​Saturday 4th December saw the return of the sparkling Santa Canta on Norton Common. It is held annually on the first Saturday in December and is in aid of North Herts Road Runners club charity of the year which in 2021 is the Garden House Hospice. With slippy conditions and cold temperatures, it was fabulous to see nearly every single runner turn out in their best fancy dress, from Father Christmas and Elves to Crackers and Presents.
2021 was also the first year of the Children’s Santa Canta which saw over 60 children take part. Following the main event they took on the, even-muddier-than-before, 1km course with true determination, and all completed the course with a fabulous festive spirit!
Both before and after tackling the two lap course people filled donation tins and very generously gave what they could to this amazing charity, with over £1200 donated and counting. Mince Pies and hot drinks made for a welcomed finish to the tough course, and it was fantastic to see local people coming together to support The Garden House Hospice who provide free, compassionate end of life care and support patients and their families in Letchworth and surrounding areas through incredibly difficult times. 
Event Organiser Richard Harbon said: ‘A really big thank you to you all. The Santa Canta was just brilliant.’
Paula Holm who took part dressed as an elf with friends exclaimed that the event was, ‘The most amount of fun. Friends, Fancy dress for a FANTASTIC cause!’. This is exactly what the event is about.
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Elsewhere, Sophie Thrussell and Ben Sewell headed to London for the RunThroughUK 10k and half marathon through Victoria Park. The 10k consisted of 2 laps whilst the half marathon saw Ben complete just over 4 laps. Sophie beat the 41 minute mark and came away with a smashing PB of 40 minutes 49 seconds, and Ben finished in 1hr 18minutes, beating his aim of finishing under 1hr 20 minutes.

Hinchingbrooke also had their own Christmas Canter which saw five squirrels take part. The idea of this race is to complete as many laps of the 5k course as you can between 9am and 4pm. Lucy O’Connor explained that the course is slightly undulating and scenic but very muddy in places which made it quite hard going. The sun did make appearance a few times but luckily the weather seemed to hold up nicely throughout the day. Brian Judkins completed two laps, Sue Foot did six laps and Anna Gibson, Richard Weber and Lucy completed 8 laps which resulted in them completing a full marathon.
Park Run was quieter this week with most of North Herts Road Runners busy at the Santa Canta, but we did have a few squirrels out and about representing the club. Julie Toland headed to Stevenage where she completed the course in 23:48. Lindsey Lucas was in lovely Norfolk where she took on the Holkham park run and finished in 36 minutes. And, Tom Webb took on the notoriously flat course of Great Denham where he finished in 16:14.  

​Written by Katie Harbon. 

​​North Herts Road Runners’ Tom Webb was crowned Herts county 5 mile champ on Sunday at the Hatfield 5 with ladies captain Tash Pitman also enjoying a cracking race to shave just 1s off the club V45 record with her 32.44 clocking.
 
Despite the biting cold temperatures, a team of 18 hardy squirrels ventured south down the A1 to compete in this fast, flat and scenic race.  The bitter wind saw runners kitted out in hats, buffs and gloves but despite the extra layers some great running ensued with Tom Webb battling to the finish line in a sprint finish with Jed Noblett from Luton AC.  Jed finishing 1st in 25:53 with Tom close behind in 26.03. With over 500 finishers several members were delighted to achieve notable age group placings: Mark Vaughan 27.46 1st V50, Tash Pitman 32.44 1st FV45, Matt Sayers, 28.00 2nd V40, Nick Malpeli 29.26 2nd V50, Lucy O’Connor 39.16 2nd FV60 and Elwyn Howell 35.51 3rd V60. With Ian Sutcliffe setting a new club record for the male veteran 75 age group of 48.25 the squirrels truly showed that running is an enjoyable sport for all ages,
Full results:
Thomas Webb 26:03, Mark Vaughan 27:46, Matt Sayers 28:00, Nicholas Malpelli 29:26, John Auld 29:41, James Keogh 32:14, Ian Datlen 32:12, Tash Pitman 32:44, Shaun Allin 34:31, Dave Braybrook 35:01, Elwyn Howell 35:51, Lucy O'Connor 39:16, Karen Dodsworth 44:48, Philip Flack 47:00, Ian Sutcliffe 48:25, Hailey Batson 49:01, Jo Kenlin 1:17:09
 
Also competing over 5M was NHRR’s top V55 Andrew Leach who took on the challenge of the Wolverton 5 in Milton Keynes.  Andrew ran 27.04 to equal his V55 club record and leap to the top of the age group national rankings.
 
