Club Race Reports

  1. Borders League tattenhall

    372 finishers braved high winds across the region to take part in the fourth Border League fixture of the season on 27 January, hosted by Chester Tri on the hilly course at Tattenhall, just shy of 10k. The Deestriders had a good turnout of 22, with a few having already run 16 miles to the venue from Connah’s Quay. ...More

    The men, benefitting from a stronger (and full) team compared to the third race, gave a much improved performance between them. Scott Nixon, back on form, led the charge with 35.44, followed by Nick Bartley returning to action with 37.36. Next in was the veteran Steve Thomas with a strong 39.20, and he was followed by Jacob Foy with a decent time of 42.26. Dave Toft had a good run with 45.22 and Joe Pedder is another returning to racing with 46.19. Fred Aird was our seventh counter in 46.56 and then came Martin Witty whose 47.22 was an impressive time considering he was one of those who had run to the venue, but then he is in ultra training! Mark Derbyshire knew he was taking a risk running with an ankle problem and although he took it steady, unfortunately the injury came home to bite fairly early on, but he took one for the team with 47.34. Our final counter was “Dr Dave” Dafydd Morris with 50.34. Our next three men came in close together- Shaun Terry (51.04), Vince Edwards (51.33) and league captain Kev Burns (51.56). Mike Norris battled round in 53.24 and he was followed by Nige Parr and Paul Lewtey, whose times (54.01 and 57.31) were proof of their epic run from Flintshire.

    Jay Jennions (44.19) currently has a thigh injury, but she pitched in to help the Girlstriders in their bid for promotion. Next in was Christine Cammillare, one of the club’s fastest women- her 57.04 was impressive because she had just run 16 miles there. Our third counter was Sue McIndoe in a good time of 61.29, narrowly holding off the improving Fiona Robinson (62.49). Bev Goodson and Cathy Robinson completed the course together in brave times of 72.47 and 72.48. ...Less

  2. Chester Half Marathon 2018

    19 Deestriders joined over 6,000 other participants to run the Essar Chester Half Marathon on Sunday. As always there was a brilliant atmosphere at this excellently run event. The undulating course out to Mollington and back to the city via Saughall enjoyed pleasant conditions and plenty of support along the way from marshals, water stations and spectators. Two of our fastest members, Mike Roberts and Steve Hayes, both ran stunning top 15 times of 1.16. Next in was Neil Robinson in 1.26. Jay Jennions, going for a sub 90, had a brilliant race affected only by a tight start and was agonisingly close to her goal in 1.30.00. Mark Dunn ran a strong and consistent 1.34, with a decent time for Dave Toft of 1.38. Paul Lewtey incredibly managed a PB of 1.39 just one week after his 4.17 in London, and Nige Parr also made it under 1.40. A fantastic PB of 1.40 for Andrea Wadcock and good runs too from Christine Cammillare and James Rees (both 1.45). Mike Norris ran well with 1.52 and several others also achieved sub 2- Scott Jones (1.55), Dafydd Morris (1.56), John Owen, supported by Mark Richards both ran 1.57, with Jenny Lewtey Jones also breaking the magic sub 2 on her half marathon debut with 1.57. Another debutante at the distance, Jo Houghton-Davies, ventured out with a bold effort in her own sub-2 bid but saw the 13.1 miler bite back- she finished in a close and courageous 2.01 and well done to the very experienced Lorna Royle for supporting her. Lorna finished in 2.02.

  3. Border League Race 7 Shotton - 25th April 2018

    And so it ended- the 2017-18 Border League season, on a cold, sunny Wednesday evening on the banks of the River Dee. It fell to us to host it this time, and boy did we put on a show, thanks to the tremendous organisation and hard work of so many people, in particular league captain Kevin Burns and chief marshal Shaun Terry, and so many members and friends pulled together to marshal, help, sort stuff... the presentation was great too and the locally sourced chip butties were much appreciated by all. Oh yes and turning back to the small matter of the race itself! It was a 4.6ish mile flat course of the industrial estate and riverside. The ‘interesting’ figure of 8 route, so laid to add distance, was excellently marshalled to ensure proceedings went smoothly. 322 Runners completed the course and despite the club deploying many resources to marshal, 15 Deestriders were still able to take part. ...More

