Solar Powered Squirrels!

The Squirrels Run Well in the Sun
Runners from North Herts Road Runners took part in a whole range of events over the last week up and down the breadth of the United Kingdom.
 
Thursday saw a brilliant turn out of 84 Squirrels taking part in the very fast and popular Fairlands Valley Relays. Set in Fairlands Valley park, teams of 4 runners run in relays over a 3km course. In warm but very fast conditions the senior men's team of Sam Coxon, Michael Roberts, Abdullah Athar and Shahab Ahmed finished 3rd overall and 2nd in the Herts County Championship in a superb time of 39:04. The Ladies Female Vet team of Tracy Pitcairn, Helen Nutall, Astrid McKeown and Verity Stow, ran superbly as a team to finish in 3rd place in both the overall standings and the County competition in 51:16. Similarly the mixed team of Rhia Botha, Sam Whitmore, Mike Phillips and Alice Carty came 3rd in the County competition in 49:20.

---

Ipswich Twilight 10k
Following the successes of the relays Rhia Botha and Shahab Ahmed travelled to Ipswich on Friday evening to take part in the Ipswich Twilight 10k. As this was a qualification race for the England Masters, pressure was on both runners to perform. Both did in impressive style. In a field of 1600 runners Shahab was 20th overall  and 1st in his age category in 33:48. Rhia ran equally well in a new personal best of 38:57, finishing in 9th position. Both ran times to put them in contention to run for England. Masters.

St Albans Summer 10k
On Sunday the Squirrels took park in races closer to home. 5 Squirrels ran the St Albans Summer 10k. This very popular event is both flat and fast. In very hot conditions all ran well. Kris Whitmore was first Squirrels home in 38:28. Matt Hornblow was not far behind in 41:59. Sam Whitmore ran a seasons best in 43:32. Steve Tracy continued his good form in 45:19, whilst Tim Levitt helped pace the race finishing in a very impressive time of 50:02.

Fairlands Valley Challenge
Over in Stevenage 2 hardy Squirrels competed in the Fairlands Valley Challenge. Sue Foot completed her 10th marathon finish at this event in a superb 6:20, considering the sweltering conditions. Brian Judkins chose the half marathon, finishing in 3:04.

Parkrun Roundup​
Saturday saw over 50 Squirrels run in 17 park runs up and down Great Britain from Jersey in the Channel Islands to Applecross in the Highlands of Scotland. Highlights included Tracy Pitcairn finishing first lady at Letchworth in 21:56, Kris Whitmore finishing 3rd at Pocket in 18:56, quickly followed by Mat Hornblow who finished 8th in 19:56. In Devon Chris Powell came 20th at Bolberry Down in a time of 23:01, whilst over 720 miles away in Applecross Oliver Babik finished 2nd in 18:40. To show that park running is not all about winning Phil Flack took part in the Jersey park run, in the Channel Islands. He ran walked the event finishing in 51:52 and enjoyed every minute.