In the midst of a late May heatwave, dozens of brave souls from NHRR ventured forth this week to compete in a variety of races, both in the UK and on the other side of the world. As always, the relentless dedication of our intrepid runners in tough conditions resulted in some very fine performances indeed.

Midweek League #1: St. Albans
Kicking off the week’s events on Wednesday the 20th was the first race in the 2026 midweek league calendar, in St. Albans. There were over 70 North Herts Road Runners taking part, as well as some super supporters lining the 10k route, which takes in the Alban Way (a disused Railway line) from St. Albans towards Hatfield and back. With a long slow uphill climb on the return leg, the 2nd half of the race was especially challenging in the hot weather. After the first race, our overall position was 5th, with our overall vets ranking 3rd. Well done North Herts, next stop Royston.

London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge (100km)
On Saturday the 23rd May, Hannah Keeble completed an astonishing Capital to Coast 100km ultra challenge, starting in Richmond on Thames, winding through the North & South Downs and down to Brighton. Hannah finished in 19hrs and 27 minutes, which was an unbelievable achievement in the punishing weather.

The Fox 62k
Proving that the squirrel is tougher than the fox, on Saturday the 23rd, Tim Levitt ran the Fox 62k, which is a Runthrough Trails event around the Foxway, in Surrey. Despite the brutal 32-degree average temperature, Tim crossed the line in a seriously impressive 08:23:10.

Cape Town Marathon
With Table Mountain as a stunning backdrop, Natasha Pitman and Caroline Thrussell competed in the Sanlam Capetown marathon on Sunday the 24th. For Caroline, it was the age group world championships, and she finished in an outstanding 03:42:23, which was another club record. She also scored a 33rd in her age group, and 2nd for the UK, which is seriously impressive given that she had no expectations and simply went out there to enjoy herself. Tash meanwhile, finished in an amazing 03:43:09 and remarked that it was a beautiful undulating course, which she just ran to feel. Afterwards, Caroline, Georgia and Tash celebrated with Castle Lagers all round.

Run the Wade
Described as a feel-good run for everyone, the Run the Wade race took place on Sunday the 24th. With a choice of either 5k or 10k, the route took in Biggleswade Town centre as well as a series of riverside paths and trails. Hannah Ridley was the first lady home in the 5k in an amazing 20:49, whilst Lucy O’Connor came 1st in her FV65 age category in 27:42. For the men, Ian Datlen finished the 10k in an impressive 42:19 and was first in his MV50 age category. Having the fire brigade waiting at the end with sprinklers was absolute bliss in the scorching weather, and the event was described as well organised, with a great vibe. Full results below:

Squirrels storm to victory at Gosling relays
Five North Herts Roads Runners teams topped their respective categories at Gosling track 4x400m relays last Wednesday evening, with all athletes delighted with a rare dry break in the weather on a day of torrential hail and rain. 
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Hannah Ridley, Tracy Pitcairn, Rhia Botha and Katie Harbon, ‘Team Kardasheruns’ were crowned Senior Female winners, while Craig Cartier, Alberto Angurel, Ian Datlen and Kris Whitmore, Team Chafing the Dream were crowned Senior Male winners. Both Hannah and Craig were fastest female and male athletes on the night in a blistering 59 and 66 seconds respectively.
 
The female vets was won by ‘Sassy Striders’ Nikki Wright, Hannah Gardner, Vicki Markham and Clare Power closely followed by ‘The Dashing Dames’ formed of Caroline Thrussel, Natalie Phillips, Lucy O’Connor and Lindsay Cook. The men’s vets victors were ‘Quads of Fury’, Darren Matussa, Mike Over, Stuart Cocks and Ben Ryan.
 
The Vet Mixed Team, ‘Sweat and Swagger’ formed of Richard Harbon, John Auld, Mel Flynn and Joanne Hoare also won their category.
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Women’s captain Rhia Botha said, ‘Tonight was just for fun, but NHRR still cleaned up thanking coaches Karen Dodsworth and Pete Sibbett for supporting on the evening.

Squirrel sprints to second at Naked 5k
Kris Whitmore returned to the Brockenhurst Naked 5k for a second consecutive year, once again taking on the woodland course wearing only his running essentials, his watch, and trainers! Despite forecasts of thunderstorms earlier in the week, conditions on the day proved ideal, with cool temperatures providing comfortable racing conditions.

Whitmore improved on his performance from the previous year, finishing in an impressive second place with a time of 19 minutes and 20 seconds.

​Greenway Challenge runners raise £2,800 for charity
30 athletes from North Herts Road Runners tackled one of the Club’s own events – the Greenway Challenge – and helped to raise £2,800 for charity in the process.
 
The half-marathon run, which follows the Greenway on a 13-mile route around Letchworth Garden City, attracted a strong field of 206 runners and also raised funds for the Squirrels’ charity of the year – GRIT (Growing Resilience in Teens).
 
NHRR’s own Alberto Angurel Andres took first place in an excellent 1:27:41, with clubmate James Denselow just seconds behind in third (1:27:56). Tracy Pitcairn and Rhia Botha were the first female NHRR finishers as they crossed the line together in 1:43:40.
 
Participants tucked into an amazing array of home-baked cakes and treats at the finish at Standalone Farm, with all refreshments provided by the Club’s volunteers,

NHRR duo run for England at Bideford 10k
Shahab Ahmad and Andrew Leach both raced for England at the Bideford 10k – the international representative race for the England Masters programme this year. Both had won the right to wear England vests with their performances in qualifying races earlier in the season.
 
It was a national Masters debut for Ahmad, who ‘broke some hearts and took some places with a sprint finish’ as he finished tenth overall in an impressive time of 33:21. He was third in his 45-plus age category.
 
Leach took second place in his V60 age group and 36th in the race overall as he crossed the line in 34:33.

Parkrun Roundup ​