North Herts Road Runners Report - 20 October 2008

Saturday night saw the North Herts Road Runners annual ball and awards evening take place at Letchworth Hall Hotel. Husband and wife duo Steve and Astrid McKeown were delighted to win awards for their fantastic performances over 2008. Astrid was awarded the trophies for not only being the most improved female runner but also the best female club runner for 2008. She also won the ladies short course championship, awarded to the runner with the best performance in 5 km, 5 miles and 10 km. Steve won the male short course championship as well as being awarded the trophy for the best male club runner. Tash Pitman won the ladies long course championship with Stewart Bryant winning the male long course championship for their performances over 10 mile, half marathon and marathon. Chris Priestley was delighted to discover he was the most improved male runner after his strong performances coming back from injury. Gary Cook and Karen Dodsworth were the male and female club runners for 2008 awarded to members for participation in 15 club events, both managed an amazing 100% turnout in 2008. Pete Scrowther won the coaches award and was voted the Club personality of the year being recognised for his efforts with the clubs stats and Pete Sibbet was awarded the 101% award recognising his contribution to the club over 2008 despite a serious injury.

Elsewhere, NHRR members were in marathon action throughout Europe. Linda Aird smashed her PB by 35 minutes in the Abingdon marathon in Oxfordshire, completing the race in a time of 4:36:09. Adrian Sherwood finished in 79th place in a time of 3:15:19 in the Leicester marathon. The race started in the city of took in the surrounding countryside before returning to Leicester to finish with with a tough final 1.5 miles uphill. Further afield, Alan Jones ran the 5th fastest NHRR marathon time in 2008 finishing the Amsterdam marathon in 3:23:37. Neil Ward also took part, finishing in 3:44:45. Mike Mello struggled with the humidity in Mallorca for the Palma marathon. The race took in the narrow hilly streets of the Mallorcan capital which sadly did not cater for fast times with Mike happy to finish in 3:49:30.