The Bank Holiday weekend saw many North Herts Road Runners members focussing on training, rather than racing, as they prepare for the Hatfield 5k race series that marks the start of the autumn season.
 
Plenty of them included a Parkrun in their weekend programme, with 33 turning out for the popular 5k events across at home and abroad. The largest contingent tackled the hilly course at Letchworth Garden City, where Vince Wright led the squirrels home in 18:55 and Katie Harbon was the first female finisher in 20:10.
 
Other squirrels took their running shoes on their travels, with Tom Barclay second finisher at Jersey Parkrun in 18:03 and George Wright completing the Zuiderpark course in The Hague in 24:17.

​On Wednesday evening, twenty three North Herts Road Runners headed down the A1M to Ridlins Athletics Track in Stevenage to race the Resolution 5k August event. There were four pace graded races throughout the evening, with squirrels in every race.  The event is great for supporters who fill the stands to cheer the runners on each 400 metres.  There was plenty of support from those who had come along specifically to cheer and also from team mates in different waves, really showcasing the club's great team spirit. 
 
The Squirrels team of Stewart Overton, Ian Datlen, John Auld and Rhia Botha won the team event, almost 5 minutes quicker than second placed Fairland Valley Spartans team of Nick Gill, Mike Jeffs, Ashley Johnson and Yuko Gordon. 
 
There were a few personal best times from the squirrels with Mike Over finishing in a new best time of 19:23. Rhia Botha was excellently paced by David Edwards to a best time of 19:32 and second female overall. Her splits were super consistent before a pick up in the last lap to finish.  Jane Clarke and Cara Sutton also achieved personal best times in 21:34 and 25:12 respectively. 
 
Several squirrels also placed well in their age categories including a few winning. Stewart Overton was first V40, Pete Sibbett was first V60, Lucy O’Connor was first V55 and Monica Cullen was first V75.   Miranda Morgan ran a superb tactical race - and finished with a brilliant sprint to take the win in her race with the whole crowd cheering! - Full results below

Squirrel in Regents Park 10k
On Sunday Shahab Ahmad raced in the Regents Park 10k on a route past London Zoo and won the event in a blistering time of 35 minutes and 50 seconds. 
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​This weekend was a quieter one on the race front, and some might say it was for the better, given the unseasonably chilly and wet conditions. However, this was no deterrent for the sturdy squirrels who braved the inclement weather both away and closer to home, showcasing their unwavering spirit that wouldn’t be dampened even by the most challenging conditions.