Hosted by Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice this event sold out this year, growing in popularity and bringing some festive cheer to the running community. The Winter Solstice Strider is a sister event to the popular 5 mile Summer Solstice Saunter. This event takes place on the Winter Solstice on 22nd December and is a head torch run in the dark giving runners a choice of either 5k or 10k. The run starts at the STRI (A global design and management consultancy) and winds through the woods and fittingly past Druids Altar within the St Ives Estate at Bingley. Conditions underfoot were challenging tonight due to the recent heavy rain, runners also had to contend with the remnnants of storm Pia, leaving several trees down for runners to straddle! slipppy mud, rocky sections and tree roots in places made it difficult to stay upright! As usual with Solstice events, all participants receive a fantastic bespoke medal this year featuring a beautiful barn owl by moonlight. The event is sponsored by Coco & Barley Dog Walking Services, and supported by the hosts at the STRI and the St. Ives Golf Club, who provide a large proportion of the free parking that is provided for participants. The course has been measured with a surveyors wheel and is exactly 5k on clearly defined off-road tracks within the estate. Runners are welcome to complete either one or two circuits (5k) or (10k) Walkers are also welcomed but can only do the 5k. Every participant is chip timed but whether you run, jog or saunter, everyone will receive the bespoke finishers medal. Running tonight for Eccleshill in the blue and whites were: 10k: Julie Steele, Martin Steele, Marc Steele, 5k: Sue Gregson, Gemma Illingworth and Linda Bussey.
Fantastic running tonight by the Eccleshill team, well done!
