight and all morning, but while queuing up for the car park there seemed to be lots of people who were literally covered in mud. So we parked the car and made our way apprehensively to the course. I was the first to set off into the mud, and couldn’t believe how deep it was (my shoes were completely covered) and it was difficult to maintain your balance particularly while trying to weave around other people. Eventually I made it to my destination and then made the slow return to the others. OK, so now we had our numbers and timing chips we could get ready for the race. 

The first race of the day was at 11am and our race (Senior Men) was the 10th and last race so we were anticipating a pretty churned up course. Our spirits were raised slightly (I think) when they announced that the race length was being reduced from 12K to 10K, so now only 6 and a bit miles to negotiate. The start line was the widest I had seen and we were on the far left. This meant the start looked just like a battle charge with 1300 or so people streaming down the course. It turned out that the first 200 metres were the best conditions on the course and we were soon literally ploughing through ankle deep mud. 

Every so often the deep mud relented and we were able to recover slightly ready for the next bog which was never far away. In sections of the course small lakes had formed and we then found ourselves wading through water that must have been a foot deep.

The course consisted of 2 x 2K laps followed by 2 x 3K laps. It was undulating ground but with only 2 real hills, one was a good climb but the ground was fairly good relatively, the other was only half as high but had just turned to a boggy mess and was difficult to get a foot hold. As we progressed there seemed to be lots of runners dropping out with injuries but luckily all seven Striders escaped this fate. 

Eventually the finish line was in sight, just one more small lake to cross and although the pace increased slightly everyone around me was too tired for a sprint finish, there was just a grim determination to reach the line rather than to race your nearest competitor. 

The winner (Steve Vernon from Stockport Harriers) finished in an amazing time of 35 mins 11 secs and overall there were 1302 finishers. It wasn’t the best race any of us will run, but our day mixing with the top national cross country runners was one we certainly won’t forget. 

Striders Results: 

Pos   Time     Name

472   00:47:07 Shaun Cooper         
647   00:49:43 Sam Pearch           
702   00:50:34 Robert Donald        
744   00:51:19 Stephen Hawkins      
878   00:53:42 Alex Buckley         
975   00:56:06 Gary Cooper          
1101  00:59:53 Kevin Milwain

Pilgrim Challenge – Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th February
Two of our intrepid Striders took themselves off to take part in the Pilgrim Challenge multi stage Ultra Marathon along the North Downs Way in Surrey. The 2 day Ultra marathon was over a distance of 66 miles, 33 each day.Andrew Powell finished a brilliant 33rd out of 150 starters in 12 1/2 hours. Only 111 completed both days.Emily Powell, Andy’s wife, decided that the 33 miles on the first day was enough for the weekend finishing in 9 hours, but drove around the course on the second day to give Andrew much needed support.Brilliant effort all round.

Charnwood Hills Fell Race – Sunday 6th February
9 Shelton Striders part in this 14 mile challenging hill race with over 1200ft of climb!  3 of the Striders (Marcel Darling, Carolyn Hopkinson & Judith Marriott) had competed in the 32 mile Wilmot Wander the previous weekend but this did not stop them from giving this race their best shot.

Over 420 runners competed in this event which takes the competitors through the scenic Bradgate Park & having to battle with the extreme head & cross winds.

1st back for the club was Marcel Darling in 1.50.32 in 89th place.
Andy Dolman was seconds behind in 1.50.50 & 93rd place.
1st lady back for the club & 1st V45 overall was Judith Marriott in 2.10.20
Carolyn Hopkinson was close behind in 2.13.49
Darren Bradley 2.17.56
Alan Barber 2.22.26
Dave Keegan 2.24.04
Paul Webster 2.32.32
Steve Oliver 2.45.20

Dave Nunn’s 5K, 10K, 15K and 20K – Wednesday 30th March
20k results 2011

Grindleford Gallop – Saturday 12th March
3 Shelton Striders took part in the run event of the Grindleford Gallop.  This 21 mile off road race takes runners over a variety of terrain and through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Peak District. Climbing 3,000 feet in total the race starts & finishes at  the Grindleford Pavillion then goes via Froggatt village, Eyam, Great Longstone, Hassop, Chatsworth, Edensor village, Baslow, Curbar Gap and FroggattEdges.

