Squirrels speed to success in new kit

Jim McConnell

On a frozen course at Sharnbrook, near Bedford, the Squirrels mens’ team beat off a strong challenge from Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers to clinch victory on the day and the Three Counties Cross-country League title. North Herts pipped the Flyers by just two points at the end of the five-race season. 
 
The Sharnbrook contest was the Squirrels’ first outing in redesigned race-day vests, and Kit Secretary Mark Vaughan celebrated by winning the trophy for second man over the series of races. 
 
The NHRR ladies team finished 4th in the League standings and the Club‘s combined male and female teams were 3rd.
 
Jim McConnell was first finisher on the day for North Herts, pushing the pace hard in the first mile and eventually finishing 6th. Katie Harbon was first across the line for the North Herts ladies’ team.
 
McConnell also took the series prize for 1st 35-plus man and Ed Price followed suit as first in the 40-plus category. 
 
Yuko Gordon’s outstanding performances over the season were rewarded with first place in the 55-plus category – a remarkable achievement given she beat competitors 10 years her junior. 
 
Full NHRR placings: 6 Jim McConnell, 8 Mark Vaughan, 10 Adam Bowller, 11 Rob Harris, 13 Ed Price, 18 Darren Sunter, 23 John Rayner, 28 Dan Hills, 31 John Auld, 53 Nick Malpeli, 58 James Keogh, 60 Adrian Sherwood, 62 Stuart Overton, 65 Katie Harbon, 74 Vince Wright, 81 Richard Harbon, 99 Greg Pounder, 115 Kat Burr, 144 Rob Milburn, 148 Paula Adams, 149 Pete Sibbett, 178 Yuko Gordon, 180 Chloe Lucas, 188 Jonny Spinks, 190 Chris Poole, 211 Steve Williamson, 216 Jo Harbon, 217 Helen Harbon, 234 Matt Ankers, 237 Adam Wilson, 289 Rachel Pounder, 298 Lindsay Cook, 299 Andee Price, 302 Helen Ferguson, 321 Brian Judkins.
 
Preferring to stick to the roads, Ian Sutcliffe and Chris Stokes competed in the Fred Hughes 10-mile race at St Albans. Sutcliffe was 4th in the V70 category in a time of 1.35.58 and Stokes was pleased to hit his target time with 1.10.02.
 
Four Squirrels headed to Snowdonia for the Winter Trail Wales Half-marathon. In crisp mountain weather, Andy Grudzinski recorded a new personal best time for the event with 2.45.12, running the second half of the course with Ashley Murray-Richard, who recorded the same time. Michelle
Grudzinski crossed the line in 2.35.17, and Dawn Power was delighted to finish her first-ever trail event in 3.08.31.

---