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Karslake is a short road of sixty five houses running from Stalbridge Avenue at its northern end to the recently cultivated triangle of land bordering Penny Lane to the south. It was to this typical suburban terraced road that Jack Clark moved in 1983. Jack had recently taken up running and was delighted one day to spot a neighbour, all geared up for a run, leaving his house and jogging off towards Penny Lane and the park. A potential running companion! When the opportunity arose Jack introduced himself to his neighbour - Neville 'Nev' Parsons - and over time the two became close friends.
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Over the next few months other runners began to join up with Jack and Nev, and eventually the group decided to form a running club. Club colours and a club name were agreed, and on Thursday 25th July 1985, Jack handed out the first ever set of distinctive black and white vests. Penny Lane Striders running club was formed.
At that time, Gordon Hall was a tutor and warden at the Derby and Gladstone University Halls on Greenbank Road. At a local 10k race in which he was participating, Gordon met up with Jack and Nev. He learned the newly formed Striders had no club house and so offered the use of a small self-contained building within the University grounds: the Rumpus Room. As well as providing a home for the Striders, Gordon hoped that by association students would be encouraged and inspired to run.
At that time, Gordon Hall was a tutor and warden at the Derby and Gladstone University Halls on Greenbank Road. At a local 10k race in which he was participating, Gordon met up with Jack and Nev. He learned the newly formed Striders had no club house and so offered the use of a small self-contained building within the University grounds: the Rumpus Room. As well as providing a home for the Striders, Gordon hoped that by association students would be encouraged and inspired to run.
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On October 22nd 1985, three months after their formation, Penny Lane Striders received a letter from the secretary of the AAA approving their affiliation. The Striders were now officially recognised by athletics’ governing body. Over 30 years later, Jack, Nev and Gordon would be greatly chuffed to know that the running club they founded has stood the test of time. They would also be buoyed by the knowledge that while it continues to pursue a variety of sports including cycling, swimming and triathlon, it is running that remains at its core.
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Striders line up to race at Llandudno, including club founder Nev Parsons (bottom row, second from left)
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