Last week we were advised that Frank Rickus had passed away at the grand age of 91.  Frank was one of a small number of runners that formed Worthing Striders back in 1996. ​Looking through club results one highlight for Frank was that he got to run the Boston Marathon in the twilight of his running career in 1996 at the age of 66.  Frank last ran for the club in 2006 but each year would support the club by helping to marshall the Highdown Hike and Duck Pond Waddle. 

​RIP Frank 

A group of Striders along with a couple of local Councillors took part in a litter pick on Sunday 6th June in and around Highdown.  Well done to everyone that took part and special thanks to Peter Jenkins and Barbara for organising the event.

We sadly learnt yesterday that Ron Hill, the club's Honorary President had passed away.

Ron's achievements  in Athletics were legendary.  The following was posted on the BBC website:

Ex-European and Commonwealth marathon champion Ron Hill has died aged 82.
Hill represented Britain in the marathon at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and at Munich in 1972.
In 1970 he became the first Briton to win the Boston Marathon, breaking the course record, and won Commonwealth gold the same year in a time of two hours nine minutes 28 seconds.
Hill also ran at least one mile every single day for 52 years and 39 days before ending his streak aged 78.
The Accrington-born athlete ran every day from 20 December 1964 to 31 January 2017 - including after snapping his sternum in a car accident in 1993.
His winning time at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh made him only the second man to break 2:10 for the marathon, and he still ranks as the 12th fastest Briton of all time over the 26.2-mile distance, while his winning time in Boston of 2:10:30 took more than three minutes off the existing course record.
Hill also won marathon gold at the 1969 European Championships.
On the track, he competed in the 10,000m at the Mexico City Olympics of 1968, and held world records at 10 miles, 15 miles and 25km.
He later founded a sportswear company, which paid tribute on Sunday to "our founder, our inspiration, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a runner".

The photograph below shows Ron meeting two past members of Worthing Striders.

On Sunday 25th April a number of Striders took part in the local Bluebell trail runs in Angmering Park.  In sunny spring conditions the runs were enjoyed by all.  There was even time to stop and video a deer in the woods!

Last night's Striders training session finished in a snow blizzard.  The great British weather.  Thank you to the four trainers: Colin, Carla, Anita and Steve and thanks to everyone that braved the elements and supported the training.

As lock down restrictions were eased Worthing Striders returned to training on Tuesday 30th March.  We were blessed with a warm evening and a turn out of more than 30 enjoyed socially distanced training.  It was good to meet up and see familiar faces!

Congratulations to Rob Graham and Anita Watkins for completing the Beachy Head Marathon on Saturday.

Anita commented:
​The always amazing Beachy Head Marathon did not disappoint. It's a tough event on the best of days, and today wasn't that, at least weatherwise. Starting off with blisters on both heels from walking in wet shoes during the week wasn't great either! VERY, VERY windy, but at least I didn't get rained on (much)
Absolutely thrilled to finish in under 7 hours, an event PB . The stairs are looking pretty daunting at the moment, but I'm still planning to sign up for next year.
A fantastic day out, and obviously the medal is perfect!

Hello Striders
Pete Jenkins has come up with another great run for next Sunday (18th October).

We will be meeting from 8.45 in the car park at the end of Storrington Rise in Findon Valley (post code BN14 0HT) and starting the run at 9.00.

The car park can be quite full. If it is you can park in the nearby road called Long Meadow.

The run is 4.4 miles with some hills, so a good challenge.

Here is a link to a map of the course:

 https://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_5158685

Hopefully you can join us and the weather is as good as it is today!

Well done to everyone who completed a very windy Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday and thanks to all supporters who turned out to cheer on the runners.  Rob Holmes missed [only just] the World Record for completing a half Marathon in a suit of armour - a great effort!

Well done to Paul Hurley on completing his 100th Park Run last Saturday [22nd February]

​On Saturday 18th January 15 Striders took part in the Sussex Masters Cross Country Championships which were held locally at Coombes Farm.  On a gruelling course – the word ‘hilly’ does not do it justice, conditions were glorious for running being cold but with bright winter sunshine.  The Downland views at the top were brilliant.  Everyone enjoyed their run and the new Striders Gazebo made its first appearance, which was the envy of every other club!  Well done in particular to Myra who ran with a smile and to Richard Butler who made is debut in a Striders vest.

