NHRR Report

Astrid McKeown of North Herts Road Runners raced to victory in the Serpentine Last Friday of the month 5k on 25th July. Astrid finished in 18.02 to cross the line in first place. Steve McKeown finished in 4th place overall on a hot day in an impressive time of 16.35. Martyn Annetts was the next NHRR runner over the line in 53rd place and a time of 20.05. Chris Priestley finished shortly behind in 21.01 and Rachel Annetts came home in 25.27.

Astrid and Steve McKeown also raced in the Newmarket 10k on 27th July. Following Astrid's victory earlier in the week punters would have been offered short odds of her scooping first place in a town more famous for horse racing than road running. She won the Ladies' event in 38.38. Husband Steve McKeown also secured a place on the podium finishing in third place in the men's event. Steve completed the hilly course in a time of 35.24, finishing behind local runner Paul Holley.

The Harlow 10m also took place on Sunday and attracted a number of Squirrels. In extremely warm weather Keiron McGill was the first NHRR runner in, finishing in 36th place and 1.04.40. Pete Scrowther also took part coming in a couple of minutes after Keiron in 1.06.54 with Mike Mello finishing in 1.18.38.

On 23rd July Peter Scrowther tackled the Doug Anderson memorial 5k in Bedford Park. Pete started the race well but began to suffer towards the end following tough racing the evening before. He finished in 18.33.

Official results are now in for the Fairlands Valley Spartans 3k relays held on 22nd July. The NHRR ladies' first team were in 4th place overall. The team consisted of Paula Adams (11.20), Natsha Pitman (12.19) and Melissa Winters (11.26). The men's first team of Gary Cook (10.13), Peter Scrowther (10.44), James Atkins (10.07), Tim Street (10.47) and Nick Beresford (10.28) finished 8th overall ahead of local rivals and race organisers, Fairlands Valley Spartans. The men's second team finished slightly further back in 15th. Pete Northover (10.34) and Oliver Saville (10.34) led off followed by Chris Preistley (12.16), Michael Moralee (11.38) and brought home by anchor man Mike Mello (12.20).

NHRR's lady veterans team of Anna Priestley, Jo Summers and Rachel Annetts scooped gold medals in the Hertfordshire County Championship, which this race constituted and 4th place overall. The Squirrels' mens vets team finished 4th in the County race.

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