3K Relay Success

Darren, Adam and Michelle at the Doug Anderson Memorial 5k

On Thursday night 50 squirrels battled the soaring temperatures to take on the annual Fairlands Valley Spartans Relays.

​There were some excellent individual performances with PBS flying everywhere despite the sweltering heat and airless conditions, but the night was all about working together as a team. The lady squirrels won the women's event - Astrid McKeown, Helen Cairns and Sarah Mitcherson took the trophy and were crowned Herts County Champions!

NHRR's 'B' team of Kat Burr, Paula Holm and Jane Clarke secured the bronze for the FV35 category. The male squirrels, not to be outdone by the ladies, also took away medals with a 2nd in the open event - Mark Vaughan, Adam Bowller, Stewart Overton, Darren Sunter, and Tom Webb and NHRR's 'B' team won silver for the MV40 category with a team of Lee Hayes, Nick Malpelli, James Walsh, Darren Matussa and Ryan Smith.

On Wednesday night three Squirrels travelled up to Bedford for the annual Doug Anderson Memorial 5K. Darren Matussa was first home for the club in a course PB of 18:23 and was 16th overall. Michelle Grudzinski was delighted to clock a massive PB of 23:53, having been paced by fellow squirrel Adam Wilson who finished in 24:19, his second fastest time!

On Sunday three Squirrels enjoyed "more favourable conditions" at the Lee Valley 10 Festival 10 Mile event. Stewart Overton, not content with having secured victory on his first track race, taking on the 1500m distance at the Watford Open in 4:46 and a PB at the FVS Relays, he was "very pleased" to take 5th place and rack up his 3rd PB of the week in an impressive 60:33. Michelle and Andy Grudzinski also made their journey worthwhile by both scoring PBs of 1:31.23 and 1:42.36.

Home and holidaying squirrels were out in force throughout the UK - notably Richard and Jo Harbon tackled the Oban Parkrun and reflected that "it was a full blooded fell run with serious hills", but still managed to finish 7th male and 10th lady! Squirrel Stephen Lummis advised other Parkrun enthusiasts to check their Parkrun is on before travelling, having driven to Panshanger early Saturday morning to find it cancelled. Thankfully he had enough time to "drive like Lewis Hamilton" across to Ellenbrook Fields, arriving 3 minutes before the start and still ran a creditable 23:10!

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