It’s a ‘Hard’ 1,2,1 for Superb Squirrels

Astrid Mckeown 1st lady at the Hitchin Hard Half

This Sunday the 24th June was the annual Hitchin Hard Half and 10K event. An event known for its energy sapping hills and stunning scenery not to mention the hot temperatures today. I guess that’s why it is known as the ‘Hard’ half but not nearly hard enough for Mark Vaughan and Nick Malpeli who cruised in to 1st place and 2nd place respectively! They led the field of 251 runners and finished in times of 1:18:35 and 1:23:31. They were closely followed by Astrid Mckeown who finished first lady in 1:29:21. In addition to these outstanding results, new member Tom Webb came in 1st in the 10K in a superb time of 37:22. The duel between Hannah Keeble and Adam Wilson continued in earnest at this race with both egging each other on until finally finishing hand in hand over the line on the 2 hour mark. All in all 23 squirrels descended on Hitchin Priory and everyone made it out the other side of this gruelling race with grins on their faces.

Continuing on the trophy theme, 6 squirrels set out to take part in one of the newer Hertfordshire races - the Welwyn 10k and managed to bag themselves three trophies. Mark Edmondson-Jones, Stuart Cocks, Christian Allen, Miranda Morgan, Sheila Leavy and Vanessa Rolfe all set out on this lovely run in the super hot weather with Sheila finishing in 2nd VF65, Mark as 2nd VM50 and Miranda as 3rd VF55.

Elsewhere, at the Letchworth Parkrun, North Herts came out to support the all female marshalling and organising team in celebration of #thisgirlcan. Adam Bowller set a new course record finishing in 17:36 being chased by Ed Price in 17:39 (2nd), Stewart Overton in 17:48 (3rd) and Oliver Brady in 19:20 (5th).

Lindsay Cook excelled in her first ever Olympic Triathlon at the Royal Windsor Triathlon last Sunday. Having woken up before sunrise to get there it started with a shock to the system with a 1500m swim in the River Thames followed by a 44km cycle which then ended with a 10km run lapping windsor castle, along long walk to the Thames, and then back. A superb personal achievement with the following timings of swim 36:01, Bike 1:40:24 and Run 1:09:23 totalling 3:40:29 including transitions.


An excellent week of sporting success for the North Herts Road Runners and now all eyes turn to the final Mid Week League Race in Stevenage on Wednesday night! 

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