Swindon Striders

“Listen to your body” as my yoga instructors have always told me 😇 Well, it turns out my feet and legs (on verge of injury) were crying out for a new pair of running trainers, & I knew I deserved to treat myself to a proper gait analysis & some trainers that suit my over-pronation (basically “flat feet”). Liam and Tracy RUN Swindon have delivered, & I can honestly say my injury is now on the mend with the right new trainers 😅😅 And they do discount for Striders members. Shop local, Everyone! (Credit also to Emily Allbon who came along for advice too)

Sharing this brilliant initiative: Mental Health walks (for both men & women) that take place every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month - in various locations (see page for updates). Message them/Mike directly for details 💪🏻💪🏻💚

Striders, Seven Fields parkrun & Swindon’s running community paying respects to Skillett & family this morning was a very touching experience. He’d hoped to do one last one run there, so we ran in force in his honour. The crowd gathered, even in school holidays (with many people away who would have wanted to be join us) was testament to how loved he was. 🥰 He was always supporting others. His family did him very proud 🤩

Remembering a brilliant and inspiring Strider, Keiron Skillett, who very sadly lost his battle with Pacreatic Cancer this week. He’d hoped to enter one final Parkrun at his favourite one: Sevenfields. 😔 Please join us there tomorrow morning, wearing green, his favourite colour (and our club colours too) @09:00💚 RIP Keiron - you were a fantastic runner and club member, and we’ll really miss you 💚🥰 🕊️ 🌟

Friday 14th August Club Run
"I know how much you enjoyed last week's exploration of Wichelstowe, so let's find a different bit! Over time this may become a more well trodden route with plenty more variations. But currently is a trail and path route of West Wichel.
From the Link head to Mannington Retail Park, along the path/cycle trail beside Gt Western Way ('The Trim Trail') to the bridge over the railway. Cross the bridge then turn right and then keep right following the path whihc follows beside the railway. Just before the M4 there is an option to cut across to the road, otherwise follow beside the railway underneath the M4 then turn left back to the Wichelstowe road. Turn left again and follow the road back to Wichelstowe. At Wichelstowe Trails, (just after Orchard View), take the track to go back uner the railway and then retrace your steps to the Link. - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56639765"
This is a group run, you will not be left behind.
Meet outside the 'Harvey'; beside the Link (West Swindon District Centre) from 6:30 for 6:45pm run.

What floats your boat 🚤? Are you a road-runner, Park-runner, Couch-to-5K-runner, cross country mud-runner……or maybe, like these intrepid Striders, you prefer trails or Ultras? You’ll find your tribe Swindon Striders 🤩🥰 We’ve had some superstars run Ridgeway 86, Race to the King, Escape from Meriden & Race to the Stones this year. 👏 There have been a few others who have enjoyed Trail Run Thursdays organised by club members (thanks & Pete Gilder 🙏🏻) - discovering beautiful Wiltshire countryside right on our doorstep.

Friday 7th August Club Run
A new route this time using some of the new trails opening up in Wichelstowe... From the Link head down to Mannington Way, cross over at the traffic lights on Wootton Bassett Road and head round Mannington Retail Park, under the bridge then right towards Wichelstowe. Take the first left to lead you up to the traffic lights. Cross then follow the path leading to the Wichelsotwe Boardwalk. At the play area left and wiggle past the school and out to Peglars Way. Cross the bridge beside Hall and Woodhouse, past the front of Waitrose then right up Mill Lane. At the roundabout folow the small path alongside the lake to the canal. Follow the canal along before taking the 2nd turning to cut through the lakes to the car park onto Barbrook Road and left onto East Wichel Way. Follow back towards Waitrose but turn right along Mill Lane. Over the canal bridge then follow the path parallel with Peglars Way back to the traffic lights. Cross over head towards West Wichel then reverse the route out. - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56520485
This is a group run, you will not be left behind.
Meet outside the 'Harvey'; beside the Link (West Swindon District Centre) from 6:30 for 6:45pm run.

Link to Wichelstowe Boardwalk and Canal 9.1 km, +43 m. Bike ride in Swindon, England

Friday 31st July Club Run
Back to a visit of Lydiard Park this week and the regular variation on the Lydiard Park loop... Out to Shaw Ridge and along to Lydiard Park pass the lakes on your right over the Troll bridge ;-) up to the cafe, out along the drive then follow the edge of the park around the outside of the walled garden and follow the drive to Hay Lane. Then turn left down the hill, under the underpass past the Hickory's Smokehouse, to the Village Inn before crossing by the shops at the pelican crossing and following the cycle trails/paths to Shaw Ridge and back to the Link. The last third is all on footpath but knowing the standard of Swindon footpaths may still be uneven! - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41005935
This is a group run, you will not be left behind.
Meet outside the 'Harvey'; beside the Link (West Swindon District Centre) from 6:30 for 6:45pm run.

Link - Edge of LP Loop and Middleleaze 9.2 km, +75 m. Bike ride in West Swindon, England

Friday 17th July Club Run
Out towards Purton and Ridgeway Farm this week then some cross training... From the Link up over Shaw Ridge and follow the cycle path through to Shaw Village Centre. Run alongside Roughmoor Way to the underpass, under it and then up the left right along Standings Close to run through the park and out to Sandacre Road. Turn right along it then left into Mardale Close and out the end to Washpool. Across the bridge then left up the track which follows through across the field to Stone Lane. Left then right over the stile and down around the edge of the field to cross the brook. Immediately right and out to the track (which leads to/from the Cricket Club). Right through the gate and cut across the field following the Millenium trail to the corner of "The Fox". Follow the path round the field (across 2 stiles) then cut up across the field beside a copse to the fence. Left along the fence to Common Platt, across the road and up the hill to the "Gym". From there it is back down the hill, Cutting through to The Willows and following the path all the way down to Swinley Drive. Cross the end of Peatmoor Lagoon then take the track to follow round across Cartwright Drive to Old Shaw Lane. Left Right and meander the way onto Shaw Ridge and back to the Link. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44263101
This is a group run, you will not be left behind.
Meet outside the 'Harvey'; beside the Link (West Swindon District Centre) from 6:30 for 6:45pm run.

Link - Washpool - Purton Ridgeway Farm Loop 8.8 km, +65 m. Bike ride in Swindon, England

Friday 10th July Club Run
It's another warm one, so we have (hopefully) a shady run. Up to Shaw Ridge but as we get to the top of the hill, turn left into the wood, then follow the normal way to Lydiard Park. Enter the Park and keep throught the trees round the two Lakes and up to the Cafe. Complete a circuit of the woods then back out at the Hay Lane entrance of Lydiard Park. Down the hill and follow the cycle path through past the Village Inn to the bottom of Old Shaw Lane. Follow up then take the right to lead back onto Shaw RIdge and back - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56036260
This is a group run, you will not be left behind.
Meet outside the 'Harvey'; beside the Link (West Swindon District Centre) from 6:30 for 6:45pm run.

Lydiard shorter shady route 7.0 km, +59 m. Bike ride in Swindon, England