18 Striders took part in the Escape from Meriden, which started at 23:59hrs on Friday 17th November; Andy Brooks as a competitor and 17, in true Strider style, providing invaluable support, along with other friends from the running community.
The format of the race is that prisoners (runners) are released from the cross, which marks the centre of England, in Meriden near Coventry. They then escape as far away as possible – as the crow flies – within 24 hours. The direction and route choice is entirely up to them, and no support is provided by the organiser.
By 23:59 on Saturday night Andy found himself 83.5 miles away in Bolton, having run 104 miles and climbed 6,379 feet in the process. This placed him 9th in the race and, having chosen to run through the Peak District, 2nd in the ‘King of the Hill’ competition.
His efforts were aided and abetted by the brilliant efforts of Andy Holden and Adam White, who manned the support car, and a host of pacers who accompanied him around the clock:
Paul Webster: Maxstoke to Whittington
Adam White: Whittington to Alrewas
Neil Rigby: Alrewas to Rough Hay
Adam White: Rough Hay to Tutbury
Amaris Nerys: Tutbury to Ashbourne
Jayne. Freddie and Arthur Foulkes: Ashbourne to Thorpe
Liz Phillips, Julie Corby, Dave Thornton and Harry Sloan: Ashbourne to Parsley Hay
Steve Cartwright and Pascale Holden: Parsley Hay to Buxton
Rachel Farrow: Buxton to Whitehall
Ian Jones and Ian Patheyjohns: Buxton to Manchester
Tracy Sexton and Helen Treece: Manchester to Bradley Fold, Bolton
Very many thanks to all the support crew/pacers and those who provided electronic encouragement along the way.
Andy Brooks