On Saturday 11 February, CLC Striders Running Club had two reasons to celebrate with their men’s and women’s teams achieving promotion to Division One at regional cross country level. It was the realisation of a 15-year dream for club founder and Head Coach Brendan Ward...

Small yet mighty, Gloucestershire based CLC Striders RC are a relatively young club (15 years) in terms of existence. However, they punched above their weight at the Midland and Birmingham cross country leagues in one of the most memorable days in the club’s history.

You can always expect a hard fought contest at cross country as teams’ battle for points, places and ultimately, promotion to the top divisions. CLC Striders ladies had been in Division One before, spending a few seasons mixing it with the best but could the men do the same and enjoy the same successes? It was time to find out.

There were four races in the 2022/2023 season with the final fixtures for the men - Birmingham & District Invitational Cross Country League Division Two at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park in Warwickshire: ladies - Midland Women’s Cross Country League Division Two at Coombe Abbey Park in Coventry. Conditions were dry and mild on the day and perfect for running.

The going was good for the CLC Striders women’s team who gave 100% on a flat course including a few turns and switchbacks. Their strong performances resulted in 3rd team place and 1st in the Masters category meaning they finished the season 3rd in Division Two and the 1st Masters team.

The happy outcome of this was promotion back to Division One. View the full results here.

The CLC Striders men faced a tough course and even tougher opposition at Burton Dassett. Triathlete specialist Rob Green has been in commanding form in his first full season at the club and was impressive again at this final fixture, leading them home as the first scorer. He finished 8th overall and 1st in the Masters category across the four fixtures.

Sterling efforts by the men’s A and B teams resulted in them achieving that longed-for promotion to Division One - to the delight of Brendan Ward. And at the risk of using a well-worn cliché – “team work made the dream work”.  View the full results here.

This has put the club on the regional map and marked them out as one to watch in the future......

Image courtesy of Paul Northup (CLC Striders RC Press Secretary).