North Herts Road Runners sent an amazing contingent of 21 members to tackle the London Marathon and were rewarded with some superb performances while also raising valuable funds for club charity GRIT.
 
Caroline Thrussell sliced two minutes off her own age-group club record, crossing the line on The Mall in an impressive 3:46:03 to set a new mark for the 60-plus category.
 
Five Squirrels recorded times well under 3 hours, led home by Mike Roberts in a blistering 2:29:22, followed by Ben Hadman (2:33:49), Sam Coxon (2:37:38), Abdullah Muhammad Athar (2:39:53) and Ben Sewell (2:40:57)

True GRIT from Squirrels
Ian Datlen said he was ‘bruised, battered but very happy’ after completing the race in an excellent 3:00:46 despite being tripped at 21 miles – a time only slightly slower than his sub-3 clocking in the Manchester Marathon last year.
 
Danny Alden (3:57:56) and Richard Weber (4:27:15) raised nearly £1,000 between them for the Club’s charity GRIT (Growing Resilience in Teens), after receiving their places through the North Herts club’s own ballot.
 
For Danny it was ‘third time lucky on my sub-4 hour attempt. I wasn’t sure how today was going to go but honestly it was amazing. My splits were consistent the whole way and it was so lovely to hear some Squirrels cheering around the course. I can’t begin to show my gratitude to the club and for having the opportunity to run London again through the ballot place’.
 
Meanwhile Richard said ‘It was really tough. I just didn't have it in my legs today and hit the famous wall at 15 mile. It was painful and difficult, but I'm really grateful to North Herts Road Runners for allowing me the chance to run it’. 

You can do it!
Angharad Lamon comfortably beat her personal 4-hour target and said ‘After a seven-year break from social running, having two children, completing a marathon felt like an impossible task. However, after taking part in the Standalone race and joining NHRR in November, that ambition became a reality. I completed the London Marathon in 3:47:34. Thank you to everyone at North Herts who has made me believe I can do it!’
 
Georgia Barker made her marathon debut with 6:30:42 and Sue Foot, running in the 70-plus age category, crossed the line in a remarkable 4:46:03. Rachel Arnott finished in 3:26:05, just a fortnight after clocking 3:31 in Brighton.
 
Other NHRR finishers at the London Marathon were Conor O’Hara Barrett (3:04:09), Oliver Babik (3.34.19), Paula Holm (3.39.19), Chris Stokes (3:54:56), Alice Carty (3.57.41), Nick Walker (4:35:18), Elsie Vivian (5:54:02) and Lindsay Cook (5:59:15). Stokes said a disrupted training schedule ‘made this an uncomfortable victory, but proud to get the time. Kept on plugging away, thanks for all those who shouted encouragement and abuse in equal measure!’

Shakespeare Marathon
Matt  Sayers travelled to Stratford-on-Avon for the Shakespeare Marathon and was ‘happy with the time and pacing’ as he ‘added to his extensive catalogue of fast times with a 2:44:00 finish. ‘Even better’, he said, his ‘family got to see me’.

Yet more marathons
Ben Howe and Steve Brenton completed the Flawed Hero Marathon in Letchworth Garden City, starting at midnight and requiring 15 laps around the town centre. Ben’s time was 3:27 and Steve reported he ‘would be quite happy to never run up Station Road again!’.
 
Finally, new NHRR Chairperson James Dalton completed a Virtual London Marathon with a speedwalk around the Greenway and HOOP in 6:48:15.

Couch to 5K Group achieve their goal
Saturday’s Parkrun at Henlow Bridge Lakes marked the conclusion of our latest Couch to 5K course. Eleven ladies completed their graduation run in style, enjoying almost perfect running conditions on a sunny morning.

Clubmates  turned out in force to cheer them on, creating a fantastic atmosphere and helping Henlow Bridge Lakes record its biggest ever turnout — an impressive 304 participants! NHRR Joint Head Coach Dave Braybrook said it was ‘a brilliant morning of community spirit, celebration, and achievement’.

Many congratulations  to all our brilliant new 5K runners!

North Herts Road Runners had a brilliant weekend of running with many outstanding performances in England and abroad. It is the start of the marathon season with Squirrels taking part in 2 events in Rotterdam and Hannover.

Rotterdam Marathon
In Rotterdam, Tom Barclay broke the club men's marathon record in an amazing time of 2 hours 25 mins 3 second, finishing 53rd overall in a field of over 16000 runners.  Also taking part and with an equally brilliant time was Sarah Hartley and Katie Harbon, who completed the marathon together in a brilliant 3 hours, 28 mins 54 seconds, a personal best for both and Katies first marathon.​

Hannover Marathon
Over in Hannover Oliver Parsons was keen to get near his own personal best and very nearly did in a great time of 2 hours 58 mins 52 seconds just 1 second outside that PB.

Flitwick 10k
Closer to home 8 squirrels completed the very popular Flitwick 10k. Taking the prize for 1st female vet 65 was Lucy O'Connor in 55 mins 36 seconds.

Kris Whitmore was first squirrel home in 39 minutes 41 seconds, closely followed by Joe Davis in 39 minutes 45 seconds.

​The other finishes from North Herts Road Runners were Mark Larwood, 41 mins 37 seconds, Steve McKeown, 42 minutes 18 seconds, Steve Tracey, 48 minutes, Branwen Jones, 59 minutes 4 seconds and Carina Quayle, 73 minutes 2 seconds.

Greenway Challenge
North Herts Road Runners are getting ready for the Greenway Challenge half marathon. Run on the Greenway trail round Letchworth Garden City, this extremely popular event is both challenging and beautiful with alkl proceed going to the clubs charity, GRIT. To enter go to www.nhrr.org.uk/greenway-challenge.html

Stevenage Half Marathon – Easter Monday
Easter Monday saw Rhia Botha crowned fastest female at the Stevenage Half Marathon, producing an outstanding time of 1:31:10 despite using the race as a marathon training run. She was joined by several North Herts Road Runners clubmates, all delivering impressive performances:
James Denselow finished in 1:27:36, followed by James Smith in 1:28:50 and Isaac Mateu Soler 1:36.02.

First Saturday of the Month – Easter Edition, Letchworth Common
Saturday brought the Easter edition of the club’s popular First Saturday of the Month (FSOTM) event on Letchworth Common. A total of 44 runners, alongside numerous canine companions, tackled the picturesque two-lap course. Spirits were high, with home‑baked Easter cakes awaiting participants at the finish line.
Steven Bennett secured his first win at the event after several near misses, with Phillip Brunton taking second place and Ian Datlen finishing third. Hannah Ridley led the North Herts Road Runners women as first female finisher.
A standout moment of the morning came from Archie Dawson, who ran in a full Easter Bunny onesie. Finishing an impressive fifth, he earned the loudest cheers from spectators on a warm and cheerful morning.

Good Friday Results
Good Friday also delivered strong results for the club, with Mike Phillips finishing 16th in his age category in a time of 41:43, closely followed by David Edwards in 42:25. Hannah Gardner rounded off the weekend’s performances by placing ninth in her age category, posting a time of 50:36.