DOUBLE PODIUM FOR SQUIRRELS AT TRENT PARK CROSS COUNTRY

​Seventeen squirrels raced at the beautiful Trent Park in North London for the second fixture in the Cross Country League. Men’s Captain John Auld described the course as “really tough, a proper cross country. Recent rain ensured the fields were very muddy and it was hard going”. Ladies Club Captain Natasha Pitman commented on how incredibly slippery it was and entertained the spectators with a fall on a muddy bend! Both Club Captains praised the turnout, the performances of their teams and the wonderful support crew.
North Herts Road Runners were top of both the ladies’ and men’s podiums with Katie Harbon and James Fox taking the respective victories for the Squirrels.
Scoring for the Ladies were Katie HARBON (1), Natasha PITMAN (157), Chloe LUCAS (239), Helen ANKERS (259) and Lindsay COOK (336). Scoring for the Men were mostly James’, with James FOX (1), Andrew Leach (7), Mike ROBERTS (14), Vince WRIGHT (58), John AULD (65), James KEOGH (80), Ian DATLEN (111) and James WALSH (146).
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Full results will be available later in the week.

Six squirrels sped up the M1 to race in the top quality Telford 10k on Sunday. Coach Karen described it as perfect weather conditions and a fast, slightly undulating course which saw some stunning performances from the squirrels.
Racing in wave 2 Tom Webb ran strongly throughout to finish an outstanding 3rd in a PB 32.02. Webb out sprinted GB international Samantha Harrison, who won the ladies elite race in a new course record of 32.05; in the final 100m. Also in wave 2 Stewart Overton finished within 10s of his lifetime PB clocking 34.29 whilst Matt Sayers set a new PB of 34.56. Returning from injury Rob Harris was delighted to record 36.42. Running in wave 3 Pete Sibbett smashed his 43 minute target stopping the clock at 40.56 whilst Karen Dodsworth ran 56.25.

Dervla Downing, Michelle and Andy Grudzinski headed to Milton Keynes for the Winter Half Marathon. Dervla, in her first race post injury, described it as a lovely, flat course and very well organised and was delighted to be back out running and appreciated it after a long absence. She finished the course in a superb 1:52:11, Michelle 2:11:27 and Andy in 2:15:09.  
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Despite many of our members racing on Sunday, North Herts Road Runners were still represented at a number of local Parkruns;
LETCHWORTH – James DALTON 21:48, Ian HARVEY 24:24, Dan MALLETT 24:47, Steve BRENTON  25:48 Hayley COCKS 39:29, HENLOW BRIDGE LAKES – Rob MILBURN 25:36, WIMPOLE ESTATE – Jillian BOYS 24:48, PANSHANGER Matt ROBERTS 22:35, Andrew COATES 26:15, Mike BULLOCK 28:15, JUBILEE – Brian JUDKINS 35:54

​Written by Paula Holme 

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