Opting for the longer distance of 10M Anna Greetham, 76.21, Matt Roberts, 75.12, and Steve Brenton, 75.58, all recorded personal best times at the Bass Bell 10 in Bassingbourne. 
 
Slightly further away and weathering possibly the coldest wind of the day Geoff Murray-Rochard clocked a bracing 63 minutes at the Southwold 10k.
 
There was also plenty of 5k action with Stewart Overton recording 16.49 when racing the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k.  John Auld went over to Stevenage Park Run on Saturday to meet one of his favourite running You Tubers, Fordy.  John said, ‘I was intending to take it easy but got carried away in all the excitement and finished 2nd in 19.05!’  Also enjoying park runs were Darren Matussa, 3rd at GunPowder in 19.39, Paul Holm 24.07 at Hove promenade, Pete Sibbett 21.41 at Great Denham, Jillian Boys 26.52 at Henlow Lakes and at Letchworth James Dalton 21.41, Helen Anjers 24.29, Steve Brentom 24.54, Matt Ankers 25.00, Ian Harvey 25.03 and Chloe Lucas 25.13. 

​Jo Sopala and Lindsey Lucas, both graduated from the club's couch to 5 kilometre course 4 years ago.  On Sunday they demonstrated what a fantastic platform this is, as they headed across the border to the Welsh North Coast to complete their first half marathon in Conwy, lured by the beauty of the course as voted one of the UK’s top five most scenic half marathons.  It includes a two mile uphill climb of the Great Orme, but rewards runners with the most incredible views.  Jo said "neither of us ever envisaged running 13.1 miles, let alone choosing to run a very hard course for fun!" so they were both delighted with their achievement.   

​North Herts Road Runners sent a squad of 4 men to compete at the prestigious Eastern Region Masters Cross Country Championships nestled in the rolling countryside at Horseheath, Cambridgeshire on Saturday.  John Auld men’s team captain commented, “the organisers went to great lengths to make the course as challenging as possible”.  The 3 lap course included a tough uphill section, before being sent straight back down it to confront a 30-metre stretch of freezing, knee high water 3 times.  This was the most popular spectating spot, so the runners tried hard not to fall in!  To add insult to injury they were directed straight back up the steep hill. 
Tom Webb was first finisher for the club in 6th place, followed by Andrew Leach in 9th place, 1st in the veteran 55 age category and also 1st in the Eastern Masters Athletics Club (EMAC). Next was Adam Bowler in 12th place, and John Auld 24th and 1st finisher in the EMAC veteran 35 age group. ​

​Left to right Tom Webb, Adam Bowler, Andrew Leach and John Auld

​Mike Roberts fancied an even longer cross country course, so headed down to Epping Forest, Essex to run the legendary Orion 15 race (15 miles!) on Saturday.  It’s renowned for being a tough cross country race and Mike justified this saying "there was plenty of mud, even more hills, fallen trees and hard to spot directions including patches of sawdust and spray painted arrows on the ground to make sure you were still actually on the course".  Only the fittest, strongest athletes take on this beast of a race and Mike finished had a podium finish in 3rd place overall in 1hr 41mins.   
Sue Foot stayed closer to home to complete the Shillington Shuffle, a local 26.8 mile off road course with a written route description, starting and finishing at Barton Village Hall.  She covered the rolling hills of Barton Nature Reserve, Lilley, Great Offley, Pirton and then back via Holwell. A lovely run with three fully stocked checkpoints. 
The always popular St Neots Half Marathon, marketed as a fast course encouraged 9 squirrels to head up the A1 and the course didn’t disappoint with lots of personal best (PB) times for the half marathon distance.  Lucy O’Connor "enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine" and Richard Weber "found the biting cold wind on the last 3 mile stretch interesting".  Vince Wright was first home for the club in 1:26:51, followed by Adrian Sherwood 1:29:13, Ian Harvey 1:35:04 (PB), Steve Brenton 1:41:43 (PB), Richard Weber 1:43:04 (PB), Lucy O’Connor 1:52:03, Russ Hagan 1:53:14 (PB), Charlotte Coles 1:59:09, Lorna Chambers 2:07:36.  Lucy was also pleased to be presented with her Trophy for 1st FV60 from the Thorney 5 mile race, which took place back in September but the awards were not given out due to Covid restrictions at the time. 

