‘Donovan Delights in Birkenhead 5 Miler’. Report by Jon-Jo Doherty
The St Helens Striders turned out en masse for round 4 of ‘The Team Grand Prix’. The event last Wednesday evening took place in sizzling temperatures. Heroic efforts were made, and ‘the five miles felt like 50’, according to Nicola Donovan; who gained herself a new personal best! All concerned thoroughly enjoyed the team camaraderie. Kylie Maguire, Strider ‘race coordinator’, has encouraged even greater numbers for round 5 and the Penny Lane 10k in Liverpool. In Chorley on the same evening Nicola Howarth produced a determined effort in Race 2 of the Astley Park series covering 4.2 miles in 40:47.
Elsewhere Kevin Brennan and David Navis combatted ‘Henderson’s End Fell Race’, that saw extraordinary stamina and mental discipline as they pushed 7.5 miles and 1400ft of ascent. Navis amazingly had already taken part in the Birkenhead 5 miler the previous day!
In the 25km (16 miles) ‘Keswick Mountain Festival’: Claire Lyndsay, Elizabeth Phillipson, Darren Eccles, Rebecca McKenna and David Briscoe all deserve a special mention, for their tenacity in tackling such ferocious hills.
Sarah Cameron finished 1st lady (10th overall) in the South Downs Way 100 miler. In an unbelievable 18 hours 14 mins and 38 seconds. When asked how one accomplished such a feat, she said ‘I just took it from aid station to aid station and didn’t think about the bigger picture’. And with it yet another club record, from the Strider marvel living overseas!
Main photo – ‘Primed and Ready to go Before Birkenhead 5 miler’
