A Week of Racing Spirit from Parkrun to Podiums

From sizzling midweek league showdowns to sun-drenched Parkruns and 10K trail adventures, it’s been a week full of heat, heart, and homegrown effort for the Squirrels. Whether racing for the podium,  marshalling and cheering from the sidelines, or clocking personal victories both near and far, NHRR members showed up with spirit and solidarity. Here’s the round-up of another brilliant week in the world of the North Herts Road Runners.

Midweek League Magic: NHRR Hosts with Pride
The third fixture of the Midweek League brought the competition to our doorstep, and the Squirrels rose to the occasion in style—both as runners and as hosts. With 64 NHRR members taking on the course, and many more volunteering behind the scenes, it was a true club-wide celebration of community racing.
 
On what turned out to be an unrelentingly hot evening, the racing was as tough as it was spirited. Tom Barclay led the men’s team home in a blistering 5th place, while Katie Harbon finished an outstanding 2nd overall, spearheading the women’s squad to a brilliant team result.
 
Team Results:
Women – 2nd (behind St Albans Striders)
Men – 3rd (behind St Albans and Trent Park)
Overall – 2nd place in the fixture
 
League Standings After Race 3:
1st – St Albans Striders
2nd – NHRR
3rd – Trent Park (5 points behind)
 
Men’s Captain John Auld summed it up: “It was brutal in the heat, but the marshals’ support kept us going. Everyone gave their best, and I was so proud of how the club came together. We’ve earned our 2nd place—and we’ll fight to keep it!”
 
With just one Midweek League race left, the challenge is clear: hold firm in 2nd place and close the season with a flourish. Every runner counts, every cheer matters—so let’s bring the same heat, heart, and team spirit to the final fixture.

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​Men
5, Tom Barclay (411) S
13, Ben Sewell (410) S
14, Andrew Leach (414) V 60
17, Ben Hadman (389) S
22, Shahab Ahmed (381) V 40
31, Matthew Sayers (404) V 50
47, Stewart Overton (412) V 40
51, Kris Whitmore (326) V 50
59, Thom Buzzard (2013) S
72, Mike Banister (402) V 50
82, James Ma (373) S
83, David Edwards (350) V 40
85, Oliver Babik (2011) S
96, Adam Fisher (2009) S
99, Vincent Wright (400) V 50
104, Darren Matussa (406) V 40
114, Brian Judkins (392) V 60
117, Oliver Parsons (337) V 40
122, Ben Snowden (356) V 40
129, Peter Sibbett (341) V 60
133, Chris Button (358) V 50
135, Adrian Sherwood (2006) V 60
140, James Godfrey (346) S
141, Simon Clapham (2012) S
158, Neill Jefferson* (357) V 50
165, Richard Weber (401) V 50
168, Daniel Wrigley (2005) S
169, Craig Snowdon (2010) V 40
170, Danny Alden (2015) V 40
175, James Walsh (391) V 50
181, John Auld (330) V 40
203, Phil Hunt (415) V 50
209, Sam Whitmore (327) U 20
213, Andrew Robson (390) V 60
219, Greg Bowie (2008) V 40
227, Laurie Scott (369) V 50
228, Andrew Coates (370) V 40
234, Chris Cope (395) V 50
241, Rob Clarke (366) V 40

Women
2, Katie Harbon (336) S
8, Rhia Botha (321) V 35
13, Karen Townsend (387) S
21, Rachel Arnott (394) V 45
22, Tracey Pitcairn (338) V 35
25, Sarah Hartley (343) S
30, Hannah Ridley (367) S
33, Paula Holm (403) V 45
36, Jane Clarke (365) V 45
41, Katrina Slisane (388) V 35
50, Laura Fairbanks (339) V 35
51, Verity Stow (398) V 35
53, Natalie Phillips (323) V 35
69, Grace Cleary (374) V 35
73, Joanne Hoare (345) V 45
80, Ella Holm (417) S
84, Lucy O'Connor (363) V 55
87, Ellie Frid (2004) S
88, Lucy Robertson (371) U 20
94, Lisa Cuthbert (419) V 35
127, Nikkki Wright (2007) V 35
128, Niamh Madigan (2014) V 45
132, Zoe Nuttall (353) U 20
133, Helen Nuttall (352) V 35
154, Vanessa Rolfe (359) V 65

Podium Places at the Bass Belle 10K
Several squirrels turned heads at the Bass Belle 10K, with fast times and top finishes:

• Mike Phillips celebrated his first ever podium, storming home as 1st MV40
• Chris Button bagged 3rd MV50 in a strong 43:09
• Lucy Robertson claimed 1st U18 Female, crossing the line in 54:40

A fantastic trio of performances from across the age groups—well done all!

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Hills, Heat and Happy Returns at the Welwyn 10K
Sunday saw Squirrels tackling the Welwyn 10K, a scenic but challenging trail race through Panshanger Park.

• Philip Flack returned to racing form, finishing in 69:50 and placing 2nd in his age group
• Chris Jones clocked an impressive 47:08 (39th overall)
• Meyrick Jenkins completed the course in 1:08:04

Philip noted the course’s twists, hills, and heat, but praised the organisation and atmosphere—proof again that the squirrel spirit thrives in all terrain!

Parkrun Tour: Squirrels on the Move
From Jersey to Wetherby, and Stratford to Soham, NHRR members made their presence known at 22 different Parkrun locations this weekend. A shoutout to Vanessa Rolfe, who claimed 1st in her age group at Henlow Bridge Lakes Parkrun, finishing in 39:22. Vanessa continues to inspire with her consistent determination and sunny race-day energy. Well done!

Aldenham: Matthew Sayers (18:40), Barbara Sayers (32:02)

Barclay: Ian Datlen (33:39)

Brentwood: Helen Giffin (36:27)

Bug Hunter Waters: Brian Judkins (42:13)

Edenbrook country: Jon Hunt (24:15)

Great Denham: Thomas Buzzard (19:48)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Daniel Mallett (23:32), Andrew Coates (28:17), Jennifer Wilkinson (28:38), Philippa Hardcastle (29:11), James Poulton (31:48), Bev Rimmer (35:43), Vanessa Rolfe (39:22)

Jersey: Tom Barclay (21:57)

Killerton: Jennie Fraser (28:28)

Letchworth: Daniel Martin (22:20), James Dalton (23:47), Steve Brenton (27:23), Jane Clarke (30:12), Natasha Pitman (30:13)
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Longrun Meadow: Jim Mcconnel (25:59)

Mersea Island: Laura Fairbanks (24:11)
Millfield: Matt Roberts (27:54), Anna Greetham (27:55)

Panshanger: Chris Stokes (22:09)
Pocket: Hannah Ridley (25:19)
Soham Village College: Joseph Barker-sherry (29:10)

Stevenage: Ellie Scott (28:53), Ravina Siddall (38:24), Emily Yossarian (01:03:00)

Stratford Park: Kris Whitmore (20:23)