MK festival of Running
11 squirrels ran at the clubs run of the month - the MK festival of running. The event starts at the Xscape city-centre venue and the festival consists of four great events so there really is something for everyone. There is a super-swift 5k event, a classic 10k distance race, a big Half Marathon and a 20 miler for those who like to go long or are preparing for a spring marathon. 
 
Hannah Ridley won the 5k event - she was very pleased to finish first female with a time of 19:44. 
 
Sheila Leavy and Clare Hooley both ran the 10k finishing in 1:19:50 and 1:27:04 respectively. 
 
Rachel Arnott was 2nd in her age category in the half marathon with a time of 1:37:44. Three others ran the half, James Keogh was first home for the club in 1:31:02. Mark Larwood and Andrew Liddle finished in 1:57:44 and 2:02:09 respectively. 
 
In preparation for Newport marathon - Sam Coxon finished 4th in the 20 mile race with a time of 1:54:32. Sam said that the course wasn’t as flat as he’d hoped - finishing on ‘the biggest hill’. Alice Carty, Ben Ryan and Matt Ankers finished the 20 miles in 2:35:09, 2:36:31 and 02:48:48

Rome Marathon
Caroline Thrussell achieved all her targets at the Rome Marathon with a time under 4 hours and ‘good for age’ time of 3:48:31 and new club record for over 60 female. 

High Lodge half marathon
Mel Flynn really enjoyed the nice, fairly flat trails through Thetford Forest at the High Lodge half marathon.  Mel finished in a time of 2:09:16.

Great Welsh Marathon
Elwyn Howell completed his 2nd marathon - finishing 2nd in his age category at the great Welsh in a new over 65 club record of 3:50:32. I took 7 minutes of my time for a PB.

North Herts Road Runners turned out in force at the sun-drenched Cambridge Half-marathon and delivered a set of sparkling performances to match the glorious weather. 
 
Mike Roberts led the Squirrels 31-strong contingent home, crossing the line in a superb 1:11:35, while Rhia Botha was the first female finisher for North Herts in 1:28:46.
 
Other notable performances on the famously fast and flat Cambridge course included Natalie Phillips, whose 1.45:22 left her ‘delighted to shave two minutes off my personal best’ on a ‘sunny and rather warm Sunday’.  She said ‘There is something rather special about running through the beautiful grounds of some of the University colleges.’
 
Shahab Ahmed joined the PB party with a rapid 1:15:26 and praised the ‘exceptional NHRR support on course’, adding that the ‘beautiful (but slightly warm) conditions made it a bit of a challenge after training through a miserable winter’.

Granite Way
Elwyn Howell stuck to a ‘nice and steady pace’ as he finalised his preparations  for the coming weekend’s Great Welsh Marathon by completing the Granite Way 10-mile race in Oakhampton. Elwyn finished in 1:37:24.

Tokyo Marathon
Two adventurous Squirrels with their eye on running the Six Marathon Majors toed the line at Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. Despite the hot weather Tash Pitman and Nicola Withington both enjoyed the run and although they didn’t score personal best times, they loved the event atmosphere as the Japanese cheer squads made a big effort to dress up with groups of Godzillas, Pikachus and Kermit among the most popular outfits.

​Nicola described the marathon as ‘hot, tough with an awesome atmosphere.’ Tash finished in 3:50:40 and Nicola in 4:23. 

The Jones O Gymru Anglesey Half Marathon
Seven Squirrels headed north-west to run the Jones O Gymru Anglesey Half Marathon in Wales.  Described as a challenging race with breathtaking scenery and views of Snowdonia and the Menai straight.  The course stretches along the scenic coastline and over the Menai suspension bridge.  Dervla Downing finished in 1:46:50, Caroline Thrussell in 1:49:08 (and was 1st in her age category FV60), Michelle Grudzinski in 1:57:57, Jennie Fraser in 1:59:12, Paul Bowal in 2:10:53, Andy Grudzinski in 2:13:38 and Adam Wilson 2:17:16.

The final showdown of the Three Counties Cross Country League took place on Sunday at Delapré Abbey, and North Herts Road Runners rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion! The typically tame course was transformed by recent rain into a true cross-country challenge, with a treacherous mix of tufty grass, soggy fields, deep puddles, and thick mud—just the way we like it!
   
Undeterred by the conditions, our Squirrels arrived with a mission: to secure all three team championships—Men’s, Women’s, and Combined. With 22 Squirrels racing and a fantastic support crew of scorekeepers and cheer squads, the stage was set for an epic conclusion to the season.

