STRIDERS NOTICE BOARD  Updated 21/08/08
If you would like to make a contribution to the notice board or receive the monthly news letter please email me.
The next committee meetings will be held on 1st September at the LRSC commencing at 7.45pm. Anyone wishing to submit an item for discussion should hand his or her written submission to Chris McLaren or to any other committee member.

Chairman's Comments
July 2008 has been a busy month and one that has seen the club go forward yet again. The beginners group culminated in a vast majority of the runners completing the 30 minute run without stopping. A great achievement by you all. We now have had in excess of 20 new members join the club and they are being shown some of our more traditional routes. They are also beginning to form their own groups to run in. Quite a few are also experiencing the introduction to speed work sessions on a Thursday.

Our own Ladies 5K was a great success with a large field and again the ladies from the beginners group taking part in their first race swelling our numbers. Thanks to all the gents who marshalled.

The Fairlands Valley Relays, The Marston Forest Run, and the Vauxhall 5K & 10K races all saw great Striders turn outs. There were some great runs and many PB’s but the thing that has really shone out as far as I am concerned is the number of people who have commented on the great atmosphere generated by the Striders and the team bonding and support. I am sure home made cake also played a major role.

It makes me really proud to see the performances, but I gather great pleasure in seeing how friendly and supportive the members of our club are. The atmosphere always being positive. I am sure that is one of the reasons why so many of our beginners group have joined us and that is down to all the members.

Tony Green
Chairman

Three Counties Cross Country
Please note date of East Hadden XC has changed to 22 Feb 09. Go to Cross Country page for more dates.

16th Fairland Valley Annual Midweek Road Relays
Results

Bedford Harriers Invitation 10k 
Bedford Harriers would like to invite you and your club to take part in the inaugural running of the Bedford Harriers Invitation 10k.  This is to celebrate the opening the Marston Vale Forest project’s new river route adjacent to Bedford’s Priory Country Park.  The route is comparatively flat, on good quality cycle routes with excellent PB potential.  The start is a few minutes walk away from the Bedford International Athletic Stadium which will be the race HQ.
This invitation challenge has been extended to local clubs encouraging them to compete against each other using a scoring system similar to those applied to the Three Counties Cross Country League although this event should be considered as a road race event, not a cross country race.
Scoring will be 1^st = 1 point , 2^nd = 2 points etc. with both men’s and ladies’ team prizes, and an overall team prize.  First man and first lady will also receive prizes.
The men’s team to consist of the top 5 scoring men (2 must be vets), ladies’ team to consist of the top 3 scoring women (1 to be a vet) plus a combined score for the club.  As with any cross country you can enter as many athletes as you wish.  This event will have a course measurement certificate and every individual will receive an official time.
The race is open to all club members aged 15 years and over.
Click here for entry form
Clubs invited:
Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers, Biggleswade AC, Bedford and County AC, BRJ Road Runners, Dunstable Road Runners, Eye Community Runners, Fairlands Valley Spartans/Tri, Leighton Buzzard AC, Leighton Fun Runners, Garden City Runners, Northampton Road Runners, North Herts Road Runners, Olney Runners, Ramsey Road Runners, St Neots Riverside Runners, Stopsley Striders, Wellingborough & District AC, Team East Haddon, Werrington Joggers, Wootton Road Runners, Yaxley Runners & Joggers

