tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79647425034962784262024-03-23T11:13:49.691+01:00Costa Blanca Striders: A Running Club in MorairaFriendly and free, all abilities welcome.Laura Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11450146046864069717noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-25917720334187891802011-01-06T11:17:00.004+01:002011-01-06T12:02:27.859+01:00Benidorm Half Marathon<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TSWgTaAGzSI/AAAAAAAAARI/zPzCygnXC9w/s1600/Jeff%2Bfinish%2BBenidorm%2Bhalf%2Bmarathon%2B2010%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559025570316471586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TSWgTaAGzSI/AAAAAAAAARI/zPzCygnXC9w/s320/Jeff%2Bfinish%2BBenidorm%2Bhalf%2Bmarathon%2B2010%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a> Only the optimistic would ever expect brilliant sunshine on November 27, but surely nobody could have predicted that it would turn out to be the wettest day for months. But so it was when the running of the 27th Benidorm half marathon took place. After all the hundreds of hours it must take to arrange such a prestigious event, the organisers must have thought that the Gods were definitely not on their side when the heavens opened on race day. However, despite the cold and very damp conditions, around 2,200 doughty runners finished the race, not to mention the thousands of spectators who lined the puddle-strewn streets of the town to cheer on the hardy competitors.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>The winner of the 21.1km race, run for the first time at night, was Mohammed Bilal in the tremendous time of 1:07:25. In second and third places were Michael Ruhe (1:09:08) and Fabian Campanini (1:09:11) respectively, both of CF Puerto de Alicante. The first British runner home was James Reed, running for Altringham and District AC, who finished eighth in a time of 1:12:03. </div><br /><div>Saliha Kaldoun, a member of CA Cuevas de Nerja-Uma, was the first woman home in 1:20:35. In second and third places were two British runners, Maria Lowe (1:23:51) of Astley and Tyldesley road runners, and Istead and Ifield harriers' Claire Gaskill (1:27:06).</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TSWgqNwQeCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/tM3p2Qo-6Jk/s1600/Jim%2Bfinish%2BBenidorm%2Bhalf%2Bmarathon%2B2010%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559025962165762082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TSWgqNwQeCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/tM3p2Qo-6Jk/s320/Jim%2Bfinish%2BBenidorm%2Bhalf%2Bmarathon%2B2010%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a>There should have been three Striders taking part but, unfortunately, Tom succumbed to an injury just before the race (either that or he saw the weather forecast). However Jim and I both braved the conditions. I was very pleased with my time of 1:33:01 (nearly three minutes quicker than 2009), coming eighth (out of 79) in the Vets D category and Jim crossed the line in 1:36:21, in 13th place in the Vets C group.<br /><br /><div></div><div>It was the coldest I'd ever felt after a race but luckily there were foil blankets for everyone available and they were most welcome. However, it is quite a feat trying to take off wringing-wet clobber, put on dry clothing, hang on to your mug 'trophy', keep the blanket wrapped around you and shiver like billy-o at the same time. </div><br /><div>A special thank you to Eileen and Ron and Carol who came along to cheer us on, despite the pretty dreadful conditions. </div></div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-67284863240469348662010-12-19T14:01:00.013+01:002010-12-19T15:35:46.784+01:00Jeff's Italian trip<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4TMRhwhEI/AAAAAAAAAQk/u9o4R158qQg/s1600/JEFF%2BLAKE%2BGARDA%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552396492178752578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4TMRhwhEI/AAAAAAAAAQk/u9o4R158qQg/s320/JEFF%2BLAKE%2BGARDA%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a> For the past three or four years I have run both a spring and an Autumn marathon, and this year was no exception. My eldest son, Russell, at first suggested the Amsterdam race in October but, after objection from his wife, Maureen, who wanted to 'go somewhere a bit sunny', we settled on Lake Garda.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>The Lake Garda district of Italy is a beautiful area, very picturesque and an ideal temperature for racing at that time of year (10th October). Eileen and I decided to treat the trip as our 40th wedding anniversary 'treat' (although that is actually on 19th December). We drove there, a journey that took three days, stopping off in France and Italy. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4M5nsE6WI/AAAAAAAAAP0/jHUiRclzu-k/s1600/RUSSELL%2BLAKE%2BGARDA%255B1%255D.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4W7HDdoXI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/JOCjgUWAsHo/s1600/DSC02272%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552400595356066162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4W7HDdoXI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/JOCjgUWAsHo/s320/DSC02272%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a>We stayed in a lakeside resort called Melcesine, which is a charming place, mainly populated, it seemed, by German tourists. We had to catch the 07:00 ferry to the other side of the lake at Limone for the start of the race at 09:30. There were about 1,500 runners of all shapes and sizes taking part. I had hoped to complete my run in three and a half hours, Russell was aiming to get somewhere near his PB of 2:41.<br />I was going great guns for the first half of the race, waving to all the well wishers as we ran through all the charming little villages en route. I was well on schedule for a sub 3:30, but with about five kilometres to go all my energy just drained away from me. I had been carrying an energy gel pack with me that I had intended taking on board with about an hour's running to go, but, unfortunately, I stumbled and fell and dropped the blooming thing. Iwas also very,very thirsty, even though it wasn't a particularly hot day and I was nowhere near a drinks station. I was that parched I saw a discarded bottle of water by the side of the road, so I just picked it up and drunk the contents, which, were hopefully just water ....mind you I couldn't have cared less at the time.<br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4T_KARrYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/mhybxRlPR1o/s1600/DSC02276%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552397366332599682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TQ4T_KARrYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/mhybxRlPR1o/s320/DSC02276%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a>I could only muster a sort of walk/run from kilometre 37-41, however, I did mange to 'sprint' the final 1,000 metres, but I was feeling pretty knackered at the finish. Normally I can't eat anything after a marathon, but this time I scoffed down everything in sight and then went back for second helpings.<br />Russell came home in 12th place in an excellent time of 2:50:25. I was 313th overall (fifth in my category) in 3:34:10. We both thought that it was a tough course, as a great deal of it was downhill and there were a lot of cobblestones to negotiate as well. At first I was a tad dissapointed with my time, but later, on reflection, I thought that most blokes of my age would have been pretty pleased with the time, and it was only four minnutes outside the London Marathon good-for-age qualifying time after all....and the last finisher in my age category took 06:14:02. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-87452858716487644162010-10-16T14:05:00.007+02:002010-10-16T16:10:22.517+02:00Brian's breakthrough<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmuckVYJPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Wcx_r1LBCJw/s1600/Altea+2010+(1373).