FIRST OF THE 2010 SERIES (JAVEA)

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.

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).

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 advertised as an 11Km course). Amanda (44:58), Louise (45:11) and Margaret (49:48) also posted very good times.

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 title, which was a bit of a hollow victory, as his two main rivals weren't running.

Margaret (Finch) was second in Sole's group, and, Amanda (now running for C A Franc Beneyto) was third in the Vets B class.

Javea results

http://www.somesport.com/circuitapeu/2010/xabia_clubs10.asp?busca=C.+A.+Costa+Blanca+Striders&submit=Consulta

TOM TRIUMPHS IN VALENCIA (and Neil and Jeff didn't do badly either)

After weeks and weeks of training, three Striders took on the streets of Spain's third city on Sunday February 21. Tom, Neil and Jeff ran in the 30th Valencia marathon, and didn't all three do well?

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 PBs. 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 55th place, out of over 3,500 starters. According to the Power of 10 website, Tom's time was the seventh fastest marathon by a Brit so far in 2010.

Not to be outdone, Neil, running his fifth long 'un, 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.

But what about the old fella? Jeff, also knocked a sizeable chunk off of his PB achieved at last year's Loch Ness race (3:15:21), crossing the finish line in 3:11:57 and also being crowned Over 60s Campeon (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.

Three excellent results, three excellent times and three pretty tired but happy Striders.

SANTA POLA HALF MARATHON

Three Striders took part in the XXI Santa Pola half marathon on Sunday January 24 (2010), Neil, Matt and Helen. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Jeff