Five miles at top speed around the university of Warwick campus.

Is there any better way of clearing the lungs and getting the legs moving again after a restful Christmas?

This was the first race of 2012 for a whole host of Striders, and as always well-attended by other local clubs including the hosts Coventry Godiva.

Being part of the Strider Race Series always guarantees a good club presence and I suspect London Marathon training schedules may also have helped focus minds.

And so it was that 17 Striders tested their mettle on this 3 lap course. Sandra Stokes, Harky Kalsi, Jo Butler, Fiona Salmon and Kate Evans are all set to tread the streets of the capital in April and looked in fine form today.

This event also marked Carolyn's return to racing and gave us an extra challenge... who would be left holding the baby? Fortunately we had a willing volunteer in Jackie Lindsay, passing up the chance of a flat course to help us out. As it turned out, Jackie was able to team up with the injured Roz Cox to cheer us on and keep Sian from crying too loudly throughout.

Rich Shephard was first Strider home in an excellent 28.25, having paced local running celebrity Sue Harrison most of the way before pulling ahead towards the finish. I was very pleased to dip under the 29 minute mark for a PB, and Mark Urbanowski was third home in 29.30, showing that his regular Park Run appearances are paying dividends.

Nick Adams continued his good run of form to finish in 33.29 a little ahead of first Strider lady Jenny Spillane. Caroline Whitehouse was second lady home, followed by Jo Butler.

Several of us headed back to the Godiva clubhouse for a festive mulled wine and mince pie (or a cup of tea for the drivers amongst us). Godiva dominated the race results and very generous prize list. I picked up the Mens 45 masters prize and Nick Adams temporarily held the Mens 55 masters prize before realising he was too young to have earned the honour and handing it back to the organisers.

Full list of Strider finishers below. Next race up is Not The Roman IX on Sunday 15th January.

Richard Shephard 28.25 Trevor Wilkinson 28.58 Mark Urbanowski 29.30 Nick Adams 33.29 Jennie Spillane 34.48 Justin Mallard 34.48 Darren Gillman35.48 Caroline Whitehouse 36.04 Jo Butler 36.45 Kate Evans 37.02 Ben Parkinson 37.12 Sue Cox 37.57 Jude Baum 38.53 Carolyn Wilkinson 39.35 Sandra Stokes 40.49 Harky Kalsi 40.49 Fiona Salmon 42.19

Membership of the Club is open to nearly everyone. You can join as long as you are eligible as defined by the governing bodies which the club is affiliated (UK Athletics), you are a minimum of 17 years old, you support the purpose of the club as outlined in our constitution (ask a committee member or visit the downloads section) and have no conflicting membership with any other club. Second claim memberships will be permitted at the discretion of the committee.

If you wish to become a member then speak to a committee member and sign up via the registration link at the top of this page. (Alternatively click here). Anyone applying for membership shall be elected regardless of ability, race, colour or any other factor.

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Annual subscription rates for each category of full membership are set at the Annual General Meeting in May. The rates payable for the year 11/12 are:

Individual Member                 £55.00    

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(A Tennis Member is someone who is already a paid up member of the Leamington Lawn Tennis & Squash Club)