Some Scarily Good Running!

It was a quieter weekend for racing this weekend with the majority of the fireworks in the sky not on the roads and the frights limited to halloween and not route elevations! 
 
New York Marathon
The final Marathon Major of the year took place in New York and on a beautiful Sunday Mike Bannister took part in the race.  Supporting a friend rather than chasing a PB, Mike came home in 4:42 and enjoyed a fantastic day out soaking up an incredible atmosphere. 
 
Knebworth Half Marathon
Closer to home it was the Knebworth Half Marathon also on Sunday.  Farzana Bhatti was representing the squirrels at this one and completed the course in a time of 3:25 and personally a 5th half marathon completed.
 
Bedford 10k
In Bedford there was a 10k, which Frances Stanton tackled.  This was a return to racing and resulted in a time of 52:11, which Frances said was “pleasantly surprising!” over a “lovely route along the river, highly recommended!”. 

First Saturday of the Month
This Saturday saw North Herts Road Runners' 'First Saturday of the Month' Monthly 5km race celebrate its 15th Year. 
 
As recognition of this milestone and with gratitude for the use of the beautiful Norton Common on the first Saturday of every month for these past 15 years, an award of £500 was presented to the 'fFriends of Norton Common' - a volunteer group who works to preserve the precious habitat of the Common. Graham Frost from the group expressed his appreciation and says that the donation will be used to plant some trees by the Letchworth Outdoor Pool.
 
Twenty Five Squirrels were among those enjoying the Autumnal delights of the Common this Saturday with ttwo club runners on the 1st and 2nd steps of the podium, with Steve McKeown taking first in a time of 19:57 and Mike Phillips second home in 20:07.

1: Steve Mckeown (19:57)
2: Mike Phillips (20:7)
4: Oliver Babik (21:52)
5: Nathaniel Rosa (21:52)
6: Helen Nuttall (22:32)
9: James Dalton (23:28)
14: Adrian Sherwood (24:19)
15: Ian Datlen (24:19)
16: Natalie Phillips (24:48)
17: Andy Liddle (24:56)
18: John Auld (25:13)
22: Helen Ankers (27:29)
23: Andrew Robson (27:48)

24: Tracey Pitcairn (28:14)
​26: Viv Lucas (28:29)
28: Andrew Coates (28:41)
29: Alice Noakes (28:46)
30: Caroline Thrussell (28:47)
33: Hannah Bloomfield (29:)
35: Anna Priestley (29:10)
37: Dawn Power (30:7)
41: Philip Flack (31:56)
44: Ian Sutcliffe (33:54)
48: Brian Judkins (37:49)
49: Vanessa Rolfe (38:18)

​Parkrun Roundup 
As usual there was a healthy number of squirrels out testing their mettle at Parkrun, with racers across the UK, but a special mention to Jennie Fraser who was downunder at the Albert Parkrun in Melbourne. 

Albert Melbourne: Jennie Fraser (24:52)

Bedford: Andrew Leach (17:19)

Blickling: Tracey Mccreath (32:09)
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Delamere: Rob Jowett (17:26)

Great Denham: Peter Sibbett (20:25)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Bob Davis (29:37), James Poulton (29:41)

Letchworth: Matthew Sayers (19:23), Steve Brenton (59:39)

Mersea Island: Laura Fairbanks (24:21)

Norwich: Chloe Lucas (21:50)

​Pocket: Jon Hunt (22:33)

Prudhoe Riverside: Joseph Barker-sherry (29:22), Emily Yossarian (30:30)
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Sheptonmallet: Chris Stokes (21:02)

Stevenage: Tom Barclay (17:58), Ben Sewell (20:31), Daniel Wrigley (22:23), Sophie Thrussell (24:09)

Storeys Field: Georgina Quayle (24:32)

Stratford Park: Kris Whitmore (22:12)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (23:06)

Tidworth: Charlotte Hannah (28:24)

Yarborough Leisure Centre: Anna Greetham (24:12), Matt Roberts (24:12)