Gary Cooper was the 1st Shelton Strider  back in 37th place & in a time of 3.03.03
Jez Smith was next in finishing 4.16.05
Rachel Smith was Striders only lady competing in this event & completed it in a time of 4.17.08

Ashby 20 – Sunday 13th March

27 Shelton Striders ran the Ashby 20 which meant the club had the most representation out of any other clubs competing that day.

A large number of these club members smashed their personal bests on this 2 x 10 mile road race around the countryside of Leicestershire including the villages of Packington, Swepstone & Heather.

1st back for the club in his first ever 20 mile event was Sam Pearch, finishing 18th overall & in a time of 2.03.03
Steve Hawkins 2.05.56 (pb by 7 mins)
Steve Pezzutti 2.15.15 (pb by 15 mins)
These first three also meant Shelton Striders finished 3rd in the men’s team event

Marcel Darling 2.16.49 (pb by 8 mins)
Dave Thornton 2.16.50 (3rd vet male 50)
Matt West 2.20.18 (pb by 8 mins)
Patrick Munro 2:22:50
Andy Brooks 2.24.16
James Cunningham 2.30.54
Harry Sloan 2.32.10 (1st vet 60)
John Thornton 2:36:09 (3rd vet 60)
Adam Leighton 2:36:12
Shaun Cooper 2:36:19
Alex Buckley 2:36:19
Chris Sexton 2:48:03
Kev Milwain 2:53:37
Dave Keegan 2:58:11
Paul Webster 3:05:46
Lee Meakin 3:37:51 – 1st 20 mile race

The men also finished 10th & 21st in the team event

Judith Marriott was 1st lady back for the club in a time of 2.45.35 (pb by 25 mins)
Catherine Clifford close behind in a time of 2.46.00
Louise Surgay 3.01.37
These ladies finished 11th in the ladies team event.

Chris Purslow 3.15.21
Claire Hirons 3.17.22 (pb by 20 mins)
Chris Donald 3.37.51 – 1st 20 mile race
Alison Nunn 3.37.51 (pb 13 mins)
Tracy Craddock 3:39:55

Belvoir Challenge – Saturday 5th March
Two of our ladies took part in the 15 mile & the 26 mile off road challenge around the beautiful countryside of the vale of Belvoir in North Leicestershire.  The challenge came in the form of mud, the majority of both routes consisted of muddy fields & trails.

Despite this Sandra Butcher completed the 15 mile route in a respectable time of 3 hours 16 mins, whilst Judith Marriott chose the 26 mile route & finished 9th lady overall in a time of 4 hours 44 mins.

Weston 5 – Sunday 6th March
40 Shelton Striders took part in the local 5 mile road race & 2 mile fun run around the villages of Weston & Aston on Trent.  Around 300 runners took part in both these events which saw Shelton Striders win the Team prize (Sam Pearch, Stephen Hawkins, Marcel Darling & Dave Thornton made up the winning team).

1st Strider back for the club & 6th overall was Sam Pearch in a time of 28.43
Stephen Hawkins was next back in 13th place & finished 2nd male vet 40 in 29.28
Marcel Darling was 15th place, 4th male vet 40 in 30.28
Dave Thornton was 2nd male vet 50 in 31.46
Harry Sloane was 1st male vet 60 returning from a long time off with injury in time of 35.09
Graham Barrett was 1st male vet 70 in 41.07

1st lady Strider back was Wendy Wheawell who was also 3rd female vet 35 in a time of 38.04
Kelly Craven 38.40
Carolyn Dyall 39.42
Silke Kreiger-Ford 39.46
Alison Pickering 40.25
Gloria Jervis was 2nd female vet 55 in a time of 46.51, again another Strider returning after a long time off with injury.

