Harrogate parkrun takeover
The weekend started with the Striders takeover of Harrogate parkrun. Friday’s snow had left a rather soggy Stray for event #219 but that didn’t stop a huge turnout of volunteers from the club turning up to ensure the 212 parkrunners in attendance all started their weekends in the best possible way!
Despite the constant dodging of puddles and crocuses, a super 25 PB’s were recorded, with 23 first timers, including 5 Striders who were completing their first 5km event as a ‘graduation’ from our Zero to Hero group.
The first 3 Striders down the finish funnel were all volunteer pacers – Martin Brock (no time as he forgot his barcode!), Graham Yare (23:51 against a pace of 24:00) and Julian Carr (25:00 against a pace of 25:00 – 10/10 Julian for pacing it spot on!). New member Jonny Chadwick was next, completing his first ever parkrun in a time of 26:16. Pamela Singleton was our next pacer, finishing in 27:12, and she was followed by the first of our Zero to Hero graduates - Joanna Simpson and Helen Appleyard. They both stopped the clock on 30:58 and had big smiles on their faces when they crossed the line! Rosie Crawford finished in 31:03, with Irena George and Fyn Lees (both Z2H) crossing the line together to finish with a time of 32:56. Lara Woodall was the next Strider back, completing her 4th parkrun in 33:19. Shona Jefferson, the 5th of our Z2H graduates at the event, sprinted up the finish line to finish in a super 39:23. Anne Cooley 39:24, who has coached our Z2H groups for the last two years, was a second behind (39:24) and our volunteer tail runner was Ian Mitchell (46:11). A huge WELL DONE to all of our Z2H group who took on the parkrun challenge and a massive THANKS to all the Striders who volunteered for the event – let’s try and pick a warmer and dryer day next time!
Guy Close visited the York parkrun, completing the fast and flat course in 19:35.
Lightwater Valley 10k
Shortly after the parkrun, 10 Striders made their way to Lightwater Valley theme park (near Ripon) to take on the annual 10k. The event takes runners on a multi terrain and undulating course, with the last 3km ran through the theme park. James Wright was first Strider across the line (42:59) with Liam Kennedy following with a time of 49:53. Gemma Harding was the first Striders Lady back, completing the course in 55:36. Andrea Price finished in 58:22, just over a minute ahead of the ever improving Mark Shelton (59:43). The next three Striders were tightly bunched – with just 31 seconds splitting them all! Natalie Hale had a sprint battle with another runner up the last 50 metres to stop the clock on 01:02:07. Edna Wood, completing her first ever 10k event, was not far behind with a time of 01:02:15 and she was followed by the prolific eventer Dawn Richardson (01:02:38). Bill Kirkpatrick passed four runners with a sprint up the last 100m (it was like a scene from an Olympic final!) to finish in 01:04.54. Emma Greveson, completing her first 10k event, was cheered over the line by all the other Striders to finish with a superb time of 01:14:19.
If you participated in an event and we have missed your results, please let us know so we can publish the results.