A Tale of Two 10k's and a 20 Miler

Oakley 20M
​15 squirrels ran the Oakley 20 in the beautiful sunshine through the 'undulating' Bedfordshire countryside. 
 
Richard Springall was first home for the club, finishing 13th overall in 2:08:32. Closely followed by a trio of age category winners. Ian Datlen was first V50 finishing in 2:18:10. Rachel Arnott was first V45 finishing in 2:26:03 and Rhia Botha was first V35 finishing in 2:28:35. 
 
Rhia commented afterwards that “Oakley 20 was my first 20 mile race and it did not disappoint. The weather was perfect, except for the wind. The atmosphere was great and the marshals and volunteers were so friendly. It made for a great morning. I was very pleased to manage my target marathon pace despite the hills and wind.”
 
The ladies team of Rachel Arnott, Rhia Botha and Laura Fairbanks were 2nd in the team competition. 
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Full results are as follows

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Richard Springall 2:08:32
Ian Datlen 2:18:10
Rachel Arnott 2:26:03
Rhia Botha 2:28:35
Steve Tracey 2:53:52
Laura Fairbanks 2:57:25
John Auld 3:02:28
Phil Hunt 3:08:25
Jennie Fraser 3:19:35
Nicola Withington 3:19:33
Grace Cleary 3:19:36
Anna Gibson 3:23:37
Alice Noakes 3:25:49
Balbir Chahal 3:43:28
Dawn Power 3:46:20

Thorney 10
Two Squirrels ventured up the A1 to the historic village of Thorney in northern Cambridgeshire to take part in the Keith Hall Memorial 10k road race. It's a pancake flat L shaped out and back course, renowned for fast times. However the winds on Sunday provided very fast times for the 5km out with a lovely tailwind propelling the runners forward, but the headwind on the way back put a dampener on the hope for fast times. Andrew Leach finished seventh male and first in his veteran 60 age category in 34:38 and Tash Pitman clinched 5th female and first in her veteran 45 age category in 41:23.

ATW Run Fest at Lee Valley 
Tracy Pitcairn was 1st Lady and 10th overall out of 230 at Lee valley 10k this Sunday as part of the ATW run fest which also included a half marathon option. Tracy’s 10k chip time was 42:46 and due to injuries throughout the Summer, Autumn and Winter, this was her first 10k race since the mid week league last year. Tracey said that “I wanted to give it my best effort but did not expect to be near my best at this time. “ she added that it was a windy day but lovely and sunny. The course was fantastic, starting at the White Water Centre at Lee Valley it was all off road but good quality flat paths through the nature reserve. She would definitely recommend it for next year.

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Parkrun Roundup
Lots of Parkrun action this week with the Harbon's going en masse to Sheringham parkrun to celebrate Jo's new Age Grading.

Belton House: Brian Judkins (37:19)

Great Denham: Richard Barker (29:41), Georgia Barker (30:25)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Andrew Coates (25:14), Dave Braybrook (25:28), Rob Milburn (28:06), Emily Yossarian (31:23)

Letchworth: James Dalton (22:51), Tracy Pitcairn (24:19), Laura Fairbanks (25:52), Steve Brenton (26:09), Viv Lucas (26:27), Jennie Fraser (31:26), Michelle Grudzinski (31:30), Philip Flack (32:50)

Longrun Meadow: Jim Mcconnel (23:33)

Pocket: Chris Stokes (20:15)

​Sheringham: Katie Harbon (20:02), Matt Ankers (23:49), James Berry (24:51), Richard Harbon (25:34), Nick Walker (26:37), Jo Harbon (30:00), Helen Harbon (31:42)

South Oxhey: James Godfrey (27:38), Frances Stanton (29:12)

Stevenage: Tracey Mccreath (33:25)

Stewart: Lindsay Cook (32:10)

Storeys Field: Georgina Quayle (27:06)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:20)

Wakefield Thornes: Danielle Lister (31:22)