News from the Striders

24th December 2005
A Turkey, a Beaver, a few Christmas trees and many Santa's made their way around Billericay on the Mince Pie run. Then it was back to Hannakins for the best bit, a drink and Mince Pies. It was during this time that the draw was made for the Club Marathon Places. The three places go to Derek Butler, Elaine Banville (It was worth being there to see the horror on her face!) and Mr. Secretary Dave Sweet. On the reserve list are Tom Bailey and Richard Lee. Congratulations folks, now is the time to get out on the winter roads and up the mileage.

18th December 2005
Not confirmed yet, but I believe that Coach Kevin Jacob has been crown Bedfordshire Vet Cross Country Champion. Watch this space.
Christmas is nearly here and that means one thing for the Striders. The Mince Pie run. This will take place on Thursday from Hannakins Farm. Usual start time of 7pm. Wear your funny / Christmas hat around town and then in the bar after to see who wins the club places in the Marathon draw.

11th December 2005
Results are in and we came fourth ahead of East Essex Tri. It is interesting to note that if it was one big division, we would have been sixth behind Ford and Havering. We need a turn out at One Tree Hill on the 8th January. Second event in the Sunday Cross Country saw the Striders turning out at a frosty but sunny Stubbers. Without some of our top men, it was always going to be a hard morning. And so it turned out to be with the Striders scoring over 260 points, higher than the last event at Hadleigh! I left before the results were annouced, but I hope to have them up either tonight or tomorrow.

5th December 2005
More information arrived today. First up, the latest status of the Essex League Cross Country is now available with the full results from Gloucester Park, therefore fully up to date. See the Essex League Cross Country page. Results from the Vets Cross Country. Sadly only four respresentatives in all, two at V40 and two at V50. In the V40 Group Coach Kevin Jacob came 14th, and Alan Clark 52 out of 84 finishers. In V50, Steve Fulker, on his way back from injury, came 9th with Gerry O'Doherty, who picked up an injury on the way round came 20th. Well done Gents. Where were the rest of the Vets (Including the Web Master)? Now, the one you have been waiting for. The results of yesterday last Club Handicap can be found here. Special mention for Crispian who set a new course record of 13.33. In fact a bit of a double act with Brenda Bloomfield winning, with Mike Cottrell (Great to see Mike back) finishing second. And that gives the (as yet, unofficial) final Club Championship standings on the Club Championship page. Looks like Coach Kevin Jacob winning from our Secretary David Sweet second, with Brendan Robinson third. In the Ladies, following Louise Hammond home in second is Sue Thake, with Kathy McCrow third. Well done all!

4th December 2005
Two weeks since the last posting and plenty has happened! Two Sunday's ago, we had the Bishop Stortford 10 which also doubled as the National Vets 10 mile Championships. And with the Striders nearly on home soil, there was two great performances. Vic Pridmore finished fourth in the Mens 70 group in a sub 75 minutes (I dream about that time and I am 30 years younger!!!). Also from Coach Kevin Jacob inside one hour. Full results for the other Striders can be found at Bishop Stortford Running Club's website . Then to last weekend and the first 'double header' of Cross Country events. Saturday saw the Essex League event at Great Notley. Both the Ladies and Men fielded full teams for the second race running, with the Girls coming 9th and the Boys coming 6th. Sadly the second half of the double header did not go as well with the Men letting down the team. Despite having Jamie winning the race for the men with David Bottjer fourth and Gail fourh for the Girls, we came a distant fifth (out of five!) 27 points adrift. Next event is next Sunday, at Stubbers. Full details can be found on the Cross Country page. So boys, lets not let the girls down again! See you Sunday. In preparation for this, the last Club Championship event took place today with the last Handicap of the season. Your Website Master was nearly trampled as he turned up late, but still got around, but we will not discuss the time! Watch the website for the results and final placings in the Club Championship.

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