Spring Madness

​It was a grey drizzly Spring Sunday, but that didn’t stop a slew of spectacular performances & PBs from North Herts Road Runners across the region in no less than 7 different races.

 Keith Hall Memorial 10K
Three squirrels headed north to the town of Thorney in Cambridgeshire to compete in the 40th anniversary Keith Hall Memorial 10k - a fast, flat, out and back race, with a qualifying opportunity for England Age Group Masters.

​First in was Rhia Botha, who finished in a spectacular time of 40:07, securing her England Masters position. Also competing Lucy O’Connor with highly impressive 50:20. Lucy noted that although there was an almighty headwind during the 2nd half of the race on the way back, she still managed to secure her masters qualifying position with just over a minute to spare. Also competing was Peter Sibbett, who finished in an amazing 43:15.

Oakley 20
Elsewhere, several squirrels headed to North Bedfordshire to take part in the hilly but picturesque Oakley 20. Completing the 20-mile race was Ian Datlen, finishing in a spectacular 2:21:08, coming 52nd overall and third in his age group.

​Also putting in amazing performances were Rachel Arnot with 2:36:52, Natasha Pitman 3:05:28, Tom Kingham 3:10:58, Alice Noakes 3:17:08, Grace Cleary 3:36:35, Jennie Fraser 3:36:35 and Michele Grudzinski
​with 03:19:09. 

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Wymondham 20
Running in the Wymondham 20-mile race was Baljeet Sandher, competing in his first race over half marathon distance. Baljeet had been unsure what to expect, but was very happy with his time of 2:37, which was 3 minutes inside his target. It was noted that the event was extremely well organised and took in some beautifully picturesque (and relatively flat) Norfolk countryside.

Lee Valley Run Fest 10k
Competing in the Lee Valley 10k on Sunday was Tracy Pitcairn, who was delighted with an outstanding PB of 41:30, achieving a podium position as 3rd Female, 1st in her age category and 18th out of 363 runners overall.

​Hillingdon 20
As part of his Marathon Training, Matt Sayers took part in the Hillingdon 20, which also incorporated the Herts 20-mile county championship. Completing the four-lap course with hill, Matt was really happy to finish in 2.02, 2nd MV50 overall and 2nd MV50 in the county championship.

Muddy Mayhem
Competing in the annual 5km obstacle race on Sunday in the beautiful Woodhall Estate was Andrew Robson. Raising money for Garden House Hospice and Isobel Hospice, Andrew ran purely for the joy of it, running, clambering, crawling, and wading his way through the course along with his daughter Elizabeth and a fantastic group of friends known as Team Scaplegoats, in memory of his friend Andy Scaplehorn.

Hampton Court Half 
Finally, further afield in the historic Royal Home of Hampton Court Palace, Jeff Salter ran in the official Half Marathon, along with an old friend running his first half, finishing in an impressive 2.24. Jeff was very happy with his performance, which was his first race for 10 months after injury. He noted that it was a beautiful course, with just the right conditions.

Parkrun Roundup

Norwich
Chloe LUCAS                   (22:57)
 
Bedford
Kris WHITMORE             (18:56)
 
Westmill
Anna GREETHAM           (27:15)
Matt ROBERTS                (27:15)
 
Stevenage
Mike PHILLIPS                 (22:58)
Natalie PHILLIPS              (23:59)
Barbara SAYERS               (25:44)
Joseph BARKER-SHERRY (29:18)
Gregor BOWIE                (31:01)
Matthew SAYERS             (34:35)
Annette ENGLAND          (41:14)
 
Gunpowder
Darren MATUSSA            (24:02)
 
Blickling
Richard BARKER              (23:29)
Georgia BARKER             (32:20)
 
Nostell
Brian JUDKINS                 (38:11)

Panshanger
Meyrick JENKIN               (29:43)
 
Lee-on-the-Solent
Natalie LAWRENCE         (18:28)
 
Jersey
Tom BARCLAY                 (24:08)

Monsal Trail
Nick WALKER                  (25:05)
 
Letchworth
Ian DATLEN                     (22:54)
James DALTON                (23:12)
Laura FAIRBANKS            (24:22)
Steve BRENTON              (25:02)
Viv LUCAS                        (27:35)
Andrew ROBSON            (28:04)
Philip FLACK                    (33:29)
 
Sizewell
Amanda GREIG               (34:39)
 
Milford Waterfront
Tracey PALMER               (32:59)
 
Bolberry Down
Danielle LISTER               (30:40)
 
Henlow Bridge Lakes
Dave BRAYBROOK          (24:24)
Emma SANDHAM           (26:23)
 
Storeys Field
Chris STOKES                   (20:50)
Richard HARBON            (22:54)
Jon HUNT                        (23:03)
Matt ANKERS                   (28:22)
Helen HARBON               (28:31)
 
Holyrood
Georgina QUAYLE           (01:01:00)