Smiles All Round At Bedford...

A modest group of nine NRR runners made the short hop to Bedfordshire for the Bedford Harriers Half Marathon on Sunday 12th December and there was plenty to celebrate with some stunning performances.

Lynton Dawson continued his amazing form with an impressive time of 1:21:54 and Gary McDaniels continues to shine storming home in 1:26:07. Talking of stars, Steph Russell doesn't know how to slow down and she smashed her PB yet again recording 1:26:57. Mark Nightingale crossed the line in a brilliant 1:31:11.

Ronnie Ambrose, who has been struggling with injury of late, managed a very respectable 1:41:38 on the hilly circuit. Another runner returning from injury was Mick Clarke who recorded 1:52:13.

Another trio of PBs followed, firstly James Anderson knocked minutes off his previous best with a 1:53:22 finish. Joanna Smith 1:54:42 and Jo Lee 1:59:27 capped an impressive day for Northampton Road Runners.

Results
47th Lynton Dawson 1:21:54
99th Gary McDaniels 1:26:07
112th Steph Russell 1:26:57
190th Mark Nightingale 1:31:11
465th Ronnie Ambrose 1:41:38
797th Mick Clarke 1:52:13
843rd James Anderson 1:53:22
869th Joanna Smith 1:54:42
1010th Jo Lee 1:59:27

MK Park Run...

Maree Jesson is a big fan of the MK Park Run and she was the first lady home in her latest outing on Saturday 11th December in a time of 21:46.

Maree JESSON 21:46

Maree In The Park...

Maree Jesson braved the ice to complete the latest Milton Keynes Park Run on Saturday 6th December finishing in a time of 22:19.

12 Maree JESSON 22:19

Claire's Mad Challenge...

At NRR we love mad challenges that people set themselves and Claire McDaid is the latest to...well make your jaw drop in amazement! Claire completed the November Challenge which was set on running community website "Daily Mile." The challenge was to run at least one mile a day, every day throughout the whole of November. Sounds easy? Don't you believe it!

Well Claire did it, clocking up a total of 99 miles in the month. Why didn't she do one more to make it a round 100? "I did think about it, but need a target for the next one!!" says Claire, you mean she's going to do it again?

Benidorm Marathon and Half...

Whilst some of us were freezing every body part imaginable off at Delapre, spare a thought for those poor souls who braved the sun in Benidorm on the same day.

Joking aside, two NRR heroes managed to complete the challenge in hand despite suffering bad injuries recently. Mick Clarke managed the full marathon in a fantastic 4:00:56 despite not training due to suffering broken ribs.

Dave Soloman finished the half with a damaged foot and ankle and against all medical advice. A slow for him 2:38:12 but a great effort all the same.

The pair were last seen test riding mobility scooters along Benidorm prom.

Marathon
Mick Clarke 4:00:56

Half Marathon
Dave Soloman 2:38:12

X-Country North Pole (Delapre Abbey) Sun 28th November

To leave the warm duvet, scrape the ice off the car and go out to run shows certain madness within our club. In Arctic freezing temperatures of minus 6 degrees over 30 turned out in their NRR vests and a few extra layers. A rock hard track meant there was none of the usual mud but conditions were still difficult for the 2 lap trip around the lovely parkland. Welcome support on the way round pushed everyone on and encouraged that extra push to the finish.

Both Steph Russell 4th lady and Tony Letts 13th man had their best ever results with brilliant efforts. Jocelyn Granger also had her best run and there were many healthy glows on the ladies faces as they finished. Mary Davies ran her 1st X-C league race and chased Claire hard in their continuing battle for supremacy. At the sociable end of the field Claire Spokes, Sally Garrett, Carol Whatton and Keren Irving are all running well and winning their own mini races. A strong line up of the ladies team was completed with sterling runs from Ruth Court, Mary Kingsnorth, Jo Smith, Claire McDaid, Jo Cummings and Helen Blackburn.

The men’s team is the strongest it has been for years and there are many private battles taking place within the main race. Positions change at each race and this is pushing them all. Jim Anderson and Peter Moore keep moving up the field and Lynton Dawson and Mark Nightingale are at the front end of the fields. Sporting a fine looking beard ideal for the conditions Rob Donovan had a good run but says the beard must go. Dave Blackburn took an impressive tumble and had the rest of the field including Helen run over him before getting back into the race. Keith Jellyman, Gary McDaniels, Dave Whatton and Geoff Smith continued their impressive form to record points

Next race is Sun. 19th Dec at Letchworth. We will be running the minibus.


Ladies
4th Steph Russell
48th Jocelyn Granger
53rd Liz (Mary Ks sister running as a guest)
60th Ruth Court
72nd Mary Kingsnorth
74th Jo Smith
102nd Claire McDaid
110th Mary Davies
124th Jo Cummings
127th Pauline Horne
129th Helen Blackburn
134th Keren Irving
138th Carol Whatton
153rd Sally Garrett
158th Claire Spokes

Men
13th Tony Letts
22nd Keith Jellyman
43rd Gary McDaniels
68th Lynton Dawson
74th Mark Nightingale
91st Dave Whatton
107th Geoff Smith
124th Mark Kennedy
145th Peter Moore
150th John Fleming
151st Ronnie Ambrose
160th Tom Sullivan
173rd Dave Blackburn
195th Jim Anderson
199th Rob Donovan
241st Alan Hackett

Wolverton 5...

Saturday afternoon races are a rare occurrence these days but the Wolverton Five continues to be a popular event. Richard Franks finished 157th overall in a time of35.49 and Colin Bricher recorded an eight year best at this distance with a time of 41.10.

157 Richard Franks 35:49
211 Colin Bricher 41:10

271 finishers

Maree In The Park...

Maree Jesson's latest jaunt around the park in Milton Keynes saw her record an impressive 20:17 in extremely cold conditions.

7th Maree JESSON 20:17