Flying start to the year for Stilton Striders

Thousands of runners from 30 clubs all over Leicestershire annually compete in what is the biggest Road Running League in the UK.

The first race to kick the season off was the hilly Desford 5 miler where 27 Striders joined the start line with 605 runners overall.

There where many stinger hills on the race, but this did not deter the club members finishing in very strong times and with many PBs broken.

James Sutton was the first Stilton Strider over the finishing line after bouncing back after suffering a stress fracture during the London Marathon last year, a phenomenal recovery.

Another miracle member is Rob Mee who completed the race in a strong time just six months after receiving the diagnosis of a heart attack and then intensive heart surgery - both truly inspirational members.

An amazing Diamond Standard went to Michael Marsden in a time of 32.10 in the VM55 category.

Gold Standards went to Daryl Boyce 30.37 (VM40), Paul Jacobs 35.35 (VM60) and Vicki Lowe 38.37 and third VF55.

Silver Standards went to James Sutton in 30.32, Lewis Hyde 31.04, George Wilson 31.49, Rhiannon Baxter 33.29, Chris Page 33.38 (VM40), Luke Knowles 34.05 (VM45), Kurt Wilson 35.27 (VM50), Rob Mee 35.35 with a PB of 1min2s( VM55), Katie Houghton 37.32 (VF50), John Houghton 37.33 (VM60), Abi Arnott 38.32 (VF50), and David Hall 46.57.

Bronze Standards were achieved by Jamie Dean in 35.24 (VM40), Andrew Wilson 36.55 (VM45), Nikola Dolphin-Rowland 41.21 with a PB of a massive 7mins40s, Nicola Taylor 41.53, and Tony Oakes 42.25 with a PB of 1min57s.

Copper Standards went to Kier Lymn 36.48, Tom Wilkinson 37.53, and Michael Cooke 42.17 (VM55).

Pewter Standards went to Michelle Farlow in 45.47, Katy Hill 48.19, Kathy Walsh 50.03 (VF45), and Neil Jaggard 53.13 (VM65) while Tungsten Standard went to Courtney Lightfoot in 48.29, Rosie Allen 51.24 and Suzie Skelton 54.32 (VF40).