Race Date: Saturday 25th April 2026
Race Report by: Jennie Stevens
The Cat Lane Canter 2026 is a local trail race in the woods surrounding Newfield School. There is a ‘roughly’ 5k and 10k option, with the 10k coming in just short of 9.5k, and just under 300m of ascent.
The event is jointly organised by Carfield Friends, Friends of Meersbrook Bank and Friends of Newfield and is raising money for all 3 PTAs. There are also a variety of stalls selling drinks and cakes, and also sausage and bacon butties which can be pre-ordered though Si Entries.
It was my first time running this race, and my first time wearing a Striders vest since May 2022. It felt good to be back, both to racing and to Striders, where I received the usual welcome and encouragement from all related to the club.
The race itself was tough – the dreaded half-lap of the field (but thankfully not also at the end), followed by two hilly laps, and plenty of friendly marshals to keep us on course. It’s a pretty course, winding through the woods with streams and bluebells. The end of each lap has a 70m ascent over the course of about a mile – I am not a fan of uphill finishes!
Having been out of racing for the last two years and moving mostly at 11/12 minute miles, I knew the race would be a shock to the system, especially in the heat – it was a glorious sunny morning. But a nice round goal of 1 hour seemed like a sensible aspiration for me. After having finished the first lap in 30 minutes, this was looking unlikely, especially as I was feeling done in and seriously considered finishing in the 5k race instead! But stubbornness made me press on, as well as encouragement from a lovely Smiley (Claire).
It was on the final ascent that I checked my watch and I was just within reach of my goal, which meant I had to push myself! That was, after all, what I was there for, so I managed a rather ungainly ‘sprint’ for the finish, and managed 59:50. Job done!
Hopefully I’ll be back in more races soon!
10K
The 10k was won by Luke Wilkinson of Dark Peak Fell Runners in 38:37. The first female finisher was our own Sophie Rawson in 51:41.
Striders results:
There were 29 Striders in the 10k race, here are their results:
| Position | Name | Category | Time |
| 6 | Edward John | OSEN | 0:42:30 |
| 8 | Louis Wood | O40 | 0:43:07 |
| 17 | Jed Turner | O60 | 0:49:15 |
| 18 | Luke Clay | OSEN | 0:50:42 |
| 20 | Sophie Rowson | FSEN | 0:51:41 |
| 26 | Adam McAuley | O50 | 0:52:45 |
| 28 | Jamie Lee | OSEN | 0:53:02 |
| 32 | Simon Easthope | O50 | 0:53:38 |
| 36 | Matheau Frith | OSEN | 0:54:34 |
| 40 | Kate Reece | F70 | 0:55:29 |
| 41 | Claire Wren | F40 | 0:55:30 |
| 43 | Nick Watson | O50 | 0:55:43 |
| 45 | John Kirby | O60 | 0:55:47 |
| 49 | Will Day | O50 | 0:56:03 |
| 52 | Ash Mellors | O40 | 0:57:15 |
| 55 | Chris Walker | O40 | 0:57:42 |
| 59 | David Bocking | O60 | 0:59:24 |
| 60 | Joel Driver | O40 | 0:59:28 |
| 64 | Jennie Stevens | F50 | 0:59:50 |
| 68 | Martin Downham | O60 | 1:00:44 |
| 70 | Kerry Chase | F40 | 1:01:18 |
| 88 | Katelyn McKeown | F40 | 1:06:10 |
| 98 | Emily Haighton | FSEN | 1:08:59 |
| 101 | Chris Reece | O70 | 1:09:46 |
| 107 | Loz Harvey | O50 | 1:10:45 |
| 111 | Vikki McAuley | F50 | 1:11:31 |
| 112 | Helena Radcliffe | FSEN | 1:11:40 |
| 123 | Nicole Nield | F70 | 1:16:50 |
| 125 | Kevin Haighton | O60 | 1:21:06 |
Of note, in addition to Sophie being first female, Kate Reece was 1st F70 (and 2nd F60) in 55:29 and Jed Turner was 1st open over 60 (and 2nd 50+) in a time of 49:15.
5k
The 5k was won by Jake Metcalfe-Skerratt, unafilliated, in 21:09. The first female finisher was Eleanor McNally of HRRC in 24:40.
8 Striders took part in the 5k, here are their results:
| Position | Name | Category | Time |
| 6 | Michael Cockings | O40 | 0:24:09 |
| 16 | Sam Ainscough | O40 | 0:27:49 |
| 21 | Ann-Marie Mulvey | F40 | 0:31:55 |
| 29 | Heather Knott | F50 | 0:34:19 |
| 43 | David Hewitt | O70 | 0:36:23 |
| 49 | Claire cadman | F50 | 0:37:07 |
| 69 | David Parry | O70 | 0:42:17 |
| 80 | Graham Nield | O70 | 0:52:31 |
Ann Marie Mulvey was 3rd female and 2nd F40 in 31:55, Heather Knott was 1st F50 in 35:19. In the men’s race, Michael Cockings and David Hewitt won first open over 40 and first open over 70 with respective times of 24:09 and 36:23.
Well done everyone!
The results can be viewed here.
