No relaxing for John Rayner on holiday as he entered the Apmeneia 5k on Thursday finishing 3rd overall.  John said ‘This was due to start at 7pm with the temperature around 30 degrees. The course started at a local football club, headed out into the countryside and then looped back through the village. 30% on road I had been promised a couple of little hills. The first 3km were beautiful, downhill and I was part of the lead group. Then as we got back to the village we met the first of many steep climbs. The lead group broke up but I was able to hold on to 3rd. After the race there was food and most importantly jelly. This was followed by the prize giving and the chance to stand on a podium. The whole race was free, including a t-shirt and medal.’
 
Sue Foot ran the Suffolk Running Academy Marathon on Saturday. This was a single loop around the beautiful Suffolk countryside with some long challenging hills especially in the heat. Sue said ‘There was only 13 of us and apart from the start I was on my own for the 26.4 miles. I finished fourth overall in 4.50 and was the first lady out six.’
 
North Herts very own First Saturday of the month 5km in Norton Common saw 61 finishers in the beautiful sunshine. 
Vince Wright won the race in 18:26 and was delighted that his marathon training is going so well. 2nd in the race and First Lady was Katie Harbon in 18:52. Completing the podium for the squirrels was Will Harrison finishing in 3rd with 19:50. There was a tremendous 3-way sprint finish for 3rd, 3 seconds between them, with Will, Steven Bennett and James Keogh. Next month’s event is on the 3rd September at 9am.
 
Although it was a few weeks ago now, we got confirmation on both the county and event results for the relay this week. The race was on July 21st.

Fantastic event, superb turn out and performance from #TeamNHRR.
Katie was the fastest woman's leg.

Teams medals given below.

Red, senior men, silver overall and county gold
Grey, vet men, gold in both
Ground, senior women, gold in both
Tree, vet women, silver in both
Flying, mixed vet gold
Siberian, mixed vet silver

Red: James Fox, Ben Hadman, Mike Roberts, Tom Webb
Grey: Stewart Overton, Ed Price, Mark Vaughan, Darren Sunter
Flying: Ian Datlen, Lucy O’Connor, Shahab Ahmad, Caroline Thrussell
Ground: Katie Harbon, Sophie Thrussell, Paula Holm, Anna Klucnika
Tree: Rhia Botha, Rachel Arnott, Tash Pitman, Tracey Pitcairn
Siberian: Michael Over, Anna Gibson, Peter Sibbett, Jillian Tooley-Boys

Four squirrels travelled to Sandy to compete in the Biggleswade AC track meet which incorporated the Herts County champs for 10,000m. Men’s Captain John Auld exclaimed “It was a great event, everyone was super friendly. I really enjoyed the evening and I know the others did too.” All four NHRR competitors won county medals. Stewart Overton (34:33) - 2nd in the race and First MV40 in the county champs, Auld (38:19) 4th and 1st MV35 in the county champs.
Ian Datlen (38:57) - 2nd M50 in the county champs and with his first ever track race achieved a 10k PB. Karen Townsend (39:58) 7th – 1st Lady in the county champs.




On Sunday, more than twenty NHRR members completed the Sheepy Shuffle, raising funds for the Mirkwood Rest Home for Retired Sheep. Richard Weber explained that it is “an excellent charity, providing a happy, respectful and dignified retirement for its lovely residents. The event that was mainly completed as a social run on the Letchworth Greenway was proceeded by a sheep themed picnic on Norton Common. Particpants chose between Half Marathon distance and 5K to complete the virtual event, with one dedicated squirrel Andreea Weeisl-Shaw ‘racing’ her distance in Lanzarote.

Squirrel, Matt Roberts, used the opportunity of holidaying with family to compete in the Randburg Harriers Vitality 10K in Johannesburg with a crack of dawn 07:30 start time. Roberts said that he was excited to be wearing his club vest in this race, just a couple of days after arriving in South Africa. Despite the challenge of both the elevation and having not yet acclimatised to the altitude, Roberts raced well and was delighted with a top 100 finish and 8th MV40 in a large field. He not only enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, but mostly was so pleased to see and run with his brother-in-law, who he hadn’t seen for 4 years and had been planning to run with once COVID restrictions eased.