A Nail-Biting Finale
Going into the final race, the men needed to outperform Bedford Harriers, while the women had to outpace Rugby & Northampton AC to maintain their lead. It was a true last-race showdown!
​
On the day, our NHRR women clinched victory, narrowly beating Bedford Harriers and Wellingborough & District AC. The men’s team placed second behind Rugby & Northampton AC but managed to hold off Bedford Harriers. In the combined standings, NHRR took the top spot, securing a triumphant league win over Bedford Harriers and Rugby & Northampton AC.

A Historic Victory
These results meant that NHRR claimed the treble—winning the Men’s, Women’s, and Combined Team Championships once again!

• 6th consecutive Men’s Team Championship
• 5th consecutive Women’s Team Championship
• 4th consecutive Combined Team win

The combined team dominated the final four races, securing the league title by a commanding five-point margin.

A Team Effort
This success wasn’t just about the scorers—it was a true team effort! Every Squirrel who raced played a role, from those scoring points to the B and C team runners who pushed other clubs down the standings. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, from those competing in multiple races to those bringing energy and encouragement. The team spirit this season has been second to none!

Parkrun Roundup 
 
Chipping Norton School: Anna Greetham (26:50), Matt Roberts (26:50)
Conkers: Brian Judkins (38:19)
Finsbury: Richard Harbon (25:37)
Henlow Bridge Lakes: Matt Ankers (24:57), Dave Braybrook (27:30)
Highbury fields: Emily Yossarian (28:23)
Letchworth: James Dalton (24:12), Laura Fairbanks (27:12), Steve Brenton (28:02), Philip Flack (41:29)
Oaklands college: Bev Rimmer (42:53)
Stevenage: Sophie Thrussell (20:15), Ben Sewell (20:16), Andrew Coates (27:22), Ellie Scott (27:37), Amanda Greig (34:24)
Sunny Hill: Kris Whitmore (20:15)
University parks: Barbara Sayers (26:03)
Valentines: Darren Matussa (21:05)

This weekend saw the fourth and penultimate race in the Three Counties XC, with North Herts hoping to continue their strong showing across the current seasion. The league was returning to Wing for its first race there since 2019, where there was a new course across challenging terrain. Due to the recent weather the course was tough with the thick mud and tufty grass on undulating hills with some technical sections to navigate. 

Runners were met with beautiful sunshine; a chill in the air and the frost on the ground. But the mud and water on the ground were to make for the perfect conditions for cross country racing.

A total of 32 squirrels ran and a strong supporting contingent was on hand too. In what turned out to a great day for North Herts Road Runners, the mens team won, beating close rivals Bedford Harriers. The women were 2nd to Rugby and Northampton AC in a very close race but beat Olney Runners who were 3rd. The combined team won the race ahead of Bedford Harriers and Rugby and Northampton.

Scoring for the North Herts women were Rhia Botha, Hannah Ridley, Paula Adams and Natalie Phillips.  Whilst the men were represented in the scoring by Ben Hadman, Travis Kruger, Darren Sunter, Matt Sayers, James Warner-Smith, Vince Wright, Shahab Ahmad and Ian Datlen.

With a 4th combined team victory, North Herts Road Runners have won every race so far accumulating a lead of 4 points going into the final race.  The women are leading the league on score difference narrowly ahead of Rugby and Northampton AC, whilst the men are winning by a single point ahead of Bedford Harriers.

Going into the final race of the season on 16th February, North Herts are aiming for the treble championship of men, woman and combined team events.

First Saturday of the Month
A small but dedicated group turned out to run North Herts Road Runners fabulous First Saturday of the Month on the very muddy Norton Common! Finishers were as follows; 

Chase the Moon 10k 
Alice Carty ran the Chase the Moon 10k in Londons Battersea Park on Wednesday evening, She ran a huge personal best beating her previous time by 2 mins 26 seconds and finished in a time of 44:21. Alice was the 14th woman over the line on the fast and flat course, which had both the 5km and 10km runners all mixed in together. 
 
Happy with the result, Alice commented that she was very happy to be running so fast so early in the season and grateful to the fantastic coaches we have at North Herts Road Runners. 

Bedford 5/10 miles
A few squirrels ran at the Bedford 5 & 10. The 5 mile lap course had the option to do either one lap or two on a fast flat course. It was a cold morning with a busy course early but the squirrels managed to beat the rain. 
 
Rachel Arnott ran the 10 miles in 1:16:15. Whilst running the 5 miles was Saskia Thompson 36:14 (3rd female), Lucy O'Connor 41:51 and Brian Judkins 59:31. 

