NHRR Report 5/1/09

Anna and Chris Priestley were the first North Herts Road Runners to record a race finish in 2009. The Emerald Nights Midnight Run took place on New Year's morning in New York. Anna and Chris set off on the stroke of Midnight into a wind-chill factor of minus 16 degrees centigrade. Non-alcoholic champagne was served to the runners after two miles to bring in the New Year and the Priestleys crossed the line together after around 42mins.

Back in England three other Squirrels were in action on New Year's Day. John Russell took part in the Godiva 5 mile race near Coventry and finished in 33.45. Slightly closer to Comet country Oliver Saville and Peter Northover travelled down to Hyde Park for the New Year's Day 10k. Oliver recorded yet another strong performance finishing in 23rd place and a time of 37.35. Peter crossed the line to open his 2009 season with a time of 39.01 which secured him 33rd place.

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Boxing Day may traditionally be a time for recovering from the effects of over indulgence the day before but for 21 members of the North Herts Road Runners it represented another opportunity to lace up their running shoes. The Squirrels were in action at the Pirton Boxing Day run in the village of Pirton near Hitchin. The course was a muddy three miles along country tracks and the prize for all finishers was a pint of locally brewed ale.

Oliver Saville was the first NHRR competitor to finish completing the course in 19.50 and earning himself 7th place. Mark Young also came home in the top 10 finishing in 20.03 and 10th place with Adrian Sherwood in 14th and a time of 20.23. Stewart Bryant was the next NHRR finisher crossing the line in 20.52 with Martyn Annetts exactly one minute behind his team mate. Michael Moralee finished in 29th and 21.59 with Richard Harbon returning from overseas to record a time of 22.10. Tom Young finished in 22.22. the first female NHRR finisher was Sharon Gregson in 98th place overall and a time of 25.37. she was followed by Karen Dodsworth in 25.49, Rachel Annetts in 26.51 and Jo Harbon in 27.00. linda Aird finished in 27.50.

The Buntingford Year End 10mile race was the last chance for most NHRR athletes to end 2008 on a high. Melissa Winters finished an excellent year for the NHRR ladies scooping third place in the ladies' event. Her time 1.06.17 secured her a top three position in a competitive field and 42nd place in the race overall. Sharon Gregson in 1.21.28 was the next female NHRR finisher with Karen Dodsworth just behind in 1.23.28. Linda Aird (1.27.35), Angela Piumi (1.27.56), Rachell Annetts (1.28.42) and Lindsay Cook (1.34.38) were the other North Herts ladies taking part.

In the men's event, Gary Cook led the charge on the challenging course, finishing in 13th place and a time of 1.01.04. Peter Sibbett (25th) was next to finish the ever popular race, crossing the line in 1.04.09 with David Frampton (27th) just 14 seconds behind. Adrian Sherwood finished in 32nd place and a time of 1.04.55 with Mark Young following in 1.05.16. Stewart Bryant, Martin Annetts and John Franklin were the next NHRR runners over the line and enjoying a cup of tea in times of 1.06.38, 1.07.57 and 1.08.00 respectively.

Other NHRR finishers: Michael Moralee 01:10:00, Steve Tracey 01:16:48, Matthew Rix 01:27:02 and David Benson 01:31:21