SPA Striders athletes impressed across a range of races and events over the past week.
Firstly, Matt Walklett took part in the Millstone 100 and posted a sub-35 hour time to finish in 34:59:30 after he somehow managed to produce a sprint finish.
The race took in high fells and remote moorland of the Dark Park area to the north and the dramatic dales and historic villages of the White Peak area to the south and included over 5000m of ascent.
Elsewhere, Gethyn Friswell headed for the scenic forest trails and heaths of the Tribe X Maverick half in the Surrey Hills and finished in 2 hours and 11 minutes.
Fellow Strider John-Paul Hunt entered the 50-mile Snowdon Ultra which has an ascent of 2785m across the course, passing Swallow Falls to the foot of the Snowdonia Mountains, up towards Tryfana and the Snowdon Summit in the National Park.
And Hunt finished the course in a time of 12 hrs and 22 mins as the 11th male and 13th overall.
Claire Michelle Edwards took on the iconic open water swim in Lake Mere at Ellesmere, followed by a bike ride and swim in the Shropshire Triathlon.
The race is a qualifier for British Triathlon’s World Age Group competition and Edwards finished the Olympic distance in 3 hrs 20 mins (unofficial) to take a massive eight minutes off her personal best (PB) time.
Several Striders also took part in the Southam Sprint Tri as Mike Pugh managed a podium finish after coming third overall in a time of 1 hr.
And Claire Westrope was fifth lady and third in her age group in a time of 1 hr 29 mins whilst Peter Schofield entered a new category of his own as he came fourth in his age group in a time of 1 hr 19 mins.
Striders had 10 runners take part the Big 10k, famed for a picturesque route around Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and a finish line near the Bards RSC Theatre.
Steve French led the Striders home in a time of 38 mins 58 secs (third in age category and PB), followed by Mark Robbins in 44 mins 37 secs, Ben Cohen in 44 mins 56 secs, Tom Gotts in 53 mins 07 secs, Ian Davy in 57 mins 29 secs, Gary Perkins in 58 mins 24 secs, Paul Palmer in 58 mins 38 secs (PB).
And Georgie Acton led the ladies home in 59 mins 27 secs, Kathleen McCann in 1 hr 04 mins 07 secs and Natalie Jackson in 1 hr 51 mins.
Lastly, Philip Haines took part in the Wilne 10k, the course described as being flat and fast, and completed the race in 1 hr 02 mins.
