Squirrels in flying form at Hitchin 10k

Twenty nine North Herts Road Runners headed to compete in the brilliant local Hitchin 10k which played host to this year's Hertfordshire County Championship. They put in a smashing team effort with both male and female teams taking both first and third podium spots.

Sophie Thrussell, Rhia Botha and Karen Townsend formed the gold medal winning women's team. Karen was delighted with her result, as it was her first run since becoming a mum just ten weeks ago! Astrid McKeown, Tracy Pitcairn and Rhiannon Brooks raced well to claim the bronze county female team medal.  Ben Hadman led the male team to the male county title, supported by Shaun Allin in a PB time, Steve McKeown and David Edwards. 

​The male third placed county team was led by Ian Datlen, who just 2 weeks after his London marathon PB paced Natalie Phillips to achieve a massive 10k best time. Ian was followed home by Simon Clapham, Andrew Wallis and Richard Barker. Ladies team captain Natalie Phillips reported the "Weather was sunny and warm, with beautiful blue skies, marshals were friendly. Club members offered each other plenty of support, including Ian Datlen who helped me achieve a (even better than I had hoped for) PB!"

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Ben Hadman  34:20:00
Shaun Allin  38:54:00
Sophie Thrussell  41:34:00
Steve Mckeown  41:36:00
Rhia Botha  42:21:00
David Edwards  42:27:00
Karen Townsend  43:00:00
Astrid Mckeown  43:25:00
Tracy Pitcairn  45:44:00
Caroline Thrussell  46:41:00
Natalie Phillips  46:52:00
Ian Datlen  46:53:00
Simon Clapham  47:06:00
Andrew Wallis  47:53:00
​Ellie Frid  50:18:00

Tom Kingham  51:51:00
Richard Barker  54:29:00
Rhiannon Brooks  54:59:00
James Godfrey  55:26:00
Frances Stanton  55:26:00
Andrew Robson  58:29:00
Meyrick Jenkins  01:01:19
Jeff Salter  01:01:37
Philip Flack  01:02:31
Alan Hazlehurst  01:05:05
Georgia Barker  01:05:37
Andreea Weisl-Shaw  01:05:38
Ian Sutcliffe  01:07:17
Sharon French  01:10:07

Run to the sea Brighton 50k Ultra
Laurie Scott headed south for his first Ultra marathon. The multi-terrain route from Horsham to Brighton seafront was a great introduction to the world of ultras.  A beautiful slightly downhill first 25k then a very hilly next 20k across the beautiful South Downs and a “sprint” downhill to the sea front.

​Laurie managed to get home in 6hrs 45 min and 19 secs and says ‘he was extremely pleased after spraining both ankles (walking the dog on 2 separate occasions 4 weeks out!) and that it was a real well organised beautiful run with my Italian colleague, highly recommended to anyone wanting to try an ultra and a free 99 at the end of the run!’

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Milton Keynes Marathon madness
Rachel Arnott was back in marathon action just two weeks after her club record and personal best time at the London Marathon. She stormed round in a speedy 3:19:46 much to the astonishment of her clubmates, as some are still on light running duties post marathon! Running in the Half Marathon event was Dave Braybrook who finished in 1:57:36. 

First Saturday of the month 5k
Saturday morning North Herts Road Runners hosted their FSOTM 5k on Norton common. The mud was back and made for some fun conditions. First home for the club was Tom Webb and first lady was Katie Harbon. Our next event is on June 1st and hopefully the course will be dry!
​Full result list.

1: Tom Webb (19:54)
3: Nathaniel Rosa (20:39)
4: Michael Over (20:41)
5: James Keogh (20:44)
6: Oliver Babik (21:34)
8: Oliver White (22:1)
9: Katie Harbon (22:12)
11: John Auld (22:57)
14: Matt Ankers (24:20)

18: Caroline Thrussell (25:34)
​20: Dave Braybrook (25:43)
21: James Dalton (25:49)
22: Andrew Coates (25:50)
23: James Berry (26:10)
25: Rhia Botha (26:45)
26: Natalie Phillips (27:28)
28: Jennie Fraser (27:51)
​30: Alice Noakes (28:40)

​33: Linda Aird (30:40)
35: Lucy Hurley (30:56)
36: Helen Ankers (31:16)
40: Helen Nuttall (32:3)
42: Karen Shaw (32:38)
43: Helen Giffin (32:56)
45: Amanda Greig (34:18)
46: Sue Boys (46:49)
47: Jon Boys (46:49)

Parkrun Roundup

Bedford: James Godfrey (25:23), Frances Stanton (27:47)

Flegg High: Richard Harbon (24:42), Jo Harbon (30:42)

Great Denham: Peter Sibbett (22:26), Richard Barker (24:04), Scott Reed (27:26)

Harlow: Darren Matussa (20:42)
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Henlow Bridge Lakes: Rhiannon Brooks (34:37)

Letchworth: Nick Walker (27:43), Steve Brenton (28:41), James Poulton (33:05)

Lowestoft: Ellie Scott (29:23)

Northala Fields: Kris Whitmore (21:04)

Stevenage: Chris Stokes (21:44), Jon Hunt (23:10)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:26)

Weymouth: Natalie Lawrence (18:19)
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Workington: Tom Barclay (16:52)