No hibernating squirrels this week

Despite temperatures as low as 5c over the weekend, there was no hiding indoors for North Herts Runners, with a big contingent of club members taking part in a variety of events across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, London and even the US.

Chicago Marathon
On the other side of the Atlantic, Tash Pitman, Nicola Withington and Karen Townsend  took part in the iconic Chicago Marathon, which is considered one of the world’s top marathons and one of the six World Marathon Majors. Nicola finished with an outstanding PB of 04:15:59, four minutes quicker than her previous best at Paris.

​Tash brilliantly paced Nicola for a PB and finished in 04:16:07. Nicola said it was the best marathon she had ever done and that Tash was 'officially my hero', also that ‘the atmosphere, organisation and support was phenomenal.’ For Karen, this was her 10th Marathon, her 3rd World Major and she was delighted with her best time of 3:15:11 since becoming a first time Mum in February.

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Great Eastern Run
A chilly autumn day proved no obstacle to the contingent of North Herts Runners completing the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough. Starting and finishing at the Embankment, the event is a super flat and fast half marathon around Peterborough City Centre and there were some outstanding times on display. Tracy Pitcairn said that she was very happy to manage a PB of 1:38:34, while Baljeet Sandher commented that it was a second-best time half marathon time of 1:34, noting that they had been ‘blessed with some lovely autumnal sunshine towards the end’. 

​Results as follows:
Sam Coxon                          (01:11:43.6)
Elliot Jackson                     (01:17:50.3)      
Shaun Allin                          (01:21:21.3)      
Oliver Parsons                   (01:24:09.2)      
Michael Banister               (01:26:35.2)      
Baljeet  Sandher               (01:34:43.5)      
James Godfrey                  (01:36:27.2)      
Tracy Pitcairn                      (01:38:34.1)      
Eleanor Street                    (01:45:34.3)      
Meyrick Jenkins                (02:15:47.8)

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London Royal Parks Half Marathon
Elsewhere, three North Herts runners made their way to our wonderful capital to complete the iconic Royal Parks Half Marathon, winding their way through eight beautiful Royal Parks along with over 17000 other runners. Laurie Scott commented that it was a ‘beautiful cool clear day’ and & a beautiful course, which took several iconic London Landmarks such as Buckingham palace, Westminster Abbey, The Mall & Trafalgar Square. He completed the race in his third best ever time of 1:55:56, in the busiest field he had ever ran in. Results below:
 
Richard Barker                   (02:24:53)
Georgia Barker                  (02:24:53)
Laurie Scott                         (01.55.56)

Willow 10k charity run
Closer to home, two Squirrels took part in the Willow 10k, a fundraising event for the Willow Foundation, which helps young adults take much needed time out from the reality of living with serious illness. Taking place in the picturesque grounds of Hatfield House, there were two great performances on display:

​Adrian Barnett                   (00:52:51)
Nick Walker                        (01:13:31)

Tring Ridgeway
Nathaniel Rosa took on the Tring Ridgeway 2024. Nat finished 14th overall out of 497. Next year, Nat says, he will heed a fellow clubmate's advice and start at the front row, as there is no overtaking opportunity for a kilometer-long section near the beginning. Nat described the run as fantastically fun, quite technical and unforgiving, hilly terrain that in sections demanded sustained, absolute attention - which he really enjoyed.

Parkrun
Bev Rimmer continued her Parkrun tour of the East of England, with a trip to Coldham Common in Cambridge. Despite what she described as ‘Arctic conditions’ she said that she had ‘stoically faced 2 laps of the fields, avoiding hazards of rabbit holes, tree roots, and two awkwardly-pitched tents at the side of the route’, finishing in an excellent 00:31:26.

Other results are as follows:-

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Amsterdamse Bos: Darren Matussa (22:34)

Blickling: Georgina Quayle (29:49), Carina Quayle (36:52)

Dunstable Downs: Chris Stokes (22:17)

Letchworth: Matthew Sayers (19:22), Daniel Mallett (22:40), James Dalton (23:13), Rhiannon Botha (26:05), Laura Fairbanks (26:05), Ian Datlen (26:07), Dervla Downing (28:56), Jennie Fraser (29:19), Michelle Grudzinski (29:30), Lucy Hurley (29:31), Andrew Grudzinski (30:06), Hannah Bloomfield (30:42)

Norwich: Chloe Lucas (22:16), Lindsey Lucas (36:08)

Rickmansworth: Kris Whitmore (19:15)

Stevenage: Michael Over (21:20), Richard Barker (22:59), Daniel Wrigley (23:05), Natalie Phillips (24:29), Andrew Coates (26:30), James Poulton (28:03), Ellie Scott (29:30)

Storeys Field: Joseph Barker-sherry (29:03)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (21:52)

Westmill: Anna Greetham (25:39), Matt Roberts (25:40)

Woodley: Jon Hunt (23:00)