A "Relay" Great Evening in Stevenage

Thursday evening saw 14 teams of Squirrels descend on Fairlands Valley Park to compete against runners from Herts and Bedfordshire running clubs in the annual 3km relay competition hosted by Stevenage's biggest running club, Fairlands Valley Spartans. The race is a four leg relay around the lake in the park. Each leg is 3km and 4 members must complete a leg to make up team. There were awards for the top three teams in Mixed, Womens and Mens categories.

North Herts Road Runners enjoyed great success on the night. Provisional results show NHRR women’s senior and women's veterans teams both finished second in their categories, while the mens veterans finished 3rd overall, but claimed the county silver medal.

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Women's senior team, Team Grey Squirrels were Katie Harbon (second fastest and one of only two women to complete the 3km in under 10 minutes); Hannah Ridley, Rhia Botha and Astrid McKeown. Vet women, Team Black Squirrels were Rachel Arnott; Paula Holm, Tash Pitman and Jane Clarke. Vet Men's team, Team Red Squirrels were Ed Price; Matt Sayers; Shahab Ahmad and Steve McKeown. Men's Team Captain John Auld commented "it was a great team outing, similar to an end of season party which is accessible to all, regardless of speed or age".

​Silver in Bedford
 
Rhia Botha was out racing the ATW half marathon in Bedford in Sunday.  She took a fantastic second place in a time of 1:34. A fantastic achievement to podium on a course Rhia noted for its “many 180 degree turns”, ultimately it was shy of a PB but Rhia places yet again in a strong summer of running.  

​Elsewhere Philip Flack returned to the Millennium Country Parkrun, Forest of Marston Vale, for the second year running.  A Parkrun claimed to be the longest Parkrun name in the world! Philip was delighted to finish in the top half in 27:31 (To be confirmed as a club record for M70-74 Parkrun). This was 4 minutes faster than last year and cam with it the honour of 'sounding the gong' for a course PB, a local ritual. Philip said “I have to give massive thanks to Karen Dodsworth who has been coaching me this year and enabled me to do this.”

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​Parkrun roundup.  
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Bedford parkrun: Chris Stokes 20:05 (PB)

Stevenage parkrun: Ian Datlen 19:23, Mike Phillips 21:38, Paula Holm 21:53, Rhiannon Botha 26:38, Anna Greetham 26:38, Natalie Phillips 27:46, Matt Roberts 27:47, Hayley Cocks 49:02

Pegwell Bay parkrun: Clare Hooley 39:34, James Keogh 40:08

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge: James Poulton 39:51

​Salisbury parkrun: Laura Fairbanks 24:08

Aldenham parkrun: Richard Harbon 23:06

Hasenheide parkrun: Georgina Quayle 28:40

​Letchworth parkrun: Georgina Quayle 28:40, James Dalton 20:07, Steve Brenton 23:20, James Godfrey 25:14, Paul Bowal 27:01, Alice Noakes 28:11, Jo Harbon 30:54, Carina Quayle 32:42

​Great Denham parkrun: Ian Harvey 19:58, Richard Barker 24:05, Georgia Barker 29:23, Jillian Boys 31:01, Brian Judkins 37:15, Sheila Leavy 40:06 (Walking PB)

Teignmouth Promenade parkrun: Elwyn Howell 21:20
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Woolacombe Dunes parkrun: Caroline Thrussell 31:05

Haldon Forest parkrun: Dave Braybrook 23:49

Millennium Country parkrun, Forest of Marston Vale: Philip Flack 27:31

St Mary’s parkrun: Linda Aird 29:59

Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun: Kris Whitmore 19:54

The Great Field parkrun: Tom Barclay 18:47