A Gold and two Bronze.

Written by David Jones on 28/03/2024. Posted in News

Paula Williams proudly displays her gold and two bronze medals from last week’s European Indoor Masters Championships in Poland

European Masters Indoor Championships.

Torun – Poland

Report – David Jones

Following on from her success last week at the European Masters Championships, where she won a gold medal in the shot put and bronze in the 60 metres, Friday saw Paula add to her medal tally by winning a bronze medal in the javelin with a best throw of 35.28 just behind the silver medal winner from Germany who threw 35.42 and the gold medal winner Dorit Naor from Israel who triumphed with 35.68.

Paula’s had then planned to contest the 60m hurdles but the exertions from her previous efforts and her painful achilles problem meant that she had to withdraw at the last minute.

However it was a wonderfully successful Championships for her as she helped Team GB finish in 4th place in the overall medal table with the hosts Poland topping that table.

Paula returns home with her medals, slightly disappointed, grateful and ready to start her recovery with a view to competing in the World Masters Championships in Gothenburg in August.

Following her return she said “I’ve had fun and medalled in the 3 events I took part in.

I got to run the 60m which is what I was really excited about and I’d like to thank the many club members for their support while I was competing.”

Paul ‘n Paula in Poland

I’ve been itching to type that headline.
Paula seen here alongside club chairman Paul Hawkins who was also in Poland as Team GB’s only representative in the 5000m race walk. Unfortunately Paul was DQ’d in this event.

This week we have more news of Paula Williams who claimed yet another medal at the European Masters Indoor Championships in Poland, this time it was bronze in the javelin to add to her gold in the shot and bronze in the 60m. Unfortunately a possible grade 2 Achilles tear prevented her competing in the 60m hurdles.

On Saturday some 22 club members, both young and not so young, competed for the club at the Midland Road Relay Championships in Sutton Park – Birmingham. As senior team manager Adam Linforth states in his report, we really did experience 4 seasons in one day weather wise. Many thanks to Adam for taking on the arduous task of team manager for the Seniors. I think I heard the words herding and cats mentioned on a couple of occasions.

Meanwhile in Bournemouth, Team Stratford, in the shape of siblings Ava and Billy Sheppard completed the Bournemouth Bay 5k run in fine style.

I shall now think of Milton Keynes in a whole new light having read Sandie Owens’ report on the Twin Lakes 20 race she competed in. She was joined by fellow club members Miranda Maloney and Stuart & Angela McLean who opted for the 10 mile version. Wise people.

The Hampton Court Half Marathon saw club members Kate Sergent, Lindsey Anderson and Lisa Lambourn compete in some style.

There’s a plug for the upcoming Midland League T&F season where, following promotion last season, we will be competing in the rarefied air of Division 2 no less.

We finish off with a few photos of what past and present members have been up to.

Take care.

David Jones

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There were 2nd place finishes in their respective legs for both Georgie Campbell and Maisie-Joy Spriggs at the Midland Counties Road Relays.

Midland Counties Road Relays.

Seniors

Report – Adam Linforth

Following on from the juniors road races on Saturday at Sutton Park it was the turn of the adults from SAC to take part in the Midland Counties Road Relays.

This year we fielded 2 teams, one male and one female. The men’s race made up of 12 legs of which 4 were 5.38 miles and then 8 legs at 3.16 miles. For the women’s race there were 6 legs, 2 being the longer 5.38 miles and 4 being the shorter 3.16 mile course.

Whilst the photos taken by Tilly Campbell would suggest it was a beautiful sunny day in Sutton Park, we actually experienced I think, all 4 seasons in one day, with torrential rain, wind, hail and of course some periods of glorious sunshine over the undulating course.

Our ladies team consisted of Emma Vickers (42.01) Sarah Gillard (24.43) Emma Bexson (37.15), Camilla Cresswell (23.40), Imogen Sheppard (21.59) a last minute stand in for sister Jess and Georgie Campbell (18.42). The ladies finished in a superb time of 2 hours and 48 minutes in 24th place from 45 teams with both Emma’s running the longer legs.

