Club history
Seaford Striders has a rich history dating back to 1986 with lots of fantastic atheletes, runners and key community members that have all helped contribute to this club thriving with Seaford runners for over 34 years.
Announcements: Track Nights are Now Every Monday 19:00 at Lewes
Our club motto is “We don’t just run, we have fun!”. And we have been doing this for over 30 years!
Over the years, we have had a strong emphasis on social and and running events for members to foster our sense of community. Highlights include a trip to the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, our 30th Anniversary Race, and our annual Summer Solstice Run.
This page documents the history of Seaford Striders from 1986 – 2006, with mention to the people who were pivotal in the formation of and steering of the club over the years.
For historical photos, please see our Flickr account (no longer maintained.
Introduction
Glynis and Bill Young produced this history of the club to mark our 20th anniversary in 2006. It is also available as a PDF to download here, Seaford Striders RC 20th anniversary history.
The story begins….
One evening during the middle of 1986 Martin Bulger and Peter Forster were driving home from the Saffron’s Club at Eastbourne where they used to train. Martin enquired how much interest would their be if they tried to form a running club in Seaford. So an advertisement was placed in the local Friday Ad suggesting a meeting on the 15th of October 1986.
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1986
15th of October 1986, Martin Bulger holds a meeting at Seaford Head School and the
Seaford Striders is born.
The following week 27 members meet and change in the Salts Recreation Ground car park and the first club time trial is held. Within a couple of weeks Seaford Strider Alan Hutchinson who was also a member of Seaford Rugby Club arranges the use of the Rugby Club facilities for the Striders.
On Sunday the 30th of November the first Striders compete in their first run the Growborough 10k.
1987
Seaford Striders begin to find their feet. Alex Gaskell is the first Strider home at the Hastings Half Marathon and Andy McDonald leads them home at the Chichester Half Marathon.
Members start to achieve great marathon times – Bill Young 3.49 at London (That was a club O/50 record for several years), Martin Bulger 2.41 (PB) at the New Forest, Brian Tickner 3.20 at Harlow, and the Striders first international runners Kay McDonald 4.08 and husband Andy 4.05 at the Paris Marathon.
The year of the “Great Storm” in October sees the Barns Green Half Marathon cancelled due to storm damage around the course.
1988
Teamwork now starts for the Striders, Martin Bulger 2nd, Brian Tickner 3rd, Ian Crowhurst 12th and Cliff Haffenden 22nd take the honour of first team at the Lewes 14.4mile MiniMarathon.
Martin Bulger, Brian Ticlmer, Andrew Burgman and Bill Young were first team in the Brighton to Eastbourne marathon pier-to-pier race. Sarah Bradbury sets the junior girls course record of 42.11 at the Seaford Head 1 OK. Glynis Breeds (now Glynis Young) sets a PB of 1.47 at the Gosport Half Marathon. Martin Bulger completes his first Ultra run at the Gatliffe 50K in 5.35. Alex Gaskell leads the Striders home in “The Race Against Time” at Seaford. Martin Bulger takes 2nd place even though he’d won the 2-piers marathon that morning.
1990
The number of Striders continue to grow – 26 compete in the Eastbourne 10mile fun run.
In December the Striders completed one of the most epic, emotional and memorable runs in the clubs history.
Organised by Glynis Breeds, thirty-seven adults and some junior took part in a sponsored relay run to Guy’s Hospital, London.
With a coach providing back up, three teams started from the Salts Recreation Ground at 7.30am. arriving at 4.15pm, a time of 8hrs. 45mins.
The run raised £1300 for the hospitals Evelina Children’s Ward. Later that month the first Dieppe Relay’s trip took place.
1991
Alan Lade shows the Striders how to win by taking first place in the Worthing 10K.
Howard Loveridge learns well and takes the prize for first vet in the Cyprus Half marathon.
Striders give a helping hand and the first “Run a Mile” event is staged. Top honours go to Alex Gaskell (first man) and Glynis Breeds (first Woman).
1992
Brian Tickner keeps the honours coming in as he takes the first V1 at the Hasting Half Marathon.
Striders take on the South Downs in a 74mile relay, two Striders teams take part with the ‘A’ team taking the 3rd prize overall.
The skills of the Striders spread as Danny Wheaton and Carl Stevenson take part in the Hastings 1066 Triathlon.
1993
Alan (Madonna) Hutchinson has a London Marathon outing and is seen by the whole country on TV, while Tony Britton finally runs a marathon in 4.32 (a distance he vowed he would never do.)