The 2 mile fun run saw 10 Junior Striders taking part:
1st back was James Realey finishing 10th overall in a time of 15.44
Thomas Boyd 17.15
Jordan Lewis 17.45
Jay Ho 18.37
Jade Lewis 20.00
Tai-Anne Ho 20.18

London Marathon – Sunday 17 April
Shelton Striders had 12 runners taking part in the London Marathon at the weekend.
Three of the club runners did particularly well out of the 35,000 competitors.

Sam Pearch came 181st overall/141st in his senior age category in a time of 2.41.36 (4 minutes quicker than he had predicted).

Steve Hawkins was next in, finishing 363rd overall/69th in his vet 40 age category – 2.47.02

Patrick Munro – 2.59.50
Roger Booth – 3rd place in his vet 60 age category 3.05.09
James Cunningham – 3.25.07
Alex Buckley – 3.36.55
Catherine Clifford – 1st lady Shelton Strider – 3.53.24
Gavin Fletcher – 4.11.29
Kevin Milwain – 4.19.20
Claire Hirons – 5.00.22
Alison Nunn – 5.14.45
Tracy Craddock – 5.46.52

Ten of these Striders were on the club trip to London and special thanks must be made to Roger Booth for again organizing this trip.

Kinder Downfall – Sunday 10 April
This last weekend saw 7 Shelton Striders venture up into the High Peaks of Derbyshire for the Kinder Downfall.

This was the 30th anniversary of the race and over 300 runners took part with the race full well before race day. Classed as a medium fell race of 9.6 miles with a climb of almost 2,000 feet. The race starts in the village centre with an immediate climb up towards the Shooting Cabin before descending down to Williams Clough, the route then heads up to Kinder Downfall before descending to Edale Cross & back towards Hayfield.

Despite the extreme heat on this sunny April Sunday there was plenty to smile about for the Striders team.

Marcel Darling came back for a 2nd time & finished 36th overall in a time of 1.24.03
Shaun Cooper was next in despite falling over & did an amazing time of 1.30.17
Carolyn Hopkinson came 2nd Female v45 & managed to run a fantastic time even though she’d competed in the Four Inns a slightly longer distance of 45 miles 7 days before. Carolyn finished the race in 1.45.27
Darren Bradley was on top form having never competed in fell race quite as tough as this one finished 3 minutes behind Carolyn in 1.48.43.
Judith Marriott finished in 1.50.03
Paul Webster 2.03.43
Amanda Lewis, another novice to this type of fell running finished in a respectable 2.17.29.

Brighton Marathon – Sunday 10th April
Chris Purslow was the only Shelton Strider to take part in the Brighton Marathon.
Chris suffered a lot with the miles but still completed it in 4 hours 41 minutes & is already planning her next marathon!

Derby 10K – Sunday 3rd April
Around 50 Shelton Striders competed in the Derby 10k, with many of them achieving personal best times.

First back for the club was Shaun Cooper finishing in 12th place in 35.29
Second in was Sam Pearch 35.33

Followed by:
James Walker in 36.36
Stephen Pezzutti 37.25

First lady back for the club was Pascale Holden in 44.16
Second lady was Liz Kitchen in a time of 47.35.

The Four Inns – Saturday 2nd April
The Four Inns Walk is a tough competitive run/walk in the Peak District, approximately 65km (40 miles) long, over some of the roughest moorland in Britain. The event takes its name from the four inns along its route – The Isle Of Skye (site of), Snake Pass Inn, Nags Head and Cat & Fiddle.

It starts at Holmbridge then goes onto Black Hill, Bleaklow, Kinder Scout, Edale, Chapel-en-le Frith, Cat & Fiddle before finishing at Buxton Community School.

The Event is organised by the Four Inns Committee on behalf of the Derbyshire County Scout Council.

Two lady Striders – Carolyn Lee & Judith Marriott made up a team of three with Marian Keeling – a hardened veteran to this event to win the ladies team trophy. They completed the event in 9 hours 56 mins, beating the 2nd placed team by around 35 minutes.

