The sold-out race, which was organised by local club Royston Runners, was the final event in the 2023 racing calendar. This year’s race played host to both the British Masters Athletics Federation Championship and the Hertfordshire Masters County Championship, which meant that some of the best age group athletes in the country and county were in action. 37 squirrels made the short journey across the A507 to take on the infamously hilly course in this competitive field, with many using the race to keep them on the straight and narrow over the festive season!

The squirrels certainly ended the year on a high, with both the Women’s and Men’s teams winning the Hertfordshire County Veterans competition. The biggest individual medal haul of the day went to Paula Holm, who came second in the British FV40 age category and first in the Herts County FV35, in a personal best time of 1:10:49. Other Herts County medallists were Tracy Pitcairn who finished third FV35 in a personal best time of 1:13:53 and Caroline Thrussell who was first FV55 in an impressive 1:18:06. Matt Sayers smashed the hour barrier in 58:38 to finish third MV40.

The winning women’s vets team comprised Tash Pitman, Rachel Arnott and Astrid McKeown, with Astrid shattering the 11-year-old club record best time in the FV50 category (which was also set at Buntingford) by over 4 minutes. The winning men’s team were Matt Sayers, Nathan Pask, Stewart Overton and Rob Harris. Rhia Botha would have led the women’s vets team home, but her number was a transfer from an injured runner and unfortunately the organisers were unaware she was eligible for the county champs.

Ladies’ team captain Tash Pitman said “I was amazed to see at least 6 personal best times in Christmas week on a hilly course, so kudos to our amazing coaches and the discipline of our runners!” Men’s captain John Auld also praised the runners, adding “Well done team! Great turn out and performance… great way to end the year!”

​Portsmouth Coastal Marathon
Richard Springall completed the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon. He highly recommends the out and back course across beaches and marshes and smashed his PB by 6 minutes, finishing in an impressive 3:06!

​North Herts Road Runners hosted its annual fund-raising Santa Canta 5km run and 1km children’s fun run on Norton Common on Saturday 3 December.  The festive run saw 235 runners of all ages braving sub-zero temperatures.  The event, which has raised thousands for local charities over the years, saw almost £1000 donated to ‘Young Carers Crew’, an independent charity that provides respite and support to young carers aged between 8-18 living in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire who are the primary or secondary carers for members of their family.  Volunteers turned up with delicious seasonal baked goods and runners turned out in their best festive fancy dress, many accompanied by their canine companions, also in festive attire to run the tough two lap course.  Prizes were awarded for best fancy dress, best children’s fancy dress and best dressed dog.  

British Masters 5km Championships
Five North Herts Road Runners headed into London on Sunday to take part in the British Masters 5km Championships in a beautiful Battersea Park. They set off in perfect conditions to race round the flat, two and a half lap course and Shahab Ahmad was first squirrel home, finishing sixth in his veteran 40 age category in a personal best time of 16 minutes and 44 seconds, 15 seconds faster than his previous best time. Next back was Mike Over in 18 minutes and 42 seconds, his second best ever 5km time. Then our ladies Jane Clarke and Tash Pitman, were both delighted to dip over the line in 19 minutes and 46 seconds with Jane taking almost a minute off her previous best time. Karen Dodsworth completed the team, well ahead of her target time in 26 minutes and 48 seconds.  Tash Pitman said she “thoroughly recommends Battersea Park if you're looking for a fast, flat course.”