Even closer to home was the Stevenage Half Marathon, with the 2 lap course starting and finishing on the track of Ridlins Athletics Stadium.  New club member Phil Hawkes laid down a very quick debut time of 1:32:52 and our experienced long distance club member Jane Chappell showed her pedigree in her first race in over six years completing the course 1:48:21 which she was chuffed to bits with! 
25 Squirrels took part in parkruns in 9 different parks yesterday! 
Letchworth parkrun: James Dalton 20:57, Chloe Lucas 25:26, Philip Flack 30:02, Steve Brenton 43:40 
Stevenage parkrun: Ellie Scott 24:49, Jane Clarke 28:52, Kat Hinitt 35:20 (pacing her husband to his first ever 5km!) 
Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun: Dave Braybrook 22:34, Dervla Downing 25:32, Caroline Thrussell 25:35, Rob Milburn 26:01, Adam Wilson 27:10, Jennie Fraser 28:00, Michelle Grudzinski 30:22, Andrew Grudzinski 30:28, Paul Bowal 30:32 
Wimpole Estate parkrun: Matt Roberts 23:00, Richard Harbon 23:27, Anna Greetham 23:56, Andrew Coates 24:44 
Bury Field parkrun, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes: Carl Haskell 28:28 
Wendover Woods parkrun: Tim Banting 26:44 
Gunpowder parkrun: Darren Matussa 20:17 
Cannon Hill parkrun, Birmingham: Eva McCabe 21:28 
Keswick parkrun: Glyn Blakey 33:48 

​Written by Tash Pitman

​It was a marathon with a difference for Michelle and Andy Grudzinski as they tackled the Marathon du Cognac and enjoyed all this region of western France has to offer along the way. Given Michelle is teetotal, it was left to Andy to sample the Cognac handed out at all the drinks stations while Michelle ‘tested the paté and cake options and had a dance with each of the bands!’.
 
Injury forced the duo to separate at the halfway mark, but Michelle reported that they ‘continued to make the most of the local offerings’, Michelle finishing in 4:52 and Andy ‘stumbling / hobbling’ across the line in 5:25.  ‘Fortunately’, Michelle continued, ‘a bottle of Creme du Cognac was handed out with the medals to help ease the pain!’.
 
Closer to home, John Auld was pleased to maintain a ‘nice and consistent pace’ en route to an impressive 5th place and 37:48 clocking at the First Saturday of the Month 10k in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This month the race was moved to a different date and a new course - ‘more twisty than usual and with a bit of wind’.
 
Even though he was ‘shattered at the end and had to go and sit down straight afterwards’, Auld said ‘it was great running in the Olympic Park around the stadium – it’s a fantastic venue’.
 
21 Squirrels completed Parkruns this weekend, with Kat Hinitt first female finisher at Letchworth in 24:40.
 
Letchworth Parkrun
James Dalton 21:09, Steve Brenton 22:35, Ian Harvey 22:41, Matt Roberts 23:49, Stuart Cocks 24:17, Kat Hinitt, 24:40, Chloe Lucas 26:01, Carl Goodrum 28:41, Philip Flack 29:33
 
Stevenage Parkrun
William Harrison 20:04, Andrew Underhill 22:40
 
Gunpowder Parkrun
Darren Matussa 19:47
 
Northwich Parkrun
Nick Malpeli 19:00
 
Cosford Fields Parkrun
Brian Judkins 34:22
 
Henlow Bridge Lakes Parkrun
Jillian Boys 24:31, Rob Milburn 25:33, Mike Bullock 27:03, Jane Clarke 27:05


Written by James Walsh. 

It was a busy fireworks weekend for the North Herts Road Runners, with plenty of racing action on offer.

Several squirrels headed to Knebworth House in Stevenage on Sunday morning, under clear and sunny skies (although accompanied by a freezing brisk wind) to take part in the Herts half marathon and 10k races. Both races started in front of the iconic Knebworth House, and began with a loop around the impressive grounds of the estate before heading out into the surrounding undulating country roads. Despite a very cold and windy start, the squirrels soon warmed up and ran brilliantly with some very notable performances. In the half marathon, Ian Harvey was the first squirrel home in a superb personal best of 1:35:33, closely followed by Ben Ryan who also smashed a fantastic new personal best of 1:40:28. Dave Braybrook (1:41:37), Mark Bulley (1:42:03), Caroline Thrussell (01:47:32), and Ellie Scott (1:57:28) also achieved excellent times, while Carina Quayle nabbed a last-minute entry and completed the race in 2:20:17, just a week after running the Baldock Beast half marathon last Sunday. Gladys Cheng also managed to knocked 7 minutes off her Baldock Beast time finishing I 2:06:23. Kat Hinitt (1:48:13) found the hilly course rather challenging, probably partly because it was her third half marathon in a month, but was pleased to complete the race with a new personal best for the course. Kat crossed the finish line with fellow club member Jenny Wilkinson (1:48:26), who really enjoyed it “despite it being a bit windy”, and added “the course was lovely, with lots of animals to see on the way around – sheep, cows, dogs, dinosaurs and of course some NHRR squirrels!”  Meanwhile, Elywn Howell and Russ Hagan both opted for the 10k race at Knebworth. Both runners achieved fantastic new personal bests, with Elwyn coming in at 44:38 and winning his age category, and Russ finishing in 51:06, adding that the goody bags for finishers were a highlight.

