Squirrels Shine: Success at St Neots’ Half and Shillington Shuffle

The past week has been another great week for our squirrels: a week full of fantastic performances, inspiring comebacks, and plenty of camaraderie. Here’s a roundup of where our members have been showcasing their grit and determination.

St Neots Half Marathon: Strong Runs and Sunshine
The annual St Neots Half Marathon drew 16 NHRR runners to the rolling hills of Cambridgeshire, with blue skies and a downhill finish making it a day to remember. The course, famous for its undulations, challenged legs and lungs alike, but our members rose to the occasion.
 
Leading the club pack, Helen Nuttall stormed through in 1:34:09, securing 8th place in the FV35 category and celebrating her fastest half marathon in eight years. Lucy O’Connor, returning after injury, was thrilled to complete the race in 1:54:23, just two minutes off her course PB from 2021 and earning 10th in FV55-64. Caroline Thrussell put in a fantastic run, taking 4th in FV55 with 1:47:12.
 
The support and teamwork on the day were as strong as ever. Richard Barker paced Meyrick around the course, while Tash Pitman and Helen Cairns crossed the line side by side in 1:48:41. With smiles all round at the downhill finish, it was a memorable day for the club.
 
Full results from St Neots:
Helen Nuttall: 1:34:09
Caroline Thrussell: 1:47:12
Jane Clarke: 1:48:40
Tash Pitman & Helen Cairns: 1:48:41
Dave Braybrook: 1:49:35
Damian Christou: 1:53:23
Lucy O’Connor: 1:54:23
Nick Walker: 1:54:44
Adrian Barnett: 2:01:43
Dawn Power: 2:04:43
Hannah Keeble: 2:14:05
Keith Swain: 2:23:51
Caroline Nobbs: 2:38:15

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Trail Adventures: Exploring the Great Outdoors
 For those who prefer their running routes a little wilder, it was all about the trails this week.
Sue Foot tackled the Shillington Shuffle Trail Marathon, a self-navigated course that started and finished in Barton-le-Clay. With perfect weather and solid ground underfoot, Sue enjoyed scenic countryside and conquered the many ploughed fields along the way.

Parkrun Roundup

Chipping Norton School: Anna Greetham (25:04), Matt Roberts (25:04)

Coldhams Common: Georgina Quayle (28:22)

Greenpoint: Julie Taylor (33:04)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Richard Harbon (25:13), Andrew Coates (27:18), Jo Harbon (29:41)

Letchworth: Paul Jackson (18:31), Matthew Sayers (19:25), Oliver Babik (20:17), James Dalton (22:32), Steve Brenton (25:31), Dervla Downing (30:21), Jennie Fraser (30:22), Jane Clarke (31:09), Helen Cairns (31:10)

Mersea Island: Laura Fairbanks (23:53)

Millennium Country: Frances Stanton (27:58), James Godfrey (28:05)

Milton Country: Brian Judkins (37:25)

Nonsuch: Philippa Hardcastle (28:57)

Norwich: Ellie Scott (30:02)

Rushmere: Emily Yossarian (32:26)

Simmons Park: Elwyn Howell (22:28)
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Stevenage: Ben Sewell (20:55), Tom Barclay (20:55), Chris Stokes (21:11), Daniel Wrigley (22:43), Jon Hunt (23:48), Sophie Thrussell (24:22), Emma Sandham (27:54), Sharon French (31:31), Tracey Mccreath (32:48), Ravina Siddall (34:30), Sheila Leavy (39:06)

Stratford Park: Kris Whitmore (21:59)

Wimpole Estate: Lucy Hurley (28:59)