McKeown and Sibbett shatter club records in Cambridge

The crisp autumnal conditions proved ideal for the fourteen North Herts Road Runners who headed to the popular Cambridge Town and Gown 10k through the heart of Cambridge passing many landmarks, historic university college buildings and along the River Cam.  The Squirrels returned home with plenty of personal best times and not just one club record but two!

Pete Sibbett was delighted to run 39:40 setting a new club record for the V60 category and finishing 2nd V60 in the race. Pete commented ‘I was surprised to run so fast but the great crowd support and fast, flat course were amazing’. Pete broke the previous club record (40:46) held by Deryk Myall that has stood since 2006!

Astrid Mckeown also set a new V50 club record after finishing in 41:03 taking 2 minutes 23 seconds off the previous time held by Chris King since Standalone 2012. Ian Datlen, Nat Rosa, Rhia Botha, Ian Harvey, Mike Phillips, Steve Brenton, Andreea Weisl-Shaw and Georgia Barker all set new PB’s. Rhia commented ‘I took 2 minutes off my PB, which I had only just got at Standalone two weeks ago to get 38:56. Team captain said 'why run a sub 40 when you can go run a sub 39'.  One week after his first marathon last Sunday at Chester Elwyn Howell finished in 46:08 and 12th in his age category. Georgia Barker excelled with her first sub 1 hr 10k time in a couple of years coming across the line in 57:19 ably paced by Richard Barker who also completed the Chester marathon last weekend.

Great Eastern Run
Seven Squirrels made the journey up to Peterborough for the Great Eastern run half marathon. First home for the club was Tom Webb in a time of 01:10:18 followed by Nathan Pask 01:15:45, Stewart Overton 01:16:46, Matt Sayers 01:16:52, Daniel Davies 01:20:35, James Keogh 01:30:03 and Dawn Power 02:05:50. James described the course as "exceptionally flat, making for some speedy times" and Dawn echoed his thoughts saying ‘Peterborough was sunny with great conditions for the Great Eastern Run, a friendly and flat route resulting in a PB!’

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Chelmsford Parks Marathon
​Sue Foot completed the Chelmsford Parks Marathon, an undulating road route along some very pretty countryside. Having done 27 miles at the Sussex Stride three weeks ago over the South Downs, she was pleased to finish this one in 04:38:53.

Yorkshire Marathon Festival
The Yorkshire Marathon Festival was celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and hosted a fantastic event offering distances from 5k right up to the marathon.  Katrina Slisane opted for the marathon distance and says she had a great time setting a personal best time of 3 hours and 50 minutes, thanking green group coach Richard Harbon’s advice of an ‘uphill arm swing’ as it drove her up a few nasty hills, especially as the morale started to slip.  Vanessa Rolfe and Allison Blunt also joined the festival, opting for the 10-mile option. They said "The weather was perfect and we were given a very warm Yorkshire welcome along by the spectators, their dogs and even a couple of guinea pigs!  It was made extra special by all the music played along the way from local bands.  We had a great run and were very pleased to finish in 02:00:19 and 01:59:47 respectively."

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Great South Run
​Jo Kenlin completed the Great South Run on Sunday in Portsmouth finishing in 02:44:46. Jo said ‘It was a tough run as I’m just back from injury and illness, and hit a brick wall at the 5-mile mark. But I continued and managed to get through. Last 2 miles are along the coast and you take in many of Portsmouth’s landmarks."
 

Parkrun roundup
​Elwyn shared he ran his 50th parkrun at Stevenage

Akrotiri: Alice Noakes (25:55)

Clacton Seafront: Jane Robson (31:57), Julie Taylor (32:02)

Coldhams Common: Frances Stanton (35:01), James Godfrey (35:02)

Conyngham Hall: Carina Quayle (36:23)

Heartlands: Tom Barclay (17:46), Emma Sandham (23:48)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Daniel Mallett (22:50), Jon Hunt (22:56), Richard Harbon (23:01), Jo Harbon (28:59), Bob Davis (29:06)

Houghton Hall: Kris Whitmore (19:37)

​Letchworth: Peter Clarke (20:51), Mike Phillips (23:02), Steve Brenton (24:54), James Dalton (24:55), Matt Roberts (25:56), Natalie Phillips (25:56), Paul Bowal (27:28), Ian Harvey (28:31), Nick Walker (31:04), Andrew Robson (31:14), Aimee Flack (32:23), Philip Flack (38:09)
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St Albans: Chris Stokes (20:32)

Stevenage: Elwyn Howell (24:59), Richard Barker (25:47), Lucy O'connor (26:02), Andreea Weisl-shaw (28:38), Linda Aird (29:57), Ellie Scott (31:01), Brian Judkins (35:46)