Swindon Striders is a running club based in Swindon, United Kingdom. They have been participating in the Logicom Cyprus Marathon for the past 4 years, with more than 20 runners each year. In 2017, they will be participating in the Logicom Cyprus Marathon for the 5th consecutive time! We caught up with Ms. Beverley Jones to learn more about their running club.
Q: What is the reason for the creation of the Swindon Striders Running Club?
A: We are a friendly road and trail running club based in Swindon. Created in 1995 by a small group of recreational runners we have always aimed to welcome all levels and type of runners. For people who want to get fit in the fresh air and meet like minded people or for those who want to train hard for that next race, we have runners of all types at the club. We are focussing on friendly support and encouragement to enable our members to strive for their personal goals.
Q: Few words about Swindon?
A: Swindon is a large town in Wiltshire, South West England of approximately 40 square kilometres, London is 78 miles to the east. The landscape is dominated by the chalk hills of the Wiltshire Downs to the south and east. Probably best known for Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Swindon Works, built between 1841 and 1842 for the repair and maintenance of locomotives on the Great Western Railway (GWR). The Steam Railway Museum and English Heritage, now occupy part of the old works.
Also read: Places To Visit in Paphos
Q: What are some activities and events organised by the club?
A: As a club we have regular training sessions which in the summer include speed sessions and interval training and in the winter we include Fartlek and hill training. We have also had ‘Beep test’ sessions which encourages friendly competition.
Swindon Striders also supports many local races, from 5ks to Ultras and one favourite in the summer is the 86 mile Ridgeway Relay where we enter as a team of at least 10 runners, plus each August we man a 12hr overnight Checkpoint for the Annual 24hr, 86 mile Ridgeway Challenge event. We have some members who travel around the country running races and some who also regularly travel abroad to race too.
Q: What are the benefits of joining the Swindon Striders?
A: As with joining any running club, having others to run alongside and encourage you, helps you to develop and progress your performance and it is also a healthy and fun way to meet new people and increase your social circle. We like to finish our week with a club run and then a social gathering with a drink and snacks.
Related: The Benefits of Running
Q: What do you like about the Logicom Cyprus Marathon and why have you been participating for 4 consecutive years?
A: Swindon Striders have thoroughly enjoyed participating in Logicom Cyprus Marathon for the past 4 years. A trip to Cyprus in March is very welcome after a cold and wet winter and each year the race has been well organised and very friendly, with the opportunity of many trophies for our runners. Over 20 Striders have travelled out each year and it is one of our favourite overseas trips.
Q: Will you be back in 2017?
Swindon Striders will definitely be back for 2017 for our 5th consecutive year!
See you in Paphos!
Interested in taking part? You can register here: https://register.cyprusmarathon.com
