GOOLE VIKING STRIDERS
RACE REPORT   6^TH NOV 2005 

The running performance of the weekend, and probably the year, has to be Ray Smith’s effort in the 24 Hour Track Race at Costello Stadium, organised by East Hull Harriers.  The object of the exercise is to run as many times round the track as you can in the time allotted; Ray’s personal target was 100 km (just over 62 miles in English money), and this he attained in just over 16 hours of unremitting boredom, as much a mental challenge as a physical one. 

Next to that, Dave Pullman’s 3.59 in the Toronto Marathon, good as it was for one of advancing years, seems almost inconsequential.  A large group of Striders and partners had flown to Canada but only Dave was brave enough to do the marathon, judging by the following times it looks as though the half distance was more than enough for the others:  Chris Houseman 1.43, Roger Maguire, Gary and Karen Mitchell all 1.59, Dot Pullman 2.00, Barbara Dykes 2.08, Caroline Houseman 2.35.  We can only assume that all that sight seeing around Niagara Falls had taken its toll.  Angie Dryden had the good sense to enter the 5 km race, which she completed in a comfortable 29.35. 

Meanwhile, it was time for another round in the Striders’ Handicap League, this time the Haltemprice 10k in Hull.  Neither course nor conditions were conducive to personal bests, but that was no concern to Andy Masterman, who led the Striders in, nor to Karen Bexon, whose fast finish just a few seconds behind Andy brought her victory in the ladies race by over a minute from her nearest rival. 

Julie Masterman, Kay Ryan and Nigel Warner also did well to win prizes in their age related categories, while several Striders were making their road racing debuts (marked * below), all excellent prospects for a club which seems to be going from strength to strength. 

Haltemprice times:  Andy Masterman 39.09, Karen Bexon 39.16, Martin Midgley 39.45, Dave Hanney 40.02, Alan Bexon 40.45, Neil Bentley 40.45, Nigel Warner 41.37, Mark Thompson 41.46, Julie Masterman 43.15, Alexander Davies 46.32*, Dave Ryan 47.41, Kay Ryan 48.44, Julie Kaye 53.00, John Kaye 53.13, Steve Mallinder 53.25, Alison Hoggarth 54.05, Debbie Andrew 54.32, Nina Hanney 54.34*, Sandy Clark 54.46, Caroline Parkes 55.23*, Steven Welburn 55.23*, Mark Smith 57.28, Lynne Hanney 58.54*, Michaela Shepherd 59.09, Jo Mouncey 61.12, Carole Taylor 66.53*, Craig Taylor 66.53.