Euro Spot for Harbon plus weekend race results

A superb performance at the Clumber Park Duathlon secured a place in Great Britain’s 2017 European Championships team for Katie Harbon. Other weekend race results.

The North Herts Road Runners athlete sliced an amazing 11 minutes off her previous best time for the distance, completing the 10k run, 40k cycle and 5k event in 2.23.07 to finish third in the 20-24 age group.
Harbon’s performance at Rutland Water a fortnight ago had already guaranteed her a place in the GB team for June’s 2016 World Championships in Spain. Now she will be donning GB kit in 2017 as well.
Not to be outdone, Katie’s father Richard Harbon was also in duathlon action, finishing 5th veteran in the Derwent Water Duathlon.  With the event also hosting the police national championships, Richard was third in the police veteran standings.
Also competing at national level were Andrew Leach and Yuko Gordon in the British Masters Cross-country Championships in Bath. After a hard-fought head-to-head at the front of his 8k race, Andrew finished second in the male 50+ age group. Yuko also achieved a podium position, finishing third in the 65+ category over a 6k course.
The main event for many North Herts members this weekend was the Bedford Parkrun, designated as the Club’s ‘Run of the Month’. 15 members made the short journey and were delighted to see Mark Vaughan lead the entire field around the fast and flat course to finish first in 17.01. Rachel Annetts secured first spot in the F55 category with 25.24, just pipping Karen Dodsworth who finished in 26.25.
Also running in Bedford were Darren Matussa (18.33), James Walsh (19.14), James Keogh (19.44), Pete Sibbett (20.32), Chris Poole (22.50) Helen Ferguson (26.27), Sue Vaughan (26.29), Paul Bowal (27.09), Lindsay Cook (30.05), Ruth Hicks (30.39) and Pat Norris (34.01).
Four NHRR members completed the 16.5 mile Ashridge Boundary Run, with Daniel Williams first of the contingent to finish in 2.19.53, followed by Martyn Annetts in 2.23.28, Suzy Trott in 2.23.30 (3rd in the F40 category) and Linda Aird in 3.00.19