Half’s, Parks and a Dash
A monster turnout of 37 Striders took to the line for the Worksop Halloween Half. First to finish, in his third half marathon in three countries in 3 weeks was Mark Jackson 1:31:28, followed by David Cross 1:34:31, Nige Driscoll 1:39:25, Dave Dews 1:42:00 and Peter Davis 1:43:12. Whilst weather conditions were perfect, recent heavy rain had created a deep 20 metre flood in mile 5, with little option other than to splash through it.
John Palmer was next to finish 1:43:53, then Steve White 1:45:41, David Fowler 1:49:21, Jason Cobb sub 1:50 for the first time in a new PB of 1:49:30 with Simon Palmer also 1:49:30. Graham Welsh 1:52:01 then team Hancock, Michael 1:52:57 and daughter Ella 1:53:17, both PB in their half marathon debuts and Bev 1:54:27.
For such a tough, undulating course Worksop always throws up a lot of PBs as the following demonstrates. David Daubney 1:55:21 PB, Andy Scott 2:02:18, Mary Swindles 2:03:17 PB, Donna Wright 2:03:50 PB, Matt Patterson 2:04:43 PB, Niceeta Padgett 2:05:03, Tom Jordan 2:09:01 PB and Sara-Jane Cobb 2:09:04 PB.
Next, dressed as the Grim Reaper was Jason Priest 2:09:23, Andy Sirrs 2:10:45, Jacqui Jackson, like Mark in her third half in as many weeks, 2:11:41, Stacey Atkins 2:17:57, Helen McGrory 2:18:21, Sara Whittaker 2:22:26, Tracey Partridge 2:27:35 PB and Lesley Butlin 2:28:31. More personal bests next with Chris Cregg 2:28:32 PB, Di Holmes 2:31:18 PB followed by Nicole Henderson 2:31:18, Heather Green 2:31:20, Anthea Moisey 2:35:50, Gemma Latham 2:35:51 and Lynne Boby & Kath Scott together in 2:40:30. Well done to Striders family member Melissa White who completed the Worksop Halloween fun run.
In Leeds, Stephen Tomlinson raced in the Abbey Dash 10K, crossing the line in 51:01.
As well as Newark we took part in Parkruns at Beeston, Long Eaton, Woodhouse Moor, and the Delaware and Raritan Canal, USA.
A special Striders mention for Cate Driscoll who completed a tandem freefall parachute jump and half marathon weekend in support of RAFA. The parachuting was moved from Saturday to Sunday at late notice due to unsuitable weather which meant missing the Worksop Half and running 13.1 miles solo in Saturday's cold and rain.