Striders Tackle 10k/Half and Marathon in Palma De Mallora. Report by Jon-Jo Doherty
The St Helens Striders are not your average running club! 34 athletes made the trip to Palma De Mallorca. An inclusive body of runners that have inspired great friendships. The Striders welcome those who wish to get involved for a truly unique experience!
7,000 athletes from across the globe took part in the 3 varying distances. In the Palma 10k Gary Eccleston was the first Strider to cross the line in 55:35. There too were great efforts from Zoe and Mark Fillingham, Jackie and John Dobson. Brenda Carrier and Sue Burke supported one another all the way completing the course in 1:23:00, Nicola Donovan finished in 58:34.
In the Palma Half Marathon Jon-Jo Doherty came home in 8th place overall in 1:16:50. David Navis never gave up, and although the heat took its toll he finished strongly in 1:55:52. Mark Carrier after 8 months of injury came back strong to succeed all expectations in 2:01:55. Peter Bennett applied himself well, finishing strongly in 2:09:32. Colin Wilson and Jane Marshall forged a great partnership which saw them hold out to the finish line.
Paul Booth took on the Palma Marathon, he’s well known for his endurance abilities and his never say die attitude, and with avid determination secured a time of 4:01:39.
Hamilton success in Helvellyn 15k Trail.
Kelly Hamilton again inspired her fellow teammates finishing as third lady overall. She dug in and at one point fell flat on her face and lost her shoe! Rachel Fairclough by no means a stick in the mud, and after recently giving birth to her first child decided that this was the race to make her comeback! She excelled brilliantly running alongside her husband Peter, and moves into the cross country season with even greater determination. Mark Hamilton stuck to his guns producing arguably his best performance of late. He managed to pass quite a number of athletes just before the final straight!
Tony Dagnall smashed his personal best in the Manchester Half Marathon in 1:40:37. Lynda Butchard made further ground, and by improving on a seasons best by over 7 minutes, securing 2 hours 17 minutes. Scott Barlow can now be seen as a force to be reckoned with, securing further progress in 1:40:41. Tom Chadwick dazzled with an impressive display, destroying his previous best by over 9 minutes in 1:34:14. And finally Joe Weaver also delivered, with a stunning improvement in 1:32:08.
In the Alder Hey 10k Jenny Martin redoubled her efforts, and with unrivalled discipline won 1st veteran prize over 35! Eric Ranson, Gillian Kelly and Kevin Cairns also impressed showing great fortitude and exacting team spirit. And elsewhere in the Tatton Park 10k, Kerry Riley romped home with a new personal best 53:41, her longstanding teammate Katie Taggart was with her every step of the way in 53:37.
Main photo – A Selection of Striders Post Race, Savouring the Atomic Atmosphere.
More about St Helens Striders Running Club
The St Helens Striders Train on a Monday and Wednesday Evening from the Windlehurst Sports Club on Windleshaw Road. The warm up starts at 6:50pm and the prearranged training plans start from 7pm. All Abilities Welcome!
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