ST ALBANS Striders had another success weekend, securing top 10 finishes across a number of races.
Pablo Plaza Lastra came first out of 166 runners in Saturday’s St Albans Parkrun with a new personal best time of 17mins 6secs. Pablo was followed in by John Knight in third, fifth placed Graham Smith and Cathal Gallagher in seventh. Jenny Maddocks was the first lady finishing in a time of 20mins 29secs.
Also on Saturday Strider Emma Halldearn completed British Military Fitness’ 10k Major South race at Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells. Halldearn navigated steep hills, dense woodland, mud-filled trenches, balance beams, hurdles, wobbly bridges and a freezing ice crawl to come 95th out of 505 ladies.
On Sunday two Striders joined the 143 runners taking part in the Dunstable Downs 10k trail race, which follows a picturesque route over rolling hills. Steve Buckle came second (42mins 55secs) and Graham Smith – who came 32nd of 994 in Shelter’s Vertical Rush the week before – finished fifth (46mins 38secs).
Elsewhere off-road in a wind-chill temperature of minus-five Ian Nichol completed the Bolton Hill Marathon over the hills of the West Pennine Moors.
On the roads 11 Striders braved light snow to run the Milton Keynes half marathon with five of them finishing in under an hour and a half: Simon Riley (8th), Gary Warren (20th), Martin Whitworth (40th), Nick Dowling (44th) and Richard Harry (85th).
Also running was Rav Dighe, Jeanette Kendall, Jack Brooks, Rachel Porter, Vanessa Hastings and Denise Howe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here