Mothers Day Marathon Prep

​With spring marathons looming on the horizon, a lot of North Herts Road Runners are increasing their mileage and taking part in longer distance races of half marathons and 20 milers. The NHRR ladies certainly delivered some female inspiration on the weekend of International Women’s Day and Mothers Day. 

​On Saturday Paula Holm travelled solo down to Battersea to take part in the Half Marathon. A beautiful Spring morning, sunny and dry made for perfect running conditions which saw her clock her second fastest ever half marathon of 1:35:21, narrowly missing a PB by 16 seconds. 

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​Fresh from her superb Cambridge Half Marathon 6 days previously Katie Harbon was the first runner to cross the line at the notoriously challenging Letchworth Parkrun in an impressive 19:37.

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Running conditions were not quite as favourable for those out on Sunday but four NHRR ladies headed up the A1 to scenic Stamford to run the Burghley 7 (miles) which starts and finishes in the very beautiful Burghley Estate and runs through the architecturally magnificent town of Stamford. Linda Aird came 2nd in her age category, Lucy O’Connor had an unfortunate mishap which exacerbated a pre-existing injury while perching precariously on a portaloo five minutes before the race started, but still managed to complete the course. Also receiving the ‘very nice medal’ for this event were Miranda Morgan and Jo Kenlin. It was a shame that it was so wet but otherwise the ladies said they would definitely recommend the Burghley 7. 

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​Rachel Arnott ran the Oundle 20 Mile race as a Mother’s Day gift to herself and managed to secure a PB and first place in her age category in a time of 2:27:46, almost 5min faster than her previous attempt at this course. She described it is as ‘a fun run, dodging puddles and potholes while enjoying the countryside views.’

​It wasn’t all about the women on Sunday, as the cold, wet morning didn’t deter Elwyn Howell who returned from a Caribbean cruise to run the Bideford half marathon in a Time of 1:42:36 to record his second fastest time for a half.

​Weekly Parkrun Roundup

​Barclay: Tim Banting (27:50)

Berkeley Green: Lorna Chambers (28:18)

Letchworth: Katie Harbon (19:37), Chloe Lucas (23:31), James Dalton (23:56), Steve Brenton (23:59), Viv Lucas (27:22), Dervla Downing (29:32), Alice Noakes (29:35), Philip Flack (32:55), Julie Taylor (33:36), Laura Fairbanks (34:51)

Luton Wardown: Meyrick Jenkins (30:38)

Milton Country: Brian Judkins (37:19)

Oakhill: James Godfrey (29:48), Frances Stanton (29:50)

​Panshanger: Matt Ankers (23:40), Helen Harbon (30:46)
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Stevenage: Mike Phillips (20:02), Michael Over (20:06), Chris Stokes (20:47), Natalie Phillips (22:42), Ben Sewell (23:13), Tom Barclay (23:13), Andrew Coates (23:33), Christian Allen (24:27), Sophie Thrussell (25:44), Emma Sandham (25:45), Ellie Scott (28:52), Sheila Leavy (39:39)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:43)

Victoria Dock: Richard Harbon (21:55), Jon Hunt (22:04), Jo Harbon (27:59)