Soaking Squirrels and a Drenched Dog

North Herts Road Runners were well represented at a very wet Perkins Great Eastern Half Marathon through the centre of Peterborough. Despite the weather, in a competitive race incorporating area championships, the Squirrels put in some stunning performances: Andrew Leach finished in 25th in a new V50 course record of 71:59. He was followed by Darren Sunter in 30th with a London Championship qualifying time of 73:25 and a PB and Adam Bowller with a sub 3 minute PB was just 1s behind in 31st with 73:26. Also setting a PB in 69th was Matt Sayers stopping the clock at 76:13. Stewart Overton again smashed the 80 min barrier with 78:57 and John Rayner ran 83:40. V50 Lee Hayes set a PB of 87:46 followed by Niccolo Bassini 92:07, Martyn Annetts 95:02, John Auld 96:00, Suzy Trott 97:45, James Drew 1:38:09 and Luke Callan 1:56:28. 

Tom Webb finished 8th overall at the ITU World Championship qualifying event for the Standard Distance Duathlon at Bedford Autodrome. Tom finished the 10k run, 40k bike and 5k Run in 1:56:29 and has qualified for the world championships in Spain in 2019.

Ed Price and Lindsay Cook ran in the Manchester half marathon. Ed finished in 1:15:40 on a great (flat) course, with really good support throughout. Lindsay surprised herself by finishing in 2:13:53, her best time for a couple of years. Lindsay said,“After doing lots of cycling and swimming this summer and not much running I didn't feel very confident and was expecting around 2:30 but once I got going I felt strong, despite it being very wet.”

In another half marathon, this time at the Royal Parks in London in the pouring rain, Jim Marvell ran his first full race since an accident last year. Expecting to finish in 3 hours, hoping for 2:45, Jim actually finished in 2:30:26 with a negative split (faster second half)! So far he has raised over £1000 for Alzheimer's Research.

Lucy O’Connor and Miranda Morgan ran the challenging Ridgeway 15km Trail Run in the scenic Chilterns Hills. Lucy said, “Despite the drenching rain, glorious & slippery mud, dodging rabbit holes and those HILLS, we both thoroughly enjoyed it.” Lucy crossed the finish line in 1:26:23 (4th VF55) and Miranda in 1:40:20 (12th VF55).

Three Squirrels and a dog ran at the Hatfield House 10K. It was a lovely course around the grounds of Hatfield park in the relentless rain, but was lots of fun! Helen Marson-Smith ran the distance for the first time, finishing in 1:08:29. Lindsey Lucas nearly pulled out when she woke to the rain, thinking that having to keep her hearing aids dry would make a valid excuse but realised that would be letting her disability win! Linsey stormed across the line in 1:17:38. Jillian Boys also ran the race and canicrossed with her pooch Lulu. It was Lulu’s first ever race and she was a little superstar. Jillian and Lulu finished 2nd canicross with a time of 52:47.

David Annetts competed in the Enfield Race Walking League, 5 Mile race at Picketts Lock. In unseasonably warm and windy weather on quiet roads David continued his stunning performances, finishing 1st in 40:37.

Finally, the Squirrels were also present, as usual, at local parkruns: in Letchworth, Ian Datlen finished 5th (22:11); James Dalton was 6th (22:12); Jillian Boys was 21st (2nd lady) (25:24); Jennie Fraser finished 39th (27:31); Ellie Scott was 42nd (27:51); Naomi Parkinson was 43rd (27:52); Bob Davies was 43rd (29:49) and Brian Bailey was 53rd (32:11). In Stevenage Dervla Downing finished 2nd lady (23:34); Helen Giffin was 184th (31:13) and Pat Norris was 205th (32:29). At the Pocket Parkrun in St Neots, Chris Poole finished 35th in 23:18