    The men came into this with high- but not unassailable- hopes of promotion to division 1. Defending champion Gareth Williams put up a brave fight against the legendary Ricky Challinor but could not quite retain his title as he came second to Challinor in a stunning 23.51. Huge congratulations to Ricky. Next in for the club was Edd Flynn, who despite a recent Achilles injury was already back in his role of wingman to the team, coming 9th on the night in a brilliant 25.06 and 6th SM overall. Another exciting new prospect, Scott Nixon, was third counter in 26.24. Nick Bartley overcame a recent knee scare to count fourth in 27.47, with Neil Robinson fifth on Nick’s tail in 28.02. The other counters were veterans Steve Thomas (4th v50 overall his reward for a long-awaited return to club action) and Christopher Stephens (30.01). Though third team in Division 2 on the night the men’s collective performance was enough to get them to the top flight. Well done also to Mark Derbyshire (32.04), Nigel Parr (33.35) and Kevin Burns got to enjoy the fruits of his own labours in 54.15. The men’s shift up a gear this year has seen them win the improvers trophy. Also Mike Roberts won 7th SM and Martin Witty 6th v50. Well done lads.

    A reversal of fortunes with the GirlStriders, who though facing an almost inevitable drop, refused to go down without a fight and these green, mean ladies put forward their best performance in quite some time. Jay Jennions, now close to her form of several years ago, managed her highest placing (4th) in several seasons with 30.14, which was enough to win second LV35. She was followed by the returning Andrea Wadcock, who showed serious potential with 33.53. The always strong Christine Cammillare was right behind her in 34.10, with the excellent Becky Massey fourth counter in 35.12. Well done Beverley Goodson for a great 45.13 as well. Though fourth in the premiership on the night, it was a bridge too far to save them from relegation, but performances like that and with strong backup in the mix as well, could well see them return to Division 1 next year. Well done all. Already looking forward to next season in the autumn! ...Less

  4. Borders League Race 4- 18 February 2018

    Following cancellation of the second League fixture in November, this was the rescheduled date and it could have been a combination of resulting unavailability and, for some, distance to travel which explained the lowest race turnout in nearly 2 years of "just" 298 finishers. Those who ran however, and 22 Deestriders did, were treated to the scenic yet tough Caernarfon 10k. The course was run on its conventional anticlockwise route and though the weather was mild, there was a deceptive headwind in the early kilometres south west along the Menai Strait, only escaped by tackling three large hills inland. ...More

    The club's men have had an excellent campaign so far and today showed their strength in depth to win this battle in the fight for Division Two. Gareth Williams continues his quest to defend his League title with yet another stunning win (32.19) with lieutenants Mike Roberts and Edd Flynn both making the top 10 with terrific teamwork (34.24 and 34.34). Steve Hayes also made the top 20 with a strong 35.32. Next in was Nick Bartley, not far off his PB with 37.14 and then came the very impressive new recruit Scott Nixon (37.34) even if the final turn uphill into the field came as a bit of a shock to him on his league debut! Our final counter was Steve Thomas, now a V50 and once again a very welcome fixture at the club having been our #1 a decade ago. He ran 39.29. Also out there for the men were chairman Martin Witty who had a decent run with 43.11. Mark Dunn is on his way back from flu with 44.22 and we were all glad Mark Derbyshire aka Darbo's leg injury held up for 44.54. Paul Lewtey, who'll be flying the flag for us in London in April having won the club place for the marathon, is seeing the big miles pay off with a PB of 45.23, and Fred Aird made it round in a respectable 45.57 even if it took him a lot longer to get to the pub for lunch afterwards (we know you were helping sort the results Fred as nothing keeps you away normally!) Another PB next, this time for Nige Parr (46.17) and a strong run from Mike Norris, so close to sub 50 (50.03). A promising debut from Scott Jones (50.31) and the men were anchored by our captain and Deestrider of the Year, Kevin Burns, once again leading by example, ok we don't all get to go on a trip of a lifetime to South East Asia but the point is he turned up jetlagged and still managing a very creditable 54.17! This attitude, his unassuming cheeriness, his fantastic ability to provide hot drinks at races out of his car boot and the fact he's seen both teams make it to Division One on his watch are just some of the reasons he won this year, very well deserved Kev congratulations! The women may be in the drop zone of Division One but we are refusing to go down without a fight and indeed we managed to come 5th on the day, not in the bottom two, giving us a glimmer of hope! Jay Jennions, now recovered from illness, was only held back by having run 12 miles the day before as part of training for the Chester Half in April. She gave an authoritative performance to come 7th in 42.08. Wing-girls Christine Cammillare (47.35) and Andrea Wadcock (48.11) gave strong, top 40 performances. Andrea's been very ill herself in the last month with labyrinthitis and vertigo and though not yet 100% still turned up to count for the team. The ever-trusty Lorna Royle was our fourth counter in 52.58 and gutsy girlstriders Sue McIndoe (57.34) and Bev Goodson (65.11) brought the club contingent home. Well done all, hope to see you at Tattenhall in a couple of weeks for the fifth race! ...Less

