7 Years of First Saturday of the Month 5k

Abbi and Hayley Cocks at Cancer Research UK's Pretty Muddy 5k

Saturday saw the 7th anniversary of Letchworth’s First Saturday of the Month 5k race. This free event is run once a month by volunteers from North Herts Road Runners and takes in two laps of the beautiful Norton Common. With barcode timing and free tea and coffee, the race has gone from strength to strength over its 7 year history. To celebrate the birthday, this week, cake was added to the post-finish rewards with the chocolate-covered flapjacks earning particular praise! 93 runners finished the course, with NHRR’s Paul Jackson leading the field home in 18:04, and former Squirrel Emily Hutchinson leading the ladies home in 18:38, magnificent times from both runners. Other Squirrels chasing the cake home were: 6th - James Keogh (19:30); 9th - Lee Hayes (19:59); 11th - David Weston (20:19); 15th Steven Peel (22:17); 16th - James Walsh (22:19); 19th - Richard Harbon (22:43); 23rd - Stuart Cocks (23:17); 25th - Jane Clarke (23:59); 28th - Sam Barry (24:10); 29th - Drew Norton (24:30); 32nd - Andrew Robson (24:55); 39th - Cooper (25:36) - 41st - Richard Weber (26:09); 47th - Paula Holm (27:13); 50th - Linda Aird (27:37); 54th Allison Blunt (27:54); 66th Gladys Cheng (30:21), 67th - Sheila Leavy (30:24); 78th - Dawn Power (32:58); 85th - Helen Marson-Smith (34:15); 89th - Kelly Hanlon (35:25) and 90th Clare Hooley (37:31). Linsey Ashley said “Thanks for a great FSOM. My daughter had a great time and can't wait to do it again next month, and the Run Around the Garden (on 17th June). Future Squirrel!! Everyone was so encouraging with her as ever.” 
​
Further afield, Eleanor Williams travelled to Ireland to run the Cork half-marathon. After the race she said “it was crazily humid and hillier than I was expecting. The crowd was amazing and there was plenty of water, cold wet sponges and lucozade to keep everyone going.” The race didn’t go exactly to plan, however. “The day didn’t get off to the best start as I had a sickness bug but it managed to hold off during the race. I managed 2hrs 26 - my second best half marathon time. Absolutely loved the race itself, the scenery, the crowd and my play list. It was by far one of the best organised events I’ve been part of. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.”

Elsewhere,. Matt Davies and Jodie Brumhead competed in the Mountain Yomp Challenge in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. Matt commented “We did the Half Yomp, so 11.5 miles with ~1850ft elevation gain. Rain all day on Saturday meant it was about 90% humidity and the path turned to knee high bog in parts. The weather cleared for the race, however, to give us some great views and it was a lovely day with most of the locals out on the hills.” Matt finished 6th in 1hr 48:15 and Jodie was 39th in 2hrs 27:31.

Hayley Cocks and her daughter Abbi took part in a Cancer Research UK “Pretty Muddy” 5k in Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City, which, apart from lots of mud, included a number of uphill and downhill slops and a shallow river. Hayley said “I’d never imagined so much mud!”.
​
There were a posse of Squirrels travelling to various Parkruns. Ellie Scott ran in Norwich, finishing 102nd lady (30:54). Also in Norfolk, Jillian Boys finished 7th lady in Kings Lynn (23:43). Rachel Annetts ran in Bedford, finishing 20th lady (26:35). In Leamington John Russell finished 81st (22:53). Three Squirrels ran in Stevenage, with Naomi Parkinson leading them home as 7th lady (24:05). Bob Davis was 131st (27:05) and Pat Norris 252nd (33:39). At Mount Edgcumbe, Simon Poole finished 4th (21:28) and at Erddig Chris Poole was 53rd (25:06)

---