Track Success and Age Group Victories

NHRR at Hitchin 5k

Wednesday night saw the conclusion of the Hatfield 5K series with twenty-two squirrels scurrying down the A1M to compete in the third and final race. Mark Vaughan was first home for the club in 4th place in a time of 16:41 with Rhia Botha leading the ladies home in 21:16. Trophies were awarded for the overall series with Caroline Thrussell winning the V55 category and Dervla Downing and Pete Sibbett both coming third in their respective age groups.

Also running in Hatfield were:
John Auld, 18:11; Peter Sibbett, 18:43; Adrian Sherwood, 19:19; James Keogh, 19:22; Ian Datlen, 20:09; Neil Jefferson, 21:14; Kevin Browne, 21:17; Caroline Thrussell, 21:46; Chris Poole, 22:01; Dervla Downing, 22:34; Kat Gourd, 22:40 (PB); Harry Agius, 24:21; Geoff Murray-Rochard, 24:37; Lewina Agius, 25:39; Sue Vaughan, Andrew Porter, 27:35; Hannah Keeble, 27:17; Carina Quayle, 29:48; Clare Hooley, 35:06 and Ian Sutcliffe, 38:02.

Ed Price, Nathan Pask and Stewart Overton travelled to Sandy for the Biggleswade AC open meet and their last track race of the year. They shared the workload on a windy day, before breaking away to secure a North Herts 1, 2, 3 in the 5000m. Nathan Pask, 16:32; Ed Price, 16:37; Stewart Overton, 16:45.

Eighteen Squirrels supported the Hitchin Town Centre 5KM with many taking away silverware, Jo Harbon and Ian Sutcliffe both won their age categories with Natalie Lawrence and Lucy O’Connor coming second in theirs and Christian Allen and Richard Harbon, third. Sutcliffe (1st V70), was grateful that the rain stopped before the race, to enable him to enjoy this two lap course. Thankfully Sutcliffe remembered that this was a two lap course, having inadvertently added on a third lap to Wednesday night’s Hatfield 5K, which he blames on feeling good and having a senior moment!

Full Hitchin Results;
Natalie Lawrence, 19:28; James Dalton, 20:30; David Weston, 20:55; Richard Harbon, 20:59; Christian Allen 21:05; Andrew Underhill, 21:28; Stuart Cocks, 22:32; Katherine Gourd, 23:05; Jo Harbon, 24:37; Lucy O’Connor, 24:52; Russell Hagan, 26:47; Sue Vaughan, 27:31; Ian Sutcliffe, 27:36; Philip Flack, 27:42; Hailey Batson, 30:37; Brian Judkins 32:32; Geoff Pettengell, 34:59, Sheila Leavy, 42:24.

Helen Harbon and Matt Ankers chose the more rural based Clifton Farm Run 5K. It was very wet and windy, but they enjoyed it nonetheless and Matt completed the run in 24:28 and Helen finished just behind him in 25:20.

Niccolò Bassani flew to Germany to compete in the BMW Berlin Marathon. The conditions saw gusts of wind and relentless rain for the last 11 miles which meant a slower last 3 miles as Bassani negotiated puddles! Despite such conditions and limited training, Bassani completed the course in 03:31:44.

Jo Summers ran the Ely Tri Runfest Marathon, describing it as “a lovely, flat, out and back run, vaguely following the river Ouse”. She suffered the headwind on the way out and enjoyed the tailwind on the return. Summers finished in a fantastic 3.51 and was 4th lady overall.

Andrew Robson competed in the third and last of the year, Bedford Tri-Crazy series. Despite the wet and windy weather conditions not being conducive to a record time, Robson achieved 6th overall for the series in his age group

In race-walking news, David Annetts competed in the Enfield League One Hour Race Walk. Thankful for the wet weather providing cool conditions, Annetts was second in the race with a new pb of covering 12489m in the hour.
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As always, NHRR were strongly represented in the local Parkruns;
Letchworth
James DALTON, 21:58; 22.15; Steve BRENTON, 23:45; Andrew COATES, 24:22; Katherine GOURD, 24:33; Dave BRAYBROOK 26:54; Carl GOODRUM, 28:02; Brian BAILEY, 30:37; Carol GOODRUM, 35:14
Stevenage
Darren MATUSSA, 19:38; Andrew UNDEHILL, 21:55; Chris POOLE, 23:02; Lucy O’CONNOR, 24:01; Elwyn HOWELL, 27:22; Helen GIFFEN, 32:22; Jane CLARKE, 32:24; Patrick NORRIS, 33:26; Sarah MITCHERSON, 36:52.
Chelmsford
Ian DATLEN, 19:52
Norwich
Ellie SCOTT, 26:49
Wimpole
Jillian BOYS, 24:36; Lucy HURLEY 28:08; Naomi PARKINSON, 28:08
Dunstable Downs
Brian JUDKINS, 35:35