Squirrels Storm Stopsley!

Forty six North Herts Road Runners stormed to victory in the team competition on Sunday in the fourth race of the five series Three Counties Cross Country League. This race was hosted by Stopsley Striders on a notoriously hilly course in the beautiful countryside to the north of Luton and included a section of the historic Icknield Way. However the course is not without its challenges with the final hill one of the most feared ascents in the league, and coming at the end of the race, some runners commented "felt like cement had been poured into my legs, just couldn't pick them up"!

The team needed a great performance to give them a chance of winning the league title for a fourth consecutive year at the final race in Dunstable next month and they did not disappoint. Both women's and men's teams displayed strong racing, with the women's team finishing first, well ahead of second placed Bedford Harriers. The men's team were just pipped to second place by Rugby and Northampton Athletic Club.

In the women's event Katie Harbon crossed the line with a clear lead and this has guaranteed she will be crowned League Champion for a second year. Rhia Botha had her best cross country race to date and finished fourth overall, first female 35-39 and also looks set to win her age group in the league. Other notable age group performances came from: Caroline Thrussell first female 60-64; Hannah Ridley second female 25-29 and Astrid McKeown second female 50-54.
 
In the men's event Tom Webb was third overall and first in his 35-39 age group. Other great age group performances from: Andrew Leach first 55-59; Rob Jowett second 30-34 and Pete Sibbett second 60-64.

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​3, Tom Webb (1 M35-39)
11, Andrew Leach (1 M55-59)
13, Rob Jowett (2 M30-34)
21, Matt Sayers (3 M45-49)
25, Katie Harbon (1 F25-29)
26, Rob Harris 
27, Vince Wright 
38, Mike Bannister 
43, Ian Datlen (3 M50-54)
60, Elliot Jackson 
61, Will Harrison 
62, Rhia Botha (1 F35-39)
64, Oliver Parsons 
65, Michael Philips 
77, Adrian Sherwood 
78, Natasha Pitman (3 F45-49)

79, James Walsh 
​85, John Auld 
95, Hannah Ridley (2 F25-29)
100, Astrid Mckeown(2 F50-54)
106, Jane Clarke 
114, Peter Sibbett (2 M60-64)
121, Jack Smissaert 
137, Balljeet Sandher 
150, Paula Adams 
151, Simom Clapham 
163, Caroline Thrussell (1 F60-64)
167, Richard Harbon 
178, Natalie Philips 
210, Helen Cairns 
218, Georga Head (3 F20-24)

231, Andrew Coates 
​254, Laurie Scott 
​269, Lucy O'Connor 
288, Rhiannon Brooks 
289, Dawn Power 
291, Jo Harbon 
300, Jane Molloy 
308, Helen Ankers 
313, Hannah Keeble 
321, Linda Aird (3 F65-69)
340, Bev Rimmer 
355, Lindsay Cook 
369, Miranda Morgan 
379, Andrew Robson 
400, Brian Judkins

Parkrun roundup
28 Squirrels in action at 7 different parkruns:

​Barry Island: Georgina Quayle (25:51)

Houghton Hall: Kris Whitmore (19:26)

Irchester Country: Jon Hunt (22:49), Richard Harbon (23:17)

Letchworth: Katie Harbon (25:12), James Dalton (25:48), Steve Brenton (30:39), Jo Harbon (31:10), Helen Harbon (32:07), Lucy Hurley (32:16), Philip Flack (35:38), Aimee Flack (37:34)

Longrun Meadow: Jim Mcconnel (20:04)

Stevenage: Chris Stokes (20:07), Emma Sandham (21:50), Ben Sewell (21:51), Mike Phillips (22:35), Natalie Phillips (22:39), Andrew Coates (24:12), Sophie Thrussell (24:12), Laura Fairbanks (24:39), James Poulton (25:18), Jane Clarke (28:36), Helen Cairns (28:38), Helen Giffin (31:33), Amanda Greig (31:59), Emily Yossarian (34:35)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (24:58)