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528641823386903794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmuckVYJPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Wcx_r1LBCJw/s320/Altea+2010+(1373).JPG" /></a> Last Saturday was the sixteenth running of the 'Carrera Vila D'Altea', an 8.6km race starting in Altea, heading towards Albir and then to the surprise of a few, finishing with a punishing climb up towards Altea's old town.<br /><br /><div>It was a hot and still day, so the conditions were tough but that didn't stop a few of the striders from putting in some great performances.</div><div> </div><div>A great result for Louise put her on top of the podium in the women's vets C category, and second overall in the women's race with a superb time of 37:46. But I think the surprise of the day was Brian, showing that his recent triathlon style multisporting is paying off in a big way, by finishing ninth in his category in the fantastic time of 40:22.</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmxbQqbBuI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/fd9AuDcPQfU/s1600/Altea+2010+(1955).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645099461478114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmxbQqbBuI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/fd9AuDcPQfU/s320/Altea+2010+(1955).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Other performances were; Jon B 42:50, Don 46:10, Sole 49:22 (4th place,just narrowly missing out on the podium), Roger 50:39 and Des 54:20.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmwESUE8GI/AAAAAAAAAPI/uVOEnEkN0zQ/s1600/Altea+2010+(49).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528643605256007778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TLmwESUE8GI/AAAAAAAAAPI/uVOEnEkN0zQ/s320/Altea+2010+(49).JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>The first three places overall went to Juan Antonio Fernandez Cantos (28:54), Carlos Alegre Sanchez (29:07) and Ricardo Dura Cremades (29:13).</div><br /><br /><div>First to finish for the women was Leyre Gallardo Poveda in 37:25 then Louise (37:46) with Pilar Rodriguez Sedeno in third (37:59).</div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-54253401919348748832010-09-27T12:30:00.006+02:002010-09-27T16:43:34.887+02:00Sole steals the show<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TKClbWhbKEI/AAAAAAAAAN4/1F6iISQWdXA/s1600/La+Xara+2010+(1722).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521595032477050946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TKClbWhbKEI/AAAAAAAAAN4/1F6iISQWdXA/s320/La+Xara+2010+(1722).JPG" /></a> On Saturday a few of us were in La Xara for the town's 7km race. The course, which included two laps around the town was ideal for fast times and the striders didn't disappoint.<br /><br /><div><div><div>The big news was Sole's fantastic third place in the women's vets C category. After surgery on her meniscus in 2008 she has had to be very patient with her running, dilligently building the strength back up in her knee and running less than she would have liked at times, but Saturday was her reward and showed that she is beginning to find some of her old form again.</div><br /><br /><div>There were of course more good performances from several others. Amanda had a great race just edging out one of her newest rivals, Cachita by one second in 31:00. Paul finished in 4th place in the vets B category in a time of 25:45 which placed him 26th overall. Jon B finished well in 31:27. </div><br /><div>Rob had another good run, finishing as the first Strider in 31:58, Don ran strongly to finish in 36:21, next was Sole in 36:54 followed by Ron in 38:01, Roger in 38:55 and Carol in 39:06.<br /><br /></div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TKCtQn3oc5I/AAAAAAAAAOY/Hd_VjlYrROs/s1600/La+Xara+2010+(400).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521603644248060818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TKCtQn3oc5I/AAAAAAAAAOY/Hd_VjlYrROs/s320/La+Xara+2010+(400).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>The overall race was won convincingly by C.A Dianium's Vicent Mas Leyda in a time of 23:09 with Victor Manuel Fernandez Garcia in second (23:21) and Said Day Day third 23:50.<br /><br /><div><br />In the women's race Maxine Mckinnon finished first in the fantastic time of 25:51 followed by Mayca Sala Garcia in 26:49 and Laura Alabau Marti taking third in 28:41</div></div></div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-24559010536346447102010-09-25T13:59:00.008+02:002010-09-25T14:24:57.853+02:00A Fletcher Double<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3ptraNqhI/AAAAAAAAANc/4qetAksR0U4/s1600/Beniarbeig+2010+(869).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520825689182153234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3ptraNqhI/AAAAAAAAANc/4qetAksR0U4/s320/Beniarbeig+2010+(869).JPG" /></a> Last Saturday was the 'Volta a Peu Beniarbeig' and it was a very successful day for the Fletcher's as both Paul and Amanda went home with a trophy. Amanda convincingly won the women's Vets B category in 33:18 (almost a full minute clear of her next rival) and Paul placed second on the men's side in a rapid time of 26:58 (and 24th place overall)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3ozenahRI/AAAAAAAAANE/JfWXxR2ZmJ4/s1600/Beniarbeig+2010+(1692).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520824689315448082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3ozenahRI/AAAAAAAAANE/JfWXxR2ZmJ4/s320/Beniarbeig+2010+(1692).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Several other local runners put in noteworthy performances, but none more so than John B who having only been running a few short months managed to finish in a fantastic time of 35:21.</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3o8p2K9AI/AAAAAAAAANM/VgdSGAlb-qo/s1600/Beniarbeig+2010+(1290).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520824846948955138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3o8p2K9AI/AAAAAAAAANM/VgdSGAlb-qo/s320/Beniarbeig+2010+(1290).JPG" /></a>Other great performances from strider's were; Rob (33:40), Sole (39:44 and 5th place in her category), Ron (39:56), Roger (40:55), Carol (42:21) and Des (43:28).<br /><br /><div>Talented Franc Beneyto runner, Mounir Horma took the honours in the men's race in 23:17 followed by Sergi Soler Ginestar in 23:46 and Cristian Gaston Ferreyra Peralta in 24:26.</div><br /><div>Monica Mahiques fornes won the women's race in 31:17 well clear of the next woman, Almudena Sanchez Fernandez (32:35) and Carme Vidal Moreno (32:56) taking third. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-15657600475642192192010-09-25T11:46:00.008+02:002010-09-25T13:29:54.465+02:00Born to RonOn the 4th September the 'Volta a Peu L'Alqueria de la Comtessa' took place, and as ever there were several success stories.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>Regulars on the racing circuit Louise and Amanda both ran very good races with Louise winning the women's Vets B category in a time of 39:33 and Amanda running 43:11.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3T6fCZo8I/AAAAAAAAAMI/EPXB5BGS_MY/s1600/LA7D8A~1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520801719943537602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3T6fCZo8I/AAAAAAAAAMI/EPXB5BGS_MY/s320/LA7D8A~1.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Rob, taking advantage of a great run of form at the moment managed 45:38 for the 7.3 km and the ever improving John B completed the course in 49:30.</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3UQXy0FhI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/WmO3Oqrwms0/s1600/LA7E87~1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520802095956235794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3UQXy0FhI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/WmO3Oqrwms0/s320/LA7E87~1.JPG" /></a>Ron and Carol both took part in the race clocking 52:19 and 54:33 respectively but best of all, Ron's time won him a free meal for two for being the oldest competitor in the race. Apparently one of the locals took exception to this and questioned wether Ron was in fact old enough to win the prize. You've got to take the compliments wherever they come from Ron! