In a quiet week for North Herts Road Runners, most Squirrels were taking a break from racing in between cross country league competitions, but club members Martyn Annetts and Chris Priestley were on good form at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park.  Annetts, in his 50^th outing at the event, finished in 22^nd place overall and won his MV45 age category in a time of 18:20 – his fastest time over this course.  Chris Priestley was also taking part, and finished in 21:57.

It was cross country time again for North Herts Road Runner, and thirty seven Squirrels headed to Wing, near Leighton Buzzard, for the third Three Counties League race.  A successful morning was had, with the women’s team moving up the rankings into 2^nd place, while the men’s team put in another solid performance to finish 4^th – giving the combined teams an overall 4^th position for the club in the league.  Continue reading →

Photos (on flickr)

Twenty three North Herts Road Runners headed up the A1 for the St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday.  Running conditions were near-perfect, with the cool, still weather contributing to a long list of PBs for the Squirrels.  Mark Vaughan was the first home for the club, in fourth place (and 2^nd MV40) with a new PB time of 1:14:37. David Annetts was next in 1:17:28, Rob Harris finished in 1:19:40, and Pete Scrowther produced yet another prize-winning performance as first MV50 in a time of 1:20:19.  Martyn Annetts ran a new PB in 1:23:57, followed by Ryan Smith in 1:24:34 – another PB.  Paula Adams was first female club member home in 1:32:30, followed by Richard Thackeray in 1:35:51.  Helen Cairns ran a new PB in 1:36:59, with Suzy Trott immediately behind in 1:37;00. Continue reading →

North Herts Road Runners’ Martyn Annetts got the racing weekend off to a flying start at the Sri Chimnoy 10 mile race on Saturday in Battersea Park.  On a fast, multi-lap course Annetts took 22^nd place in a new personal best time of 62:55.  Also racing on Saturday

was Ollie Garbas, who finished St Albans Parkrun in 16^th place in 19:27, whilst brother Alex – one of the club’s youngest members – was in winning action at the Herts Schools

District Cross Country earlier in the week.  Alex took first place, whilst fellow junior Squirrel Tom Morris-Pond was in second place in the competition.  Continue reading →

Four intrepid Road Runners braved the 26 miles of the Steppingley Step – a mainly off-road, undulating challenge event through the Bedfordshire countryside, starting and finishing in Barton-le-Clay.  Sue Foot, Jo Summers, Garry Tame and Michelle Stokes completed the challenge in a little over 5 hours and 20 minutes.

It was First Saturday of the Month time again on Norton Common for North Herts Road Runners – 73 runners took part, with young Squirrel Tom Morris-Pond taking first place honours in 18:52.  In fourth place was club-mate Paul Fairchild in 20:29, and first lady home for the club was Yuko Gordon in 25:17.  Other club members taking part were James Keogh, John Cooper, Peter Hanlon, Graham Gunnell, Paul Bowal, Joy Stroud, Cathy Craig, Pat Norris and Monica Cullin.  Continue reading →

North Herts Road Runners were out in force for the third and final Hatfield 5K race last week, and club members featured prominently in the trophy presentations after the race.  In the team results, the men’s team were placed 1^st overall in the three-race series, with the women’s team 3^rd.  Individual series results saw Pete Scrowther awarded 2^nd in the MV50 category, Nick Malpeli and James Walsh 2^nd and 3^rd MV40 respectively, Helen Cairns 3^rd FV35, and Monica Cullen 1^st FV65.  Continue reading →

North Herts Road Runners held their annual Awards Evening celebration at Chesfield Downs last Saturday, and there was plenty to celebrate with many new club records being set over the past year.  Continue reading →

The roll of honour is as follows:

• Personality Monica Cullen
• 101% Dawn Low
• Best Overall Female Runner Astrid McKeown
• Best Overall Male Runner Pete Scrowther
• Short Course Champions (3-10km) Astrid McKeown & David Annetts
• Long Course Champions (10M-Marathon)Chris King & Steve Williamson
• Most Improved Runners Jane Clarke & Martyn Annetts
• Club Runner (most Run of the Months) Jane Tyler, Nick Malpeli & Adrian Sherwood

In addition 11 ladies & 5 men set club records this year and we were able to introduce new U17 & U19 categories.

Seven North Herts Road Runners battled wet and windy conditions, as well as major disruption from an A1 closure, to take part in the Great Eastern Run half marathon in Peterborough.  Despite the weather conditions, this flat fast course provided some new club records and PBs.  First home was David Annetts in a new club MV45 record of 1:17:29; next was Pete Scrowther – 2^nd MV50 and with another new club record in the category with 1:20:14.  Martyn Annetts achieved a new half-marathon PB in 1:24:35, while Garry Tame was a victim of the A1 closure and arrived at the start with a minute to spare, then lost his timing chip but still managed to finish in 1:45:48.  Continue reading →