  5. Rhyl 10 Saturday 24th February 2018

    The hugely popular RunWales 10 miler at Rhyl, which incorporated the British Masters championships. Four ‘GirlStriders’ ran- Jay Jennions came 8th lady- the half marathon training for Chester beginning to show with an encouraging 69.29, Andrea Wadcockin a five minute PB of 78.27, new girl Jo Houghton-Davies in an impressive 85.45 and Sue McIndoe in a strong 95.47. The team placed a well deserved second out of seven female teams.

  6. Village Bakery Half Marathon 25th Feb 2018

    Sunday was the Wrexham ‘Village Bakery’ half marathon on the industrial estate, which incorporated the North Wales championships. Steve Hayes led the charge with a stunning Pb of 1.16.29, and he was backed up by Neil Robinson in a strong 1.25.52. Despite being late for the start new boy Scott Nixon managed a good tempo 1.27.50. Mark Williams continues his return to action with 1.34.22 and a PB despite recent injury for Mark Derbyshire (1.36.14). Nige Parr took three minutes off his previous best with a cracking 1.37.16 and it was then the turn of league lady lieutenants Chris Cammillare who ran an excellent Pb of 1.42.27. Andrea Wadcock ran impressively too, 1.46.00 (silver V40) just the day after her 10 mile Pb at Rhyl. Joe Pedder’s marathon training is progressing well with 1.46.34 and the club came home with brave runs from Dave Toft (1.51.37) and John Owen (1.57.02). Special mention too for our man in London, Paul Lewtey who had to pull out of the race due to being ill over the weekend.

  7. Border League Race 3:- Pensarn, Abergele Sunday 14 January 2018

    24 Deestriders, including 6 making their debut for the club, were among the 375 finishers on the course which doubles as the new Abergele 5 mile route (Thanks Abergele Harriers for hosting). The sunny conditions were good for this time of year.

    In the mens' race, defending champion Gareth Williams continued his winning ways with a stunning time of 25.34. He was followed in by Edd Flynn, 8th in an amazing PB of 27.10. Both recently represented North Wales at the Telford 10k and came away with PBs there. Mike Roberts was an excellent 14th with 27.50. Our first debutant, the very impressive James Bruce, was next in 28.57. Nick Bartley showed an awesome return to form with a PB of 29.31. Steve Thomas gave a strong performance (31.47) and Martin Witty was the mens' final counter with 34.47. The men remain in the promotion zone of Division Two. Next in for the men, in his first race for Deestriders, was Mark Derbyshirewho despite feeling unwell managed a brave 36.30. Right behind him was Paul Lewtey in a good time of 36.35 following a recent foot injury. Not far behind was the debuting Nige Parr in another good time of 36.49. The other men who ran were Paul "Fred" Aird (38.06), Vince Edwards (38.36), Shaun Terry (39.34), Michael Norris (41.29) and Kevin Burns who, despite being ill, still honoured his captains' commitments by showing up and running a gutsy 45.41.

    Nine GirlStriders ran and they were led in by Jay Jennions, who, though a shadow of her usual self given an ongoing throat infection, managed a courageous 36.04. Close behind was Christine Cammillare with an excellent 36.45. The very impressive debutante Andrea Wadcock was third counter in 37.10 and Lorna Royle did extremely well to be fourth counter (41.30)- right behind her were new girls Jenny Lewtey Jones and Jo Houghton-Davies in fantastic and well- teamed times of 41.42 and 41.44. Leslie Ingram (44.06) Sue McIndoe (45.05) and Beverley Goodson (50.34) brought the club home.