​On Sunday 5th January 11 Striders made the relatively short journey up to Epsom to run the Tadworth 10.  The race start was at the famous Epsom race course, venue for the Derby.  Consequently, the race facilities on the ground floor of the main stand were excellent.  A warm environment, tea and coffee for sale and plenty of toilets so no queuing.  The start of the race was a 5-minute walk away and there was plenty of car parking.  The race itself was a mixture of terrain.  It started on the race course and after a long downhill followed country roads, small villages and paths through wooded areas.  The course consisted of 2 loops which had a steady climb and a long downhill section that followed.  On the second loop the climb was more noticeable with tired legs!  Conditions were cold but dry and Mike Osmon was first Strider home closely followed by Tim McGrath who set a PB for the 10-mile distance.  This well organised race was a thoroughly enjoyable day out and a great start to the New Year.  I’m sure this race will grow in popularity with Striders.
Neil R.

​On New Year’s Day, 32 Striders were out in force to run the Hangover 5.

​Senior Team finished 12th out of 18 [best placed finish since 2012]
Junior Team finished 9th out of 18
Junior Team won award for Most Improved Participation
[Well done to Clodagh Fowler, Paddy Fowler, Grace Fryer, Albie Barnes, Isla Wells, Theo Turner, Harry Turner, James Wells]
Keith Fowler scored the most Senior Points for men [105]
Natasha Sparkes scored the most Senior Points for women [69]
Paul Hurley took part in the most Senior runs [13 out of 16]
Clodagh Fowler scored the most Junior Points for girls [37]
Paddy Fowler scored the most Junior points for boys [28]
Clodagh Fowler took part in the most Junior runs [6 out of 17]

Striders had a large turn out with 16 runners taking part in this event. The course was a challenging one with very little flat ground to be found as it worked its way thought the forest in a 5 mile loop back to the start. 

By Tim

It was a glorious late summer day when messes  Rabone ,Turner, Tullet and McGrath set out on another relay adventure with Karen Thomas  tackling the solo 10k route in a pincer movement This event was local Arundel Cricket Club was the venue . The event was a 6.5 mile loop though the woods up hill and down dale back to the start for handover it was a lovely route with a constantly changing vista it offered a challenge with some fearsome steps halfway around . There was also a solo  half or full marathon option with laps.
We set of in reverse order from last relay and all really enjoyed the event it was very social with other clubs and old friends there too and with a free burger and a medal at the end whats not to like i would recommend for the future 

By Nicola Banks

From Tim

We all arrived on what proved to be a very chilly morning no one really wanted to strip off and start the race.. However it soon warmed up when we started. Striders where well represented in this event at all levels.
The course has changed for the better since i last did it 5 years ago and for the better a very flat fast course with brilliant support for the runners. For some strange reason i thought i would go for it i have been trying to get under 45 mins for manly years and have come so close many times. This time i was lucky and was able to take 50 secs of my time to get under the 45 so very happy . I know a few other club runner got PB and well done to them on there efforts  

From Hannah Wise

​New Forest Marathon, Sunday 8th September 2019

If you like the idea of running through scenic woodland and darting out of the way of a stampede of ponies then The New Forest Marathon is for you! 

This is one of my favourite races because it offers some of the most beautiful running experiences in the UK. A mix of woodland enclosures and far reaching views and of course the famous ponies that like to roam around the villages stopping cars and runners in their tracks. 

The main routes start and finish from New Park Showground, Brockenhurst and meander through the heart of the New Forest National Park. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to take part and there is a large variety of distances for both runners and walkers to choose from:  


New Forest Marathon 

New Forest Half Marathon 

New Forest Health & Leisure 10k

ExxonMobil 5k

Go Run For Fun 1k and 200m Junior Run

Woodland Walk


I’ve run the New Forest Half for the last couple of years so this year I opted for the 10k route. 
I wanted to take the pressure off a little and enjoy soaking up the scenery on a different route, 
I wasn’t disappointed.   

On Saturday morning we (Darren and I) stopped at the Race Village en-route to our Aribnb in Brockenhurst to pick up my race pack.

I’d recommend picking up your race pack in advance. This year we got a fashionable florescent green t-shirt, no worries about getting lost on the woods! The Race Village is equipped with a stage and aspiring musicians to keep you entertained and places to grab a coffee and bite to eat (and lots of places to buy more running t-shirts!) 

We enjoyed some lunch then went exploring on our bikes through the New Forest.  