Our men’s team kicked off with our first 4 runners completing the longer 5.38 mile legs in the following order Ned Campbell (30.45), Pete Sugden (36.32) sporting the new back to front SAC club vest…????, Alex Pester (29.44), Huw Crosweller (34.15), then it was on to the shorter legs starting with new club member Gary Wells (22.42), David Jones (27.00), Jamie Howkins (22.01) in his first race for the club, Tom Cox (17.30), James Lake (20.22) despite consuming a burger not that long before the start of his leg, Damian Wheeler (21.20), Sam Wilks (18.04) with Adam Linforth (18.55) bringing the team home on the 12th leg. Our combined time was 4 hours 59 minutes placing us 39th out of 57 teams.

Many thanks to Nick Campbell for turning out with the club tent and standing round all day and also to David Jones for stepping in to manage our Juniors for the day.

Midland Counties Road Relays.

Juniors

Report – David Jones

Following the conclusion of a tough and arduous XC season it was probably not that surprising that we had a reduced number of our junior endurance athletes take part in this event although it was noticeable that a number of our recent juniors who have graduated to the seniors more than acquitted themselves.

However it was very much a case of quality not quantity as the quartet who took part did both themselves and the club proud.

U13 Jasmine Mothershaw started proceedings off and looked strong throughout as she completed the course in 25.05. It was then the turn of U15’s Marijke Tear-Verweij and Lois Ford. Marijke finished her leg in the excellent time of 20.36 with Lois, who despite being well outside her comfort zone over this distance and on a pretty brutal course, finished in 20.36. She should be more than proud of herself. Maisie-Joy Spriggs picked up where she left off after a successful XC season with a superb time of 18.44 to finish 2nd over her leg of 14 runners, just 12 seconds off claiming 1st place.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. Team Stratford in the shape of Billy and Ava Sheppard who competed in the Bournemouth Bay 5k.

Sibling rivalry – surely not and proudly displaying their medals

Bournemouth Bay 5k Run

Report – Nancy Sheppard

Last year we happened to stumble upon the Bournemouth Bay Run whilst on holiday in Dorset. So, this year we ‘happened’ to be on holiday again during the same weekend where they ‘ happened’ to be registered for the run and also ‘happened’ to have their Stratford vests with them too – how did that happen!

Over 4500 runners descended upon Bournemouth last Sunday to take part in either the half marathon, 10k, 5k or 1k – 466 of these were in their 5k run!

It was a slow start, with around 200 runners in front of them trying to find a space before they dispersed along the sea front, running 2 miles to the furthest pier then turning back on themselves for the last mile to the finish line. With the sea and sand on one side, and a great crowd cheering them on the other. It was lovely to see them racing towards the end with ‘Team Stratford’ being mentioned over the loud speaker as they crossed over the finish line with Ava placing 44th and Billy 45th out of the 466 runners!

A great start to the holidays, great result, great weather and a great excuse to come back next year to do it all again! Would highly recommend.

Miranda Maloney, Sandie Owens with Stuart & Angela McLean

Sandie and Miranda post race.

The Twin Lakes 20

Milton Keynes

Report – Sandie Owens

If you conjure up images of plastic cows, endless roundabouts and concrete structures when you think of Milton Keynes, think again my friends. The Twin Lakes 20 offers a gloriously scenic race taking in a huge lake, woodland, canal paths and pretty parkland.

Participants can opt for a 10 mile race or go for a second lap, clocking up 20 miles.

I started the race with fellow club members, Miranda Maloney and Stuart and Angela Mclean. They ran the 10 mile race and I braved the 20 mile race as it provided a great training run for the London Marathon which I’ll be running in a few weeks’ time
.
The event was very well organised with ample parking, plenty of loos and a café at the start/finish.

We started at a steady pace in cold, windy conditions but at mile 4 the sun came out and for the rest of the race, runners were bathed in glorious sunshine. The route is very narrow in many parts, where runners are forced into single file. This could be frustrating if you’re after a PB. The course is mostly flat.

After one lap, many fellow runners peeled off to the left to the finish line and although I was sorely tempted to join them, I stopped for a quick loo break, took a deep breath and set off again for lap two.

My race went well and it was a good opportunity to test out my fuelling plan for London. Maurten gels (the only ones that don’t upset my tummy!) and a new pair of Asics got me around the 20 miles in a not too shabby time of 3.47.

I would thoroughly recommend this race and plan to enter again next year. All finishers got a medal, t-shirt, beer mug and energy bar

Kate Sergent, Lisa Lambourn and Lindsay Anderson.