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3c5CDbx-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/g_qQ8MhKxG4/s1600/wink.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 18px; HEIGHT: 17px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520811590588024802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJ3c5CDbx-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/g_qQ8MhKxG4/s320/wink.gif" /></a><br /><br /><div>The overall race was won by Juanra Pous Perez in 30:29, over a full minute clear of second place Mohamed Boufzouz (31:32) and David Ruiz Gomez in third (31:39)</div><br /><div>The women's race was won by Olivia Peiro Sabater in 38:30 with second place going to Louise (39:33) and third was Encarna Cardona Gomez (41:56) </div></div></div></div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-86124141645995488812010-09-24T13:10:00.003+02:002010-09-24T13:25:51.700+02:00Men against WomenIs there a way that men and women can compare there race times to calculate whose is a better relative performance?<br /><br />Impossible you say?<br /><br />It seems that there is. Check out <a href="http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11400138">this</a> article from BBC News.Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-84402781362533418062010-09-22T14:16:00.004+02:002010-09-25T13:00:11.349+02:00Helen's Javea Heroics<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJoZD2kSk2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/ZUusJO_xnEM/s1600/Javea+2010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519751847273993058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TJoZD2kSk2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/ZUusJO_xnEM/s320/Javea+2010.JPG" /></a> On the 29th of August quite a few of us went to Javea for the 'Pena la Bufa' ,a 4.7Km race which is pancake flat and always a 'striders' favourite, and as usual there were some cracking performances in very hot conditions.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Unfortunately as there was no Vets C category some of our runners who would normally be on the podium were competing with people 10 years or more younger but nevertheless placed very well.</div><div> </div><div>A great run by Helen meant she came third in her category in a time of 19:50 and earned a trophy for her efforts. Not to be outdone Matt, without having run run for several months because of persistent injuries, surprised everyone by speeding round in 18:52</div><br /><div></div><div>Louise, running for C.A. Corremundos and Amanda, running for C.A. Franc Beneyto R. Denia both managed to continue their amazing run of recent results with both of them on the podium in the Women's Vets B category, Loiuse in first place (18:32) and Amanda in third (19:49).</div><br /><div></div><div>Other club results were; Tom (15:02), Rob (20:10), Brian (20:49), Kevin (21:06), Steve (21:13), John B (22:19), John R (22:40), Ron (23:47), Sole (24:23), Roger (25:02) and Carol (25:17)</div><br /><div></div><div>The overall race was won by Juanra Pous Perez in a super quick time of 14:14, closely followed by Vicent Mas Leyda (14:20) and Cristian Gaston Ferreyra Peralta (14:23)</div><br /><div></div><div>Benita Breiter was the first woman home in 19:05 with second place going to Raquel Alminana Fuertes in 19:27 and third place as previously mentioned going to Helen in 19:50</div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-76685147079910917792010-08-31T14:57:00.004+02:002010-08-31T19:21:51.757+02:00Mas Leyda victorious in Moraira Mile<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TH05if3HoAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/O3FMyuiZMIM/s1600/Moraira+2010+(668).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511624783802376194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TH05if3HoAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/O3FMyuiZMIM/s320/Moraira+2010+(668).JPG" /></a> The 17th of July saw the seventh running of our ' local race 'the Moraira Mile.'<br />In what was a very well supported race, three striders braved the hot temperatures to record some very good times.<br /><br />The rest of us (yours truly included) could only muster the energy to stand at the bar with a beer in hand. Though we did our bit by cheering the others on.<br /><br />Honorary strider Dawn Round, here on holiday, managed a very swift 6:08 clocking for 5th place in the women's vets A category. On the men's side, in the vets C category, Rob Sparkes was closely followed by John Ross for 4th and 5th place and 6:55 and 7:12 respectively.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TH04MWP3CfI/AAAAAAAAACI/pZ-8L0DB_3M/s1600/Moraira+2010+(724).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511623303753042418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TH04MWP3CfI/AAAAAAAAACI/pZ-8L0DB_3M/s320/Moraira+2010+(724).JPG" /></a><br />Former striders and podium regulars Amanda Fletcher and Louisa Ambler both did brilliantly to finish first and second in the women's vets B category in 6:17 and 6:19 respectively, and Paul Fletcher managed to win the men's vets B category in the fantastic time of 5:05. Paul and Amanda's son Morgan also did superbly well in the "Alevi Masc" category finishing second in a time of 4:46. In addition new member John Bishop finished very well in 7:19<br /><br />The irrepressable Vicent Mas Leyda (C.A. Dianium) streaked home for the overall win in the men's race in 4:37, closely followed by Daniel Cano Lopez (C.E.U Politecnica de Valencia) just one second back in 4:38 and third place going to Daniel Pena Maestra (C.A running team Grifone) in 4:43.<br /><br />Rosa del Olmo Aparicio (C.A. Anta Banderas) was first in for the women in a superquick 5:27 followed by Mayca Sala Garcia (C.A. Benidorm) in 5:30 and Christelle Mesnage (Independent) in 5:39.Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-26518893884764924232010-07-03T16:42:00.003+02:002010-07-03T17:51:14.802+02:00Pous Perez prevails in Pedreguer<div>On the 15th May the sixth race in the Marina Alta series was contested in Pedreguer in what was a very well supported race run in perfect conditions.</div><br /><div>As usual there were some superb performances from the usual suspects. Geoff was first home in the men's vets c category in the superb time of 42:06, over three minutes clear of his next rival.</div><br /><div>Fast improving John, seemingly coming back to his top form managed 14th place in his category in 53:08.</div><br /><div>It was a podium one two from former striders Amanda (46:03) and Louise (45:04) in the women's vets b category.</div><br /><div>Other striders managed very creditable times; Tom (36:23), Brian (49:28), Ron (56:38), Sole (59:04) and Carol (59:47).</div><br /><div></div><div>Last but not least, in a finish that was reminiscent of Beardsley's and Simonson's iconic finish in the inaugural London marathon, Des and "El Presidente" finished the race hand in hand together in (1:01:32) and (1:01:13) respectively.<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489707667574341698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l_wCNKVuurw/TC9cCbaBwEI/AAAAAAAAABA/6r6NaV4w2j8/s320/Pedreguer+2010+(3228).JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In a very close finish in the men's race the overall win went to Juanra Pous Perez of C.A Franc Beneyto R. Denia in 33:36, who narrowly edged out Mounir Horma, also credited with the same time, and third place going to Vicent Mas Leyda of C.A Dianium in 34:11. Patricia Lopez Vicedo was first home for the women in a time of 40:28, followed by Maria Isabel Ferrer Castell (41:19) and Inge Van Den Broeck in third with 41:54.</div>Tom Jenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04608539267357174109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-84549402178934372702010-05-06T20:19:00.004+02:002010-05-06T20:34:17.881+02:00STRIDER DOUBLE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-MKt1VLYCI/AAAAAAAAAEc/oW4osMjJKUY/s1600/DSC01915.