Squirrels superb at Manchester Marathon

A 12-strong North Herts Road Runners turned in a series of superb performances at the Manchester Marathon.  The potential for fast times on a flat course has made the event increasingly popular in recent years and the Squirrels had been training hard to make the most of the opportunity.
 
Tom Barclay led the way with an outstanding 11th place out of 21,000 finishers in a scorching time of 2:33:22. Ben Sewell was close behind in 2:42:14 and Shaun Allin said he ‘couldn’t be happier with a massive personal best’ of 3:07:50, despite ‘paying the price at 22 miles’ for attempting a sub-3 hour pace in the earlier stages.
 
Rhia Botha recorded a 10-minute PB with 3:16:11, even after ‘really struggling’ in the last 5km. She said ‘the NHRR support along the route was amazing, and seeing my coaches around the 10-mile and 23-mile spots made the world of difference’.
 
Helen Nuttall was on pacing duties for husband Steve – until ‘he decided at 21.5 miles he wanted some peace and quiet, so told me to run ahead to the finish!’ Helen finished in 3:50:56, with Steve crossing the line in 4:03:48.

​Tom Barclay                2:33:22
Ben Sewell                   2:42:14
Rob Jowett                  2:51:14
Shaun Allin                  3:07:50
Rhia Botha                   3:16:11
Mike Phillips                3:28:57
Alice Carty                   3:32:57
Ben Ryan                      3:36:33
Helen Nuttall              3:50:56
John Auld                     3:57:26
Ian Harvey                   4:00:44
Steve Nuttall               4:03:48
Dawn Power               4:41:32

​Flitwick 10k

Hannah Ridley was delighted to finish as second lady in a ‘massive PB’ of 42:22 at the Flitwick 10k, reporting ‘It was quite an undulating course but a good one, and the sunshine made it 10 times better’. 

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​​Parkrun round-up
This week’s outstanding Parkrun performance came courtesy of Elwyn Howell at Teignmouth in Devon. Elwyn demolished the existing Club Parkrun record for the V65 age-group, knocking 5 minutes off the previous mark with a superb time of 21:09.

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​Brierley Forest: Brian Judkins, 36:54

Bury St Edmunds: Laura Fairbanks, 26:48

Calamvale, Australia: Paula Holm, 23:04

Castle Park: Tracy Pitcairn: 23:08

Great Denham: Matt Sayers, 17:24; Barbara Sayers, 24:58
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Gunpowder Parkrun: Darren Matussa, 20:16

Haigh Woodland: Lindsay Cook, 33:27

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Natalie Phillips, 23:49; Ian Datlen, 23:50; Jennie Fraser, 25:36; Dave Braybrook, 25:37; Georgina Quayle, 26:10; Philip Flack, 29:58; Carina Quayle, 35:07

Longrun Meadow: Jim McConnell, 18:19

Millennium Country, Marston Vale: Chris Stokes, 21:03; Jon Hunt, 22:19

Milton Country: Emily Yossarian, 31:49

Stevenage: Vince Wright, 19:27; Andrew Coates, 24:35; Ellie Scott, 26:38

Stormont: Oliver Babik, 20:17

Teignmouth: Elwyn Howell, 21:05

Wimpole Estate: Richard Barker, 25:44; Matt Roberts, 26:48; Anna Greetham, 26:59; Georgia Barker, 32:21