Speedy squirrels stunning successes!

North Herts Road Runners enjoyed a fantastic weeks racing achieving success in Stevenage, Spain and Iraq!  Husband and wife, Steve and Astrid McKewon, started the ball rolling by winning the Herts Vets Championships at the 2^nd Stevenage 5km race on Thursday.  Steve completed the course in 16.43 closely followed by Nick Beresford 16.50 and a further 4 runners under the 18 minute barrier: Mark Robertson 17.19, Pete Sibbett 17.23, Oliver Saville 17.33 and James Atkins 17.52.  The men’s open and vets’ teams retained the lead in the series and Steve and Pete combined with James Walsh 18.35, Adrain Sherwood 18.38 and Stewart Bryant 18.59 to win the county team title.  The B team of Nick Malpeli 19.08, Richard Thackeray 19.39, John Russell 19.59, Stewart Smither 20.21 and Chris Priestley 21.02 were also delighted to secure the bronze medal.  Stewart Smither won Herts silver in the V60 category just 3 seconds behind the winner whilst Stewart Bryant was 3^rd in the highly competitive V50 category.  Not to be outdone Astrid McKewon romped to the gold medal in 18.43 and with Rachel Annetts 24.32 and Linda Aird 24.43 ensured the ladies held on to 3^rd spot in the team competition.  In total 34 members turned out on a great night for the club with other results as follows: Ciaron McAneny 18.31, Mike Mello 21.05, Colin Calcutt 21.10, Duncan Hooker 22.52, Matthew Rix 22.56, Deryk Myall 23.05, Paul Bowal 23.20, Dave Ross 23.28, Ian Sutcliffe 24.27, Martyn Annetts 24.32, Nicky Kemp 25.07, Lisa Thackeray 25.23, Vanessa Rolfe 27.52, Christine Sharp 28.38, Brian Judkins 29.17, Karen Musker 29.29 and Ann Kirby 31.44.

 

Both Martyn Annetts and Chris Priestley took on the challenge of racing 5km again the following day at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km in Hyde Park.  A revised 2 lap course due to the Christmas festivities saw Martyn finish 4^th V45 in 19.38 whilst Chris returned an excellent performance after Thursday’s hard race with 8^th V55 in 22.32.

 

Saturday saw Pete Sibbett claim his 2^nd club record of the week as having set new V45 figures of 17.23 at Stevenage Pete ran 28.39 at the Wolverton 5mile to smash the previous record by 28 seconds.

 

On the international front Richard Harbon, who is seconded from his post with Herts Police to work in Iraq for a year, took part in the Basra Marathon run on the Command Operating Base.  Rising at 4am for a 5am start to avoid the intense heat Richard was one of only 2 British runners in the 250 strong field of American servicemen.  A torrential downpour at the start ensured the roads were muddy but the sun then rose and flies and heat became the biggest problems to contend with.  With most of the field opting for the shorter 10 mile option only 75 completed the marathon with Richard finishing 7^th and 1^st vet home in an amazing 3.41.  The club are looking forward to welcoming Richard home for Christmas and hearing about his incredible race.

 

Also on sparkling marathon form was ladies’ captain Tash Pitman who became only the 2^nd North Herts lady to run sub 3 hours when she ran a stunning PB of 2.58.15 to finish 5^th in the San Sebastian marathon in Spain on Sunday.  The whole club is delighted for Tash who spent Thursday night cheering the runners on at the Stevenage 5km.