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-MKt1VLYCI/AAAAAAAAAEc/oW4osMjJKUY/s320/DSC01915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468226155084210210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-MJT2sefII/AAAAAAAAAEU/8kTjSyWM0i0/s1600/DSC01922.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-MJT2sefII/AAAAAAAAAEU/8kTjSyWM0i0/s200/DSC01922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468224609262140546" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was a Strider double in the latest race in the 2010 Circuito a Peu Marina Alta in Pego on Saturday May 1. Sole came third in the Ladies Vets C category in 58:40 and Jeff won the Gents Vets C section in a time of 42:18.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Despite the fact that the heavens opened just before the start of the 10 kilometre race, nearly 1,000 runners braved the distinctly damp conditions to finish the puddle-laden course. Vicent Mas Leyda, running for C A Dianium took the overall title, splashing home in 33:27. Runner-up was Juan Antonio Fernandez Cantos of C A Benidorm in 34:10, just in front of third-placed Sergi Soler Ginestar of C A Ondara in 34:28.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">No Maxine McKinnon this week, so Patricia Lopez Vicedo of C A Xeresa took centre stage, and she finished in 41:06, exactly a minute in front of second-placed Inge van den Broeck. Olivia Peiro Sabater of C A Safor took third spot in 42:17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;mso-fareast-Arial Unicode MS";mso-font-kerning:.5pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: HI;mso-bidi-language:HIfont-family:";"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Because of the inclement weather (and injuries), only three other Striders ran the 10 kilometres around the charming town of Pego, Tom defied the conditions to speed around in 38:55, John finished in 54:43 and Denise Stanners ran it in 1:01:11 and Louise (Ambler) seems to be getting back to her pre-accident form by tacking<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> second place in the Vets B group in 45:14.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;mso-fareast-Arial Unicode MS";mso-font-kerning:.5pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: HI;mso-bidi-language:HIfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p></span></span><p></p>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-33030947671681387512010-05-06T18:10:00.009+02:002010-05-06T20:17:41.113+02:00TOILING IN TEULADA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Lttav9MWI/AAAAAAAAAEE/DZx7a-rEQco/s1600/DSC01893.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Lttav9MWI/AAAAAAAAAEE/DZx7a-rEQco/s320/DSC01893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468194262111564130" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There were more fine performances from 11 Striders in the extremely demanding (and bloomin’ hilly)eulada race in the 2010 Circuit a Peu de Marina Alta. As always, superfast Tom was first home for the Striders in a relatively slow time for him of 47:05, but then he had run from home before the race. He was closely followed by Jeff (47:43), who Tom had </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">nursed round</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and then Paul (Elliot) (55:36). Next were Jim (56:38) and Stretch (56:39), followed by Don (1:01:42), John (1:04:38), Sole (1:10:02), Des (1:10:01), Roger (1:13:35) and Denise (1:13:38).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">More cups were added to the already bulging Striders' trophy cabinet after the race, as Jeff won the Vets C category, Sole was the winner of the Local Vets C category and honorary Strider Margaret Finch was second in the Vets C race in a time of 1:03:02. </span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">AN ILL WIND</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">According to the old adage, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">it's an ill wind that blows nobody good</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, but that couldn't be further from the truth in Marc Jacques' case. Liverpudlian Marc and his family were due to return to the </span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">UK</span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> a couple of days before the Teulada race, but, because their flight had been cancelled due to the volcanic ash blown across Europe from </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Iceland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, he was able to run in the race. Not only did he run it, he managed 18th place (out of 900 starters) and was runner-up in the Vets A category in a first-class time of 42:14.</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The overall winner of the 11 kilometre race, run in really warm conditions, was Vicent Mas Leyda, of C A Dianium, in a scorching 37:43. Juan Antonio Fernandez Cantos (38:49), running for C A Benidorm and Sergi Soler Ginestar (38:59) of C A Ondara were second and third respectively. C A Dianium's Maxine McKinnon (44:12) was once again first home in the ladies section, followed by Patricia Lopez Vicedo (48:05) of C A Xeresa in second and Ana Alberola Puigcerver (48:50) in third.</span></span></span></b></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Tahoma;mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-5934662330427029862010-05-06T17:49:00.004+02:002010-05-06T18:09:27.563+02:00EL VERGER 10K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-LpWjYk_AI/AAAAAAAAAD8/RrlcwVG2ov4/s1600/DSC01885.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-LpWjYk_AI/AAAAAAAAAD8/RrlcwVG2ov4/s320/DSC01885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468189471245925378" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The 2010 Circuit a Peu Marina Alta was back on track on Saturday April 17, with the third race in the nine event series. The venue was the town that is the midway point between </span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Alicante</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Valencia</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, El Verger (Vergel), and despite it being a cold and overcast evening, nearly 1,300 runners took part in the 10 kilometre race in and around the town.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Striders, as usual, were well represented, with nine members finishing in good times. As usual, Tom was the first to cross the line in a time of 34:57. Jim was next in 39:07, closely followed by Jeff in 40.06, which was fast enough to win him the Vets C category. The other Striders, Paul (Elliot) (45:11), Brian (47:20), Don (51:22), John (52:38), Des (57:54) and Denise (58:33) all came home well within the hour mark. In the Ladies Vets B category, Louise was fourth in 44:51.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jeff’s main rival, Norbert de Wulf (<i>Wolfie</i>), made his first appearance of the series but Jeff managed to hold him off, beating him by over a minute and a half.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is a fairly flat course and therefore there were some pretty fast times recorded. The winner of a very exciting men's race was Emilio Vizcaya Gregorio of C A Dianium in 30:25, just one second in front of second-placed Mounir Horma, running for C A Franc Beneyto R Denia. Third place went to El Houssine Es Semaali (GETP Running Team) in 31:56, </span></span></span></p> <span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After her recent triumph in the Denia half marathon, Maxine McKinnon (C A Dianium) was the first lady home in 37:14, which was over a minute and a half quicker than runner-up Patricia Lopez Vicedo (C A Xersa). Gema Canet Meri (C A Safor) was third in 40:16.