This Saturday sees the First Saturday of the Month at 9am on Norton Common http://www.nhrr.org.uk/fsotm---free-5km-race.html Also, spaces are selling fast for the club's flagship race, Standalone 10km on Sunday 25th September.  Go to http://www.nhrr.org.uk/standalone-10k.html to enter.
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Squirrels were out in force and using their holiday destinations as an opportunity to be Parkrun tourists.
LETCHWORTH –James DALTON 21:43, Dervla DOWNING 24:11, Andrew Grudzinski 26:40, Jegan SIMON 27:38, Paul BOWAL 28:13, Bob DAVIS 29:03, Philip FLACK 36:35. ST ALBANS – Mike BULLOCK 29:21, GUNNERSBURY – Scott REED 32:07 KETTERING – Steve WILLIAMSON 27:41 STEVENAGE – Mike PHILIPPS – 19:57, Elwyn HOWELL – 21:50, Natalie PHILIPPS – 27:52, Linda AIRD -28:15, Sue VAUGHAN -29:45, GUNPOWDER Darren MATUSSA – 21:48, WIMPOLE ESTATE – Joseph Sherry – 24:44, HUNTINGDON – James GODFREY 22:04, SEATON – Darren SUNTER – 33:40, WEYMOUTH – Natalie LAWRENCE – 18:39 ALBERTS FARM (South Africa) - Matt ROBERTS – 36:04, HOLKHAM – Tracey MCCREATH – 33:33, LANDS END – Jane CLARKE – 25:20, HENLOW BRIDGE LAKES – James POULTON 22:16, Dave BRAYBROOK – 22:23, Richard BARKER – 23:55, Lucy O’CONNOR – 24:50, Rachel ANNETTS – 28:38, Branka MOSS – 53:43. 

North Herts Road Runners turned up at the FVS 3k relays with a fast and furious attitude on Thursday.
The event, which is organised by Fairland’s Valley Striders and has been missed for the past couple of years due to Covid and hot weather. The race is a Road Relay for Men and Women from local running clubs in Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire. Each leg is 3km and 4 members must complete a leg to make up team. 56 North Herts Road Runners turned out making up 8 mixed teams, 2 ladies teams and 4 men’s teams.
 
Provisional results show that North Herts Road Runners women’s team came a phenomenal 1st place overall, with NHRR men finishing 2nd, not far behind Luton. North Herts Road Runners also collected county gold in both the women and men’s races, and the vet’s men’s team won county gold with vet women in silver. Mixed teams from NHRR also finished 2nd and 3rd overall.
 
John Auld, North Herts Road Runners men’s club captain, said, ‘The event was fantastic. We've all missed the event and it was yet another fantastic evening for NHRR. I was very pleased to see so many squirrels running together, for each other. The atmosphere was amazing.’


Philip Flack took part in the Millennium Country 100th parkrun. Philip came 120th in the race in a superb time of 31:27 and 1st in his age group. The organisers invited runners to wear black so Philip wore his club vest with pride.
 
Elsewhere, Mike Phillips took part in the Wimpole Estate Parkrun in a time of 21:42. Jim McConnel ventured to Newark Parkrun and finished 2nd place in a time of 18:10. Georgina Quayle completed Sheffield Parkrun in 27:08. Closer to home, James Dalton, James Godfrey and Steve Brenton went to Letchworth Parkrun and finished in 21:23 , 25:54 and 27:26 respectively. At St Marys Linda Aird finished in a great time of 28:41.
Henlow saw a scurry of squirrels take part in the 2 lap course with Dave Braybrook leading the team home in 22:10. James Poulton (23:06), Ian Harvey (24:47), Barbara Sayers (27:56), Rachel Annetts (28:44), Tracey McCreath (34:07), Jillian Boys (37:32) and Sue Boys (37:35).

North Herts Road Runners were finally able to award their 2021 trophies at a wonderful summer garden party on Sunday.  Mark Vaughan and Tom Webb were jointly awarded Best Male Club Runner with ladies’ team captain Natasha Pitman scooping the female award. 

After battling injuries for a number of years Natasha Pitman enjoyed a stunning 2021 setting 2 club records at Parkrun and 5 miles and winning the Short Course, Long Course and Run of the Month championships.  V55 Andrew Leach retained his short course title with a stunning 16.21 5k clocking whilst V50 Mark Vaughan’s 2.39.28 London Marathon debut topped the Long Course championship. Men’s team captain John Auld also retained his Run of the Month Championship trophy taking part in all 13 races in this series.