Over the border in Cambridgeshire, Richard Weber and Brian Judkins ran the appropriately-named Bonfire Burn 10k in Histon, Cambridge. Weber achieved a new course personal best of 46:44 (and his second every fastest 10K), and Judkins finished in 1:09:57. Meanwhile, Stewart Overton ventured to Reading to race in the half marathon there, which he completed in a superb 1:18:21.

Back on home turf, on Saturday the North Herts Road Runners hosted their popular monthly First Saturday of the Month free 5km race at Norton Common in Letchworth. There were an impressive 75 finishers, with Matt Sayers first over the line in an impressively speedy 18:39, closely followed by fellow squirrels Tom Webb (18:40) and Nick Malpeli (19:28). Tracey Pitcairn was first lady home in 21:09, with sisters Helen and Katie Harbon accompanied by Daisy the dog as second and third ladies (23:06 and 23:12, respectively). Lindsay Cook was proud to complete the event with her whole family for the first time. The family of five were the “first family” to finish, with son Matthew (aged 7) abandoning his mum at the finish line and storming to victory, beating her by a whole 32 seconds.

Written by Kat Hinitt. 

​North Herts Road Runners tackled what club member Richard Weber described as ‘horrible wind and rain’ at the Baldock Beast half-marathon, but still managed to come away with both ladies’ and men’s team and individual prizes.
 
The ‘Beast’ always serves up a notoriously demanding and hilly course across 13.1 miles of lanes between Baldock and Sandon, and this year’s event added gales and driving rain to the usual challenge.
 
A strong turnout of 33 Squirrels was rewarded with Tash Pitman, Anna Greetham and Kat Hinitt carrying off the female team prize and the quartet of Tom Webb, Matt Sayers, Stewart Overton and Ben Sewell taking the men’s honours.
 
Webb also won the individual race in a superb time of 1:20:55 and Pitman was first lady in 1:37:48.
 
Other notable performances from the Squirrels included Richard Weber’s ‘all-time second-best half-marathon’ of 1:51:40 and Andrew Coates clocking 2:00:02 despite the ‘horrible weather’.
 
Full list of North Herts finishers: Tom Webb 1:20:55, Matt Sayers 1:21:52, Stewart Overton 1:23:45, Ben Sewell, 1:25:45, Mark Bulley 1:29:02, Vince Wright 1:29:37, Nick Malpeli 1:32:23, David Burkhart 1:35:23, Adrian Sherwood 1:35:40, Ian Datlen 1:36:30, Tash Pitman 1:37:48, James Dalton 1:37:42, Anna Greetham 1:46:22, Matt Roberts 1:46:25, Richard Weber 1:51:40, David Weston 1:51:59, Kat Hinitt,1:53:08, Ian Harvey 1:55:48, Michael Over 1:56:53, Richard Thackeray 1:57:29, Jane Clarke 1:58:22, Lucy O’Connor 1:58:40, Andrew Coates 2:00:02, Philip Stapleton 2:02:09, Jodie Wilkes 2:04:45, Merrisa Peynado 2:04:56, Luke Callan 2:07:38, Lucy Hurley 2:11:42, Gladys Cheng 2:14:05, Mel Flynn 2:14:44, Hailey Batson 2:21:04, David Glennie 2:29:03, Carina Quayle 2:30:06, Vanessa Rolfe 2:47:52. 

With it being half term for many, this weekend proved popular for a spot of Parkrun tourism. Elwyn Howell recorded a fantastic 21:58 PB finishing 1st in his age category, 19th overall.

