RUNNING: SPA Striders were well represented at this week’s Rugby Half-Marathon, the latest race to be incorporated into Strides’ winter series.
Despite the rolling course offering tougher than anticipated climbs, Striders performed well on the day.
Chris McKeown (1:22:50) was the first male Strider home – placing 6th overall – followed by Simon Parsons (1:30:04) in 28th.
Newcomer Simon Ludford (1:39:34), Andy Roach (1:41:39), Ben Parkinson (1:47:05) Mike Cox (1:48:02), Kevin Baskerville (1:49:53, PB), Doug Rattray (1:52:17) and Gary Perkins made up the Strider males.
Kate Gadsby (1:37:32) was the first female Strider, finishing in 8th position in the ladies’ standings. Emma Bish ran a well-deserved PB of 1:50:10. Club newcomer Monika Coleman (1:52:02) and Roz Cox (1:56:05) made up the Strider females.
Elsewhere Helene Wright was outright ladies winner, knocking 13 minutes off her time from last year, at the Holdenby Olympic-distance duathlon.
An excellent season of training and racing has been rewarded by selection to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Ibiza next year.
Clive Parpworth took on the sprint distance at the same event and finished first in his age category.