Glynis Breeds becomes the first Seaford Strider lady to complete the 80mile South Downs Way ultra with a time of 22.48.07.
1994
Bill Young receives a trophy for completing all ten Hastings Half Marathons to date.
Nineteen Striders take to the streets of London this year. David Bulger starts his winning Ways (first in the Smile run at Hailsham).
Striders take to their bikes and win Le Tour de Seaford. A team dressed as the Flintstones pushed their pedals around a 26-mile course to win the Team prize. Having Gary Wiles (first man) and Vicki Boyle (first lady) in the team was a great help.
1995
The Club moves to the Downs Leisure Centre. The juniors began to make a name for themselves and the club. Chris Veale set a new record (6.09) in the under 11, 1500 metre race at the Seaford Rotary Mini-Marathon.
Alan Hutchinson organised the first Cuckmere House Challenge, a gruelling ten-mile, and two-lap race on and around Seaford Head. 59-year-old Bill Young, at his second attempt, completes the 80mile South Downs Way ultra in 22.52.33.
1996
The Striders celebrate their 10th Birthday. Bob Eade does the honours for the club by winning the Sussex Road Racing Grand Prix (what a Strider and what a year to do it in!).
The club sees a large rise in membership. Lots more ladies and juniors swell the number of Striders to nearly 100 members. Bill Young collects two medals from the World Veterans Championships at Brugge, in Belgium.
1997
Martin Bulger completes the longest run in the clubs history the ‘145-mile Canal Run’. This fantastic adventure and great achievement was completed in 39hrs.55mins. He also completes his 10th London and 15th New Forest Marathons.
Jackie Mills records an exceptional time of 15hrs.47mins in the 80mile South Downs Way Chris Parkin wins the Cabum 10K race. Jackie Sier (now Webber) wins her first trophy at The Friston Forest 5 (first lady vet- 38mins 37secs). Vicki Boyle wins the Worthing Running Sisters 10K and also qualifies to represent Great Britain in a Duathlon competion. David Bulger continues to win (first Junior at the Paddock Wood half marathon and the Brighton 10K). Bob Eade became the first man to successfully defend his Sussex Grand Prix Title. Bill Bailey of Hastings Runners (2nd claim Strider) suffers a stroke.
1998
The Striders continue to grow and the honours come in thick and fast. Bob Eade sets a new club record of 32mins.39secs for a 10K.
Jackie Mills is 3rd lady at the Isle of Wight Marathon, Chris Parkin wins the Cuckmere House Challenge 10miles and Ray Smith wins the 3rd Seaford Marathon.
The club expands its social activities and the 1st Skittle evening is held at Barcombe. Bill Bailey is given Life Membership to the Striders; Bob Webster completes 37 runs of a marathon distance or longer.
SEAFORD STRIDERS ARE SUSSEX ROAD RACING GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONS, Bob Eade in 2nd place o/all and Jamie Stenning 3rd o/all are a great help in achieving this.
1999
Linda Jennings, Dave Holden, Neil Smith and Alan Lade complete the “Tough Guy” in their quest to conquer the most gruelling events in the country.
Striders continue to win local events, Jamie Stenning being the most prolific but Bob Eade (Friston 5) and Steve Dawson (4th Seaford Marathon) have there day too.
Martin Bulger completes his 100th Marathon on his 50th Birthday at the Seven Sisters Marathon, this inspires Bill Young to set his sights on completing his 100th on his 70th bitihday (with 67 completed this left 33 to go and seven years to do it in).
This year Jamie Stenning wins the title of Sussex Road Racing Grand Prix Champion. After completing her 30th and last marathon at the Seven Sisters Glynis Breeds, after being diagnosed with Osteo-Arthritis,
2000
More races won and prizes gained but still the Striders progress. Junior Strider Sophie Mills is chosen to represent England- but it’s the under 16 girls HOCKEY team. More proof of of the Striders versatilities is the fact that junior Strider Adam Smith took part in the ‘Grizzly Challenge Cub Run’, a tough multi-terrain race over 9miles which he finished in 2hrs.5mins.
Trevor Brierley completes his first marathon, the Bungay Black Dog in 4hrs 38mins.
In the London Marathon Jamie Stenning, in only his second marathon, recorded a superb time of 2hrs.42mins.06secs making him 296th out of 31,542 finishers.
Samantha Cook and partner Matthew Garman (who plays rugby for Seaford) finished together in 6hrs.02mins and raised £3000 for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.
At the Seaford Head Millennium 10K, 4K and 1K Runs Kay McDonald pushed her son Richard in his wheel chair round the 4K course and Kate Stenning takes the trophy for the first lady in the same race.
