NHRR Report

The midweek league reached its traditional finale this week with the Mob Match on Wednesday night. Running clubs from both Divisions took part in the 9k race at Trent Park in North London, which had no impact on the final league standings. The men's team finished sixth in the race from 15 teams. The ladies were also sixth from 19 clubs, securing the Squirrels sixth overall from, one place ahead of the Fairlands Valley Spartans.

Natasha Pitman finished 5th in the ladies' race in 37.06. Jo Summers was next over the line in 26th place and a time of 41.50 with Suzy Trott following shortly after in 31st place and 42.24. Claire Messenger returned to racing for the club and came home in a promising time of 44.43 and 43rd place. Rachel Annetts was 64th in 47.19 with Karen Ottway finishing just inside the top 100 in 56.11.

In the men's race Gary Cook was first to finish for NHRR rounding off an excellent midweek league campaign. He was 42nd in 35.55. Paul Kelly and Stewart Bryant completed the course back to back in 71st and 72nd place respectively. Paul recorded a time of 37.45 with Stewart following in 37.48. Alan Jones came in in 90th in 38.32 with Martin Annetts finishing in 93rd and 48.41 and Jonny Spinks in 95th place and 38.49. The Mob Match result was a promising performance from the NHRR team who will be competing in Division 1 next season.

Dave Ross took part in the St Ives 10k near Huntingdon which includes a windy kilometre on an old airfielfd. Dave recorded a time of 49.42. Anna Priestley also ran at the weekend completing the Stevenage Race for Life 5k. Along with a friend she raised £312 for Cancer Research UK by completing the course in 38.09.

A number of Squirrels travelled to Milton Keynes on Sunday for the surprisingly scenic Milton Keynes half marathon. Peter Scrowther finished the 13.1 mile course in an impressive PB time of 1.26.26. Michael Mello finished in 1.40.26 and Anna Preistley came home in 1.47.34. The race was won by Great Britain runner Liz Yelling.

Mark Young felt the reward for months of hard work by completing the Iron Man Switzerland on 13th July and entering the elite group of athletes who have competed the ultimate test of physical fitness; a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles on the bike followed by a marathon. Mark was lying in 2008th place after the open water swim which he finished in 1 hour 37. The bike ride took in the shores of Lake Zurich in wet conditions finishing with a steep ascent. Mark moved up the rankings to 1629th place after completing the cycle in 6 hours 23 and then moved on the tackle the 26.2 mile run. He finished that aspect of the race in 4 hours 7 minutes to complete the event in 1317th place and a time of 12 hours 24.50. He intends to return to Europe next year to break the 12 hour barrier.