​As the winter sun shines at Stanborough - so does superb squirrel scurry

​Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships

The clubs cross country representative and men's team captain John Auld described Sunday as a great day for cross country and a brilliant day out for North Herts Road Runners. A scurry of nine squirrels and a fantastic support team headed over to Stanborough lakes, Welwyn Garden City. The clubs gazebo looked superb in the glorious sunshine by the lake and provided an excellent headquarters for the team. 
 
Although the weather was very kind - the course was not so kind. It was various number of laps depending on the competition of a muddy loop and a nasty hill at the end of each. The ladies and under 20’s men had four laps and the senior men had five.
 
There were some fabulous squirrel performances. The senior men's team finished 5th overall behind St Albans Striders, Watford Joggers, Barnet & District and Dacorum.
 
Lindsay Cook was first squirrel home for the ladies - all be it the only sow (female squirrel) in the race. But you have to be in it to win it. She finished 68th overall.
 
Matthew Ronayne competed at 17 in the under 20’s men race. Beautifully paced - he finished 7th overall and was handed an invitation to represent the county at the inter county completion later in the year.
 
Seven boars (male squirrels) competed in the men's senior race. James Fox was first home for the club finishing in 4th overall, closely followed by Tom Webb in 5th. Stewart Overton was 18th and Matt Sayers was in 29th. Completing the team of 6 were Mike Banister in 50th and John Auld in 70th. James Walsh provided solid back up to the scoring team finishing shortly after in 80th.
 
Walsh was delighted to be part of the NHRR contingent - commenting afterwards that on arrival he thought the course looked quite benign as far as cross country goes. However after the first lap coming to 1.6 miles, he realised that four more laps would be close to 8 miles! Realising there was no way out of it now, James got on with it and in the end quite enjoyed it. Afterwards his Garmin running watch came to the verdict of ‘overreaching’ - which he concurred was a good summary!
 
Stewart Overton added that it was very much a hard graft but very enjoyable and a pleasure to represent the club in a county level event. The fabulous support from fellow squirrels was uplifting at more or less every corner. 
 
Bedfordshire County Cross Country Championships
 
Adam Bowller ran in the combined Beds/Bucks county champs at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes. Adam described the course as very muddy and the course was also unexpectedly short. Competing in the Beds competition, Bowller finished 6th overall - just short of an automatic selection for the inter counties competition. Although he is still being considered for selection by the team manager.
 
Victoria Park Half Marathon
 
Gurbir Singh Parmar (Arnie) ran is first race of the year at Victoria Park Half Marathon. Arnie has now ran 9 marathons and half’s since joining the club in June. 
 
Stanstead Stagger
 
Sue Foot ran the Stanstead Stagger - an off road marathon with a written route description. Sue described the course was extremely muddy as they staggered across numerous ploughed fields, slippery tracks and negotiated several stiles. The course was diverted due to the River Chelmer overflowing meaning the total distance was 27.2 miles.
 
Parkrun results
 
Stevenage: Ben Sewell 1st, (18:04), Sophie Thrussell 1st lady (20:45), Jane Clarke (30:19)
Gunpowder: Darren Matussa 3rd (19:06)
Roodepoort: Rhia Botha 2nd lady (24:24)
Wimpole: Matt Roberts (27:04)
Holkham: Chloe Lucas 3rd lady (24:24), Lindsay Lucas (35:22)
Letchworth: Steve Brenton 9th (25:52)
Henlow Bridge Lakes: Carl Haskell (24:55), Rob Milburn (25:54), Jillian Boys (26:38), Rachel Annetts (29:44)
Storeys Field: Joseph Sherry (29:43)

​Written by John Auld

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