Stan’s Toffee Run

Date 16 August

Organiser Kimberworth Striders

Report by Rob Davies

Description from the web site sums it up well.

“A recent addition to the Striders race calendar to celebrate the memory of former Strider (and Rotherham Harrier) Stan Bagshaw, who sadly passed away in 2009.  The predominantly off-road, undulating race starts and finishes at Elsecar Heritage Centre taking in the surrounding woods and fields of Wentworth that were so loved by Stan.  The 1 lap, approx. 4 mile route, involves a challenging climb up towards Needle’s Eye in Wentworth, with a lengthy descent over stiles and through fields back into Elsecar too round things off “

It’s not so much a race as a get together to remember Stan who was still pulling on the Striders vest to compete well into his 70’s.  As an acknowledgement to Stan, every runner receives a bag of toffees at the finish – for those that remember, Stan always had a toffee available to offer a flagging runner come the finish line of a race.

A great little run well organised and well attended.

The route is a mix of terrains from tow path to road to wood land to field.

All clearly marked on the best route map ever. (see pic)

Someone had spent a great deal of time and effort spray painting nearly all the tree roots in the wooded section, along with taping the route and turns, with the exception of one critical turn which gained me 3 places so I’m not complaining.

Every finisher received a bottle of water and a bag of toffees hence the name of the run.

I personally missed one of the highlights of the event which was an amazing buffet (if you are a carnivore) of homemade products including Bread and dripping, Pork pies, black pudding, sausage rolls and of course cake. I will return next year with a doggy bag.

163 folk completed the run the winning time was Jordan Street of Clowne RR in 24:44.  First lady was Laura Gill from Penistone FR in 28:32.

6 Steel City Striders took part;

First strider being me (First time as 1st Strider only taken 3 years) in 30:21

First female strider was Gillian Allen in 30:34