Matt Roberts ad Anna Greetham both showed great commitment to their running through lockdown and were rewarded with Most Improved trophies. 

Two awards are voted for by cub members with Cara Sutton winning NHRR Personality 2021 for being a true superstar and motivating coach whilst the 101% Award was presented to Lead Coach Karen Dodsworth, who organised online strength and conditioning sessions and quizzes throughout the year to keep the club together.

The Coaches also award trophies to runners in each group who have regularly attended training, shown determination in training and been supportive to others in the group.  The purple group winner was Clare Hooley, Richard Webber and Helen Cromack scooped the yellow group award, Green group trophy was awarded to Tracy Pitcairn and Michael Over with John Auld and Katie Harbon receiving the blue group award.

Coach David Annetts was honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Award for race walking following his British Masters V55 10k record set in May and his individual 5km silver and 20k team gold at the recent World Masters Track and Field Championships in Finland.

An amazing number of members set club records in 2021 from U19 to V75! 7 ladies ran superbly to set the following new figures: U19 Parkrun Eva McCabe 21.28, V40 Parkrun Paula Holm 21.46,V45 Parkrun Natasha Pitman 20.35, 5M 32.4 and 10M 67.40, V60 Parkrun Lucy O'Connor 25.08 and V65 Parkrun Anna Priestley 30.13. 9 new male records were set by: V35 Parkrun Tom Webb 16.14, V40 Marathon Darren Sunter 2,33.24, V40 5k Stewart Overton 16.25, V45 Marathon Matt Sayers 2.39.24, V50 Parkrun Mark Vaughan 16.56 and Marathon 2.39.28, V55 5M Andrew Leach 27.04 and Parkrun 16.59, V55 Marathon Nick Malpeli 2.55.33, V60 Parkrun Elwyn Howell 21.14, V75 5M Ian Sutcliffe 48.25 and 10k  59.28.
 
To start a busy weekend several squirrels ran a Parkrun on Saturday.  Tom Webb set a new course record of 17.23 when winning at Henlow Bridge Lakes with Stewart Overton 2nd in 17.37. Ian Datlen ran 20.36, Matt Roberts 26.03, Anna Greetham 26.20, Jillian Tooley-Boys 26.27, Andrea Weisi-Shaw 27.40 PB and Natalie Philips 29.31.  Local course Letchworth was also a popular venue with 9 squirrel finishers: James Dalton 21.28, Andrew Grudzinski 26.42 PN, Tim Banting 26.45, Kat Gourd 27.14, James Poulton 27.14, Linda Aird 29.33, Geoff Pettengell 33.49 PB, Philip Flack 34.15 and Mike Bullock 37.49.  Sue Vaughan raced Stevenage in 29.13 and Richard Harbon recorded 23.48 at St Albans. 

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​Wednesday saw the final event in the Summer Herts Midweek League road race series in Welwyn Garden City when teams from all three divisions came together to compete against each other in the infamous "Mob Match".  This was followed the awards presentation for overall team and individual winners from the 4 race series in the 3 divisions.  Local clubs taking part were North Herts Road Runners based in Letchworth (the squirrels), Fairlands Valley Spartans based in Stevenage and Hitchin Running Club (the hares) who all relished the opportunity of some friendly rivalry on a rather hot and humid evening.  The squirrels, came 3rd, followed by the Striders in 9th and the Hares in 18th.  First lady home for the squirrels was Katie Harbon in fine form in 2nd place, closely followed by team mate Anna Klucnika in 4th place on a stunning debut race for the club.  Ben Hadham led the male squirrels home in 3rd position after a sprint finish, just 2 seconds short of second placed St Albans rival Stefano Federici.  At the post race awards ceremony 3 individual NHRR athletes picked up awards for their performances over the 4-race series.  Caroline Thrussell scooped first female veterans 55 award, while Stewart Overton came away with 2nd male in an extremely competitive veterans 40 category.  Finally, Tash Pitman was delighted with 3rd place in the female veteran 45 category.  Lots of the Mob Match squirrels stayed behind to cheer their clubmates successes and Club Chair Karen Dodsworth commented “it was a shame there wasn’t a trophy for loudest cheer, as we’d have won outright!”  On Friday evening Adam Bowller headed over to Bedford to take part in the Beds AAA 10km, where he clocked a speedy 34 minutes and 19 seconds to finish 3rd in the Bedfordshire County Championships. 
 
