Saffron Strider Nick White

NICK White ended the summer trail race series for the Saffron Striders in emphatic style, winning the seven-mile Widdington Woody Wiggle.

The race, in which runners had to follow a sheet of written instructions to navigate the course, was the final part of the Striders’ inaugural trail race series, which was also open to members of other running clubs.

More than two dozen members of the Saffron Striders were among 63 competitors who took part in the seven mile race, but none could match Nick’s performance on the day as he cruised home to victory in 51 mins 16 secs.

Ian MacDougall and Chris Dodge came closest for the Striders, with a 54mins 8secs finish securing the 4th place. Next home was Gavin Long in 6th place and a time of 55mins 4secs, while Seth Kennard also finished inside the top 10, with a 57mins 35secs run for 9th.

Trail race competitors often run in pairs in order to increase their chances of correctly interpreting the coded instructions - taking a wrong turn can cost valuable minutes. Fiona Halls and Rebecca White took full advantage of this approach, producing an excellent run with a finishing time of 1hr 28secs making them the second women to finish and 10th overall.

Benedict Kennard, Andrew Flind and Ciaran Savill all finished close together, in 13th, 16th and 19th spots respectively and times of 1hr 2mins, 1hr 3mins 26secs and 1hr 4mins 19th secs. Ciaran just pipped his dad Keith Savill to the post, who came in 6 seconds later for 20th place.

Andy Bryant ran a 1hr 11mns race for 25th position, while duo Eleanor Long and Carol White secured 30th place in 1hr 13mins 16secs. Robert Addison and recent recruit Neil Halls finished 24 seconds later in 32nd place, while Anne Williams and Robert Shaw each took on the challenge solo, with Anne finishing in 36th place in 1hr 18mins 15secs, and Robert close behind in 38th place and 1hr 18mins 45secs.

Trio Gemma Thake, Bridget Savill and Ashley Goldie were next home for the Striders in 1hr 19mins for 39th spot, while James and Helen Hewlett ran an excellent 1hr 21mins 15secs for 42nd place.

Positions 48 to 50 were taken by Lisa Plumb (1hr 32mins 6secs), Simon Chambers (1hr 32ins 45secs) and John James and Margot Wendelberger-James (1hr 36mins).

Septegenarian Strider John Howe walked the course in 2hrs 18mins for 62nd place.

Meanwhile, Steve White took on the tough 6-mile Pilgrims Cross Fell Race in Lancashire, coming an admirable 50th out of 144 runners in 50mins 14secs over hilly off-road terrain.

• Entries are still open for the Striders’ own annual 10K race. For the second year, it is being run in Newport due to the building work at its normal base of the County High School.

The race, which starts and finishes at Newport Free Grammar, is on Sunday September 30 at 10.30am. There is also a shorter family fun run at 11.45am which is suitable for all ages. Full details and an entry form are available at saffronstriders.org.uk. Alternatively, you can enter online at runnersworld.co.uk