Strider Championship 2025

The Strider Championship kicked off on February 22nd with a Huddersfield Parkrun. While it was one of the warmest days of the year, Katie looked like she'd just stepped out of a freezer at the start line. Thanks to Kev's quick thinking and the loan of a gilet, she warmed up in no time.

Sofie, Steve, and Josh took a brisk lap before the 9am start. As for Mandy, it was a monumental effort just to roll out of bed. She was so dazed they had to delay the run to find her after she dropped her parkrun token—imagine getting out of bed and running your socks off only for it not to register because you didnt have your barcode!

Despite the early hour, 21 Striders (plus Mandy's son for moral support) joined the 748 runners. Key highlights of the morning:

• Katie M smashed her personal best at the 5k distance! Way to go, Katie!

• Sofie was the second fastest female to cross the finish line.

• Ricardo completed his first-ever parkrun—bravo!

• Peter bagged his course PB.

• Steve and Sofie both earned high age-graded rankings above 70%, putting them in the regional class.

• Glyn snagged an age ranking at the local class level.

• Tony was within a whisker of a PB—next time, Tony!

Massive congratulations to all our runners for completing the Wakefield 10k: Jo, Adele, Katie, Dave and Sofie. Special shout out to Katie and Sofie who both achieved their 10k personal best performances too, despite the course not being the flatest! 

The caps may have been flat, but the course at was anything but! With over 1000ft of climbing, our brave Striders scaled the heights above the town, where breathtaking views awaited—if only we’d had the energy to enjoy them.

The sun shone down on Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club as the race kicked off at 10am, with Steve, Josh, Katie, Sofie, Sara, Rebecca, Craig, and Helena flying the Striders flag.

Despite the tough terrain ruling out any PBs, the team put in some truly epic performances. After the finish, a prize raffle lifted tired spirits. Sofie bagged herself a Team GB top but was last seen trying to swap it for a Lindt Easter Egg—clearly a woman with her post-run priorities in order.

A brilliant day out, tough as nails but full of sunshine and glittering achievements nevertheless!

Well done to Steve and Sofie who ran in really hot temperatures - 24 degrees!  Despite the weather and the elevation level (over 500 ft) both smashed it!

Eight mighty Almondbury Striders took on the Pontefract 10K today: Craig, Steve, Rebecca, Helena, Katie, Adele, Amanda and Lucy. Special shout-out to Lucy, who smashed her first ever 10K and placed 5th in her age category – what a debut! Katie celebrated with a fantastic personal best, and Helena defied all odds (and a heady mix of prosecco, wine, pizza and 18 miles of Huddersfield hills the day before) to storm through the course in style.

Post-race refuelling took place at Wetherspoons, naturally, before Craig was last spotted diving headfirst into the bargain bin at the Nike outlet in Junction 32. A cracking day all round!

Write up by Caroline Smith:

We ran, we sweated, we questioned our life choices by mile 4… but we did it! 

Big love to Chief Kev for popping up at mile 4 like a mirage in the desert, shouting encouragement. 

Massive kudos to everyone - especially those brave souls doing their first ever 10K. You’re officially bonkers like the rest of us now! 

And as for Kerian and Jacob… first two Striders to finish — photo finish so tight even VAR wouldn’t dare call it. 

Top work team – same next year!

This weekend saw the Striders take on a Stately Parkrun at Nostell Priory, a 2 lap course that winds through landscaped gardens, shady woodland, and past the 18th-century priory itself!  And, the Striders (  represented by Sofie, Ben, Caroline, Josh, Katie, Tony and Sally ) brought speed and smiles to one of Yorkshire’s most scenic Saturday morning runs.

Sofie stormed round the two-lap course to finish as the third fastest female overall, with Caroline and Katie hot on her heels, also bagging top 10 female finisher spots. 

Once again, Caroline also achieved a jaw-dropping age graded score of over 85% - national level no less!

Meanwhile, Josh Marron-Copeland was in flying form, finishing within just 1% of his all-time parkrun PB—a tantalising reminder that his personal best may soon be getting a nudge. Eyes on you, Josh!

Ben, Tony and Sally all clocked solid runs around the gently undulating course, through ancient woods and past the lakes that once entertained the monks of Nostell....albeit in slightly slower footwear!

Nostell Priory might be steeped in history, but we’re pretty sure the Striders made a bit of it there too.