Bedford 10km 
On Friday evening several squirrels ran the Beds AAA 10km race in Bedford and it proved another hot evening.  Adam Bowller said the hot conditions meant it wasn’t particularly quick, although he ran a very quick time of 34:19 and finished 3rd in the race, which also served as the Bedfordshire County Championships.  Lucy O’Conner managed an excellent 51.18 and first female veteran 60, while Richard Weber was pleased to get a 2nd best ever 10k time of 46.37.  Club coaches Pete Sibbett and Karen Dodsworth also raced and were pleased with their efforts and Dan Mallet used the race to hit his mileage target.  They were all happy to be cheered on by the excellent support crew of Brian Judkins and Anna Gibson. 
 
MK 5000 PB Special 
Stewart Overton and Mark Vaughan travelled to Milton Keynes on the warm Saturday afternoon to take part in the MK5000 track meet.  Stewart said “Due to the heat we both took on a conservative start and paced evenly to work our way through the fields of our respective races.”   
Mark finished 2nd in race H in 16:55 and Stewart finished 7th in race G in a time of 16:41.  They were both pleased with their performances given the heat the time we raced.  A travelling supporting party of Sue Vaughan, Karen and Pete, and John Auld certainly helped to keep us on track with their loud cheers every lap. The NHRR beer and cheer squad was certainly the loudest and helped us both find some extra energy for fast last K’s. 
The event took in 12 races concluding with the ladies and mens elite race, A race in which 8 men ran under 14 minutes and the track record was broken in a time of 13:38 ! 
 
XTerra Snowdonia Mountain Marathon 
Richard Barker had his first DNF aged 50!  He completed 20 of the 28 miles of the Cousteau which included Snowdon as he “bonked out at Pen y Pass… hot hot hot but great fun.” His running partner from Biggleswade AC completed it in 6 hrs 30 mins.  Richard said it’s “really well organised.. beautiful terrain.. just unusually warm. Recommend it for next year if anyone is interested!” 
 
ASICS London 10k 
Elwyn Howell completed this 10km in 51:02 on a boiling day in central London and was pleased to finish a very respectable 14th out of 119 in his age category. 
 
Parkruns 
Ian Sutcliffe ran his 2nd Park Run at Henlow Lakes on Sat and his time of 30.38 was 10 seconds quicker than his first visit and he bettered his own club record! 
 
Gedling parkrun:  Ed Price 18:07.  First place 
Letchworth parkrun: Matt Roberts 22:15; James Dalton 22:16; John Russell 25:53; Anna Greetham 25:58; Peter Clarke 33:45; Geoff Pettengell 34:00 
Jersey Farm parkrun:  Richard Harbon 23:51; Lucy Hurley 28:08 
Henlow Bridges parkrun:  Jillian Boys 26:55; Anna Gibson 27:02; Rachel Annetts 28:53; Sue Vaughan 29:20; Andreea Weisl-Shaw 29:26; Ian Sutcliffe 30:38; Vicky Haskell 34:15; Sue Boys 37:39 
Storeys Field parkrun:  Brian Judkins 35:10 
Durlston Country Park parkrun:  Jim Mcconnell 21:36 

​A mix of fine team and individual performances was the order of the day as North Herts Road Runners made the most of the summer road running season.
 
Midweek League
‘It was brilliant running as a team again’ said Ladies’ Captain Tash Pitman after the Squirrels sent a strong contingent of 39 runners and supporters to tackle the hilly 10k course at Trent Park in the fourth and final race in the Summer Midweek League series.
 
A determined set of performances on the night kept the Letchworth-based club clear of the relegation battle as they secured third place in the end-of-season standings. Rhia Botha led the NHRR ladies home in an excellent time of 44:23, with Paula Holm just a few second further back in 44:45. James Fox was the first male Squirrel home, taking third place in a superb 35:03.
 
The Squirrels are now looking forward to the end-of-season ‘Mob Match, which will see teams from all three divisions racing together at Welwyn Garden City.
 
Wales Half-marathon
The week’s individual performances were topped by Vince Wright, who said he was ‘honoured’ to be part of the England Masters V45 team at the Wales Half-marathon in Tenby. ‘The course was brutal’, reported Wright’, ‘It felt we were either going up or down hills, and going down was just as painful as going up’. Wright recorded 1:22:27 for his debut in an England vest – his second-fastest half-marathon ever and placing him 8th in his age category. ‘I am so pleased to have this opportunity and will remember the experience’, he said.
 
