Headline: North Herts Road Runners Race Through Letchworth

There was something for everyone at the first Run Round the Garden race series in Letchworth on Sunday. Hosted by North Herts Road Runners (NHRR) over 350 athletes and fun runners enjoyed the superbly organised town centre event taking part in a 5k, 1 mile and children’s fun run.

North Herts Road Runner Mark Vaughan won the 5k in a time of 16:58, second to finish and first lady was Lizzy Janes from Herts Phoenix in 17:41. Third to finish and 2nd man home was Andrew Palombella from Bedford Harriers AC in 18.04.

The mile event was hotly contested but top honours went to Ollie Saville in 5:15 only a second ahead of NHRR Darren Mattussa 5:16 and fellow club mate Mark Vaughan in 3rd place in a time of 5:18. First lady to finish was Kirstie Meeten from Bedford Harriers AC in a time of 6.07 followed by some exceptional junior performances with under 11 Maddison Webb 2nd lady home in 6:25 followed by under 13 Penelope Francis in 7:11.

There was a great turnout from the club with many members achieving a PB over the fast flat course. Other finishers in the 5k included Andrew Green 18:41, Katie Harbon 3rd lady in 19:10, Steve Tracey 19:30, Daniel Williams 19:45, Katherine Burr 21.34 PB, Yuko Gordon 22.04, Phil Hunt 22.38, Claire O’Sullivan 24.10 PB, Alan Hazlehurst 24.20 PB, Adam Wilson 24.26 PB, Nicky Kemp 26.35, Georgina Quayle 26.37, Sue Vaughan 26.40, Ellie Scott 26.47, Jeni Spurr-Jones 26.52, Gina Joseph 27:17, Carina Quayle 29:13, Becky Hayes 29.14, Rebecca Finch 29.27, Helen Govey 29.27. Other finishers in the mile event were John Rayner 5.27, Linda Aird 8.05, Sue Foot 8.10, Jon Hunt 9.29 and Brian Judkins in 10.59. Doubling up this week Mark Vaughan race at the Biggleswade Athletics Club Track Fest on Thursday night. Vaughan finishing the 10,000m in 2nd place in a time of 34.41 which secured him the Hertfordshire County Championships senior men’s title. Also in action on

Thursday night 11 NHRR’s headed to Hatfield House to take on the undulating 5 mile course. First home for the club and in 3rd place was Darren Sunter in 29:00, John Auld was 7th in 29:26 followed by James Walsh 29:35, Simon Poole 32.10, Caroline Thrussell 36:31, Chris Poole 38:13, Philip Hunt 38:22, Linda Aird 41:47, Lucy Hurley 43:49, Gina Joseph 46:37 and Brian Judkins in 53:35. Monica Cullin was the only NHRR at the Vitality British 10k in London on Sunday and finished in a time of 1:25:05.