North Herts storm to success at Wootton and St Neots

North Herts Road runners defied the weekend’s stormy conditions with some impressive results in cross-country and half-marathon competition.
The biggest contingent of squirrels was at Wootton, Northants, for the second of five fixtures in the Three Counties Cross Country League. A strong set of performances on the four-mile parkland course saw the men’s team place second out of 12 clubs and the ladies seventh, making NHRR second club overall on the day.

The North Herts team was boosted by several members – Chloe Lucas, Jeni Spurr-Jones and Sheila Leavy – all making their cross-country debuts.
Mark Vaughan led the Squirrels home with an impressive second place, and Jim McConnell and Ed Price were close behind in fourth and seventh respectively. Katie Harbon was the club’s first female finisher in 58th.
Full NHRR results: 2nd Mark Vaughan, 4th Jim McConnell, 7th Ed Price, 17th Adam Bowller, 23rd John Auld, 27th Nick Malpeli, 30th Darren Sunter, 50th James Keogh, 58th Katie Harbon, 59th Stewart Overton, 84th Richard Harbon, 114th Pete Sibbett, 151st Hannah Fisher, 193rd Chloe Lucas, 198th Jo Harbon, 201st Yuko Gordon, 221st Matt Ankers, 224th Adam Wilson, 227th Linda Aird, 236th Helen Harbon, 253rd Chris Poole, 263rd Miranda Morgan, 274th Brian Bailey, 282nd Sue Vaughan, 302nd Lindsay Cook, 304th Jeni Spurr-Jones, 321st Sheila Leavy, 331st Brian Judkins.

A further 14 NHRR athletes ran the St Neots Half-marathon, where the strong headwind in the closing miles presented an extra challenge. Consistent training and regular racing delivered rewards for Vince Wright and Caroline Thrussell, who both beat personal bests of some years standing. Vince took 3 minutes off a 16 year-old PB with an excellent 1.28.08 finish and Caroline’s new best was 1.40.16. Darren Matussa was the first NHRR finisher in 1.23.51 and Paula Adams was third in the 45+ age group with 1.34.27.
Full NHRR results from St Neots: Darren Matussa 1.23.51, Vince Wright 1.28.0, Steve Tracey 1.29.02, Chris Stokes 1.34.06, Paula Adams 1.34.27, Mark Young 1.34.59, Martyn Annetts 1.37.11, Kat Burr 1.38.16, Barbara Sayers 1.39.40, Caroline Thrussell 1.40.16, Suzy Trott 1.41.53, Jane Clarke 1.45.21, Claire O’Sullivan 1.48.25, Nicky Kemp 1.49.58, Georgina Quayle 2.04.46, Carina Quayle 2.14.57.
Michelle and Andy Grudzinski travelled to north Wales for the Conwy Half-marathon, finishing the very hilly course in 2.09.33 and 2.17.47 respectively.
100 Marathon Club member Jo Summers clocked up yet another 26.2 miles by completing the Steppingley Step – an off-road route including Ampthill Park and Sharpenhoe Clappers. Jo finished in 4 hrs 41 mins.