Running Report by Bill Barrett & Karen Ashby for events taken place during July 08
Saturday 12^th      Adrian Copp and Kate Linhart both ran PB’s in the Tiffield 4 miles
Sunday 13^th   There were 98 runners taking part in the Ladies 5k at Wardown. We hoped at the beginning of the year that we might get 100 runners and we were very close. The event was extremely well marshalled and organised and we have to thank Dave Young and his team for their excellent organisation. Another thank you must go to the coaches and helpers who were involved with the “Beginners Group”. This enabled those taking part to do so with confidence. Well done to all beginners who took part in this event. We are also extremely pleased to see many of the “beginners” now becoming full members. There were at least 8 PB’s from club members on the day. Louise Peters won the race, with Alison Sugars taking 3^rd vet 35. Well done to all involved in this event.
Wednesday 16^th   Adrian Copp ran the Waddeson Manor 5k.
Sunday 20^th   This was the start of a very busy week for some club members. We had a good turnout of Striders to run the Vauxhall 5k where there were 5PB runs. John Chapman was second vet 50, Alison Sugars first vet 35 and once again Louise Peters was first lady home. Those results were good but we feel that the best run of the day came from one of our “beginners” – it was her very first race and Kirsty Edwards finished fifth lady overall in a brilliant rime of 22.01. Well done to her and we hope that it is the start of a very good running career.
Sunday 20^th   Dianne Blackmore and Graham White along with Linda Thomasson ran PB’s in the Milton Keynes half marathon. Vicky Harwood ran the Hyde Park 10k Chris McLaren and Dave Debnam ran the Stevenage 18miles challenge in PB times.
Tuesday 22^nd   We had an excellent turnout for the Stevenage relays. There were 7 ladies teams and 3 men’s teams. This was even more exceptional as it was the night before the County Championship 5k. Everybody had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and remarked on the good atmosphere and camaraderie that echoed from the club. Naturally there were a few nerves especially from those taking part for the first time but everyone soon got into the swing of it! We have a lot of people to thank who made the evening special. Firstly we would like to say thank you to Alison Sugars and Dave Hall who both ran 2 legs to make up the teams enabling everyone to take part. (The next part Bill insists I put in – sorry!) Thanks to Karen Ashby who ran a leg even though all she has done for the previous month is to try to recover from a bad cold. Also thanks to her for managing the paperwork for 10 teams at the speed only she can do! (personally I think it is just my bossy nature!) Thanks to Bev Green who looked after all our clothes and bags, also thanks to Helen and the “Bacon / Kidney clan” for all the food! Of course we cannot forget to thank the noisy supporters! – You know who you are! We do not have the full results at this time but we do know that our ladies vets team consisting of Alison Sugars, Elaine Harries and Louise Peters were third vets team in the relays and also in the County Championships. Thanks and well done to everybody involved for a great evening. If you haven’t had a chance look at the message board on the web site for the various comments posted about the evening!
Wednesday 23^rd   A small turnout of Striders went to Bedford to compete in the Doug Anderson 5k County Championship event. There were some good results and PB’s were run by Dave Hall and Angela Hickey along with Kristina Hitchcock. Once again Louise was first lady in the race and also in the county. Chris Lamont was first vet 55 in the race. To date we do not have the remainder of the county results. We feel that more Striders would have competed in the county 5k had it not been on that date – too many races too close together!
Sunday 27^th   This was the last event in the Vauxhall series and Striders once again turned out in force. Some were running tired having had a busy racing week but everybody performed well on an extremely hot morning. The 10k also accommodated the Eastern Vets Championships where John Chapman finished second vet 50 and Bill Barrett was second vet 55 and Alan Taylor was third vet 60. In the 10k race Louise Peters showed that she is human after all by finishing second lady. John Chapman took second male vet 50 and Striders were also first female team which consisted of Louise, Alison, Karen Payne and Kim Fenn. The men were also first team, which consisted of John Chapman, Chris Lamont, Chris Green and Matt Thompson. In the 3 race series John Chapman was 3^rd man, Matt Thompson was first vet and Louise was first lady. Stuart Colbert ran a PB in 41.45.
As mentioned earlier Sunday 27^th was an extremely hot day! – that’s putting it mildly! Everybody who had finished the race was standing at the gate waiting for the remaining runners to complete their last lap. As we all know Helen “hates” the heat! Many people thought that she would pull out after 2 laps and nobody could blame her but true gritty Striders style she took her drink and to the amazement of many runners went back out the gate to complete her third and final lap. When we speak of people having guts and commitment Helen is a prime example of just that. Well done to you Helen and also thank you to Bill who accompanied her on her last lap.
Another person we feel deserves a special mention is Louise. She raced on the 20^th, 22^nd and 23^rd. She also completed in 2 track races a 3000m and a 1500m on the 26^th and then performed brilliantly on the 27^th! As your two captains we would not recommend this to anybody but well done to Louise and we do know that she has taken a week off and has gone away to recuperate!
Sunday 27^th   Dave Hall ran the Exmoor Sea View 21 miles.
As July comes to a close it has been a very busy month on the racing scene, but an enjoyable one. There is no better tonic for us than to see our newer members turning out for their club and enjoying themselves. It proves what we are about here at Stopsley. It is not all about hard work – yes Bill did actually say that! – There is a very social and enjoyable side to our club and we hope that all members old and new will continue to enjoy all aspects of it. Many of you will now be taking a well deserved holiday – enjoy it but keep the legs turning over – just a little bit!

Dates For Your Diary
21 Aug - Social Night
25 Sept - Social Night
23 Oct - AGM & Social Night
20 Nov - Social Night
18 Dec - Social Night

2008 Beds County Championship Updated
The 2008 County Championship Road Races are confirmed as:
10 Miles - Leighton Buzzard – 21 September Entry form
5 Miles - Luton – 27 June County Results Photos
5km - Bedford (Doug Anderson Memorial) – 23 July County Results Results
10km - Flitwick – 20 April - County Results Photos
Half Marathon - Wootton – 14 December Entry form
Marathon - Luton – 7 December Entry form
20 mile  - Oakley – 16 March - County Results

2008 Stopsley Striders Championship Races
Vauxhall 5K (mens) - 20 July Results
Stopsley Striders Ladies 5K - 13 July Results
Vauxhall 5 Mile - 27 June Results Photos 
Whipsnade 10K - 1 June Results  Photos
Swineshead 10 Mile - 7 Sept Entry form
20 Mile Open (Any)
1/2 Marathon open (Any)
Marathon Open (Any)

Club Physio
Martin Mitchell
Osteosport Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Clinic
+44 (0)1582 454397