Paul Boddy completes a Quadrathon (Canoe, Cycle, Swim and Run event). Our commiserations go to our defending Champion Jamie Stenning who led the Grand Prix for the first thirteen events this year. Unfortunately after picking a knee injury at Lewes he was unable to complete the last four runs finishing in second place, only two points behind the winner.
2001
‘Foot and Mouth’ hit the country so many races have to be cancelled. The London Marathon was one event unaffected and 19 Striders finished the course.
2nd claim club member Bill Bailey dies aged 87 having taken part in his last race just a few weeks earlier (he was pushed around the Hastings Half Marathon course by members of his first claim club Hastings Runners.)
The 21st and last Seven Sisters Marathon takes place and 40 Striders complete the Course.
Tony Cross takes part in every Sussex Road Racing Grand Prix event and is awarded The Team Strides Achievement Trophy for being the highest placed runner competing in all 17 events.
PETER WATSON is made Life Member of the club.
2002
Lots of new members mean the club has 100 plus senior members.
At London Nicki Brenchley records a new club record for the ladies marathon of 3hrs.9mins.43secs. This fine achievement, plus that of second claim member Huseyin Ibrahim 2hrs.34mins.31secs means that Seaford Striders can claim to have the 1st Sussex Lady and Man in the London Marathon.
Seaford Town Council present the club with a shield in recognition of the help the Club has given the community, especially that of Jackie Sier in organising a Duathlon as part of the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations. Twenty- one Striders complete the 1st Beachy Head Marathon.
2003
Selina Da Silva became the first lady and only the third member of the club to achieve 100 Marathons, the other members being Bob Webster and Martin Bulger. This remarkable achievement took place at the Isle of Man Marathon on Sunday the 10th of August, one day after her 47th birthday. Her finishing time was 4hrs.52mins.15secs.
In the 1000 metre junior Cross-country event at Whitbread Hollow exceptional performances were attained by Becky Sier who was 2nd in 8mins and Emma Noel who was 3rd in 8mins.43secs.
At the Worthing 20mile event, which also incorporates the Sussex Championships, the club were rewarded with 2nd Men’s team. Chris Piper, Steve Dawson and Mark Taylor (Silver County medals), 1st Lady.Vet. Fem Ketley (Gold County medal), 2nd Lady.Vet. Elaine Borley (Silver County medal), 1st Male.Vet. o/50. Tony Cross (Gold County medal), and 3rd Ladies team. of Fem Ketley, Elaine Borley, Lyn Parr and Maureen Crowhurst (Bronze County medals).
The Newhaven Lifeboat Station celebrates its 200th Anniversary and the Striders present them witl1 a cheque for £456 (the money was raised from the Mince Pie Run).
Twelve Striders were then taken out to sea for a couple of hours during normal Sunday morning exercises, which they thoroughly enjoyed. New member Geoff Gray was 2nd o/all in the Dicker l0K and 1st Senior Man.
Jackie Webber wins Sussex County Silver medals in 100m And 200m at the Sussex County Track and Field Championships at Horsham. Geoff Gray wins the Cuckmere House 10miles and is 7th o/all at Barns Green Half marathon – out of 900 runners in, 1.15.35.
New member 16year old Ryan Stewrui in his first outing for the club runs the Brighton 10K in 40.40. In the Sussex Grand Prix Elaine Borley wins the ‘Team Strides Trophy’ for the highest placed runner to complete all 16 events.
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2004
A cheque for £500 presented to the Martletts Hospice (the money was raised from the Mince Pie Run).
Bill Young collects trophy for completing his 20th Hastings Half Marathon which was also his 100th half marathon.
Chris Piper has a great run at London breaking the 3hr. barrier with a time of 2hrs.59mins.03secs. Finishing his 93rd marathon in 7hrs.15mins Bill Young was not to know that this would be his last run ever. Suffering with severe right leg pains within couple of weeks he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer that had also made bones in his right leg and hip weak. With only 7 marathons left to complete the 100 the Consultant agreed Bill could walk them with care.
Geoff Gray wins the Seaford Half Marathon, the Will Page 10K (new course record), the Cuckmere House 10miles and the Downlands School 5miles.
At the Dublin marathon Tony Cross, 2nd V4 (55-59), recorded the fastest time by a Strider in this category of 2.58.12.
In the Sussex Grand Prix Geoff Gray finishes in 2nd place o/all and Fem Ketley wins the “Team Striders Trophy” for the highest placed runner to complete all 17 events.
Bill Young now walking completes his 94th marathon at Beachy Head with no problems.