</span></span></span></span><p></p>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-82906976430015679572010-05-06T17:39:00.003+02:002010-05-06T17:47:29.732+02:00VII MITJA MARATÓ DE DENIA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Lj8Rw26oI/AAAAAAAAADs/rCMVf-lGd3g/s1600/DON+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Lj8Rw26oI/AAAAAAAAADs/rCMVf-lGd3g/s320/DON+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468183522281187970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-LjIbqqy8I/AAAAAAAAACg/F4Hi8ZDKm6E/s1600/PAUL+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-LjIbqqy8I/AAAAAAAAACg/F4Hi8ZDKm6E/s320/PAUL+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468182631586384834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Li_yvCtgI/AAAAAAAAACY/R4HKa9w1iUs/s1600/JEFF+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S-Li_yvCtgI/AAAAAAAAACY/R4HKa9w1iUs/s320/JEFF+Denia+2010+FINISH.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468182483159922178" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Only three Striders took part in the 2010 Denia half on Sunday March 28,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Jeff, Paul (Elliott) and Don and they all made light of the very tough conditions. It was an early start made even earlier by the fact that the clocks had gone forward an hour that morning and it was a pretty warm day and the course contained lots of ups and downs, not many hills but plenty of steps and uneven surfaces. Despite that, Jeff managed a PB of 1:31:49, Paul came home in 1:42:29 and Don crossed the line in 2:10:32.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Unfortunately no trophies for any of them this time, as, unlike previous years, there was only one </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Veterans</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (age 35 and over) category. Jeff came 133rd overall (46th in the Vets category), Paul was 332nd (182nd in Vets) and Don was 630th (793).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maxine (McKinnon) added yet another title to her already extensive collection when she was the first lady home, finishing in an excellent time of 1:22:00. In the men's race Andres Mico Martinez quite literally flew around in 1:07:40, crossing the line over five minutes ahead of second-placed Said Day Day (1:12:54).</span></span></span></div>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-65337640165386473722010-03-23T16:18:00.007+01:002010-03-23T16:27:30.296+01:00RUNNING, CYCLING, RUNNING AND SINGING IN THE RAIN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jcwo0BPkI/AAAAAAAAADM/G14Am9-AcmI/s1600-h/Jim+and+Stretch.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jcwo0BPkI/AAAAAAAAADM/G14Am9-AcmI/s200/Jim+and+Stretch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451850077079420482" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A very wet Sunday morning in Almoradí witnessed the latest race in the Federation Cup series of duathlons. The distances at Almoradí should have been a 10 km run, 50 km cycle ride and 5 km run but after problems with the course, due to the weather conditions, they were shortened to a 9 km run, 34 km bike ride and 3 km run. The change in the cycle course made it very technical and, with the non-stop rain, there were quite a few crashes and DNFs. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The overall winner, José Santiago Villa, of C T Caravaca, completed the course in an amazing one hour 33 minutes. The fastest lady was Ayora Fernandez de Castro of Valencia University, who managed it in one hour 47 minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jim and Stretch finished the exceedingly damp course in very creditable times. Jim was first in the Vets 55 to 59 category in a time of one hour 50 minutes and Mark was 11th in the Vets 45 to 49 class in two hours five minutes.</span></span></div>Jeff3Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083433062122362608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-30621613246596353782010-03-23T15:53:00.012+01:002010-03-23T16:26:58.900+01:00THE GATA 'GALLOP'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jbamIqyTI/AAAAAAAAADE/AGVZmbmoBkQ/s1600-h/Des+Gata+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jbamIqyTI/AAAAAAAAADE/AGVZmbmoBkQ/s200/Des+Gata+finish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451848598891972914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jbU4bYJ0I/AAAAAAAAAC8/xd4lXOKZ7Ck/s1600-h/John+Gata+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jbU4bYJ0I/AAAAAAAAAC8/xd4lXOKZ7Ck/s200/John+Gata+finish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451848500723066690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jaOJKvnVI/AAAAAAAAAC0/IpexnhM_DKI/s1600-h/Brian+Gata+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jaOJKvnVI/AAAAAAAAAC0/IpexnhM_DKI/s200/Brian+Gata+finish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451847285445991762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jZWExl45I/AAAAAAAAACs/oAvQjuneiiA/s1600-h/Paul+Javea+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jZWExl45I/AAAAAAAAACs/oAvQjuneiiA/s200/Paul+Javea+finish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451846322194080658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jYpAgVJzI/AAAAAAAAACk/ew8QJTcBZ38/s1600-h/Jim+Javea+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/S6jYpAgVJzI/AAAAAAAAACk/ew8QJTcBZ38/s200/Jim+Javea+finish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451845547953825586" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Another excellent performance in Gata de Gorgos by all 13 Striders on Sunday (March 14). They all managed to finish the 9.6 kilometre course around the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">wickerwork capital</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of the Costa Blanca in well under 58 minutes. First home, in the second race of the Circuit a Peu Marina Alta series was Tom, who crossed the line in 21st place overall, out of over 1,100 finishers, in 34:41. Next was Jim (39:21), followed by Jeff (39:53), who also won the Vets C category. Margaret Finch (48:53), as she had done the previous week in Javea, took home the runners-up trophy in the Vest C class. After her sterling Javea performance, unfortunately, Sole (52:33) just missed out on third spot in the same group by a mere eight seconds, although her chip time placed her third.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The other Striders' times were: Paul (44:26), Brian (46:40), Don (53:03), Roger (53.11), Ron (54:03), John (56:26), Des (56:47), Carol (57:07) and Denise (57:28). Two other former Striders just failed to make the podium in the keenly-contested ladies Vets B category; Amanda was placed fourth in 43:44, whilst Louise (Ambler) was fractionally behind her in fifth in 43:46. Paul, who was second in last year's race in Gata, went round in 43:43.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The overall winner of the race, run in lovely sunny conditions for a change, was Vicent Mas Leyda (31:45) of C A Dianium, who just managed to pip Miguel Ferndandez Vázquez of C A Delta Valencia by one second. Third place went to Juan Antonio Mas Leyda (32:35), also of C A Dianium. Inge van den Broeck, who clocked 39:54, was the first lady home. In second position was Patricia Lopez Vicedo, running for C A Xeresa, in a time of 40:15 and Olivia Peiro Sabater (41:12) of C A Safor was placed third.</span></span></div>Jeff3Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083433062122362608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-35627827303324370082010-03-09T13:19:00.008+01:002010-03-09T14:18:37.271+01:00FIRST OF THE 2010 SERIES (JAVEA)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZHRc9vcUI/AAAAAAAAACI/0OkCcrYCUWo/s1600-h/S4010093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZHRc9vcUI/AAAAAAAAACI/0OkCcrYCUWo/s320/S4010093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446619164509696322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZG5_TZGOI/AAAAAAAAACA/OFcmCqend5g/s1600-h/J_vea_2010_2229_.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZG5_TZGOI/AAAAAAAAACA/OFcmCqend5g/s320/J_vea_2010_2229_.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446618761410451682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZGGH_QsCI/AAAAAAAAAB4/zKgzBWqKc_A/s1600-h/J_vea_2010_2222_.