Oakley OK!

A clutch of NRR runners made the trip to the Oakley 20 to maintain their marathon preparation. Mark Garrett finished on 2:27:47 and beating son Dave who finished in 2:42:20, a brilliant time for both! Nigel Osbourne clocked an impressive 2:33:41 and Mick Clarke smashed the three hour barrier with 2:56:05. Tom Sulli kept in tune finishing in 3:01:18 and Sue Thompson was first lady home in in 3:25:48. Pauline Horne and Karen Townsend finished close together in 3:34:25 and 3:34:33, did Pauline leave Karen to make for the line?

Mark's Fourth Half in Four Weeks

Mark Kennedy completed his charity challenge for Help for Heroes finishing the Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon in 1:43:40. Despite poor weather reports, the rain stayed away for the run along the Dorset coastline. There is a steep climb in the first mile before a mile stretch along the cliff top then a long haul along the promenade. Another short climb back onto the cliff road through Southbourne and back into Boscombe before a calf killing downhill back onto the promenade to the finish at Bournemouth Pier. Highly recommended for a weekend away race.

Maree Flying At Berlin Half

Maree Jesson was 6th in her age catagory and impressively the 2nd lady from Great Britain at the Berlin Half Marathon on Sunday 28th March 2010 in a time of 1:27:38.

Well done Maree on yet another amazing achievement!

Lovely Setting At The Water Of Life Half

What better way to see in the first day of spring than glorious sunshine and a beautiful setting? The Water Of Life Half offers just that, an off road course alongside the River Thames begining and ending in the lovely grounds of Bisham Abbey. Mark Kennedy and Jo Lee completed the course in 1:41:03 and 2:07:59 respectively. The out and back course challenged runners in the first and final two miles with a series of kissing gates and steep bridges crossing the river. Better than getting feet wet though! "One of the best half marathons I have completed" - Mark.

20 miles at Ashby

Gary McDaniels clocked up an impressive 2:15:38 at the Ashby 20 on Sunday 21st March 2010. He was first home for the club after takling the undulating two lap course. Mark Nightingale and Mick Clarke also completed the challenge, Mark finished in 2:47:08 and Mick in 2:47:08.

Ronnie Races Round Grand Prix Circuit

Ronnie Ambrose smashed his PB at the Silverstone Half on Sunday 14th March completing the course in 1:32:49. Steph Russell also beat the windy conditions to complete her first ever half in a very impressive 1:37:57 and Mark Kennedy finished in 1:42:40. Lynton Dawson was quickest home for the club crossing the line in 1:28:04 and Rosemary Shuttlewood finished in 2:43:39.

Building work at Silverstone this year meant a few slight changes to the course making lap two (the infield) slightly longer and lap three (outside service road) shorter. The usual crowds were out in force both in support and on the track making the event feel its usual grand self.

Maree Selected For World Trials

Maree Jesson represented the club at the McCain UK Cross Country World Trials & Inter Counties on 13th March finishing the 8K course in 33:46. Well done Maree.

Martin's PB At The Banbury 15

Martin Baker smashed two minutes off his course PB at the Banbury 15 on Sunday 15th March. He conquered the course in 1:58:42 finishing 150th out of 374.

Tom Tames The Birkhamstead Half

Tom Sullivan completed the Birkhamstead Half on 7th March in 1:53:39. He said it was a lovely day but the course included some of the steepest climbs in a road race.

The Concrete Cow Half

Nike Milton Keynes Races Sunday March 7th
Whilst some were running up and down hills, cliffs and beaches in Devon, some preferred the flatter surroundings of Milton Keynes for the annual festival of running. A new course promised a downhill start and a climb at the finish but it didn’t stop some PB chasing. The first few miles saw runners go out of the centre on a dual carriageway and were encouraged by drivers beeping their horns on the other side of the road. There was a short stint through some nice villages before a circuit of Willen Lake, then there was some housing estates and more duel carriageway before a climb up and over a flyover heading into the finish at X-scape.

Jocelyn made her race debut in the 10K and overcame her pre-race nerves to record a great time. Mark K smashed his PB by 1:22 and John finished his first half in impressive time. Mary kept her impressive half marathon form also bagging a PB and Pauline and Karen supported each other the finish line together. John also completed his first half marathon in a very respectable time.

Half Marathon
217 - Mark Nightingale - 1:29:10
624 - Mark Kennedy - 1:38:02
665 - John Fleming - 1:40:58
1297 - Rob Donovan - 1:51:14
2283 - Mary Davies - 2:02:53
2520 - Sue “the cake” Thompson - 2:08:42
2602 - Karen Townsend - 2:10:52
2603 - Pauline Horne - 2:10:52

10K
66th - Jocelyn Granger - 49:43

NRR Kicks The Grizzly's Butt

The “GRIZZLY” Sunday March 7th Seaton, Devon
The legendary status of this killer race enticed 8 runners and some support to make the trip down to the Devon coast on what was a glorious sunny day/weekend. Six lined up for the 20 mile GRIZZLY and two for the equally tough but shorter 9+ mile CUB RUN.

The races start by running along the shingle beach and then heads for the headland over the steepest tracks this side of the Himalayas. A series of up and downs switch backs and loops makes you soon realize how fast the leaders are going. Runners are walking after only 2 miles and the fun hasn’t started yet. After reaching the top of the world it is back down to Branscombe beach for a dip in the sea. The CUB RUNNERS then have to head back along the shingle and then up “the stairway to heaven” a killer climb back up to the headland before heading home.

Those stupid enough to be doing the full run head inland towards the Donkey Sanctuary where after more leg shaking climbs and descents they enter the BOG OF DOOM. There you meet runners searching for lost shoes or just stuck fast for probably ever. Back to the beach for another slog along the shingle before those evil steps. The view on the top however is the finest imaginable and only 3 more miles to go. Back down and up at Beer leads to the final entrance to Seaton and the finish. A last section of shingle to help remember the race by and you are finished. A walk into the sea Reggie Perrin fashion is then compulsory to wash the mud and other strange smelling stuff off.

Then we hear fantastic news, Maree has finished as 2nd lady in the Grizzly, which in my opinion is perhaps her greatest result to date. Not only that but Steph has WON the Cub Run for the ladies. Northampton Road Runners are being mentioned over the P.A. system as winners. We keep getting mentions as Geoff, Mark, Ronnie, Mick and Alan finish. Jo is beaming as she cheers us in after surviving her Cub debut. What a fabulous day out we’ve had and done NRR proud I feel. However it’s Monday now, I ache all over and it seems like a dream or nightmare I’m not sure which. No doubt we will be back next year . It can’t be any tougher can it?

Cub Run (9+ miles)
11th - Super Steph Russell - 1:20:04 - 1st Lady
115th - Fantastic Jo Smiff - 1:46;19

(last finishers took 2:46 hrs)

Grizzly 20 miles
(Winner finished in 2:29 )
83rd - Marvellous Maree Jesson - 3:01 - 2nd Lady
186 - Geoff Smiff - 3:18
197 - Mark Garrett - 3:19
424 - Ronnie Ambrose - 3:38
812 - Mick Clarke - 4:06
1483 - Alan Hackett - 5:45

Mark Garrett

Welcome

Welcome to the blog of Northampton Road Runners, a well established running club for runners of all abilities. We meet on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7pm (for 7.15pm start) and run if four different groups depending on speed/ability.

You will always be guaranteed of a friendly welcome and plenty of encouragement and there is no pressure to race.

If you would like to find out more, email committee@northamptonroadrunners.co.uk.