Burton 10 – Sunday 29th May

The Dales TV Program  – Monday 23rd May ITV 
The program this week had an article from the venue of last years Club Trip to Burnsall Fell Race, and quite a few Striders were on the tv, Mandy, Alison N, Steve O, Chris Donald, Paul W, Roger,Marcel, Fiona? Jordan L, Stev O again! Chris and Carolyn, Steve O again! Marcel, Sean, Mandy and Darren, Sandra + a few more I could not identify.

Fame at last

Shakespeare Marathon – Sunday 8 May
10 Striders took part in this popular marathon route around the picturesque countryside of Stratford upon Avon

Stephen Hawkins was 1st back for the club in 8th place overall in an impressive time of 2.51.05
Dave Thornton – 3.05.26
Matt West – 3.08.34
Roger Booth – 3.09.51
Shaun Cooper – 3.12.32
Stephen Pezzutti – 3.13.45
John Thornton – 3.26.17
Ian Crompton – 3.35.16
Chris Sexton – 3.57.56
Lee Meakin – 4.46.53

Uttoxeter Half – Sunday 1st May
A hot and very windy day saw 11 striders taking part in the Uttoxeter Half. The race starts from Uttoxeter race course and takes place mainly on quiet country lanes. It is an undulating course with a couple of good hills, the second of which lasts for most of miles 11 and 12 before the relief of a downhill last mile back to the race course.

James Walker           1:28:41
Ian Crompton          1:40:05
Pascale Holden         1:42:34 (PB)
Kev Milwain             1:44:03
Moira Birch              1:50:02
Dave Keegan           1:50:13
Cathy Clifford           1:52:38
Wendy Wheawall     1:54:16
Silke Krieger-Ford      2:00:43
Carolyn Dyall             2:05:09

Shaun Cooper          2:05:10

Shaun Cooper was first back for the club, gaining a prize for his excellent 3rd place finish. Pascale Holden was the first lady strider with another very good run and PB, Amanda Lewis also achieved a PB and James Realey ran well in what I believe was his first 10K race

7 Striders competed for their trout at the 9k/1000ft fell race. In what was generally agreed an “enjoyable” course, Shaun Cooper was our first home in 15th place in 45.30, followed in by Darren Bradley 103rd in 55.08, Judith Marriott in 59.43 in 153rd overall, Chris Hopkinson 59.51, Alan Barber 65.30, Sandra Butcher 67.48 and Mandy Lewis in 75.57. The course was a new route based from the Wincle Fete on top of a hill!, after a steep down hill near the start to the river crossing, the route followed the river before climbing through the woods to open ground, after another fast descent, it was the long steady climb back to the finishing field.

Thunder 24 Hour Relay Race – 30th/31st July 

James Realey was the first junior in 54.16

Derby Runner XC 15th Jan – Grace Dieu school
We need as many runners as possible to turn out for the club for the next race XC race and for final event at Bosworth Country Park – 19th Feb. If you haven’t seen the current standings then the men’s team are currently in a good position to challenge for promotion to the A-league.

The men’s team is currently second in the table of the B-league on 51 points with Leicester Tri just 2 points ahead, where I believe only one team goes up and one comes down.

If we can field a team similar to what we did at Foremark plus Hawkins then we should be in a good position to challenge for promotion to the A-league. But we still need as many runners as possible to turn out for the team.

Queens Head 5K – Tuesday 27 December
This annual event saw nearly 170 runners take part in this 3 mile road race in Belper, an undulating out & back course.

First back for the Shelton Striders club was Neil Hancock, 38th place in 19.58 a personal best.
Luke Stevenson, ran a fantastic race, again another personal best in 20.14.
Wayne Moore was next in 22.50
Judith Marriott  completed the line up in 25.30
Furnace Inn Fun Run – Monday 26 December
Shelton Striders organised the Furnace Inn fun run on Boxing Day & we had nearly 180 runners take part in this 3 mile run around Darley Park. The winner’s time was 15.30.
Keyworth Turkey Trot – Sunday 11 December
Shelton Striders had 12 runners take part in the famous Keyworth Turkey Trot. This winter half marathon is a single circuit, all on road, starting and finishing in the village of Keyworth passing through the undulating (up and down!) rural scenery and villages of the South Nottinghamshire Wolds. The course is considered to be both challenging and rewarding, and being a little hilly, is well suited for that winter training!

