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Nick WellsTeam Events co-ordinator | I had always done a bit of jogging, but it was with a fair amount of trepidation that I accepted a friend's invitation to join Stamford Striders in 2007. What if they were all super athletes and I ended up left behind somewhere in the wilderness? It turned out that they weren't, and I wasn’t, and I had a ball. The whole ethos of the club is to enjoy running first and foremost, and then to take it as far as you want. Our Coaches, Running Leaders and members have a whole range of running experience and will support you from those first few strides. Just want to run to keep fit and enjoy the social side? Then come along on a Tuesday night when we have over 100 runners of all abilities. Want to push yourself a little further? We have Thursday hill sessions or Coached track training. Fancy running further? Sunday long, slow runs. If you fancy competing, we have a Club Championship with a nominated calendar of local races. It doesn’t matter where you finish, just that you start. We will be there at the finish line cheering every Strider home. Don’t feel you have to - remember, our big thing is to be comfortable with your running and to enjoy it - I bet you do though!. When I started out at Stamford Striders I was jogging a couple of miles. Since then I’ve done 10ks, half and full marathons; run road, trail, and cross country; taken part in team relay events; and enjoyed many Club social events along the way. I certainly feel as fit as I have ever been. I’m still having a ball. |
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Robin BallClub Chairman
Membership SecretaryRunning Leader | I started running at the end of April 2009 when I finally took up Strider Brian Kearsey's challenge. I thought I was fit - 4 sets of enthusiastic tennis no problem - but not having run for over 40 years my running limit was about 300 yards before stopping, chest heaving and legs like rubber. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but at the age of 57, thanks to the 2009 Beginners course and Striders' regular meets I had a fantastic first year of running - solo runs, lots of club runs and some races. I rounded off Year One with the London Marathon and started Year Two with the Edinburgh Marathon. I love the sense of achievement and getting properly fit for the first time in my life. I love the mix of friendship, help and competition and now, eight years in, I wish I had discovered running years ago - maybe I could have been good! |
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Elaine AllwoodClub Secretary
Running Leader
| My first contact with Striders was in May 2009 when I started the 10 week beginner course - it sounds a bit corny but it was life-changing especially as I was not a youngster! I am now a Running Leader and Secretary to this great Club. Not only have I got the running bug - but I have made loads of friends, have run five half marathons and numerous 5k Parkruns and 10k races. The less-than-flattering photo is when I had finished the Great Eastern, but I love that photo because I remember clearly how I felt - pretty chuffed that I had actually managed to get round the course in a decent time and at how much I had enjoyed the experience! |
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Gaynor Morris
Club Treasurer
| Gaynor was elected to the committee at the July 2021 AGM. |
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Calli RobertsonRunning Co-ordinator | Calli was elected to the committee at the July 2021 AGM. |
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Brian KearseyRunning Leader Championship Co-ordinator Club Kit
| I’ve been running for a long time, having joined my first running club in London in 1960 (the Crown & Manor - not a pub), I did a lot of road running and cross country in those days. Alongside a lot of football and squash, I've run ever since. Needless to say, I enjoy running both as a physical and emotional release valve, despite the fact that in recent years I have become more of a “plodder/back marker” than a true runner – even as a Running Leader I seem to spend more time following the group rather than leading – but, hey, who cares! Striders is a great club for runners of all levels, and I can highly recommend the Tuesday and Thursday sessions and the 'long slow run' on a Sunday morning. I am a committee member dealing with club kit and the club championship. Running is a fun sport and, through Striders, I have made lots of new friends of all ages since arriving here nearly 11 years ago. It is pleasing to see so many new members committed to promoting running locally. | |