Bank Holiday Racing

Caroline Thrussell, Sue Foot and Miranda Morgan

On Bank holiday Monday, five squirrels ventured over to Pednor near Chesham for the Pednor 5, incorporating the Herts County 5 mile Champs. The course is on small country lanes, devoid of traffic and starts with a flat 2 mile section, followed by a very steep hill, more flat bits then a crazy downhill section to the finish. Conditions were perfect and NHRR managed to put in some decent performances as follows.

First home was Mark Vaughan in 2nd place setting a new club record of 27:38. Mark was 1st in the Herts County open male and is county champion. Adam Bowller finished 7th (28:39). Yuko Gordon finished first in the F55 category despite being over 65. Yuko was 100th (15th lady). Other runners were Sue Vaughan, 209th (71st lady), (45:08) and Karen Dodsworth 214th (75th lady) (45:29). Yuko, Sue and Karen completed the ladies team who were also the Herts County ladies team winners!

Also on bank holiday Monday - several squirrels took part in the MK Marathon/Half marathon event. In the Marathon, Kat Burr finished in 3:46:02. Chris Poole finished his 2nd marathon this spring in 4:06:42. Naomi Parkinson completed her first marathon in 4:22:15. Steve Lummis finished in 4:37:39. The field of the Half Marathon was also populated with squirrels. Helen Govey finished in 2:03:40, taking nearly 21 mins off her previous PB and Jim Marvell finished in 2:27:18.

On Sunday, Sue Foot, Caroline Thrussell and Miranda Morgan completed the multi terrain Salcombe Coastal Marathon from Torcross to Bantham, via Salcombe along some of South Devon’s most beautiful coastline. The coastal footpaths were a mixture of grass, gravel and rocks and many parts needed careful negotiation both up and down the hills. There were the most stunning views everywhere you looked. Sue and Miranda both finished in 7:03 and Caroline in 6:51.

In rural Northamptonshire, Jo Summers completed the 27 mile route around the Valleys and Views and finished in 5.11.

On Saturday, Michelle Grudzinski completed the Highland Fling, a 53 mile ultra marathon along the Highland Way from Milgave to Tyndrum. Michelle finished in 14.58.43.

Several squirrels turned out at Stevenage Parkrun. John Cooper, 13th (21:50), Bob Davis (27:17), Helen Giffin (29:05), Oli Garbas (31:58) and Partick Norris (34:46). Others ventured to parksruns further a field. At Lyme Park, James Keogh finished in 20:36. And at Rutland Water, Chris Pool finished in 22:33.