The 2024-25 cross country season opened this weekend with a Chiltern League and Sunday League double header. Striders were out in force at Keysoe international on Saturday afternoon ready to take on the fast course with its famous water feature.
Finishing the round an impressive 3rd (of 16) the St Albans club have started the season in fine form with depth in all categories. A standout performer for the meet was Sophie Jacobs who finished first in the Senior women’s race a staggering 19 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
On Sunday morning 22 runners made the trip to Hoddesdon for the start of the Sunday League. The men dominated with 4 in the top 10 consisting of Patrick Hawker (2nd), Adam Yorwerth (3rd), Chris Dennell (4th) and Sam Adcock (7th). In the women’s Freya Weddell was first overall followed by Kate Dixon, Hannah Burkhardt and Louise Bentham.
Further north Jacob James came 3rd at the North Chilterns 50k in a sub 4hr time of 3:53:33.
On the roads it was a busy morning of half marathons with Striders making appearances in Peterborough, Manchester, Oxford and London.
At the Great Eastern Half (Peterborough) Heather Hann (7th), Andy Jordan, and Fleur Harvey-Keenan all met the qualification standards for the England Masters selection. Heather Hann ran a new club record with a blistering time of 1:19:13. Andy Jordan broke his lifetime best finishing in 1:21:18 to continue his fine form across multiple distances this year.
In Manchester there were personal bests for Adam Dunbavand (1:21:16), Chloe Cooke (1:29:28) and Rebecca Butler (1:34:25).
Emily Hickey-Baird (1:33:28) took over a minute off her PB in Oxford with Joshua Snowden first home for the Striders (1:19:07).
At the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London Ivan Ghouse continued his streak of PBs with a 1:27:48. He was joined by Alan Castle (1:29:35) and Jay Wheeler (1:42:39) who both picked up PBs on the scenic course.
Jethro Offemaria rounded the weekend off for the club as he ventured south for the Bournemouth Supersonic 10k finishing in 1:31:14.
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