Sittingbourne Striders

16 Striders took part in the Island 10k on Sunday, an out and back course starting from Sheerness and running along the sea front to the Minster Leas before returning. A predominantly flat course, favourable weather and a healthy dose of post lockdown determination saw the club giving a great account of themselves; 7 striders gained Personal Best times (PB)  and 4 striders achieved top 10 places. 

Six Striders completed the Mid Kent 5 Miler on Sunday. First Strider to finish was Mark Leppard in a time of 39 mins and 45 secs. Jackie Austin was the first female to finish with a personal best of 40 mins and 24 secs. (Chris Scarlett 40:24, Joanne Priston 55:52 PB, Vanessa Hawks 55:53 PB, Jane Patching 1:04:37)

Emma Penfold had a busy weekend completing races on both Saturday and Sunday. She completed the London City Relay 10k in 70 mins and the Sevenoaks 7 in 1:11:27.

Jackie Austin led a small team of Striders at Sunday's Sandwich 10k, a fast and flat course that starts on the edge of the ancient town of Sandwich and also uses the lanes around the village of Worth. Jackie finished just under an hour in 58:25, and the first gentleman strider home was Clive Glover in 1hr1min38secs.

James Topham completed the 7k Harbour Wallbanger running from Broadstairs to Ramsgate on Saturday finishing in 37mins58secs, with Gemma Flegg winning bragging rights as the first lady back in 48mins44secs.

19 members of the Sittingbourne Striders took part in the Folkestone 10 mile race on Good Friday, a fast and flat course running along the coast from Hythe to Folkestone and back. Just over 700 runners took part in the race in glorious sunshine and hot conditions.

Anthony Jackson was 2nd placed overall and first strider home with an amazing time of 58mins45secs, and Caroline Lewis was the First Lady Strider home in 1hr28mins37secs.

A dozen Striders took part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, a 26.2 miles course starting from Preston Park and then following a course along the coast. Daniel Barnard (pictured) was first strider home in 3hrs52mins30secs and Sophie Byrne was the first lady strider home, on her first Marathon, at 4hrs38mins35secs

Lone striders also took part in the Brighton 50k bike ride (Darren Billing in 2hrsmins45secs), Goodwood Running Grand Prix half Marathon (Emma Penfold 2hrs7mins51secs) and the Paris Marathon (Pires Scott James Simpson 3hs24mins)

Brighton Marathon Full Results

A group of 34 Striders who took part in the Paddock Wood Half Marathon on Sunday, a fast and flat 13.1 mile course that serves as the 4th race in the Sittingbourne Striders Club Championship. Chris Lawley was the first over the line in 1hr 30mins 18secs, and bragging rights for first Lady Strider home went to Kelly Lywood in 1hr 44mins 43secs.

A smaller group took part in the Chatham Maritime 10k, led by Paul Williams who finished in 46mins 12secs and Gary Read was the sole strider taking part in the Charing Half Marathon, finishing in 1hrs 53mins 13secs.

Lydd 20 Mile Race

The Sittingbourne Striders braved the 50mph winds to take part in the Lydd 20 mile race on Sunday, a fast and flat course popular with those training for the Spring marathon season, and the third race in the Striders Club Championship.

Lee Simpson was the first Strider over the line in 2hrs21mins50secs, finishing 42nd overall. Bragging rights for the first lady Strider home went to Alison Davey, who finished in 3hrs18min45secs

Dartford Half Marathon

Scott Simpson headed a strong Sittingbourne Striders group at the Dartford Half Marathon on Sunday, braving the hills and the poor weather conditions, to complete the course in 21st place overall in a fantastic time of 1hr28mins39secs. Emma Penfold was the first lady strider to cross the line in 2hrs11min57secs

Other Runners:

Marriane inspires team mates with defiant effort
Marriane Seaward showed the big C what she is made of when she sped round the Sittingbourne Parkrun on Saturday, 20 October.

In February Marriane was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since undergone chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and is currently having radiotherapy. Despite this she put on her running shoes to storm round the multi-terrain 5km in 32mins 56secs, much to the delight of her supporters.

Great South run for five Strider ladies