Hitchin Triathlon
Closer to home, Sophie Thrussell was the first lady home at the Hitchin Triathlon, completing the 400m swim, 20k bike course and 5k run in an outstanding 1:10:54 to claim top spot on the podium.
 
First Saturday of the Month 5k
47 runners enjoyed the July edition of NHRR’s regular First Saturday of the Month 5k on Norton Common. Matt Sayers was first across the line in 19:42 and Paula Holm was first lady in 21:23. The run is free to enter – just turn up with your barcode or register for one in advance at http://www.nhrr.org.uk/fsotm-pre-reg.html
 
Parkrun
Finally, ultra-marathon specialist Sue Foot turned out for her first-ever Parkrun at Luton’s Wardown Park. Despite ‘not having run 5k for a very long time’, she said she was ‘pleased to finish the three-and-a-half laps in 27:28’ – a new Club record!

 Several squirrels ran in the Hitchin Hard Half and 5k races. With the pleasant vibe and good weather - it made for a lovely morning. There were lots of familiar faces both spectating and taking part. 
 Karen Townsend won the 5km race on a lovely route up the Gosmore hills - she came home first, finishing the race in 21:06 ahead of the rest of the field. 
 Running the half were Rachel Arnott, Rhia Botha, Grace Cleary, James Dalton and David Weston.
 Rhia commented afterwards - as the name suggests, it wasn’t an easy race. Rhia finished 5th lady and 1st in her age category with 1:41:33 and enjoyed seeing many squirrels supporting along the route and finish line.
Grace Cleary finished in 1:54 and described the course as picturesque - adding she’ll definitely be entering again. 
 
Springfield Striders Friday Night 5 mile
 
Vincent Wright and his son ran the race near Colchester in Essex. The race included the Essex county championships for the distance. The course was advertised as flat, but that’s not how Vince would describe it. George completed the race in 40:26 setting an under 17 club record. Vince finished in 29:37 setting himself a new personal best time for the distance. 
 
Welwyn 10k
 
Richard and Georgina Barker continued their weekend of hills. After first running park run at Hamstead Heath, they ran the undulating course at Welwyn. With legs that hadn’t recovered yet and the conditions were warm and sunny and there were two significant hills. The more forgiving one being 1 in 9 gradient and lasted an age. Richard completed the run in 47 mins 54 seconds - followed by Georgina in 1 hour 5 mins, 56 seconds.  
 
Parkrun
 
Elwyn Howell finished first in his age category at Stevenage, equalling his fastest run at the event and achieving his highest ever finishing place with 21:54 in 19th.
 
Andreea Weisl-Shaw was also there completing her 6th park run event. Proclaiming it was a great way to kick off the weekend and wearing her NHRR vest for the first time at park run. Considering Andreea wasn’t feeling her strongest, she was pleased to finish close to her personal best in 29:23. 
 
Four squirrels travelled to Gunpowder for 'a brilliant morning of park run tourism’ to join Charlie at her local. Ran as a park run sandwich in their long run with a warm up along the canal path. Ian Datlen continued his strong steak with a time of 19:35 in 8th place. Matt Roberts ran well - as did Shaun Allin. Anna Greetham and Charlie Jones ran together.
 ​Other results as follows…
 
Hamstead Heath: Georgina Barker (32:47), Richard Barker (32:51)
Leamington: John Russell (27:49)
York: Jo Sherry (22:46)
Stevenage: Elwyn Howell (21:54), Barbara Sayers (26:12), Andreea Weisl-shaw (29:23)
Gunpowder: Ian Datlen (19:35), Matt Roberts (21:55), Shaun Allin (23:20), Anna Greetham (24:58), Charlie Jones (24:58)
Stratford-upon-Avon: Ed Price (17:26)
Letchworth: Tracy Pitcairn, 1st (21:36), James Dalton (22:39), Dermal Downing (24:28), Steve Brenton (24:56), Tim Banting (26:22), Andy Grudzinski (28:30), Bob Davis (28:35), Geoff Pettengell (34:01), Philip Flack (36:07)
Great Denham: James Poulton (22:27)
Amsterdamse Bos: Karen Shaw (31:16)
Henlow Bridge Lakes: Stewart Overton (17:57), Jane Clarke (23:54), Rachel Annetts (28:21), Lucy O’Connor (29:40), Anna Gibson (29:40), Brian Judkins (34:35)

On Sunday 19th June, the North Herts Road Runners hosted their popular 5k and 1 mile Run Round the Garden races in Letchworth Garden City, for the first time since 2019.
The fast and flat course through Letchworth town centre is a popular event for those seeking a new 5k personal best time or trying out the 1-mile distance, but also attracts runners of all abilities, with the 1-mile fun run in particular enjoyed by club runners, novices, and children alike.