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S5ZGGH_QsCI/AAAAAAAAAB4/zKgzBWqKc_A/s320/J_vea_2010_2222_.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446617870388736034" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">The first race of the 2010 Circuit a Peu Marina Alta went ahead in Javea on Sunday (March 7), despite the rather damp and cold conditions. But the lack of sunshine didn't put 14 doughty Striders (plus Louise, Margaret and Amanda) off their stride.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Despite suffering from a nasty chest cold, Tom was the first home (21st overall) in 35:35, followed by Jim in 39:36 and then it was Jeff in 41:32. Alan (46:02), making a welcome return to the circuit was fourth, followed by Paul (Elliott) (46:29), Stretch (46:32), Brian (46:59), Ron (53:44), Sole (53:46), Roger (53:51), Des (57:23), Denise (57:35), John (58:08) and Carol (59:13). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was good to see that everybody managed to beat the hour mark for the 10 kilometre race (despite the fact that it had been <i>advertised</i> as an 11Km course). Amanda (44:58), Louise (45:11) and Margaret (49:48) also posted very good times.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The star of the day was definitely Sole, who took third spot in the Vets C category and Jeff retained his men's Vets C category <i>title</i>, which was a bit of a hollow victory, as his two main rivals weren't running.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Margaret (Finch) was second in Sole's group, and, Amanda (now running for C A Franc Beneyto) was third in the Vets B class.</span></span></div>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-19771352016971023352010-03-08T17:52:00.000+01:002010-03-08T18:04:47.784+01:00Javea results<a href="http://www.somesport.com/circuitapeu/2010/xabia_clubs10.asp?busca=C.+A.+Costa+Blanca+Striders&submit=Consulta">http://www.somesport.com/circuitapeu/2010/xabia_clubs10.asp?busca=C.+A.+Costa+Blanca+Striders&submit=Consulta</a>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01254188532701028356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-15695898434547531322010-02-26T16:55:00.018+01:002010-02-26T17:47:08.491+01:00TOM TRIUMPHS IN VALENCIA (and Neil and Jeff didn't do badly either)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4f6831hSgI/AAAAAAAAABw/DbYle39YPqo/s1600-h/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(848)+NEIL.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4f6831hSgI/AAAAAAAAABw/DbYle39YPqo/s320/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(848)+NEIL.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442594598388058626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4f3OdbfkwI/AAAAAAAAABo/gkAHRWuV0ik/s1600-h/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(976)+JEFF.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4f3OdbfkwI/AAAAAAAAABo/gkAHRWuV0ik/s320/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(976)+JEFF.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442590502490706690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4fzso77M4I/AAAAAAAAABg/FNHm0llYKh0/s1600-h/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(242)+TOM.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S4fzso77M4I/AAAAAAAAABg/FNHm0llYKh0/s320/5+-+Valencia+2010+-+Meta+(242)+TOM.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442586622929089410" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">After weeks and weeks of training, three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Striders</span> took on the streets of Spain's third city on Sunday February 21. Tom, Neil and Jeff ran in the 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> Valencia marathon, and didn't all three do well?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It was an early 08.30 start for the hardy trio, and the weather was not the hottest it had been of late, plus there was a threat of rain in the air. But that didn't put the lads off, cheered on by thousands of spectators including Roger, Sole, Ros, Brian, Sandra, Des and Sharon, all three achieved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">PBs</span>. Mind you, it had to be a PB for Tom, as it was his first 26 miler, and he finished in the fantastic time of 2:47:26 coming home in 55<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> place, out of over 3,500 starters. According to the <a href="http://www.thepowerof10.info/rankings/rankinglist.aspx?event=Mar&agegroup=ALL&sex=M&year=2010">Power of 10</a> website, Tom's time was the <b>seventh fastest</b> marathon by a Brit so far in 2010.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Not to be outdone, Neil, running his fifth long '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">un</span>, took eight minutes off his PB, finishing in 3:08:14. We're all convinced he has a sub-three hour race in him, let's hope he manages it in Edinburgh in May, good luck Neil.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But what about the old fella? Jeff, also knocked a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sizeable</span> chunk off of his PB achieved at last year's Loch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ness</span> race (3:15:21), crossing the finish line in 3:11:57 and also being crowned Over 60s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Campeon</span> (Vets F). But the daft twit didn't check the results and happily went off home, not realising he had won (it's his age, you know). It was only when he received a text with his time that it dawned on him. But he picked up his trophy the next day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Three excellent results, three excellent times and three pretty tired but happy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Striders</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-18787419537939892462010-01-31T15:33:00.014+01:002010-01-31T19:46:18.816+01:00SANTA POLA HALF MARATHON<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG3lxWKQI/AAAAAAAAABY/a8mIO6d-AYU/s1600-h/Helen+(SPHM).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG3lxWKQI/AAAAAAAAABY/a8mIO6d-AYU/s320/Helen+(SPHM).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432967183826561282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG3MyW12I/AAAAAAAAABQ/AoucRV3TgSQ/s1600-h/Matt+(SPHM).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG3MyW12I/AAAAAAAAABQ/AoucRV3TgSQ/s320/Matt+(SPHM).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432967177119913826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG244VKLI/AAAAAAAAABI/YUxRkVyQMOk/s1600-h/Neil+(SPHM).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_isaS4t3AAlQ/S2XG244VKLI/AAAAAAAAABI/YUxRkVyQMOk/s320/Neil+(SPHM).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432967171776260274" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Three Striders took part in the XXI Santa Pola half marathon on Sunday January 24 (2010), </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Neil</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matt </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Helen</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I had thought about running it but that was as far as it got... thinking about it. Neil reckoned that the conditions were very good, and the organisation of the event was second to none.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All three managed excellent times, Neil posted a PB, finishing in 493rd place overall (out of just under 6,000 finishers) in 1:26:50. He elected to get as near to the front of the start as possible but as the start area was pretty packed he didn't manage to start his watch, and went off a bit too quickly, tiring pretty rapidly towards the end. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matt was hoping to break 1:35, which he did by quite some distance, coming home in 1:32:36. Helen wasn't that far behind him, completing the course in 1:39:12. Well done to all three.