Super Sunday at Standalone

North Herts Road Runners put on a great weekend of racing with a record number of entries at this year’s Standalone 10k. The club’s flagship event attracted runners of all abilities who enjoyed the races superb organisation and plenty of local support as they navigated their way around the course. The autumn sunshine bought out hundreds of spectators and created the perfect conditions for runners and some fast finishing times.

At the front end of the race only eight seconds separated the top three finishes. James Bellward of Bedford and County won the race in 31.44 followed by club mate Jonathan Janes in 31.48 with North Herts Road Runner David Wardle 3rd in 31.52. First lady home was Lizzy Janes from Herts Phoenix in 36.22, then Kirstie Sharman of Bedford Harriers in 39.20 and 3rd lady was Katie Harbon from North Herts Road Runners in 39.42.

Katie Harbon’s impressive time also help to secure the ladies overall team prize for North Herts Road Runners with fellow team mates Helen Nuttall 40.40, Kat Burr 43.39 and Paula Adams 43.52 while the men’s team prize went to Bedford and County. This year saw the introduction of a local schools’ competition with the winning team of Joey Harrison 38.44, Jake Miles 40.07 and Tom McClynmont 42.04 coming from St Christopher School in Letchworth.

This year’s race also hosted the Herts County Veterans Championships which produced some brilliant racing in the older age categories. North Herts Road Runners were successful in securing gold in both the men’s and women’s team event.  Making up the successful men’s team were David Wardle, Mark Vaughan, Nick Malpeli, and Darren Matussa. Wardle and Vaughan were also 1st and 2nd respectively in the MV40 competition with Nick Malpeli’s time of 36.57 securing him gold in the MV50 category. The women’s team of Helen Nuttall, Kat Burr and Paula Adams also won individual medals. North Herts Road Runners took a clean sweep of the LV35 category with Helen Nuttall taking gold, Kat Burr silver and Barbara Sayers bronze while Paula Adams took bronze in the LV45 competition.

Other finishers for the club were Andy Mutton 34.53, Simon Poole 39.44, Kieran Rayner 42.11, Dan Williams 43.39, Hannah Fisher 47.13, Luke Callan 50.13, Sarah Millhouse 54.55, Gina Joseph 56.36, Shiela Leavy 1.00.07, Victoria Adams 1.02.28, Rebecca Finch 1.03.31. Whilst a huge number of other club members were out marshalling or taking on other roles to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.
Once again Standalone 10k has proved to be a major event in the local running calendar attracting some seriously competitive runners along with many more local runners testing themselves over the distance and others taking on the challenge for the first time. The children’s fun run after the main race was the highpoint for many of the young spectators inspiring the next generation of Standalone 10kers.
Thanks to everyone who took part, our sponsors and local residences for their patience and understanding regarding the road closures in operation on Sunday morning.

Saturday saw 54 runners enjoying the early morning sunshine on Norton Common for the First Saturday of the Month 5k. James Keogh finished 3rd and was first NHRR to cross the line in a time of 19.48, First Lady home was NHRR Ellie Scott in 23.50. Other finishes included Richard Harbon 20.20, John Copper 22.05, Stephen Lummis 22.56, Linda Aird 27.38, Petra Grosse-Hull 27.56, Helen Griffin 29.15, Adam Wilson 29.32 and Phil Hunt in 33.37.

Distance runner Jo Summers put her map reading skills to good use as she navigated the 26.2 miles of the Great Barrow Autumn Challenge in 4.09.
North Herts Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday, 7.15 pm, at Spirella Building Letchworth new members are always welcome.