Mob Match Madness

Wednesday night saw the conclusion of the Midweek league series. The annual Mob match saw the clubs from all leagues race around the Welwyn course.  Tom Barclay lead the team home with a 6th place overall. First lady for NHRR was Riha Botha. 15 squirrels ran the mob match. Both of out teams were one member short of a full team. The ladies finished 5th/23 and the men’s team finished 12th. At least it meant that everybody that ran scored for the team. 
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​Full results are 

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​6, Tom Barclay (449) S
63, Mike Phillips (437) V 40
66, Michael Over (435) V 50
77, Kris Whitmore (523) V 40
86, Peter Sibbett (519) V 60
111, Damian Christou (506) V 40
126, John Auld (450) V 40
184, Andrew Robson (499) V 50

​8, Rhia Botha (434) V 35
13, Rachel Arnott (464) V 45
34, Natalie Phillips (522) V 35
38, Natasha Pitman (476) V 45
57, Jennie Fraser (495) V 45
87, Linda Aird (443) V 65
96, Lucy O'Connor (465) V 55

Ultra 5 x 5k - Box end park
Kris Whitmore, Ian Datlen and Rhia Botha ran the ultra 5k at Box End, which consists of 5 x 5k, a 5k every hour on the hour for 5 hours. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful, yet gruelling race.

Rhia won 1st female in a cumulative time of 1hr 53 mins, beating her time from last year, also breaking her own record for the fastest ever female to do all 5.  Kris came in 11th but unfortunately Ian had to step out after the first leg due to aggravation of a previous hamstring injury

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XTERRA Snowdonia Half Marathon and 10km
The XTERRA Snowdonia Half Marathon and 10km races, held amidst the breath taking landscapes of North Wales, promised both a challenging and exhilarating experience for all participants. The morning dawned crisp and clear, perfect conditions for trail running.

Georgia, who had been diligently recovering from a significant back injury, approached the 10km race with a mix of trepidation and determination. Despite the physical and mental hurdles of her recovery, she was committed to testing her limits on the demanding Snowdonia trails. The race started off with a steep ascent that quickly tested everyone's stamina.

As the course wove around the quarries, Georgia's enthusiasm began to wane. The rugged terrain, marked by loose stones and uneven paths, was far from her favourite. The stark, industrial remnants of the quarries offered little in the way of scenic distraction, making this segment of the race particularly gruelling for her. "Not impressed," she thought, powering through with sheer grit and focus. Despite her discontent with the quarry section, Georgia’s training paid off as she pushed through the discomfort, eventually crossing the finish line with a sense of hard-earned accomplishment.

Meanwhile, in the half marathon, Richard and Natalie embarked on their race with a shared excitement. For Natalie, it was her very first trail marathon, and she was thrilled to experience it alongside Richard, a seasoned trail runner. The pair maintained a steady pace as they navigated the undulating trails, the camaraderie between them evident in their synchronized strides and mutual encouragement.

One of the highlights of their race was reaching the Halfway House on the Llanberis path. The quaint, rustic stop was renowned for serving the best cup of tea in the area, a well-deserved treat for the weary runners. Richard and Natalie savoured this brief respite, the warmth of the tea invigorating them for the challenging miles ahead. They exchanged stories and laughs, rejuvenated by both the tea and the stunning panoramic views of Snowdonia's peaks and valleys.
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As they neared the final stretch, Natalie felt the familiar burn of fatigue setting in, but Richard’s steady presence and encouragement kept her spirits high. They crossed the finish line together, a testament to their teamwork and perseverance. Natalie’s face beamed with the triumph of completing her first trail marathon, while Richard’s pride in her achievement was palpable.

Parkrun roundup
Bev Rimmer took on Pymmes in north London this week. The course is flat as a pancake, and takes in almost three laps of Pymmes Park. Bev says ‘My times have been fluctuating a lot this year, and I’m usually happy with anything around the 28 or 29-minute mark…however this one was fast from the off. No inclines, no excuse - I ran a season best of 00:26:49. Exhausted - yes! Pleased - also yes!’

Great Denham: Jillian Boys (27:05)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Richard Harbon (24:56), Dave Braybrook (25:10), Jo Harbon (29:59), Helen Harbon (30:16), Julie Taylor (32:52)
Jersey: Tom Barclay (16:45), Emma Sandham (25:10)

​Leamington: John Russell (25:28)

Letchworth: Ian Datlen (21:17), James Dalton (22:18), Daniel Mallett (24:32), Paul Bowal (25:58), Steve Brenton (26:15), Viv Lucas (28:16), Philip Flack (30:06), Helen Cairns (31:36), Jane Clarke (31:37), Natasha Pitman (31:54)

Luton Wardown: Barbara Sayers (26:25)

Pocket: Kris Whitmore (20:52)

Stevenage: Vincent Wright (20:17), Chris Stokes (20:38), Daniel Wrigley (21:56), James Godfrey (22:29), Frances Stanton (26:42), Helen Giffin (29:29), Sheila Leavy (38:18)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (23:23)

Valentines: Darren Matussa (21:06)

Warwick Race Course: David Edwards (22:19)