Cameron Strides into the Record Books at Manchester Marathon.
The marathon season began on Sunday as a host of Striders shone at the Greater Manchester Marathon. After a dark winter of gruelling training, race day brought the chance to step into the emerging spring’s sunshine and bask in the adulation of the huge crowds lining the city’s streets.
Performance of the day came from peerless Sarah Cameron, who wrote her name into the Striders record book with an astonishing time of 3:05 for the 26.2 mile course. Her new club record could stand for many years to come. Nicola Donovan also excelled to delight her vociferous supporters with a determined 4:33. Vera Langley and Sharon Swift performed admirably, raising a great sum of money for the Children With Cancer charity in the process. In her first attempt at the marathon, the tenacious Tammy Gallagher delighted her teammates with her 6:07 finish.
Chris Reid was the first male to cross the line in a highly impressive 3:21. Striders’ coach Ian Wright put his own advice to good use as he knocked an incredible nine minutes of his personal best to finish in 3:28. Antony Cheers (3:32), Martin Ballard (3:46) and Antony Ellis (3:49) also did themselves proud with personal best times. John Williams deserves special mention, completing the course bravely, despite suffering a calf injury just before the half way mark.
Striders Czech Out Prague
An adventurous set of Striders travelled to Prague to take on the city’s prestigious half marathon. Combining a weekend of sightseeing, heavy drinking and distance running is no mean feat, but Jo Jackson took it all in her stride as she was the first Strider across the line in 2:03. Tony Horsfall, after pacing Jackson through the race, finished a step or two behind. Their time was all the more impressive as they showed the true Strider spirit in selflessly sacrificing a faster time in helping a stricken runner on the finishing straight. Jo Keogh, Mike Brunt, and Mike Cox all enjoyed their run around the majestic Czech capital with strong performances.
Back home, Pete Medlicott scaled the heights of Rivington in the 10 mile trail race and finished in a fabulous 1:32, while Striders stalwart Brian Davies headed to Darwen for the Heritage Half Marathon and impressed in a strong time of 2:02.
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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