SPA Striders were once again out in force up and down the land, in the latest weekend of action for the club’s runners.
Mel Venables took on possibly the toughest challenge out of the Striders contingent, attempting to come out on top in the 145-mile Grand Union Canal Race.
After completing 85 miles of the course, Venables pulled out after suffering knee pain, but has vowed to return next year to try and complete the race.
Over at the Ryton 5, organised by the club, captain Chris McKeown (27:54) was the first Striders representative across the line, also taking third in the MV35 Masters category, closely followed by Ian Allen (28:07), Neil Smith (29:06) and Adam Notley (29:36).
Chris Liddle (30:13), Simon Ludford (31:21), Mike Pugh (31:40) and Trevor Wilkinson (32:47) were the next four to follow from the club’s ranks, with Mairi Walker being the first female Strider to finish after a time of 33:12.
Michelle Hutton (33:51) was the second-fastest woman, and was followed by Fiona Edwards (34:07) and Laura Peake (34:11) shortly after.
Robert Egan (35:09), Lloyd Harriman (35:15), Ben Cohen (36:35), Katherine Lambeth (36:46), Sue Cox (36:50), Kate Gadsby (37:03), Anita Lennies (37:37), Ruth Tennant (40:16), Paul Harris (41:05), Sandra Stokes (42:48), Kathryn Houliston (52:57).
The Spa Striders men’s and ladies’ teams both finished second in the outright team rankings, coming just behind Kenilworth Runners.
Spa Striders men’s and ladies’ teams both finished in 2nd place in the outright team rankings behind Kenilworth Runners.
Elsewhere at the Cannock Chase Forest 10k, Claire Rawbone finished her first trail race in a time of 1:10:43, with Alison Gibbons (1:23:04) the other Strider involved.
Richard Sharman finished the Edinburgh Marathon in a brisk 3:26:36, whilst Kevin Baskerville completed the Buxton Half Marathon in 1:53:23.
Zoe England claimed a nine-minute personal best time, during the 1:51:00 time she took to complete the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Half.
Gary Perkins also took part, and came home in a time of 2:14:38.
At the Vitality London Westminster Mile, David Chantrey crossed the line in 6:01, with Kelsey Wiberley finishing in 6:17 on her return from injury.
Jason Hemming finished in 44:49 at the Birmingham 10k, whilst Ben Parkinson came tenth, in a time of 5:19:00 at the Marlow Classic Half Iron Distance Duathlon.
