Monday 28 June 2010

Colworth Weekend Marathon Challenge 18-20th June

A merry band of campers set off for this three race weekend in flip-flops and shorts expecting a weekend of glorious sunshine. Unfortunately the North wind did blow and it was a very cold couple of nights in the sleeping bags. We were joined by others doing single days in what is a great local event near Bedford. Supporters, kids, grand-kids and pets all joined in for plenty of fun and some hard running.

9 runners completed the full Marathon challenge

Mark Garrett - 3:08:02
Maree Jesson - 3:10:12 (2nd Lady)
Ronnie Ambrose - 3:10:15
Geoff Smith - 3:13:00
Steph Russell - 3:13:13 (3rd Lady)
Mick Clarke - 3:49:09 (1st MV60)
Micky Bhogal - 3:58:35
Jo Lee - 4:01:19
Jo Smith - 4:04:01

NRR were 5th team overall

The challenge is made up of these 3 races adding up to a full marathon.

Friday 18th June - 5 mile off road
Mark Garrett - 33:33
Maree Jesson - 34:05 (2nd Lady)
Ronnie Ambrose - 34:10
Geoff Smith - 34:11
Steph Russell - 35:17
Micky Bhogal - 41:21
Mick Clarke - 41:29 (1st MC70)
Jo Lee - 42:58
Jo Smith - 42:58
Sally Garrett - 60:55

The Ladies team were 1st team.

Saturday 19th June - 8.1 mile trail race
Mark Garrett - 56;52
Maree Jesson - 58:51 (3rd Lady)
Ronnie Ambrose - 58:57
Geoff Smith - 59:13
Steph Russell - 59:23
Alan Burgess - 1:05:57
Mick Clarke - 1:10:49 (1st MV60)
Micky Bhogal - 1:14:29
Jo Smith - 1:14:44
Jo Lee - 1:14:49
Spike - 1:28:16

Sunday 20th June - Half Marathon
Andy Blaize - 1:29:45
Ronnie Ambrose - 1:37:08
Maree Jesson - 1:37:16 (2nd Lady)
Mark Garrett - 1:37:37
Steph Russell - 1:38:33 (4th Lady)
Geoff Smith - 1:39:36
Mick Clarke - 1:56:51 (1st mv60)
Micky Bhogal - 2:02:45
Jo Lee - 2:03:32 (PB)
Jo Smith - 2:06:19
Debbie Holmes 2:12:42

A great weekend was had by all and we bagged a hatful of trophies also. Maree and Mick brought home their usual haul and it was great for the ladies team to win a trophy. Well done Steph who is putting the pressure on the old men and also to Jo Lee on her longest runs to date.

Well Done Keith...

Keith Jellyman has qualified to represent Great Britain in his age group at the 2010 ITU Triathlon World Champs in Budapest in September. I am sure we all congratulate him and wish him the very best.
Fifteen runners were on show at the Foxton Five (the newly reformed Harborough Five). Starting at Foxton Locks, runners did a lap of the field before running the old route in reverse. The first two miles descended nicely before a mile long climb between three and four. The final mile was mainly downhill for a quick finish and included another lap of the field.

Tony Letts was first home in 29:40 with Lynton Dawson close behind with a 30:36 finish. Ronnie Ambrose was next in 33:16 followed by Mark Kennedy in 34:20. Martin Baker was pleased with a 36:42 time and Tom Sullivan crossed the line in 38:56. Fresh from his recent trip to Spain, Mick Clarke recorded a time of 39:30.

Dave Blackburn was a second over the 40 minute barrier with 40:01 and Rob Donovan made his comeback from a hamstring injury in 41:14. David Solomon came home in 45:02 and completing the field was Patrick Breydin in 49:08.

For the ladies, Mary Kingsnorth finished in 42:53 ahead of Mary Davies in 45:14 closely followed by Ann Dickson in 46:37. Next was Helen Blackburn in exactly 48:00

Monday 14 June 2010

Fit The Best...Everest

In May 2010 Mark Garrett celebrated his retirement from the fire service by treking to Everest Base Camp Well done to Mark for comepleting this amazing challenge, here are some photos...


The locals are all members of NRR...

Mark hangs his washing out to dry...
Mark reaches his destination...

Jo's Tri Success

Jo Lee completed her first ever Olympic distance triathlon on Sunday 13th June in Windsor. Her finish time was 2;49:01 , with splits of 25:55, 1:25:15, 52:10 , the gaps were the transitions, the distances were 1.5k , 42k, 10k. Jo said "It was a great day even though it did involve getting up at 4am! I was 11th out of 30 in my age group 25-29 and 74th female overall."


On 14th May Jo also completed the Vue Emergency Services Triathlon at the National Watersports centre in Nottingham. It was a open water swim (her first) which had to be slightly reduced on the day as the water temp was only 11 degrees so it was about 550m ish metre, a 20k bike and a 5.6k run, the course was flat but as it was round the lake it was extremely windy down one side! Jo's time was 1.16.41 and she was 3rd in her age category. Her splits were 7:56, 40:16, 26:10, the times in between were transitions. The police beat the Ambulance and Fire and Army to become 2010 champions!

Banbury Cross...

Half a dozen NRR runners turned out for the Banbury Five on Tuesday 8th June. Fisrt to finish bang on 30 minutes was Tony Letts and exactly two minutes behind was Lynton Dawson on 32:00. Ronnie Ambrose put in a strong last mile to cross the line in 34:32 seconds ahead of Mark Kennedy in 34:43. Mary Davies remained second in her age category for the series overall with a time of 45:13. Dave Soloman kept up his 100% record finishing in 47:09.

37 Tony Letts 30:00
67 Lynton Dawson 32:00
106 Ronnie Ambrose 34:32
109 Mark Kennedy 34:43
258 Mary Davies 45:13
268 David Solomon 47:09

Thursday 3 June 2010

Up and Down The Weedon Hills...

A day's worth of rain eased off to make the hilly 10K course at Weedon (1st June 2010) more bearable for the ten strong NRR crew. Tony Letts was first home and overall 35th in the race in a time of 38:11 and Lynton Dawson crossed the line in 40:32. Mark Garrett made use of his recent climb to Everest Base Camp as the altitude training kick in at the top of Everdon Stubbs hill. He finished in 44:06. Next to finish was Mark Kennedy in 44:58 just ahead of Ronnie Ambrose in 45:14. Mark Baker crossed the line in 47:16 and Tom Sullivan was a second under 50 minutes in 49:59.

Mary Kingsnorth and Mary Davies were the two ladies representatives finishing in 56:04 and 57:39 respectively and Dave Solomon gave an assured run in 58:39.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Dave's Coventry Half...

Dave Garrett returned to action following his London Marathon completing the Coventry Half on 23rd May. Tired legs and hot weather were not enough to stop him finishing in 1:47:45.