Hampton Court Half Marathon

Report – Lindsay Anderson

Early on Sunday morning, Lisa Lambourn, Kate Sergent and myself set off with our lovely chauffeur Nigel Lambourn to Hampton Court Palace for their half marathon.

We arrived in plenty of time to beautiful scenery and a well organised bag drop.

After the dreaded loo queue we headed off to the relaxed start where you basically decided what wave you wanted to go in.

There was a very cold wind and we were freezing and glad we had long sleeve tops on but these were later stripped off as the sun came out.

The race goes down the Thames Path before crossing Kingston Bridge and returning down the other side of the river. You repeat part of the first path and then turn into Hampton Court grounds for the last fewmiles.

The course was well supported by spectators and even King Henry was there to cheer us on. A quick lunch in one of the many cafes on the high street before we headed back to Stratford.

A highly recommend half.

Midland Counties Track & Field League

With Spring upon us (well, maybe), it’s time to think about this year’s Midland Counties Track & Field league!

This is the main league competition that Stratford AC contests for the Senior age group.

Everyone from U17s upwards is eligible to take part, with 2-3 athletes competing for points across the full range of track and field disciplines for both men and women.

These matches are conducted in great spirit and are always a fun day out with fellow athletes, officials & coaches from all parts of the club.

In recent years we have fielded athletes aged between 15 and 75, so this really is a league for all ages.

For every match we have 86 scoring slots to fill and we also have to provide at least 6 officials. We therefore need a big squad and, with matches invariably decided by a handful of points, every performance counts.

After thinking we had just missed promotion last year, a post-season re-balancing of divisions worked in our favour and we will therefore compete in Division 2 this summer, our highest ever level. We are up against Birchfield Harriers, Bristol & West, Cannock & Stafford, Leamington, Newport and Tamworth..

There will be four standard divisional fixtures and one pan-divisional “technical events” match. The dates are below – please note that some are on Saturdays and some are on Sundays:

18 May (Saturday) – Leamington (Stratford AC hosting)

15 June (Saturday) – Nuneaton (Technical Events only)

14 July (Sunday) – Newport

18 August (Sunday) – Yate (Bristol & West hosting)

7 Sept (Saturday) – Tamworth

All track and field disciplines will be contested in the four regular matches, but 15 June will feature only Hammer, High Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, 400m; 100/110m Hurdles; 400m Hurdles & 3000m steeplechase. However, all five matches will contribute points to the overall league competition.

At this stage, I simply want to establish whether you are likely to be fit, available, and keen to compete for the club on some/all of these 5 dates. Some of the dates are still a way off of course, but please let me have your best view of availability at this stage, particularly for 18 May. Please also let me know if there are particular events you would prefer to contest.

Example response:

18 May Yes – LJ, TJ, Relay

15 June Yes – TJ. HJ

14 July No

18 Aug Yes

7 Sep Yes

Mobile: 01234 567890

More information and detailed timetables for all of the matches can be found on the league website at :

https://midland-athletics.co.uk/disciplines/league/

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Mike Sheppard

07835 932690

Ouch

Unfortunately Paula Williams returned from Poland with a possible grade 2 Achilles tear, necessitating an MRI scan. She tells me she’ll be out for a while. Hopefully she’ll be fully recovered by the time of the World Masters Championships in Gothenburg in August.
Paula will be hugely missed by both our Midland League and Vets T&F teams in the forthcoming season
Get fit soon Paula

Hark The Herald

This week’s Stratford Herald rightly acknowledges Paula’s achievements in Poland

Where Are They Now ?

News reaches me that ex club member Olivia Hall is to appear on Master Chef.
She obviously decided to swap her spikes for a spatula.
Good luck Olivia

Sutton Park Road Relays

A few more photos from last Saturday courtesy of Tilly Campbell.

Imy Sheppard, 200m runner par excellence, tested herself at a somewhat longer distance and acquitted herself magnificently. Apparently she quite enjoyed the experience.

Camilla Cresswell and Emma Vickers.

U15’s Marijke Tear-Verweij and Lois Ford.

Pete Sugden complete with back to front club vest. Has anyone else mentioned that Pete ? and Sarah Gillard. I don’t remember it being quite that much fun Sarah.

Jasmine Mothershaw with a determined look on her face.

James Lake and Ned Campbell

From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Alex Pester and me. I did try and force a smile.