PBs, Podiums and Parkrun Galore

It’s been a packed and triumphant week for the North Herts Road Runners, with stand-out performances at the Hitchin 10k, midweek track exploits at the Resolution 5000, and squirrels spotted across Parkruns and the club’s own First Saturday of the Month 5k.

Hitchin 10k – County Glory for the Squirrels
A big turnout from the club made for a fantastic morning at the Hitchin 10k, which also hosted the Hertfordshire County Veterans 10k Championships. The squirrels brought home multiple medals and team trophies, showing strength in depth and brilliant teamwork.

Tracy Pitcairn had an outstanding run, securing a new 10k personal best of 41:26 and claiming 1st place in the VW40 category, 2nd in VW35 County Vets, and County Vets Team Gold alongside Rhia Botha (41:31) and Kat Burr(47:42). Rhia herself was just two seconds ahead of Tracy, running the race as part of a longer 20k effort and helping the NHRR ladies clinch County Team Gold.

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The men also brought home hardware, with the team of Kris Whitmore (38:25), Michael Over (40:58), David Edwards (42:18) and David Brewer (42:26) earning County Team Bronze. Kris had a stellar day, finishing in 38:23 and picking up silver in the County V50 category, as well as a can of beer from the ever-supportive Bubbleworks crew on Hermitage Road!

Track Success at the Resolution 5000
Earlier in the week, several squirrels took to the track at the Resolution 5000 in Stevenage. Rhia Botha stormed to victory in the women’s race with a time of 19:39, while Kris Whitmore bagged 9th in the final race with a strong 18:38. Alongside Ben Hadman and Mike Bannister, they formed the winning NHRR team, showing once again that squirrels thrive on all terrains!

First Saturday of the Month

​1: James Keogh (20:6)
2: Michael Over (20:55)
5: John Auld (21:34)
6: Mike Phillips (22:18)
7: Ian Datlen (22:23)
10: James Dalton (23:35)

11: Adrian Sherwood (23:41)
12: Natalie Phillips (23:50)
13: Caroline Thrussell (24:59)
16: Viv Lucas (26:54)
​17: Lucy O'Connor (27:3)

19: Dawn Power (29:1)
22: Sue Vaughan (30:31)
24: Rob Clarke (30:48)
26: Jane Clarke (30:58)
29: Rosie King (37:52)

Parkrun Round-up – Squirrels on Tour
As always, squirrels were out in force at Saturday’s Parkruns. Notable performances include Ben Sewell and Tom Barclay flying round Cockermouth Greenway in 18:25, Matthew Sayers clocking a swift 19:09 at Castle Park, and Kris Whitmore sneaking in a cheeky 3rd place finish at Millennium Country in 18:53. From Wormwood Scrubs to Sunshine Beach, our squirrels continue to make their mark far and wide.

Full Parkrun results: 

Bug Hunter Waters: Chris Stokes (21:40), Jon Hunt (23:37)

Castle Park: Matthew Sayers (19:09), Barbara Sayers (25:13)

Cockermouth Greenway: Ben Sewell (18:25), Tom Barclay (18:25), Shaun Allin (20:15), Emma Sandham (26:06)

Coldhams Common: Georgina Quayle (23:22)

Colwick: Helen Marson-smith (39:46)

Great Denham: Peter Sibbett (21:22)

Hackney Marshes: Hannah Bloomfield (26:49)

Hasenheide: Mel Flynn (29:06)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Andrew Coates (29:19), Amanda Greig (34:03), Tim Banting (36:04)

Letchworth: John O'Gorman (24:21), Laura Fairbanks (24:46), Gregor Bowie (26:32)

Linwood: Richard Harbon (22:56)

Longrun Meadow: Jim Mcconnel (29:43)

Luton Wardown: Julia Toffa (39:31)

​Millennium Country: Kris Whitmore (18:53)

Milton Country: Joseph Barker-sherry (26:49)

Norwich: Ellie Scott (25:17)
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Panshanger: Joe Dixon (28:09)

Pegwell Bay: Chloe Lucas (21:14)

Pocket: Thomas Buzzard (20:31)

Sheringham: Daniel Wrigley (24:25)

Stevenage: Christian Allen (22:53), Carl Goodrum (34:46), Carol Goodrum (40:38)

Sunshine Beach: Bev Rimmer (31:01)

Wanstead Flats: Darren Matussa (21:58)

Wimpole Estate: David Brewer (22:01)
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Wormwood Scrubs: Tracey Palmer (32:21)