Squirrels show true GRIT with superb London Marathon performances

North Herts Road Runners sent an amazing contingent of 21 members to tackle the London Marathon and were rewarded with some superb performances while also raising valuable funds for club charity GRIT.
 
Caroline Thrussell sliced two minutes off her own age-group club record, crossing the line on The Mall in an impressive 3:46:03 to set a new mark for the 60-plus category.
 
Five Squirrels recorded times well under 3 hours, led home by Mike Roberts in a blistering 2:29:22, followed by Ben Hadman (2:33:49), Sam Coxon (2:37:38), Abdullah Muhammad Athar (2:39:53) and Ben Sewell (2:40:57)

True GRIT from Squirrels
Ian Datlen said he was ‘bruised, battered but very happy’ after completing the race in an excellent 3:00:46 despite being tripped at 21 miles – a time only slightly slower than his sub-3 clocking in the Manchester Marathon last year.
 
Danny Alden (3:57:56) and Richard Weber (4:27:15) raised nearly £1,000 between them for the Club’s charity GRIT (Growing Resilience in Teens), after receiving their places through the North Herts club’s own ballot.
 
For Danny it was ‘third time lucky on my sub-4 hour attempt. I wasn’t sure how today was going to go but honestly it was amazing. My splits were consistent the whole way and it was so lovely to hear some Squirrels cheering around the course. I can’t begin to show my gratitude to the club and for having the opportunity to run London again through the ballot place’.
 
Meanwhile Richard said ‘It was really tough. I just didn't have it in my legs today and hit the famous wall at 15 mile. It was painful and difficult, but I'm really grateful to North Herts Road Runners for allowing me the chance to run it’. 

You can do it!
Angharad Lamon comfortably beat her personal 4-hour target and said ‘After a seven-year break from social running, having two children, completing a marathon felt like an impossible task. However, after taking part in the Standalone race and joining NHRR in November, that ambition became a reality. I completed the London Marathon in 3:47:34. Thank you to everyone at North Herts who has made me believe I can do it!’
 
Georgia Barker made her marathon debut with 6:30:42 and Sue Foot, running in the 70-plus age category, crossed the line in a remarkable 4:46:03. Rachel Arnott finished in 3:26:05, just a fortnight after clocking 3:31 in Brighton.
 
Other NHRR finishers at the London Marathon were Conor O’Hara Barrett (3:04:09), Oliver Babik (3.34.19), Paula Holm (3.39.19), Chris Stokes (3:54:56), Alice Carty (3.57.41), Nick Walker (4:35:18), Elsie Vivian (5:54:02) and Lindsay Cook (5:59:15). Stokes said a disrupted training schedule ‘made this an uncomfortable victory, but proud to get the time. Kept on plugging away, thanks for all those who shouted encouragement and abuse in equal measure!’

Shakespeare Marathon
Matt  Sayers travelled to Stratford-on-Avon for the Shakespeare Marathon and was ‘happy with the time and pacing’ as he ‘added to his extensive catalogue of fast times with a 2:44:00 finish. ‘Even better’, he said, his ‘family got to see me’.

Yet more marathons
Ben Howe and Steve Brenton completed the Flawed Hero Marathon in Letchworth Garden City, starting at midnight and requiring 15 laps around the town centre. Ben’s time was 3:27 and Steve reported he ‘would be quite happy to never run up Station Road again!’.
 
Finally, new NHRR Chairperson James Dalton completed a Virtual London Marathon with a speedwalk around the Greenway and HOOP in 6:48:15.

Couch to 5K Group achieve their goal
Saturday’s Parkrun at Henlow Bridge Lakes marked the conclusion of our latest Couch to 5K course. Eleven ladies completed their graduation run in style, enjoying almost perfect running conditions on a sunny morning.

Clubmates  turned out in force to cheer them on, creating a fantastic atmosphere and helping Henlow Bridge Lakes record its biggest ever turnout — an impressive 304 participants! NHRR Joint Head Coach Dave Braybrook said it was ‘a brilliant morning of community spirit, celebration, and achievement’.

Many congratulations  to all our brilliant new 5K runners!

Couch to 5K Results:​
Justine Herridge – 27:07
Lois Lacy – 33:26
Lisa Turner – 34:02
Tiana Myers – 34:24
Sarah Bonfield – 35:34

Laura Westwood – 38:05​
Elaine Cartwright – 42:59
Jen Mahoney – 42:59
Caroline Walton – 44:49
Jess Gordon – 44:57
Vikki Turner – 47:34

​Parkrun roundup

Bedford: Thomas Buzzard (18:46)

Bexley: Paul Riseley (24:13)

Brook Leys: David Annetts (28:32)

Brooklyn Bridge: Daniel Wrigley (21:10)

Frank’s Farm: Philippa Hardcastle (25:55)

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Mike Phillips (21:28), Michael Over (21:35), Dean Gibbs (21:52), James Dalton (21:56), Martyn Annetts (22:54), Hannah Ridley (23:12), Matt Ankers (23:17), Ian Harvey (23:52), Grant Barnes (24:25), Natalie Phillips (24:53), John Hunt (25:19), Laura Fairbanks (25:22), John Russell (25:57), Andrew Coates (26:06), Pete Sibbett (26:09), Ellie Scott (26:39), Lucy O’Connor (26:52), Ian Datlen (27:01), Chris Stokes (27:02), Adam Wilson (28:47), Paul Bowal (28:50), Bob Davis (29:33), Helen Nuttall (30:58), Paula Holm (30:58), Aimee Flack (31:59), Lois Lacy (33:26), James Walsh (33:27), James Poulton (34:15), Karen Dodsworth (34:27), Jo Sopala (35:43), Helen Giffin (35:49), Ian Sutcliffe (37:00), Dave Braybrook (38:07), Annette England (39:06), Philip Flack (41:29), Richard Barker (45:00), Jim Marvell (47:34)

Gorleston Cliffs: Richard Harbon (23:58), Jo Harbon (28:39)

Gunpowder: Joe Barker-Sherry (31:13)

​Jersey: Tom Barclay (24:27)

Jubilee, Bedford: Kris Whitmore (19:09)

Letchworth: Jane Clarke (27:41), Jennie Fraser (28:19), Jillian Boys (28:41)

Luton Wardown: Julia Toffa (36:00)

Milton Keynes: Craig Snowden (28:21), Ben Snowden (28:21)

Penrith: Simon Hawes (27:32)

Rothamsted Park: David Brewer (20:37), Bev Shone (40:27)

Stevenage: Rosie King (39:06), Emily Yossarian (59:32)

Straford-upon-Avon: Barbara Sayers (26:48), Matt Sayers (28:09)

Wimpole Estate: Frances Stanton (35:14)
​
Wyre Forest: Eva McCabe (22:28)