Running Away – Rainow

By Pete Fotheringham

It’s the second Tuesday of the month, around 7pm, the clocks have gone forward, so it must be time for an away run. Twenty-odd Striders are hanging around in the car park of the Robin Hood in Rainow, wondering whether to put on that extra layer, because there is a bit of a nip in that wind.

Yoga Paul might have something to say about this

On the dot of 7:15, we set off. A bit of downhill to start with, through the village, and down the fields to the brook below Kerridge Hill. The haul uphill to the ridge was steep enough to walk wth a clear conscience, unless you are going to be challenging for the club championships, in which case it was an opportunity for hill sprints. The ridge itself was very runnable, up to the trig point for the obligatory nearly-yoga photo, then some lovely downhill back to the Macc road at Kerridge End. ...  continue reading

The English Championships

By Chris Bowen

Yesterday, I ran the Stretton Hills race which was the first race in this year’s English Championship. That’s not why I ran it. Dave was planning to race, we had a day out receeing it a couple of weeks ago and as there were still places left last week, I thought I may as well do it. 

On the final climb – I’m not sure if I’m actually making progress!

The English Championship is organised by the FRA every year. There are six races to choose from: two short, two medium and two long. Your best four count but you have to do one of each length. The first 20 runners in each 5-year age category gain points for the championship table (the first 10 in the categories with fewer runners). You have to run as your first claim club and you have to be a member of the FRA or affiliated to English Athletics. There are also team championships so there is an opportunity to gain points for your club as well as for yourself. ...  continue reading

Goyt Valley Striders’ Championship

by Chris Bowen

I took over as Fixtures Secretary in the Autumn of 2018, initially on a temporary basis. Thanks go to Alex Elsworth for his hard work in this role for several years. At the AGM on 2nd February, 2019, I was formally elected to the role.

2018 Main Championship

Alex chose an interesting selection of races for the 2018 Championship. As had become the norm in recent years, there were six road races, six trail races and six fell races. For each of these different terrains there were two short (less than 10k), two medium (10-20k), and two long (over 20k) races*. To complete the championship you have to do one race of each terrain and one of each distance, so in theory you could do one short fell, one medium trail and one long road. This would earn you a qualifying set of races and a T-shirt. Your points from the best 8 races count so, to have a chance of winning a prize, you really need to do at least 8 races. ...  continue reading

Sally’s report to the 2019 AGM

Welcome to the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

As you can see, the start of the evening is the reports from the secretary collective – I’ll give a general overview, Chris, acting fixtures secretary, will report on the championship, Kevin, membership secretary will give an update on membership and Brian, treasurer will present the club accounts.

We will then have the election of officers, the presentations, then something to eat and finally the legendary quiz.

Committee

I would first of all again like to thank the committee for their commitment and efforts through this year. The committee keep things happening behind scenes, and I hope when it comes to the election of officers, others consider getting involved as new ideas and energy are always welcome. Even if you don’t sign up, remember you are always welcome to come along to the meetings. ...  continue reading

Terry’s Race – 4th November 2018

 by Chris Bowen

Deciding on the date for this year’s Terry’s Race was problematic, what with the GVS Anniversary Race, the British Relays, and the Cross Country fixtures to be avoided. The only option was 4th November but then we discovered that there were two organised running events in the Goyt Valley in the morning. Faced with the thought of over 400 people on the paths in OUR valley we chose to hold Terry’s Race in the afternoon this year.

For anyone who doesn’t know, Terry’s Race is held each year in memory of Terry Lardner. Terry ran with the club until he became ill and sadly died from cancer some years ago now. The race goes past Terry’s tree, a rowan planted in his memory. The Race Winner is awarded the The Terry Lardner Memorial Trophy at the AGM each year. Runners are set off at intervals and you guess your own time before you set off. The person nearest their time is the winner. No watches are allowed! This gives everyone an equal chance to win. ...  continue reading