Neil Hancock was the 1st Strider back in an excellent time of 1.31.22
Paul Brunt – well in form at the moment was next in – 1.37.16
Pascale Holden – 1st lady Strider back & finishing the year off as top lady Strider- 1.39.14
Elliott Davis 1.41.59
Moira Birch 1.44.39
Catherine Clifford 1.45.38
Dave Keegan 1.48.52
Kelly Craven 1.54.37
Darren Bradley 1.56.46
Steve Wells 2.00.48
Christine Donald 2.03.25
Amanda Lewis 2.21.25

Roaches Christmas Cracker 18th December
The final Headbanger of the year, all get the same 50 points for finishing the race, it will be either 5 or 8 miles dependant on the weather. As in previous years this is fancy dress, no theme so choose your costume.

This event will also decide the final finishing places for the mens short league, its between Darren, Rob and Steve H, the ladies long, between Carolyn H and Judith, and the ladies short 3rd place could be either Chris Donald or Carolyn Dyall, so still points to play for.

Headbangers 2012 will start with the Hollybush Fell Race at Mackney on the 1st Jan, it has been confirmed it’s on again this year, arrive sometime after 11am for an 11.40ish start, its only 2 miles and you can get food and beer afterward.

Foremark Cross Country XC03 – Sunday 20 November 
We had a large entry take part  in the Foremark round of the Derby Runner Cross Country League with James Walker being our lead runner finishing in 5th place – excellent run by him having completed his first ever fell race the week before over at The Roaches.

Luke Stevenson finished an impressive 3rd overall in his junior race.

xc3 results                   xc3 tables
Heanor 10K Xmas Pud Run – Sunday 20 November
5 Shelton Striders took part in this popular annual road run of 6 miles around the outskirts of Heanor and Shipley Park.

The Roaches – Sunday 13 November
One of the toughest fell races in the national fell race calendar let alone local calendar!
Only the fittest/bravest/insane from the club took part in this event which takes runners over 15 miles of the intense terrain of The Roaches, near Leek. The weather, as always, at this time of year for this race was misty & strong winds made the event the usual tough challenge it has become known for.  The muddy & boggy fields complete with river crossing and 3700ft of climbing did not deter Shaun Cooper, who being the in form runner of the club this year, managed to get a personal best in this event finishing 12th in his Senior class & 16th overall in a time of 2.24.20
Steve Hawkins was a few minutes behind in 2.31.32 & 7th in his male vet 40 category
Marcel Darling 10th in  his male vet 40 category, finishing in 2.35.00
James Walker, in his first ever fell race finished in 2.48.33
Alex Buckley 3.08.41
Wayne Stevenson 3.43.35
Legit Round Lathkil – Sunday 13 November
A more sedate off road run around Lathkil Dale tempted a few more of the hardy Shelton Striders to run this 7.1 mile event with a mere 950ft of climbing.  No times but first back for the club, again in fine form was Rob Donald.  New member David, Wayne Moore close behind, Paul Webster (well done to him after only just completing the Snowdonia marathon the weekend before), Judith Marriott was next with Sandra Butcher close behind, Chris Donald, finally Steve Oliver bravely running with a mild hangover : -) all raising money for Children in Need.
High Peak Relay – Sunday 13 November
8 Shelton Striders made up a team to take part in this year’s High Peak Relay event, all off-road. It’s an out and back relay along the High Peak Trail in Derbyshire, starting and finishing in the village of Cromford.  All stages are run as a RACE – when the winner of one stage finishes, all runners are set off on the next one. Stages vary in length with the total distance of 28.48 miles. Each team member runs one leg of the total distance ranging from 2.46 miles to 5.47 miles.
Shelton Striders finished 28th overall out of 38 teams.
Additional Cross Country Race
Entries are now open for the Derbyshire Cross Country Championships to be held at Markeaton Park on Saturday 7 January 2012. Entries have to be in before Friday 9 December and an entry form can be downloaded from the Derbyshire County Athletics website click here.