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The overall winner of the men's race was the Kenyan Erick Kibet in 1:01:08, which I believe was a course record. In the women's event Helah Kiprop, another Kenyan, came home first in 1:15:23.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jeff</span></span></div></div>JeffWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077555337248370253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-47341173396106698092009-10-18T15:03:00.007+02:002009-10-18T15:23:18.783+02:00COSTA BLANCA STRIDERS' FIRST INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/StsUvUfl7GI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MkfqKIsm53o/s1600-h/Loch+Ness.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/StsUvUfl7GI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MkfqKIsm53o/s200/Loch+Ness.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393927781893925986" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:small;"><b><a href="http://www.lochnessmarathon.com/">BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON 2009</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In almost 'perfect' conditions for marathon running, sunny but not too hot, both my son, Russell and I, smashed our PBs for the 26 and a bit mile race. Russell, who is to blame for getting me into this running lark, was ninth overall (out of almost 2,200 other finishers) in the tremendous time of 2:41:41. He was hoping to get below 2:45:00 which would qualify him to start with the elite runners in next year's London Marathon, and didn't he do well, beating his target by over three minutes and knocking over eight minutes off his previous best.<br />I wasn't that far behind him, though, completing the very hilly course in 3:15:21. I hadn't intended to run that fast, my aim was to get somewhere near my Barcelona time of 3:29:26, and I'd set my pace on my Garmin sports watch thingy to five minute kilometres but it kept on losing contact with the satellite, so I had no idea how fast I was running. But all the hard training and long runs was worth it in the end, as I won the Over 60s category (out of 50 other old 'uns) and came 140th overall. Russell had said that if I ran well I could possibly get into the top three, but I never thought that I would actually win it. My prize was an engraved <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaich">quaich</a> plus a £100 gift voucher from a sports clothing store.<br />As all my running friends know I'm not that observant when I'm running, I managed to totally miss the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_familia">Sagrada Familia</a> when I ran in Barcelona but I did manage to spot Loch Ness during the race (mind you, you do run alongside it for about 23 miles).<br />I read in their publicity blurb that the Loch Ness race is the third biggest in the UK (after the London and Edinburgh marathons) but it must surely be one of the most picturesque events in the whole marathon calendar. All the competitors are taken by bus/coach (half a mile of coaches, in fact) out to Whitebridge, then run back down alongside the loch's south eastern shore, heading north east towards Dores on the northern tip of the loch. From Dores, the race heads directly into the centre of Inverness, finishing at the Inverness Queens Park Stadium.<br />We met up with our old friends Ros and Neil after the race and had a well-earned drink in a local Inverness hostelry in the evening. Ros and Neil had spotted me with about two miles to go and gave me a great cheer, which was really encouraging, as I was beginning to flag a bit by then. The final 'lap' of the town was pretty tough going, my legs ached, I felt faint, my chest hurt, in fact everything was feeling a bit 'uncomfortable'... I'm just glad that the race is only 26.2 miles and not 26.3 miles, as I don't think I would have made it.<br />Brian, the commentator (a good friend of Russell's), gave me a big build-up as I came into the final straight, but I wasn't that aware of what was going on around me, I have however since seen it on the race video... I look more knackered than I felt. After the race I treated myself to a massage to ease the cramp I was getting in my calves. My masseuse, by the way, was a very attractive young lady, but I couldn't have cared less, it could have been Vlad the Impaler for all I cared.<br />My other son, Harvey, was too late to enter the marathon but took part in the River Ness 10K, finishing in a very creditable time of 48:48. The former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, who also ran in the 10K event (54:55), was on hand to present the prizes to the overall winners of the main race, Simon Tonui (2:20:13) and Joice Kirui (2:48:23), who are both members of Birchfield Harriers.<br />This was the second time that I have run in the Loch Ness marathon, the first was in 2007, and that was the first time that all three of us had run in a race together. I suppose I must 'thank' Costa Blanca News for making me redundant, as it is a lot easier training in the morning rather that running in the heat after a day's work. I did promise that I would never enter another race that involved training during the scorching heat of the Spanish summer (it's no fun getting up at 06:00 to get the long miles in before you fry), but never say never... who knows... it's a lovely race.<br />Jeff<br />PS – a special thanks to Eileen for putting up with me and washing my sweaty running gear and to my running partner Paul (Elliott) who got up at the crack of dawn to accompany me for the first half of my long runs.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div><br /></div></div>Jeff3Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083433062122362608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-64234396442736148142009-06-29T12:08:00.001+02:002009-06-29T12:19:18.172+02:00Summer Beach Party<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEBiAf2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/02BzIpCNsQ4/s1600-h/sdc10406.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEBiAf2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/02BzIpCNsQ4/s320/sdc10406.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEFhrLCI/AAAAAAAAACA/PetvKhm4Enk/s1600-h/sdc10409.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEFhrLCI/AAAAAAAAACA/PetvKhm4Enk/s320/sdc10409.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUES9t5rI/AAAAAAAAACI/O3UbSCxOTYw/s1600-h/sdc10410.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUES9t5rI/AAAAAAAAACI/O3UbSCxOTYw/s320/sdc10410.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEvinFlI/AAAAAAAAACQ/utjEux-Iqww/s1600-h/sdc10443.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSu0OkYC3E8/SkiUEvinFlI/AAAAAAAAACQ/utjEux-Iqww/s320/sdc10443.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Laura Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11450146046864069717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-89048348790873605762009-06-29T11:35:00.002+02:002009-06-29T12:09:36.678+02:00Summer Beach PartyOn the evening of Saturday 27th June, we met on the beach in Moraira and spent a few hours relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Most brought a picnic, some barbequed a few tasty morsels and, of course, there was just a little vino in evidence! It was a great end to a summer season of local races, in which The Striders did very well, as you will have read in the previous items. Well done to all of you.Laura Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11450146046864069717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-86551837943312130392009-06-23T14:44:00.006+02:002009-06-23T14:54:09.937+02:00Euro Weekly News article<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/SkDOoqhJo4I/AAAAAAAAACI/a6nEHjc1Rvo/s1600-h/DSC01519.