9th June 2002

• 1/2 Marathon Results
• 10k Results
• Press release
• Weekend report

Half Marathon

There were 115 finishers.

10k Race

There were 73 finishers.

Press Release

Stowmarket Striders Trip To Twin Town Verneuil-sur-Avre 

On the 8th - 9th of June, 10 members of the Stowmarket Striders Running Club traveled to the Stowmarket twin town of Verneuil-sur-Avre, France. 

Staying with families of the French town's running club, the French hosts made the visitors very welcome with a well planned itinerary of events before the 1/2 marathon and 10k race on the Sunday.  This weekend was also Verneuil's town fest, including a fete and many other activities.

Saturday, the Striders were invited to the Town Hall to enjoy a social drink with the Mayor of Verneuil.  The Stowmarket Striders were addressed with two speeches at the reception, being from Philippe Blot and the Mayor, Christian Perron.  Both welcomed the Striders to Verneuil and the 1/2 marathon Normandy championships.  In arranging the exchange, it brought together 3 associations of Verneuil.  The Stade Vernolien, the Twinning Association, and the running association Eure du Desert.  It was wished that this was first of many exchanges for the future.

The afternoon was put aside for a guided tour of some of Verneuil's more famous sights, The Grey Tower and St Magdalen's Church.  This was followed by the traditional pre-race day pasta party in the evening.

The following morning was race day.  115 runners began the flat and beautiful 1/2 marathon course.  Shortly after a further 73 runners began the 10k race.  Being a championship race for Normandy, the field of runners were of a high caliber.

The results for Stowmarket Striders were thus: 10 km Race - 55th Anne Fish 50:04 [1st Lady over 50 and winner of a fine trophy], 62nd Lorraine Philips 53:10, 64th Anne Fellingham 53:31, 65th Denise Naughton 53:31 [PB by over 2 minutes ].

1/2 Marathon - 45th Jo Naughton 1:29:52, 69th Richard Nash 1:39:14, 89th Chris Gladwell 1:43:45, Richard Fellingham 1:43:48, 111 Katy Nash 2:05:09, 112 Grayhame Fish 2:05:09.  The team came 4th place.

Of course there was friendly rivalry between the hosts and the Striders with much wine being poured the night before.  To some the race wasn't about running but the alcohol consumption!

The day ended with a barbeque for all the visitors and hosts.  Here the Stowmarket Striders presented the people a silver trophy and a signed club running vest, which will be hung at the mayor's house in Verneuil. 

Collectively, the 11 visitors enjoyed the weekend immensely and it is hoped that the Stowmarket Striders Running Club, the Twinning Association and the people of Stowmarket can reciprocate the hospitality and friendship offered in 2003.

Richard Nash
Stowmarket Striders