Webb wins county champs

​​North Herts Road Runners’ Tom Webb was crowned Herts county 5 mile champ on Sunday at the Hatfield 5 with ladies captain Tash Pitman also enjoying a cracking race to shave just 1s off the club V45 record with her 32.44 clocking.
 
Despite the biting cold temperatures, a team of 18 hardy squirrels ventured south down the A1 to compete in this fast, flat and scenic race.  The bitter wind saw runners kitted out in hats, buffs and gloves but despite the extra layers some great running ensued with Tom Webb battling to the finish line in a sprint finish with Jed Noblett from Luton AC.  Jed finishing 1st in 25:53 with Tom close behind in 26.03. With over 500 finishers several members were delighted to achieve notable age group placings: Mark Vaughan 27.46 1st V50, Tash Pitman 32.44 1st FV45, Matt Sayers, 28.00 2nd V40, Nick Malpeli 29.26 2nd V50, Lucy O’Connor 39.16 2nd FV60 and Elwyn Howell 35.51 3rd V60. With Ian Sutcliffe setting a new club record for the male veteran 75 age group of 48.25 the squirrels truly showed that running is an enjoyable sport for all ages,
Full results:
Thomas Webb 26:03, Mark Vaughan 27:46, Matt Sayers 28:00, Nicholas Malpelli 29:26, John Auld 29:41, James Keogh 32:14, Ian Datlen 32:12, Tash Pitman 32:44, Shaun Allin 34:31, Dave Braybrook 35:01, Elwyn Howell 35:51, Lucy O'Connor 39:16, Karen Dodsworth 44:48, Philip Flack 47:00, Ian Sutcliffe 48:25, Hailey Batson 49:01, Jo Kenlin 1:17:09
 
Also competing over 5M was NHRR’s top V55 Andrew Leach who took on the challenge of the Wolverton 5 in Milton Keynes.  Andrew ran 27.04 to equal his V55 club record and leap to the top of the age group national rankings.
 
Opting for the longer distance of 10M Anna Greetham, 76.21, Matt Roberts, 75.12, and Steve Brenton, 75.58, all recorded personal best times at the Bass Bell 10 in Bassingbourne. 
 
Slightly further away and weathering possibly the coldest wind of the day Geoff Murray-Rochard clocked a bracing 63 minutes at the Southwold 10k.
 
There was also plenty of 5k action with Stewart Overton recording 16.49 when racing the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k.  John Auld went over to Stevenage Park Run on Saturday to meet one of his favourite running You Tubers, Fordy.  John said, ‘I was intending to take it easy but got carried away in all the excitement and finished 2nd in 19.05!’  Also enjoying park runs were Darren Matussa, 3rd at GunPowder in 19.39, Paul Holm 24.07 at Hove promenade, Pete Sibbett 21.41 at Great Denham, Jillian Boys 26.52 at Henlow Lakes and at Letchworth James Dalton 21.41, Helen Anjers 24.29, Steve Brentom 24.54, Matt Ankers 25.00, Ian Harvey 25.03 and Chloe Lucas 25.13. 

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