Ten club runners made the short trip over to the new Henlow Bridge Lakes Parkrun. Stuart Overton finished 2nd overall in a time of 18:37 closely followed by John Auld in 4th (18:58). Kat Hinett was 2nd lady in a time of 23:56. Staying within Bedfordshire, Mark Vaughan ran an amazing PB of 16:56 over at the Great Denham Parkrun.

Down at the local Letchworth Parkrun, Tom Webb led the pack finishing first in a time of 17:45. Natasha Pitman was 1st lady with a time of 21:58.
 
The results from last weeks opening Cross Country race in Cheshunt are in. The men’s team were 2nd with the masters team winners. Ladies were 10th but its very close in the scoring. The masters team were 5th on the count back. Overall we were 2nd behind Watford and just ahead of Trent Park. These are great results and it’s a great start to the season.
 
Full Parkrun results

Kettering Parkrun, Steve Williamson 23:19
Stevenage Parkrun, Anna Greetham 23:19 (3rd lady), Andrew Coates 23:36, Julie Toland 24:42
Homewood Parkrun, Vincent Wright 20:34
Mount Edgcumbe Parkrun, Steve Brenton 25:28
Dogellau Parkrun, 22:10
Letchworth Parkrun, Tom Webb 17:45, Phillip Hawkes 20:54, James Dalton 21:21, Natasha Pitman 21:58, Ian Datlen 22:48, Ellie Scott 26:40, Carl Goodrum 27:15, Elenor Biggs 30:16.
Great Denham Parkrun, Mark Vaughan 16:56, Sue Vaughan 27:05.
Teignmouth Promenade Parkrun, Elwyn Howell 21:14.
Henlow Bridge Lakes Parkrun, Stewart Overton 18:37, John Auld 18:58, Dave Braybrook 22:03, Richard Harbon 22:51, Richard Weber 23:15, Kat Hinett 23:56, Lucy O’Connor 25:08, Tim Banting 25:49, Rob Milburn 27:45, Jillian Boys 29:29.
Storeys Field Parkurn, Joseph Sherry 26:47

Squirrels were out racing in force this weekend with some pushing for their Half Marathon PBS on the back of their marathon training, with Oxford and Cambridge battling it out to put on the most scenic and well supported races! While others dusted off their spikes and warm coats in preparation for the cross country season ahead.
The Cross Country season commenced this weekend with the first of five meets in the Sunday XC League. Twenty squirrels made the journey to Cheshunt to race the challenging course which was described as “quite tough terrain with thick grass and quite a bit of mud about. A lovely course with nearly 3 laps of the grassy muddy hills - which got more and more muddy each lap”. Cross Country representative for the club John Auld “really enjoyed running with team mates, competing as a team again and greatly appreciated the support from the cheer squad”. Positions for the club were as follows; 117 Astrid Mckeown, 133 Tash Pitman, 207 Paula Adams, 225 Helen Cairns, 282 Charlie Jones making the North Herts Road Runners Ladies A Team and 332 Lindsay Cook, 334 Karen Dodsworth, 361 Sue Vaughan completing the Ladies B Team. The Men’s Scoring Team were; 3 Tom Webb, 8 Andrew Leach, 13 Adam Bowller, 16 Mark Vaughan, 17 Stewart Overton, 18 Rob Harris, 41 Vince Wright, 49 John Auld with 86 Ian Datlen, 93 James Keogh, 200 Richard Harbon, 281 Kyle Stout completing the course.
Five squirrels headed to Ampthill for a local Cross Country race - the Ampthill Trophy 10k.
They described the day as “perfect conditions for racing and with a fairly small field there was a super friendly atmosphere and lots of encouragement from the marshals' and supporters.” Ryan had a cracking race and with only 30 seconds between 2nd & 5th place runners, he ran brilliantly to place 4th. Matt ROBERTS and Anna GREETHAM ran together and got lots of cheers for North Herts Road Runners. GREETHAM was very pleased to be the 3rd lady across the finish line.
Georgina & Carina QUAYLE (daughter & Mum) both had strong races and with GREETHAM, QUAYLE and QUAYLE being the only 3 ladies from the same club competing, they also won the Team Ladies medals! Results: 4th Ryan NICHOLL 41.38 24th Anna GREETHAM 50.48 (3rd lady) 25th Matt ROBERTS 50.49 45th Georgina QUAYLE 56.16 61st Carina QUAYLE 69.10.
Declaring similarly perfect weather and recommending the completely flat course, was Dan MALLETT who travelled to Portsmouth to compete in the 10 mile Great South Run. Favourable conditions enabled him to finish in 1:18:36 (a personal best for the distance).