The squirrels turned out in force on the day, organising, marshalling, and running. It was a beautiful sunny morning with perfect running conditions. In the 5k event, Ian Datlen was first male squirrel home and fifth overall in a new PB of 18:46, closely followed by Daniel Martin (18:56) and William Harrison (19:11), while Karen Townsend led the NHRR ladies home in 19:46, followed by Paula Holm (19:56, and third lady overall), and Rhia Botha (19:59). In the 1 mile event, Ian Datlen was again the first squirrel to cross the line in a speedy 05:39, with Rhia Botha first NHRR lady (06:03) and second overall.

Many squirrels also achieved impressive personal bests in the 5k race, including Tracy Pitcairn (20:15), Elwyn Howell (21:24), Andrew Weisel-Shaw (27:18, which was about a minute quicker than she’d hoped for), and Rhia Botha, whose time of 19:59 secured her first official sub-20 minutes 5k. Botha explained “Today was my first opportunity since joining the club to actually run this race and I couldn’t be happier with my new PB! Such a fantastic atmosphere and so well organised. Today I am a very proud squirrel!” Paula Holm, who also ducked under the 20 minute mark for the first time, agreed: “It was fabulous to work with such a great bunch of squirrels, pushing each other on and to be encouraged by such amazing marshals along the route.” Jon, Sue, and Jillian Boys attended the race as a family and by all accounts it was a successful morning out. Jon, for whom the race was his third 5k event since a heart attack in 2020, was pleased with his time of 42:17, while Sue won her age category in 36:06, and Jillian sped home in 24:31. Meanwhile, Linda Aird also ran the “tough but enjoyable” 5k event – her first proper race for nearly 3 years – and was very happy to finish well under 30 minutes in 27:35, adding “It was so lovely to be able to wear my NHRR vest again in an actual race!”

NHRR will now look ahead to their annual flagship race, the iconic Standalone 10k, this autumn. The 35th Standalone 10k is on Sunday 25th September starting from Standalone farm in Letchworth, Herts. Entries are now open at  http://www.nhrr.org.uk/standalone-10k.html


Meanwhile, in a busy weekend of running for the club, on Friday, Stewart Overton travelled down to Walthamstow for the annual Fast Friday 10000 event that doubles up as the English National 10000 championships. He took part in the fourth race of the evening, and even though this did not start until 8:30pm the high temperatures on the track (30 degrees Celsius) meant that any time goals had to be readjusted.  He was pleased to finish in an impressive 36:02, and said he would recommend the race as either a participant or spectator, with “lots of supporters taking advantage of the trackside bar with ice cold beer and wine!”
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On Saturday, a team of six NHRR ladies piled into a campervan and headed to Leighton Buzzard for the annual Greensand’s Ridge Relay: a relay race comprising 6 segments and covering a total distance of 34 miles in Bedfordshire. Paula Holm ran the first leg, which she completed speedily despite getting a bit lost and seeking help from some local youths, and successfully handed the baton to Jo Harbon. Katie Harbon, Helen Harbon, Sue Vaughan, and Jane completed the team, and despite having to contend with pouring rain and a tough uphill ridge climb (taken on expertly by Helen Harbon), the ladies did brilliantly, winning the silver medal and a very well-deserved podium finish!
 
Five squirrels made the journey to Wales on Saturday to run in the Coed y Brenin train half marathon. Adam Wilson said ‘it’s the best half marathon I’ve ever done in the glorious Welsh mountains. Well done to  Katherine Burr, Helen Cromack, Andy Grudzinski, Dawn Power, Caroline Thrussell and Adam Wilson.
 
