​Dream debut for Thrussell on European stage

Sophie Thrussell’s bronze medal at the European Aquathlon Championships in Coimbra, Portugal, was the outstanding North Herts Road Runners performance of the week.
 
Representing Great Britain in the 30-34 age group, Thrussell completed the 1000m swim in 15:53 and the 5km run in 19:49, with an efficient 1:56 transition helping her secure third place in 37:38 – just three seconds ahead of an Irish competitor.
 
Thrussell reported ‘It was quite eventful, with the planned format changing the night before from run-swim-run to swim-run due to cooler water temperatures than anticipated. That didn’t stop my plans for a non-wetsuit swim!’
 
Exiting the water ‘somewhere in the middle of the field’, she ‘quickly started catching some of the earlier age group waves, which was great motivation to keep working – that and Ben Sewell hiring an electric bike and cycling alongside me!’ 
 
Thrussell was ‘really happy with my performance, but it wasn’t until I checked the results that I knew I had made it to the podium!’

‘Finishing third in my age group at the European Championships is an absolute dream for a debut’ said a delighted Thrussell: ‘Overall a fantastic weekend with great results’.

Bass Belle 10k
On Sunday morning a small scurry of squirrels slathered on the sunscreen and donned their club vests for the Bass Belle 10k (the summertime cousin of the Bass Belle 10 miler), taking in the South Cambridgeshire villages of Bassingbourn and Litlington on a mixture of road and farm tracks.
 
Natalie Phillips reported that the biggest challenge was the heat, which required all runners to consider their pace a little more carefully! ‘The few shady spots around the course were a welcome relief, said Natalie, ‘Never have I been happier to see a water station’.
 
All five Squirrels had a strong race, with Ed Price crossing the line in fourth place and a time of 37:58. Other NHRR finishers were James Dalton in 43:38, Natalie Phillips 48:54, Anna Greetham 52:27, and Matt Roberts 52:27.

Natalie’s verdict: ‘A lovely, friendly race and a beautiful route. I will be doing this one again!’

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​Herts Parkruns – done!
Bev Rimmer was pleased to complete the set of all 14 available Hertfordshire Parkruns at Rickmansworth on Saturday, enjoying the ‘fast, flat course full of PB potential’, but just missed out on a new best with a 27:36 clocking. She reported that the route was a ‘three-lapper around the Aquadrome lake’ and ‘boy was I glad of my recent training efforts on the track at Fearnhill!’.
 
She concluded that she had ‘earned my post-run coffee and cake, but I’m probably going back to Letchworth Parkrun for a rest next Saturday’. 

Bug Hunter Waters: Kris Whitmore (19:48)

Clacton Seafront: Julie Taylor (31:32)
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Doddington Hall: Georgia Barker (31:56), Richard Barker (31:57)

Fulbourn Hospital: Mike Phillips (20:38), Natalie Phillips (23:14)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Adrian Sherwood (20:18), James Poulton (27:27), Sarah Mitcherson (29:33), Natasha Pitman (29:34), Helen Cairns (29:34), Jane Clarke (29:35)

Letchworth: James Dalton (23:13), Dan Mallett (23:52), Jon Hunt (24:23), Steve Brenton (27:13), Viv Lucas (27:38), Andrew Robson (27:51), Philip Flack (31:24)

Lowestoft: Chloe Lucas (22:27)

Pocket: Jillian Boys (28:17), Sue Boys (41:30)

Rothay Park: Sue Vaughan (29:23)

St Albans: Daniel Wrigley (24:04)

Stevenage: Vince Wright (19:16), Ian Datlen (20:24), Andrew Coates (24:55), Barbara Sayers (25:44), Ellie Scott (28:55), Laura Preston (38:06), Sheila Leavy (38:53)
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Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:27)

Wimpole Estate: Robert Harris (18:45)