Cross Country & Across the World!

Cross Country
This weekend saw the much awaited return of the Three Counties XC League. 29 squirrels ran the first event at Irchester Country park. Provisional results have NHRR Men 4th, Women 1st and the combined team 2nd.

It was a glorious day for cross country with some light rain and a multi terrain course including grass, woodland, trail and some paths. There some puddles and mud for extra authenticity. The women’s competition was especially close with NHRR joint 1st with Olney Runners - both on 62pts each with Rugby and Northampton AC (RNAC) only 2 score points behind on 64pts. Scoring for the women was Hannah Ridley, Helen Nutall, Astrid Mckeown and Paula Holm.

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The men had some cracking runs. Rob Jowett finished 2nd and said he wasn’t sure what happened. With a sprint finish he moved from 3rd to 2nd in the last 50m of the race. NHRR also had first in the race with Mike Roberts. Mike said he sat in on the first lap to see who would make a move before moving well clear to take the race win. Others scoring for the team were Travis Kruger, Matt Sayers, Vince Wright, Ian Datlen, Steve Mckeown and Mike Over.
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The combined team were only 6 scoring places ahead of Bedford and 83 pts behind RNAC.
Men's Team Captain and Cross Country Representative, John Auld, commented that “this is a great start to the season. It is something to build on as we attempt to defend our title as champions of the last 5 seasons consecutively.“

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Cape Town Marathon
​Rhia Botha ran the Cape Town Marathon. She finished in 3:12:29 and a new personal best time for the distance. Rhia was the 54th woman out of 5894. Rhia commented that it was a brutal course with headwinds of 30mph, but the scenery was spectacular with views of table mountain, lions head and signal hill on one side and the Atlantic ocean on the other.

She described it as 'an experience' with the first 16km being brutal. Rhia felt like it was mostly uphill, and against a pumping headwind. However the next 15km were wonderful, and she got to see her amazing support crew at 30km. Rhia proclaimed that the loop of death was a killer, but that last 1km uphill against the strong winds was hell.
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It was all worth it in the end though as Rhia couldn't be happier with my new personal best.
Cape Town is working towards being a world major. Rhia described it is a “spectacular marathon” and added that “hopefully they are well on the way to achieving their goal”.

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Abingdon Marathon
Cameron Geekie ran the Abingdon Marathon in 3:10. He exclaimed that it was wet and windy but a very fast and flat course with great marshalling and support. 

Duxford Dash
Rob Bell  ran the 5k Duxford Dash on Sunday along with other squirrels, braving the 40mph gusting head winds on the exposed runway at Duxford. Despite the weather trying its hardest to slow them all down, Rob was quite pleased after he managed to run a new 5k PB of 28:48. ​

Stevenage Marathon/Half Marathon
Claire Fisk Ran her first marathon in Stevenage incorporating the County marathon champs. Claire described the course as 'rolling'. She ran 3:53 and placed first in County age group FV50, third in County senior overall and second in County FV45. 
 
Andy Liddle ran his first race as a squirrel, the Stevenage Half Marathon and ran a PB! He finished in 1:53 after being ill through the week and not managing any training. Andy was happy to feel well enough to take part, so to take 15 seconds off his PB was a great way to begin life at the club. ​

Parkrun Roundup

Castle Park: Ian Datlen (30:57)

Chipping Norton School: Anna Greetham (26:10), Matt Roberts (26:11)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Dave Braybrook (26:14), Andrew Coates (26:32)

Jersey: Tom Barclay (23:39)

Letchworth: Matthew Sayers (20:43), Viv Lucas (27:37), Hannah Bloomfield (30:45), Philippa Hardcastle (30:57)

Mile End: Darren Matussa (25:20)

Norwich: Chloe Lucas (22:24)​

Perry Hall: Steve Brenton (24:08)

Severn Bridge: Lorna Chambers (27:17)

Stevenage: Chris Stokes (21:29), Daniel Wrigley (23:00), Jon Hunt (23:27), James Poulton (28:28), Emily Yossarian (31:52)

Storeys Field: Georgina Quayle (25:38)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:00)
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Yarborough Leisure Centre: Kris Whitmore (19:47)