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/SkDOoqhJo4I/AAAAAAAAACI/a6nEHjc1Rvo/s200/DSC01519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350503555319571330" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">STRIDING OUT TO VICTORY</span></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The ninth and final race </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in</span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk233444978"></a></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">13th Circuit a Peu Marina Alta 2009 series, the XII Cursa Popular Benissa</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">took place</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">last Saturday (June 20) and two members of the Costa Blanca Striders went home with awards. Amanda Fletcher was placed second in the ladies Vets B category in a time of 42:45 and, in the men’s Vets C category, Jeff Whittington came home third in 40:01. Two more Striders just missed out on the medals, Louise Ambler (45:53) and Bianca van Londen (46:50) were in fourth and fifth positions respectively. In the Vets B class, Tony Sharpe (42:39) and Steve Waller (49:19) also completed the draining, hilly 9.1 kilometre course.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The icing on the cake came when the prizes for the overall winners in the series were announced and the Striders took home another three cups; Amanda was first and Louise was third in the ladies’ Vets B group and Jeff Whittington was runner-up in the Vets C class. In the team event, despite only being a relatively small club, the Striders were placed 32nd out of the 95 clubs who had taken part in the races. In the 2009 series, the Moraira-based running club, which was started about five years ago by Phil and Laura Welch, amassed an amazing 23 trophies, which is pretty remarkable by anybody’s standards. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If are interested in joining the C B Striders, whatever your ability or fitness, then visit their blog spot at </span></span><a href="http://costablancastriders.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://costablancastriders.blogspot.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for all the details.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a new name on the winner’s trophy in the men’s race this week; Vicente José Mas Leyda of C A Cametes Spat winning in a time of 31:26, second and third were Juan José Martinez Diaz (C A San Vicente) and Alejandro García Agulló (C A Decatlon Kondy), who both clocked 31:52. However, in the ladies section, the first home was a very familiar name; C A Dianium’s Maxine McKinnon, who took 35:34 to complete the course. Patricia Lopez Vicedo of C A Xeresa was second in 37:36, and third to cross the line was Olivia Peiró Sabater (38:37) of C A Safor.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">C A Cametes Spat won the series team prize, followed by C A Safor in second and C A Llebeig Xàbia. Well done to all the teams, competitors, around 1,200 in total, and all their supporters and friends, and especially all the organisers of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the 13th Circuit a Peu Marina Alta 2009 series,</span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> without whom there would be no event, here’s to</span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the 14th Circuit a Peu Marina Alta 2010 series</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You can view all the results and details of all nine races at the Som Esport website (</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.somesport.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.somesport.com</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) and there are thousands of excellent pictures of all the races at </span></span><a href="http://calygat.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://calygat.blogspot.com/</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-language:AR-BH"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Picture, by Eileen Whittington</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Jeff, Amanda and Louise</span></p>Jeff3Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083433062122362608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964742503496278426.post-48074851284362079392009-06-16T14:32:00.008+02:002009-06-19T18:43:56.187+02:00Euro Weekly News article<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/SjeQ_3spQqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Bysa7c2DxME/s1600-h/DSC01509.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O4ZndXPzQDw/SjeQ_3spQqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Bysa7c2DxME/s200/DSC01509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347902509483115170" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><a name="_Hlk232829385"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">BEATING THE HEAT</span></b></span></span></span></a></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On one of the hottest days of the year so far, 900 resilient runners managed to conquer the taxing 9.3 kilometre course in the penultimate race of 13th Circuit a Peu Marina Alta 2009 series, the XII Cursa Popular Jesús Pobre last Saturday (13). </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The men’s race was won by Emilio Vizcaya Gregorio of C A Dianium in an exceptional time of 31:59; second home was C T Prodesport’s Juan Ramon Pous Perez (</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">32:36</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">), who was just in front of Vicente José Mas Leyda (32:54). Sandra Diaz Hernandez C A Runnersworld Alzira was victorious in the ladies event, finishing in 38:35; Olivia Peiró Sabater, of C A Safor took the runner-up spot in 40:28 and Ana Alberola Puigcerver (40:46) was third.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In last week’s contest in Ondara, Sasha Lines, who is more at home on the sea, completed her first ever 10K road race in an excellent time of 1:04:28, and that was after just five weeks training at Paul and Amanda Fletcher’s Run in the Sun. During the week, Sasha, who now appears to have succumbed to the ‘running bug’, was casually talking to local ultra-runner Rafa and he mentioned that he was taking part in a 30 hour mountain run in August. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An intrigued Sasha asked what his full name was so she could look out for him. “Rafael Abbot”, he told her. “That surname sounds awfully English”, Sasha responded. “Well, that’s because I was born in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">England</span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> - </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Guildford</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> hospital.” Sasha, who hails from that part of the UK, thought that Rafa was pulling her leg, so, knowing that there were three maternity hospitals in the area, called his bluff and named one, but Rafa said he didn’t think that was it. She then named a second hospital that was run by nuns and this time Rafa said that he thought that was the one. A very surprised Sasha then announced that that was where she had been born… small world, isn’t it?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sasha, who took 1:03:00 to run the Jesus Pobre course, also managed to get her hands on a trophy from the race, albeit on somebody else’s behalf. She accepted the Vets B third place award for Costa Blanca Strider Bianca von Londen (48:26). Two other Striders also won prizes. In the women’s Vets B category Amanda Fletcher (44:31) took her place on her eighth consecutive winners’ podium. Amanda has now accumulated five first places, two seconds and a third. Jeff Whittington (41:19), who is not far behind Amanda in the ‘trophy stakes’, once more managed the runner-up spot in the Vets C class. The other members of the C B Striders who toughed out the demanding conditions were: Paul Fletcher (36:47), Tony Sharpe (42:49), Paul Elliott (47:37), Steve Waller (53:22), Ron Hoare (53:49) and Carol Hoare (58:06).</span></span></span></p> <span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">The final race in the 2009 series takes place this Saturday (20) at Benissa. As with all the previous weeks, the youngsters begin their races at 17.00 and the grown-ups two hours later, at 19.00.</span></span></span></span>Jeff3Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083433062122362608noreply@blogger.com0