A heroic scurry of 41 squirrels travelled to Dunstable for race 3 in the Three Counties cross country league. The men's team finished first and the ladies were second giving us an overall team result of first. This means that NHRR are currently 2nd overall, 2nd in the men's and 4th in the ladies in the league.

The scoring team for the men consisted of Jim McConnell (8), Adam Bowller (10), Ed Price (11), John Auld (12), John Rayner (15), Matt Sayers (21), Ryan Smith (29) and Dan Hills (39). For the ladies Katie Harbon (68), Astrid McKeown (93), Jane Clarke (117) and Tash Pitman (178).

Also running was Vince Wright (57), James Keogh (63), Nick Malpeli (65), Adrian Sherwood (76), Richard Harbon (97), David Welsh (107), Steve Tracey (118), James Walsh (119), David Weston (138), Pete Sibbett (179), Paula Adams (188), Sarah Mitcherson (191), Johnny Spinks (211), Linda Aird (276), Jo Harbon (277), Adam Wilson (279), Caroline Thrussell (284), Hannah Keeble (287), Paul Bowal (295), Lucy O'Connor (305), Sue Vaughan (309), Nicky Tracey (312), Miranda Morgan (313), Sheila Leavy (334), Christine Sharp (337), Lindsay Cook (357), Joy Shroud (360), Corina Quayle (364) and Brian Judkins (365).

Stewart Overton is officially good for his age after running the Zurich Maratoia/San Sebastian  finishing in a new marathon PB of 3:02:01.

Hatfield 5 mile included a dray of squirrels in the results including 4 members of NHRR recent beginners group. Alice Bates (41.26) was first home for the club, closely followed by Ian Sutcliffe (41.52) who was 1st MV70 in the County. Also running was Heidi Millart-Griffin (51.28), Kelly Hanlon (58.59), Lindsey Lucas (50.49), Jo Kenlin (1.04.30).

 Several squirrels ran at parkrun this week. Brian Judkins ran 33:37 at Bedford. Steve William ran 21:19 at Kettering. Phil Hunt ran 22:24 at Evesham. Closer to home, 3 squirrels ran at Stevenage, Oli Garbas (22:37), Steve Lummis (23:10) and Chris Poole (23:53).

Sunday saw the second race in the season’s Three Counties Cross Country League. 34 North Herts Road Runners took to the Wootton course. The men’s scoring team of Jim McConnell, Ed Price, Adam Bowler, John Auld, Matt Sayers, Stewart Overton, Ryan Smith and Nick Malpelli finished in second place and the women’s scoring team of Jane Clarke, Sarah Mitcherson, Linda Aird and Naimh Barry (in her first race for the club) finished in 8th place giving the Squirrels an overall 4th place on the day. Other runners were Dan Hills, Vince Wright, Simon Poole, Adrian Sherwood,  Steve Wells, Matt Davies, Richard Harbon, James Walsh, Marcus Farnfield, Johnny Spinks, Lucy O’Connor, Ian Sutcliffe, Miranda Morgan, Karen Dodsworth, Sue Vaughan, Christine Sharpe, Jane Tyler, Helen Crommack, Lindsay Cooke, Brian Judkins, Geoff Pentengell and Monica Cullin. 
 
In the overall standings NHRR are 3rd, with the men’s team in 2nd place and the women in 4th. 
 
Further afield, in the Greek sunshine,  Michele Grudzinski completed her 10th marathon (and her 3rd in 7 weeks) in the Athens Authentic Marathon in a time of 4:39:28. 
 
11 Squirrels took part in ParkRuns. Ellie Scott - 28:44 (366th) in Norwich. Julie Jones - 38:48 (407th) in Bedford. Chris Poole -  26:47 (72nd) in Wanstead Flats. Brian Judkins - 33:30 (281st) in Woodley. Matthew Davies - 25:49 (92nd) at Wimpole Estate. Stephen Lummis - 26:06 (28th) at a muddy Rushmere Park. Mark Cook - 21:39 (9th) in March. At Stevenage Oliver Brady was 5th in 19:47; John Cooper was 12th in 20:56; Joe Sherry was 71st in 25:01 and Sheila Leavy was 162nd in 29:01

Satuday 4/11 witnessed a fabulous turnout of over 120 runners for a very soggy First Saturday of the Month 5K at Norton Common proving how well loved the open-to-all monthly event organised by NHRR is.  First to finish was squirrel John Auld in 18:18 and first lady finisher was fellow NHRR member Jane Clarke in 21:51.  A total of 31 members of the club raced on the common in pouring rain.  These included; James Keogh; Adrian Sherwood; Steve Tracey; Steven Harris; John Cooper; Sophie Thrussell; Sarah Mitcherson; Dan Martin; Colin Calcutt; Manvir Parmer; Andrew Cooper; Paula Holm; Caroline Thrussell; Lucy O’Connor; Paul Bowal; Linda Aird; Geoff Murray-Rochard; Karen Dodsworth; Cara Sutton; Helen Giffin; Helen Cromack; Jennie Andrews; Linsey Ashley; Ali Mottram; Heidi Mollart-Griffin; Helen Marson-Smith; Shirley Calcutt; Jo Sopala and Helen Govey.

The next FSOTM will be the Santa Canter on Saturday 2nd December at Norton Common.  All runners are invited to don festive outfits.  The run is free as usual and will be raising funds for the MS Therapy Centre.  Last year a fantastic £650 was raised.
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Several squirrels took part in parkruns over the weekend.  Joe Sherry was at Stevenage (28:45), Steve Lummis (23:54) and Chris Poole (24:27) were at Hoblingwell, Darren Matussa (20:16) at Roding Valley and Brian Judkins was at Ellenbrook Fields (31:14).  On Sunday Darren Matussa also ran the Marlow Half Marathon which he finished in 1:32:47. 
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