Sunday morning (race day) we cycled 15-20 mins through the Forest to the start. For me this is an absolute highlight. The woodland feels fresh in the morning and with the sun starting to shine through the tree branches everything glistens.  The 10K route takes your through the heart of the Forest and makes you feel alive and invigorated. On my run we saw a stampede of ponies, all the runners had to dart off track to let them charge on!  This was a real highlight and a magical sight. There were two water stations at 2.8k and 7.5k and you get a decent medal at the end! 

We stayed Sunday evening (to avoid the traffic queues home) and drove to Milford on Sea for dinner and a beach stroll– well worth checking out if you have time. 


I’ve already signed up for the Early Bird price for the 10k next year. 









Top Tips for the Race: 


Places to stay:
The cheapest option is to camp in the New Forest.  There are some great campsites right on the doorstep of the start line, so you can take your time on race day and take a gentle stroll to the race village.

Stay in Brockenhurst (or that way).
There are some fabulous and reasonably priced Airbnb’s and BnB’s in around Brockenhurst. 

If driving the traffic tends to pile up coming in from Lyndhurst – leave yourself plenty of time as you could find yourself stuck in traffic for a very long time.

Take your bikes! It’s really worth it! The New Forest is HUGE and getting around by bike to explore is so much fun – watch the streams if you’re cycling through them – pedal fast and don’t stop in the middle?! 


Look after the environment: The New Forest Marathon is big on respecting the Forest. Don’t drop gel packets or tissues or anything en-route otherwise you might receive a DQ. 


Carry your own water/ drinks whilst running.

There are water stations on the course with water in recyclable paper cups.  You must drink the water at the station then bin the cups there.  

It was a hot day and some runners needed more water than provided so it’s a good idea to take your bottle.  

Get involved in the race warm up!  Every distance has an organised warm up and it’s a fun way to feel part of a community of runners. 


Take in the scenery – it is simply stunning!


Sign up for 2020 now if you want the Early Bird discount price. 

From James ans Steve 

​ames

The Junior wave which was my wave were scheduled to enter the water at 9am and start, the start was very hectic as everyone was fighting to get that front position, I managed to nesly myself between two swimmers so I was able to jetsteam off them, after around 200m I managed to get into my pace and start to really fight to gain some ground. The swim was shorter than I thought it was going to feel so I held back in speed which meant I went slower than I could have. I jumped out of the river and ran to transition my legs felt very odd as I was doing so, due to the very cold water, sadly my transition was a deadly slow 2:20! As I had a clothing malfunction. I then proceed to make up for the time lost in the swim and the Transition by making sure I paced behind two runners I thought had a good 5km pace/time.
The run itself was definitely not my best 5km, my time was 21:17 but still very happy with how I did. The run was hard as the strange feeling in my legs would not go but I fought through. I crossed the line and the sense of joy was great, I came 6th in the Junior boys Category which I know next year I can do better by cutting the time down not only in Transition but also in the swim and run but still happy with my result considering I was racing against as GB representative. 
I would like to say a massive thank you to Stephen Feest for not only encouraging me to race but for also taking myself there as he was too competing, but for all the amazing tips and equipment he gave me. 

Stephen 

The Arun river water was a bit colder than I expected, but I had a fair swim followed by a reasonable transition, out the River, into transition whilst getting wetsuit off and running shoes on.
 
I got into my stride and picked a few Age Groupers off (faster swimmers than me !!) to come 7th in the 60-64 year old age group. 
 
The 5k run was on a closed road from the Black Rabbit nearly into Arundel, return and around the scenic Swanbourne Lake and to finish at the pub. My time for the 5km was 21:41
 
Great camaraderie from the other competitors and a well-run event, would recommend it if they run it again locally.

But, best of all, I beat my mate Glen Parissi of Striders to win a pint!

Aquathlon is a good way to enter into “multi discipline” racing without the need for a 

As always we give out are annual awards at the AGM. As well as the normal awards this year we added some funny prizes to add some comic value,  First the serious stuff.

Best male performance     Mike Osman
Best female performance     Becky Kipping
Most improved male     Paul Hurley
Most improved female      Gemma Wells
Club person   was a tie between   Tony Pearce  &  Jacky Brown
Special  achievement award       Rob Holmes ( completed 100 marathons )

The  comical awards just for a bit of fun 

Most stylish runner     Mike Osman
Club Joker         Kevin Valentine
Cake maker       Mrya Jasper
Epic tumble      Paul Hurley
Sprint finisher   Sean Carter

Well done to the winner and i am sure that most of the members have scored there own little victory's in the last year just a shame everyone cant win .

A great turn out for this west sussex fun run league race.

By Mike Osman