30 Striders ran London Marathon this year and it was good fun watching out for them at the water station. It was a fairly sunny day but hopefully not too hot for the runners.

Paul Molyneux entered as a Strider but was wearing his Army vest so does he count as first Strider? (Yes - Ed)) Paul completed the course in 2.25 and was 26^th overall. Mark Newton was not that far behind in 2.29 and 43^rd place. Next male Strider was James Smith with a pb of 2.38.06. Also joining the sub 2.45 club (it’s a thing apparently!) were Sam Cornforth (2.43), Alex Manton (2.44), Peter Robinson (2.38.35). Stuart Raven just missed it with a time of 2.45.06.

First Strider lady was Kate Mills in 3.18, then Jackie Stretton in 3.38 and Soraya Barron in 4.04.

Read more: London Marathon

It was a warm and sunny weekend for everyone this weekend and for those running marathons, it was going to be a challenge.

Mark Newton beat the heat in Paris and posted a very good 2hours 30 and came 47^th in the race. Apparently he was captured on film finishing as well.

A couple of Striders travelled to Brighton on the South coast to tackle the Brighton Marathon; Andy Quinn posted a respectable 3.53 and Steve Brame struggled in the heat to finish in 5.18. It was a hot day on the coast and some water stations had run out of water  all around the course!!

Slightly nearer to home was the Little Bromley 10k, a shorter distance to run in the sunshine. Liz Davies ran 35.46, a PB and a new v35 club record, and first lady. Liz was 7^th overall as well. Jackie Stretton was 2^nd Strider lady in 39.28 and 3^rd lady overall. Also running for Striders were Gareth Thomas, Emily Smith, Kelly Spencer, and Paul Tumner.

Well done to everyone who ran.

After a quiet weekend last weekend, the Spring marathon season started with Manchester marathon and at the other end of the scale, the Essex 5 mile championships were held at the Chelmsford City racecourse.

First to Manchester, where 11 Striders took part. First Strider was Kate Mills in 3.10.01, and she was 33^rd female as well as 3^rd in the v45 category. Kate also breaks the female v45 club marathon record. Martin Watson was first male in 3.13.23.

Hopefully the weather in Manchester was as bright and spring-like as it was for the Essex 5 mile. This took place starting from the Chelmsford City Racecourse at Great Leighs – a spacious and clean Race HQ - and made its way down some delightful country roads on a beautiful Spring day. 34 Striders took part. 

Read more: Manchester, Essex 5 and new ladies club records

A fantastic performance at the Essex road relays in Harwich on Saturday meant another medal haul for Striders.

The ladies open team were on top form, grabbing the Gold team prize by a team effort from Liz Davies, Kate Mills and Sam Bilbie. This is the first time in history we have won this. The v45 ladies also scored medals by coming 3^rd in this category with a team of Rebecca Pittman, Donna Hindle and Hilda O’Kelly. Liz Davies also won the fastest leg for the Open ladies in a fantastic time of 16.56, which beat most of the men Striders too J

The men fared well too; the team of Mark Waine, Peter Robinson, James Smith, and James Wright picked up bronze men’s open and Stuart Raven, Lee Martin, and Antony Goodall were bronze v40

Some of the relay runners were in action again on Sunday at the popular Brentwood half marathon, where 37 Striders took part. The men scooped Mens team Gold with Peter Robinson 8^th, Alex Manton 13^th, Antony Goodall 17^th, James Wright 18^th and Chris Burgoyne 21^st. First Strider lady was Sam Bilbie in 1.30.39 and she was 12^th lady overall. There were several great runs and PBs on the day. Well done to everyone.