2005
Geoff Gray starts the year well finishing in 5th place o/all at the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon with a PB of 1.14.31.
At the London Marathon there were some great results, Geoff Gray ( debut) 2h.4 7m.22s, Natalie Dawson ( debut) 4h.15m.28s, and Steve Dawson Breaking 3hrs for the first time with 2h.59m.57.
At the Hastings Half marathon Awards evening no one was surprised more than Bill Young who was presented with the Bo-Peep Special Award by Olympic 400m Gold medal winner Sean Baldock. Bill is the only Strider to have completed all 21 events.
Geoff wins the Seaford Half marathon for the second year running in 1.24.24 (a new course record). John Errey completed his 3rd marathon at Edinburgh in 4h.35m. Geoff Gray, Dave Holden, Ray Smith and Dave Ellis won the 1st Team Award at the Downlands School 5miles (this is the 7th time the Striders have won this award. At Heathfield in the 10K event Geoff Gray finished 2nd o/all in 39.32.
In the Junior 800m race winner and 1st boy was Daniel Carr and 1st girl was Genevieve Wright.
In the Junior 1200m race, winner and first boy, was Jamie Sier. The running races which form part of the Seaford Games Tourney are revived by Councillor Ken Davis. A group of Striders led by Jackie Webber organised the races, which were a great success.
Exceptional times were achieved by Striders in the tough Downlands 30mile Ultra race. Out of 103 runners Ray Smith recorded 4.31.29 (8th senior man) and Nicki Brenchley 4.32.09 (2nd lady o/all & 1st vet.lady). Both these are in training for the 55mile London to Brighton run. Gary Hatcher in his first Ultra run finished in an excellent time of 4.46.00.
2005 Cont.
Three Striders took part in the Isle of Man marathon. Bob and Jayne Webster finished in 5.36.33.
Bill Young in his 98th marathon walked the event in 7.16.51. – only two to go now!
Geoff Gray wins the Will Page 10K for the second year in succession and received a Sussex County medal for 3rd Sussex Man. Geoff Gray, Steve Dawson & Ryan Stewart received Sussex County medals for 3rd men’s team.
One of the largest annual sporting events came to Seaford for the third year in succession. The South Coast Triathlon was once again a resounding success. In their relative events Fern Ketley, Ron Webb and Maureen Crowhurst were 1st in their age groups and Ryan Stewart and Nicki Noel were 2nd in theirs.
In the 55mile London to Brighton Ultra Run two Striders excelled with their performances. Nicki Brenchleys time of 7hrs.36mins improved the existing club record by 1hour and set a New Ladies record. Ray Smiths time of 8hrs.04mins set a new men’s record. Nicki has raised £5,400 sponsorship to date, which is equivalent to £100 per mile.
In the 4th Beachy Head marathon two new members led the club runners home. Tom Glandfield in a very good time of 3h35m and Tim Moloney in 4h.02m. Long serving club member 61-year-old Ken Browning, who has completed 22 marathons, decided to join 69 year
Bill Young who was completing his 99th marathon – they finished together in 9hrs.28mins.
Richard Honeyman recorded 4hrs.16mins.55secs in his debut marathon in Dublin.
Shortly after Christmas Seaford Striders were elated to be confirmed as Sussex Road Racing Grand Prix Champions for 2005. This was the second time as the club won in 1998.
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2006
A cheque for £745 was presented to the charity Seeability the money being raised from the annual Mince Pie Run. In the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon 18 year old Ryan Stewart had a brilliant run in 1.25.48 and won the cup for 1st Senior Man under twenty-one.
Ron Webb and Maureen Crowhurst both finished 1st in there age group at the South Coast Duathlon.
Tom Glandfied records an excellent time of 3hrs.19secs at the Steyning Stinger Marathon.
Bill Young finally reaches his 100th marathon at London and one week later 180 guests join him at his 70th birthday party when he is admitted into the I 00 Marathon Club.
Other London runners who also recorded excellent times were Phillip Carr 3h19m(debut) and Ryan Stewart 3.33.03. (debut). Ryan is eighteen and the youngest Strider to complete a marathon which means he now holds a new club record. Tony Cross records his second best time of 2.59.51 in Germany at the Frankfurt Marathon.
Geoff wins the Horsham 10K in 35.46.
The Seaford 10K is back for the clubs birthday year and maybe longer.
Martin Bulger completes his 24th New Forest Marathon in 4.21and is the only person to have completed them all. Members of the club were filmed while training and could appear on TV in 2007.
20th Anniversary Message
