Race Report week ending 12 March

John Auld

Two NHRR members were chosen to represent the county at the Intercounties XC Championships held in Loughborough.  Andrew Leach and Mark Vaughn finished in 42:28 and 44:34 respectively seeing Hertfordshire finish in 21st position.
 
With marathon season upon us three squirrels competed in the Finchley 20M.  Enjoying good racing conditions, they all saw excellent finish times.  Rob Harris finished in 2:02:39 in 18th place and 3rd in county, John Auld completed the course in 2:16:39 64th place and 9th in county and Helen Nuttall finished in 2:31:27 336th place 2nd in the county and 1st FV35.
 
Sue Foot travelled to Amersham to take part in the Humanity Direct 31 mile Ultra race.  The route took her through the Chilterns, following the South Bucks Way and Chess Way.  Sue finished the course in 6 hours and 5 minutes.
 
Jeni Spurr-Jones took part in the Silverstone Half Marathon.  The route, which was on the world famous race track saw Jeni set a new PB by 9 minutes, finishing in 2:10:53.
 
Jo Summers went to Essex for the Thaxted Trail Marathon.  The 27.5 mile course took her through beautiful scenery and several fields and she finished in 4 hours 43 minutes.
 
Michelle Grudzinski ran the Thames Meander Marathon which took her along, and at one point, through the river.  The course started and finished in Richmond, taking her to Putney and back.  Michelle completed the course in 5 hours and 5 minutes.
 
Several squirrels ran Parkruns.  Stevenage saw the most runners from the club.  Finishing in fourth overall was James Keogh 19.03, followed by Vince Wright 19.22, Peter Sibbett 20.02, Ellie Scott who was second lady to finish, secured a PB with 22.27, followed by Chloe Lucas who was third lady in 22.52.  Also running the course around Fairlands Lake was Claire O'Sullivan 24.03; Oliver Garbas 24.35; Naomi Parkinson 25.08; Bob Davis 25:29; Paul Bowal 27.19; Richard Fox 28:35; Lindsay Cook 29.00; Helen Giffin 30.07 and Brian Judkins 31:44.  Joseph Sherry travelled to Newcastle where he completed the 5K course in 22.27 and Chris Poole ran in Ipswich, a course he completed in 22.43.

---