HALF MARATHON

Only six Viking Striders ran last weekend’s Bridlington Half Marathon, out of a large field of over 650 finishers, but what they lacked in quantity they certainly made up for in quality.
Martin Midgley was back to form at last as he posted his fastest time for four years and the second fastest by a Strider this year.  Martin Booth also ran well in his first Half of the season, following up his excellent second place in the so-called “Supervets” category at Clumber Park.
All the other Striders achieved season’s best times, Julie Masterman again being the pick of the bunch as she clipped over a minute and a half off her previous personal best on her way to third place in her age group in the Yorkshire Championships section of the race. 
Ray Smith did his best time since 2002, while Kevin Sipling knocked nearly a minute off last month’s Great North time.  Nigel Warner won the over 55 prize in the Yorkshire Championships, which can only mean that entries in that category were few and far between.
Unfortunately Sandy Midgley couldn’t make the start line, although having had the runs all night it was a shame she couldn’t muster one more!
Striders’ times:
Martin Midgley 83.58, Martin Booth 87.54, Julie Masterman 91.24, Nigel Warner 92.11, Ray Smith 97.14, Kevin Sipling 101.24.