Letchworth Greenway is no Challenge for the Super Squirrels

​The weekend was a double dose of North Herts Road Runners hosted events. Starting with the First Saturday of the Month 5km and followed by the return of the Greenway Challenge on Sunday. Race Director of the Greenway Challenge and club president Lucy Hurley described an awesome weekend off racing and running. Thanking the volunteers, runners and cheerleaders that made the weekend incredibly special.
 
First Saturday of the Month
 
75 runners including 33 squirrels ran the First Saturday of the month 5km round Norton Common. The morning sunshine was broken just before the race started with a rain shower. However, this wasn’t too bad as it was fairly warm still. The rain added some puddles to the course in time for the second lap and gave everybody nice muddy back legs. 
 
Stewart Overton was first home followed by Matt Sayers and John Auld. Astrid Mckeown was first lady followed by Tash Pitman and Paula Holm. 
 
Tash said that in the pre-race catch up we had all said we were taking it easy, ahead of Wednesday’s Mid week League race, but think the excitement of a race saw us all run considerably faster than planned. It was great to run as a team and help each other round. Hopefully good practice for Wednesday.
 
Greenway Challenge
 
Amongst 186 finishers were 17 squirrels that ran the Greenway Challenge which raised money for the Garden House Hospice. The sun was certainly shining down on a beautiful morning and the greenway looked absolutely glorious in the sunshine. There were plenty of lovely distractions including skipping lams, blossom and pretty wildflowers. 
 
First squirrel home was Nick Malpeli finishing in 1:29:26, whilst first Lady home for the club was Rachel Arnott in 1:38:55 closely followed by Tash Pitman in 1:39:02. Nick said that it was very enjoyable and gave a big thank you to the volunteers for another impeccably organised event.
 
Kat Hinitt finished fourth lady with a personal best for the course in 1:45:18. Kat thanked the marshals and expert bakers who supplied the amazing cakes at the end. 
 
Tash said she had the pleasure of running with Ian Datlen and Rachel Arnott. Ian kept them on track, doing his best to make sure they didn’t cut any corners. He also promised to pace us conservatively to keep the legs fresh for Wednesday’s race and he did a pretty good job until the last 2km, where he appeared to smell the amazing display of cake at the finish line and took off like Usain Bolt, with Rachel springing alongside!
 
Ian finished in 18th place in 1:38:53. Rachel finished 19th overall and won the Ladies race in 1:38:55. Tash herself did her best to keep them both in sight and finished in 20th spot, second lady in 1:39:02. The threesome had a great fun run, chatting away and loving the blue skies and lush spring blossom and scents.
 
Parkrun
 
Wimpole Estate: Vince Wright 19:09
Rother Valley: Danielle Lister 28:00
Castle Park: Jo Sherry 25:13
Letchworth: John Russell 25:16, Steve Brenton 27:59
Henlow Bridge Lakes: James Poulton 23:53, Rob Milburn 25:58
Akrotiri: Alice Noakes 23:09

---