A busy month

New Years Eve saw the famous Newark Striders orange shirts on the international circuit with Lesley Butlin and Andy Sirrs competing in the San Silvestre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2025. Apparently, It was hot even at 5pm with a lovely festive atmosphere. 6km was the distance with a monumental 10,000 runners!

Not quite as hot for Katie Kettleborough at the Oundle 10km. She reported “It was a very cold run and also icy in places”. Katie ran really well given the challenging conditions and had a huge improvement on last year’s time, beating it by 7 minutes and 2 seconds.

Next up was the last of the winters North Midlands Cross Country race series; and for once the sun came out which was welcome given icy conditions! The male team of Tom Banks, Alistair Barrowman and Simon Daniel finished 5th / 15 teams on the day and 7th overall. Simon finished second in his age category.

Running in the female team were Debbie Bouwer, Philippa Clarke, Hannah Jackson and Hannah Strange. The female team finished 7th / 24 teams and overall 8th / 16 in the Senior league.

The following week Simon Carpenter braved the wet and cold for the Sherwood Pines New Year 10k posting a new personal best of 49:53.

The month finished on a real high at Notts cross country championships with a hugely competitive women's team in the medals. 
Hannah Jackson 25:58 third in age cat, Philippa Clarke 29:01, Debbie Bouwer 29:12 second in age cat and an overall third place finish.

Roll on February.