Parkrun Roundup
On the 7th year anniversary of the event, 28 squirrels headed to Letchworth park run to help celebrate a birthday. The course was quite tough - with plenty of mud, it was perfect cross country practice and with cake and coffee provided afterwards, it was a great start to the weekend. 

North Herts Road Runners delivered a series of new club records and personal bests at the Fred Hughes 10-mile race in St Albans, despite a last-minute course change due to flooding.
 
Matt Sayers recorded a superb 57:30 for a new club record in the 50-plus age-group, while Rhia Botha was ‘pleased that I was able to get a personal best of 1:06:53 after missing out on the Buntingford 10-mile race a couple of weeks ago.’
 
Botha was joined in the ‘PB club’ by Shahab Ahmad (57:18), David Edwards (1:08:06), Mike Over (1:08:16) and Natalie Phillips (1:18:19).
 
Lucy O’Connor said ‘It was nice to run on my birthday and get a course PB of 1:24:38. The conditions were perfect.’
 
The first squirrel across the line was Sam Coxon (54:01), with Mike Roberts just eight second behind in (54:09).
 
Other NHRR results at Fred Hughes 10:
Rob Jowett (57:06); Pete Sibbett (1:08:57); Mike Phillips (1:13:30); Ian Datlen (1:13:39); David Weston (1:18:13); James Godfrey (1:22:05); Frances Stanton (1:27:02); Mel Flynn (1:29:06); Dawn Power (1:36:11); Richard Barker (1:40:17); Georgia Barker (1:51:49)

Thirty eight hardy North Herts Road Runners were unfazed by the freezing, icy conditions on Sunday morning making the short drive over to Stopsley to take on the notoriously hilly third race of the Three Counties Cross Country league which finishes with a steep uphill affectionately called Cardiac Climb which was even harder to climb this year due to icy patches!
 
The combined North Herts team took top spot ahead of rivals Bedford Harriers. Men's team captain and XC manager John Auld reported he was 'thrilled with the result and that the treble league win is most definitely on! Let’s keep the momentum going in to the next race at Wing - where we have a brand new course.'
 
The men's team were led home by Ben Hadman, Rob Jowett, Travis Kruger, Andrew Leach, Matt Sayers, Vince Wright, Mike Banister and Steve Mckeown and the team just edged out Bedford Harriers into second. The women’s team were led home by Rhia Botha, followed by Hannah Ridley, Tracey Pitcairn and Helen Nutall, and finished in second behind Rugby and Northampton AC. 

This is the second successive victory for both the men and the combined team, whilst the women continue to place on the podium, now having placed 1st, 3rd and 2nd in races 1, 2, 3 respectively.

John thanks everyone who was able to contribute on Sunday: runners; scorers; supporters; photographers and score takers.

Overall (provisional) league standings after 3 events...

Snowy Winter Spine Sprint
Meanwhile up in the Lake District Anna Gibson successfully completed the absolutely brutal Montane Winter Spine Sprint which involved running 46 miles along the most iconic and demanding trail in Britain: the Pennine Way. Anna took to the start line in relentless ice and snow, finishing in 17 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds crossing the line at 5.19AM the next day. Anna commented 'It was epic and also the hardest race I've done!. When I signed up I wasn't expecting 46 miles of snow!' Anna was supported by a special squirrel support crew, who no doubt helped keep spirits up in the challenging conditions.

Big PB at Hatfield 10k
Tom Kingham kept to the road at the Hatfield 10k today and was happy to bag a new personal best time of 00:47:24.

​Following last weekend’s bumper turn out at the Buntingford 10, this weekend saw many Squirrels taking a well-earned rest from racing.  Despite the warnings of ice and snow there was a good turn-out at the freezing First Saturday of the Month 5K on Norton Common (awaiting results). 
​Other races were:

Herts and Middx Cross Country Championships
On Saturday 4 January at Trent Park, Matt Sayers (Senior Men category) completed the course in a time of 42:23

Ely New Year’s Eve 10K
Karen Dodsworth first ran the Ely New Year’s Eve 10K over 20 years ago and keeps going back because she loves the piper in full Highland dress who plays before the start of the race at the top of the hill at 9km.  Karen described the race as having a very fast downhill start followed by 6km of flat running.  This year there was a very strong headwind for much of that 6km.  The last kilometer is a gradual downhill.  Karen ran in a time of 58:43 and is looking forward to her next 10k.

Battersea Park Half Marathon
Tom Barclay returned to Battersea Park to compete in the half marathon and ran a personal best time of 71:03 and stormed home in third place.

South West Road Runners Exeter First Chance 10k 
Elwyn Howell ran his first event of 2025 and came third in his age category (V65) in a time of 45:53