Squirrels can climb mountains!

Andy Grudzinski headed to Romania for the Transylvanian Trail Ultra.  Advertised as a mountain ultra, they traverse the Bucegi Mountains just a two hour car journey north of Bucharest.  Andy joined the other runners at the start-line beneath Dracula's Castle in the village of Bran, ready to tackle the 50k option through the alpine scenery and mountain weather of rural Transylvania.  He crossed twisting single tracks, ancient forest trails, mountain plateaus, 50% inclines on snowy paths, rock walls towering on both sides with fixed metal cables to assist if required.  Andy battled through, accompanied by a 20 minute hail storm, with a snapped pole and a twisted ankle from the half way point to descend the thousands of meters to the finish line back at Bran Castle in 14 hours, saying he was "lucky to meet a fellow Brit" and they displayed their true ultra-spirit promising to help each other finish.

On Friday Stuart Overton raced in Hyde Park at the popular Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k, and finished sixteenth overall in 16 minutes and 58 seconds in a very competitive field.

​Elwyn Howell Ran the virtual version of the Great West Run, he finished the half marathon in 1:53:16.

Parkrun action
Great to see so many squirrels out enjoying parkrun this sunny Saturday with the bank holiday resulting in lots of parkrun tourism fun.  Phillip Flack revisited his childhood neighbourhood of Grovelands Park, North London where he was born and bred where he "used to go and play as a child/teenager’ he commented.  Phillip was delighted with his time of 27:44, saying it was ‘my best time for a couple of years.’  He also wanted to thank head coach Karen for the one to one coaching he has received since January.

Sheila Leavy’s return to running continued at Henlow Bridge lakes for her first trail parkrun since injury.  Sheila finished in 41:47 and was smiling all the way round the 2.5 lap course.  James Dalton ran a personal best time at Letchworth parkrun where he is one of the regulars, either volunteering or running most weeks.  He finished in first in 20:11.  Helen Cairns celebrated her 25th parkrun milestone at Letchworth, a day before tackling the London Ride 100!  Mike Over ran another PB of 19:44 at Stevenage and first in his age group.

Gorleston Cliffs Parkrun – Kris Whitmore 18:41

Grovelands Parkrun Enfield – Philip Flack 27:44

Leamington Parkrun – John Russell 24:54

Milton Country Parkrun – Brian Judkins 35:57

Stevenage Parkrun - Natalie Lawrence 18:53, Michael Over 19:44, Mike Phillips 21:25, Joe Dixon 21:41, Elwyn Howell 22:00, Chris Stokes 22:56, Matt Roberts 23:47, Adam Stout 27:31, Natalie Phillips 29:11
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Lowestoft Parkrun – Jon Hunt 26:46

Letchworth Parkrun - James Dalton 20:11, Steve Brenton 23:29, Richard Harbon 23:42, Helen Cairns 25:42, Paul Bowal 27:08, Katherine Hinitt 27:26, Alice Noakes 27:29, Jo Harbon 28:44, Georgina Quayle 35:13, Carina Quayle 35:14, Vanessa Rolfe 38:11

Bolberry Down Parkrun – Jane Robson 33:05
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Henlow Bridge Lakes Parkrun - Stewart Overton 17:22, James Godfrey 22:05, Dave Braybrook 22:18, James Poulton 22:59, Lucy O’Connor 24:53, Frances Stanton, 25:49, Bob Davis 27:34, Helen Giffin, 30:27, Sheila Leavy 41:47