Boundaries continue to be pushed as the count down to the London marathon continues with a number of Striders competing in 20 mile distance races at the weekend. At the Milton Keynes 20 Miler, part of the Milton Keynes Festival of Running, Ross May was the first Strider home (14^th overall in 2:00:23), followed by Barnaby Walker (2:07:19) and Adam Yorwerth (2:09:46). Megan Walker placed 2nd female overall in 2:11:30 and age category placings were secured by Andy Jordan (1st V60 in 2:14:38) and Max Cambell (2nd V60 in 2:17:20). Hannah Burkhardt also finished in a strong time of 2:31:18.

Heather Hann represented Hertfordshire in the Intercounty 20 mile Championships which was incorporated into the Essex 20 event. She covered the 5-lap course at the disused Debden Airfield in a time of 2:10:28 which was good enough for 4th female place and a new V35 club record, as well as helping the Hertfordshire team into 2^nd place. Team mate Steve Buckle finished 27th in the open event in a fantastic time of 1:57:06.

Choosing a similar distance but on a far more difficult terrain, four Striders took on the challenge of the Grindleford Gallop which covered 21 muddy miles with 3,000 feet of ascent through the beautiful Peak District. Alex Lane completed the course in 3:40:03, followed by Cam Ross (3:51:56), Laura Lane (4:14:47) and Alice Clilverd (4:17:54).

George Booth finished in an incredible 30th place out of over 7,000 participants in the Liverpool half marathon with a personal best time of 1:16:20. Hollie Ryder placed 57th out of 4,500 females in the Lisbon half marathon crossing the line with team mate Jonny Pennell in 1:32:32. Also accompanying them on their quest for the warm and sunny weather currently lacking in the UK was Ivan Ghouse (1:34:20), Fergus Sheridan (1:42:31), Katie Bunting (2:05:26) and Onil Biswas (2:07:17)

In other news roundup, Rose McGinness completed the Lincolnshire Half marathon in 1:51:26 and Justin Phillipps placed 4th in the Dunstable town mayor's charity 5 mile race in a time of 32.06.