The Striders have officially sprung into the 2026 racing season, leaving a trail of fast times and podium finishes from the heart of London to the rolling hills of the Chilterns. While the club showed strength across the board, it was the Striders women who truly stole the spotlight this weekend.

A Podium Start in Hyde Park 💨

The momentum ignited on Friday at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k. In a field packed with elite speed, Catherine O’Connor delivered a performance of pure class. Catherine stormed to an amazing 2nd place finish, stopping the clock at a blistering 17:41. It was a masterclass in 5k racing and the perfect springboard for the club’s weekend of success.

Dominance at the Berko Half ⛰️

The sea of yellow and blue then moved to the Berkhamsted Half Marathon on Sunday. On a demanding, undulating course, the Striders women continued their clinical run of form, led by a standout performance from Freya Weddell. Freya produced an incredible chip time of 1:18:40, asserting herself at the very front of the pack as the first club finisher home.

The men’s squad proved they were finding their spring legs too. Jonathan Scott led the charge for the men, comfortably clearing the sub-90-minute barrier with a fantastic 1:22:07, while Alan Castle and Marco Paganuzzi showed great grit over the Berko hills to secure their spots in the club’s top five.

Strength in Depth

The real story of the day was the sheer depth of the squad. Following Freya’s lead, Sophie French and Rachel Dixon showcased their strength with superb sub-1:41 finishes. They were backed up by a wave of consistent performances from Georgie Noble, Peter Guess, Ellen Mayes, and Rebecca McMurray, all of whom powered through the challenging course to round out a formidable club top ten.

From Catherine’s podium in the capital to the sea of yellow vests conquering the Chilterns, the Striders are looking fit, fast, and ready for the peak of the racing season. Whether leading the pack or chasing down personal bests, our athletes are making their mark this March.