North Herts Road Runners climb up the league

Wednesday evening saw seventy six North Herts Road Runners and their loyal support crew head south on the A1 to St Albans for the second of the four 10km races in this season's 10km Midweek League series.  This race proved popular with 455 runners competing along the flat out and back tree lined Alban Way footpath, a disused railway line.  NHRR were delighted to finish second overall, behind St Albans Striders on their home turf and well ahead of Trent Park in third. The ladies were third behind St Albans  and Trent Park and the men were 2nd to St Albans. 
 
Katie Harbon won the ladies race in convincing style, followed home by Astrid Mckeown 19th, Rhia Botha 20th, Rachel Arnott 21st, Tracy Pitcairn 25th, Tash Pitman 26th, Sophie Thrussell 30th and Jane Clarke 39th.  The men packed their whole 12 man team into the top 48 to finish a stunning 2nd with St Albans Striders winning. Led by Ben Hadman 3rd and backed up by, Tom Webb 7th, Mike Roberts 10th, Andrew Leach 13th, Wayne Bell 21st, Stewart Overton 23rd, Ed Price 24th, Sam Coxon 26th, Tom Boble 33rd, Tom Barclay 41st, Ben Sewell 47th and Vince Wright 48th.  After two races the Squirrels are second in the league, siz points behind St Albans Striders, one point ahead of Orion and three points clear of Trent Park.  Head coach Karen Dodsworth commented “It's still all to run for with our next race down at Trent Park”.  Both the veteran men and ladies raced hard to finish second, behind St Albans.  NHRR vets are joint leaders overall in the vets competition, 4 points ahead of St Albans. 

Sun shines for First Saturday of the Month
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On Saturday North Herts Road Runners hosted their monthly First Saturday of the Month which is free and open to all.  The sun came out to shine just in time for the 9am start and shone down on the 79 runners who completed the scenic two lap route round Norton Common.  James Keogh was first squirrel home, finishing in 3rd.  Rhia Botha was first Lady.  It was a fantastic community event and enjoyed by all.  James Walsh took some fantastic pictures which you can see at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhrr/

Action Challenge Ultra London to Brighton 100km
On Saturday 27th May Lee Varley took part in the Action Challenge Ultra London to Brighton 100km continuous. Setting off from Richmond Deer park at 7.30am, Lee devised a game plan of a sub 18hrs finish. Little did he know it would be the hottest day of the year, so far. Having done seven of these events before, Lee knew hydration and fuel were key, especially in the first 60km.  Lee finished in the early hours of Sunday morning at 12.17am on the home straight at Brighton race course. Completing the course in a time of 16hrs 47mins, Lee was “elated to achieve a sub 17hrs”. Out of 622 finishers on the full continuous he came 149. 
 

Parkrun Roundup
Parkrun action from around the UK!

Oldham: Jo Dixon (30:44)

Milton Country: Brian Judkins (33:29)

Stevenage: Elwyn Howell (21:57), Richard Baker (23:23), Georgina Barker (29:11), Carina Quayle (31:55)

Gunpowder: Darren Matussa (20:27)
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Sheringam: Jennie Fraser (28:57) 

Longrun: Sue Vaughan (28:33)

Melksham: Peter Clarke (22:19)
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Letchworth: Philip Hawkes (25:29), Jane Robson (31:21)

Great Denham: James Poulton (23:03)

Northwich: Nick Malpeli (19:21)

Oldham Common: Georgina Quayle (25:09)

Millennium County: Kris Whitmore (18:50)

Warwick Racecourse: John Russell (24:07)

Waterakkers: Steve Brenton (22:26) ​