Shaun ALLIN, Dave BRAYBROOK, Kat HINNIT, Lucy O'CONNOR and Arnie PARMAR visited Cambridge for the well organised, excellent, Half Marathon, which takes a varied and scenic route starting at Midsummer Common and heads through the centre of Cambridge, including a fun detour through the iconic King's College, then out to picturesque Grantchester, before returning back through the winding backstreets of the city centre. ALLIN was “super happy” with his PB performance of 1:36:21 and BRAYBROOK 1:41:03, HINNIT 1:43:54 and O’CONNOR 1:50:06 all recorded their second fastest half marathon times with PARMAR clocking a respectable 2:07:45. HINNIT spoke of her delight at being “rewarded with fab medals and an excellent jute goodie bag, filled with a range of much-needed culinary delights including a Twix bar, posh crisps, and a random but retro sachet of Horlicks, in case we need help getting to sleep tonight after all the excitement of the day!” While O’CONNOR (4th in her age category) enjoyed running “a race where there were so many competitors and crowds lining the streets while bands played around the course which gave it a real party atmosphere.” Ian HARVEY attended the Cambridge Town & Gown 10km race the previous day and was elated to smash his previous PB by over 2 minutes to finish in 41:21.
Elwyn HOWELL and Steve BRENTON journeyed West to race the Oxford half marathon - both enjoying the lovely run through the beautiful streets of Oxford. BRENTON completed the course in 1:43:01 – a personal best for the distance, just two weeks after completing his first marathon! And HOWELL clocked a 1:48:56 finishing 23rd out of 120 in his age category.
Jillian TOOLEY-BOYS and her faithful running companion Lulu travelled to Wales to participate in the Red Kite Cani-trail. With over 2,881ft of elevation over the distance, they completed the course in an incredible 4:54:20. TOOLEY-BOYS speaking after the event said “As always, Lulu was an absolute superstar – I couldn’t ask for a better running buddy to tackle those trails”.

With the London Marathon buzz still firmly in our minds, two squirrels headed up to Manchester to compete in the UK’s second largest marathon, the Manchester Marathon. After a few inevitable Covid delays and cancellations they finally took their place on the start line, in atypical Manchester autumn bright blue skies and warm sunshine, to race the 26.2 miles. Mike Roberts had a superb race that went ‘exactly to plan’, and finished in a superb time of 2 hours 38 minutes. Mike Banister also represented NHRR and was ‘over the moon’ with his finishing time of 2 hours 59 minutes, just ducking under that 3 hour barrier.  With crowds lining the course and an electric atmosphere, it sounds like one to think about next year!
 
The weekend also saw the Willow 10k take place in the beautiful surroundings of Hatfield House. Elwyn Howell stormed the course to finish in 13th place just missing the 50 minute barrier by 2 seconds, nevertheless a phenomenal time of 50:02.
 
Park run was yet again a popular choice for many squirrels who ventured far and wide. In our home town of Letchworth 12 squirrels raced the undulating and muddy course. James Dalton led the club home in 21:06, followed closely by Ian Harvey in 21:27 and Ian Datlen in 21:37. Philip Hawkes also ducked under 22 minutes in a superb time of 21:45, followed by Richard Harbon who managed to keep 24 minutes out of sight to finish in a time of 23:54. Kat Gourd was the first female squirrel home in a fantastic time of 23:56, with Helen Cairns (23:59), Ellie Scott (24:16), Amy Murch (27:12) and Rhia Botha (27:34) also making NHRR proud. Steven Brenton and Philip Flack also ran Letchworth in times of 28:57 and 30:40 respectively. Just down the road in Henlow, four squirrels ran the beautiful Henlow Lakes park run, with Rob Milburn (24:47), Lucy O’Connor (25:14), Rachel Annetts (28:36) and Brian Judkins (33:20) all representing NHRR. Sue Vaughan and Jane Clarke were at Stevenage park run over the weekend with great times of 27:54 and 42:14. Just over the border at Wimpole, Matt Roberts, Anna Greetham and Andrew Coates all smashed out outstanding times on the hilly course in 24:57, 24:57 and 26:11. Slightly further afield, Steve Williamson completed Kettering parkrun in 22:39, John O’Gorman completed Luton Wardown parkrun in 24:07, Darren Matussa completed Gunpowder parkrun in 22:16, Glyn Blakey completed Bower Parkrun in 34:42 and Joe Sherry completed Storeys Parkrun in 25:58.

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