Squirrels shine at the Hitchin 10k

​Bank holiday sunshine provided the perfect conditions for the many North Herts Road Runners who turned out to support the Hitchin 10k race on Sunday.   Twenty six squirrels took to the start in the historic market square to complete the ‘beautiful course’ and the bright sunshine certainly made for a great day.  Kris Whitmore led the men home in 38:11, followed by Oliver Babik (39:15), James Dalton who sneaked under 41 minutes to cross the line in 40:55, Dave Edwards (42:01), Mike Philips (43:02) and James Godfrey (43:17). Astrid Mckeown was the first female home for North Herts Road Runners in a brilliant time of 43:32, followed by Stuart Cocks who, having had only 3 hours sleep after a night shift, came in with a superb time of 44:17. Paul Holm followed next in 44:54 having achieved a massive PB at Manchester Marathon just 2 weeks before – bravo! Richard Baker also joined the great NHRR team turnout and crossed the line with a new PB of 45:07. David Weston followed in (46:10), Elwyn Howell (47:53), Mark Seddon (47:56), Laura Fairbanks (48:06 and another great post Manchester marathon race), James Poulton (48:39), Shaun Allin (53:37), Nicola Withington (58:16), Andrea Weisl-Shaw (59:03), Jenna Manggos (59:52), Lucy Hurley (1:01:25) and Ian Sutcliffe (1:01:39). Georgie Barker finished in 1:01:11, followed a few minutes later by Aimee Flack who crossed the finish line in 1:04:34, Allison Blunt (1:08:13) and Vanessa Rolfe, who having not raced since 2021 due to injury, was pleased with her superb time of 1:16:53. 

​Jillian Tooley-Boys competed in a slightly different event with her beloved canine companion, Lulu. ‘The Claydons’ is an eight mile scenic multi-terrain route in North Bucks. Jillian described it “as a beautiful, undulating, multi terrain route across stunning countryside and woodland. Although it was a warm day, Lulu loved the puddles left over from the wet weather!”

The parkrun was also a popular event on Saturday morning with squirrels travelling far and wide.
Stevenage
Vincent WRIGHT - 19:07
Michael OVER 20:41
Ian HARVEY 21:09
Chris STOKES 21:15
James POULTON 22:55
Emma SANDHAM 23:00
Elwyn HOWELL 23:17
Paula HOLM 23:59
Mike PHILLIPS 23:59
Jane CLARKE 24:44
Sarah MITCHERSON 25:55
Natalie PHILLIPS 29:25
Joseph BARKER-SHERRY 37:11
Letchworth
Katie HARBON 19:56
Ian DATLEN 20:31
James DALTON 21:24
Steve BRENTON 26:21
Jo HARBON 29:29
Geoff PETTENGELL 36:33
Carina QUAYLE 40:32
 
 
Milton Country Park
Georgina QUAYLE 25:16
Brian JUDKINS 34:38
Gunpowder
Darren MATUSSA 19:55
Cassiobury
Mike BULLOCK 41:37
Great Denham
Jon HUNT 22:03
Richard HARBON 23:18
Great Dunmow
Kris WHITMORE 19:38
Irchester Country parkrun
Caroline THRUSSELL 25:13
Henlow
Stewart OVERTON 18:16
Yarborough
Anna GREETHAM 25:52