The full NHRR parkrun results for this week are: STEVENAGE Vincent Wright 19:15, James Poulton 22:51; QUEEN’s PARKRUN BELFAST Joseph Sherry 22:53; CLACTON SEAFRONT John Russell 25:10; LETCHWORTH James Dalton 21:48; Tim BANTING 26:13; Brenton 26:40;Geoff Pettengell 34:54; HENLOW BRIDGE LAKES Mike Phillips 21:24, Dave Braybrook 23:25, Jillian Boys 26:00, Matt Roberts 26:54, Rhia Botha 27:53, Andrew Coates 27:57, Natalie Phillips 28:42; AKROTIRI Alice Noakes 23:30.

The third midweek league race was at Chingford on Wednesday evening. On a tough course with two challenging hills, 19 ladies and 31 men ran - with others there in support. Both teams were missing a few regular scorers, but the ladies managed another great result - holding onto 3rd spot, behind Trent Park and St Albans. The vet men finished 2nd again, closely behind St Albans. The full men's team finished 5th, giving the combined NHRR team 4th place overall on the evening. This leaves us nicely in 3rd place overall after 3 races. Katie Harbon was first sow squirrel and also won the ladies race. Stewart Overton was first boar squirrel home. For full results see Midweek Road Race league results (runherts.com)

Silkstone Shuffle
After competing in Wednesdays midweek league race, John Auld went on to compete in the Silkstone shuffle series on Thursday night.  It was the 22nd time  he had run the shuffle  and it was tough, with harder course conditions than in April - hotter, longer grass and more boggy.  He finished 7th on the day.  However, because there were a few missing from the first race, he is now placed 1st overall in the series! 14 seconds ahead of 2nd place and 19 seconds ahead of 3rd.

St Alban’s Half Marathon
Elwin Howell raced in the 5K at this event finishing in a time of 24:10 on another challenging hilly course.  This meant he was first in his age category and 31st overall.  The hills of Epping forest midweek league match stood him in good stead for this race and he finished the midweek league race in 49:47.
Also in St Albans, taking part in the Half marathon was Dan Mallett who described the conditions as “hot and hilly” which affected the speed of his performance a little.  He finished in a time of 1:57:48.  Steve Tracey also competed and completed the course in a time of 1:46:55.

Hull Half Marathon
Rachel Arnott ran the Hull 1/2 marathon in 1:34:47 making her the 2nd Vet lady and 8th female. It was a very flat course which she was grateful for after Wednesdays MWL 10km! She commented that it was, “Not the most scenic race but great atmosphere and incredibly well organized for quite a big field.”
 
Shuttleworth 10K Hoohah
 Brian Judkins and Lucy Hurley travelled the short distance to the picturesque Shuttleworth Park to take part in the 10K Hoohah.  Lucy finished in a time of 1:10:30 and Brian in 1:12:48.  

Saturday saw North Herts Road Runners celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in true Royal Style as a carnival atmosphere descended upon our much loved Norton Common. Ladies Captain Tash Pitman exclaimed “I’ve never seen such an array of Royal Pageantry, from Royal Squirrel to Queen Bee, Freddie Mercury to the Queen’s Guard and Boudicca to the Dancing Queen”.  There were royal masks and union jacks a plenty with bunting and scones to greet all runners and spectators.

The race was won by North Herts Road Runner’s own Stewart Overton dressed in red, white and blue, finishing in a time of 17:58. Katie Harbon was first lady (and second overall) in a time of 18:11 with her very own Corgi (Collie) Daisy accompanying her!
The 5km was followed by a children’s Fun Run for all the Princesses and Princes with chocolate corgis for all finishers.

Donations for the seasonal scone feast, cakes and hot drinks were collected for the club’s Charity of the year – the Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Child Contact Centres.

Sunday 19th June sees the return of Run Round The Garden - Letchworth Garden City’s 5km race, go to http://www.nhrr.org.uk/run-round-the-garden.htmlto book your place in this fabulous closed road event.
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Squirrels were also representing the club at Parkruns across the Globe; LETCHWORTH – Bob DAVIS 27:45, Steve BRENTION 28:40, Jegan SIMON 30:16, HENLOW BRIDGE LAKES – James, POULTON 23:35, Rob MILBURN 24:04, LEAMINGTON - John RUSSELL 32:21, ST ALBANS – Danielle LISTER 27:42, MERSEA ISLAND – William Harrison 20:07, LOUIS TRICHARDT – Chloe LUCAS 25:23, BERKELEY GREEN – Lorna CHAMBERS 26:59, MARKSHALL – Jane CLARKE 24:29