Wednesday 29 September 2010

Nothing By Half Measures...

Claire McDaid set herself the challange this year to run two half marathons in three weeks. On 12th September she completed the Bristol half in a time of 2:05:06 and chalked up a PB at the Run to the Beat half in London on 26th September. Claire's time, 2:01:48.

Well done Claire.

Monday 20 September 2010

It's Great Up North

The biggest half marathon in the world was well attended by a crew of Northampton Road Runners on Sunday 19th September. Whilst 26 club members were battling around the tough local Cransley Hospice Races, eight more were well into the crowded streets of Tyne & Wear.

Tom Sullivan was the first to reach the finish line at South Shields in an impressive time of 1:48:49. Mary Kingsnorth also made good time for the Red Arrows display coming home in 1:55:39. New member Wendy Parker finished in an impressive 2:00:32. Mark Glenn enjoyed the spectacle and finished in2:19:52 and Keren Irving finished in 2:40:38. Charity costume runners Patrick (Spike) Breyden and Alan Hackett came home in 2:45:47 and 3.25.05 respectively. Linda Johnson and Tina Archer stuck together and supported each other to a 3.27.13 finish.

Great North Run
Tom Sullivan 1:48:49
Mary Kingsnorth 1:55:39
Wendy Parker 2:00:29
Mark Glenn 2:19:52
Keren Irving 2:40:38
Patrick Breydin 2:45:47
Alan Hackett 3:25:05
Linda Johnson 3:27:13
Tina Archer 3:27:13

High Achievers At Cransley

Northampton Road Runners turned out in force at the Cransley Hospice Road Race on Sunday 19th September. This popular event offers a 10K and a half marathon challenge over a scenic undulating route from Cranford. The half takes a detour through Grafton Underwood towards Brigstock and back. For this years event, runners were treated to cooler conditions than previous years but a strong headwind in the second half of the race meant for a tough finish.

Over the half distance, Gary McDaniels recorded an impressive 16th place finish overall with a time of 1:25:37. Only one place behind was Lynton Dawson in 1:26:15. Maree Jesson scooped another award, second lady finisher crossing the line in 1:30:54.

The second star of the show was Mark Garrett in 1:31:02 finishing second in his category (M50+). Completing a hatrick of awards was Steph Russell who smashed her PB to finish in 1:31:56 and take the 3rd lady accolade.

Next home was Ronnie Ambrose, who recorded his best time on this course with 1:37:16 and Mark Kennedy also achieved a similar feat with a course best of 1:41:08.

Richard Franks was next to finish in 1:50:22 only seconds ahead of Mick Clarke in 1:50:43. Dave Blackburn crossed the line in 1:53:17 and Helen Blackburn came home in2:24:41 to complete the half runners.

Seven ladies took up the 10k challenge with Jo Windrum first home in 45:55. Ruth Court crossed the line in 47:19 and Sue White recorded a 50:42 finish. Jo Lee helped her Duston Triathlon preparations with a time of 52:30 and Pauline Horne finished in 58:08. Jane Cosby and Sally Garrett completed an excellent NRR turnout with time of 1:03:49 and 1:09:01 respectively.


Cransley Hospice 10k
61 Jo Windrum 45.55
78 Ruth Court 47.19
109 Sue White 50.42
136 Jo Lee 52.30
216 Pauline Horne 58.08
272 Jane Cosby 1.03.49
321 Sally Garrett 1.09.01

Cransley Hospice Half Marathon
16 Gary McDaniels 1.25.37
17 Lynton Dawson 1.26.15
25 Maree Jesson 1.30.54 2nd Lady
26 Mark Garrett 1.31.02 2nd M50+
29 Steph Russell 1.31.56 3rd Lady
42 Ronnie Ambrose 1.37.16
60 Mark Kennedy 1.41.08
92 Richard Franks 1.50.22
93 Mick clarke 1.50.43
104 Dave Blackburn 1.53.17
173 Helen Blackburn 2.24.41

Thursday 16 September 2010

Dunstable Challenge (Downs Also Go Up...)


A handful of a mad NRR runners made their way to Dunstable on Sunday 12th September for the Dunstable Challenge. The "Challange" consisted of a half marathon, a 20 mile race or a full marathon but their was only one catch, you must run armed with a map. The route began up an energy sapping hill before taking in some breath-taking scenery from the top of the Downs (the climb was worth it). About every type of terrain was covered from grass, footpaths, mud, road, trail and even a ploughed field. Only a water crossing was missing!

It certianly wasn't a PB course but there was a genuine buzz at the finish with many runners swapping stories over a rolls and a cake. This race comes highly recomended to runners who fancy something different and the entry fee was a bargain at £8.

To the performences and four runners completed the 20 mile challenge; Maree Jesson contunied her great recent form with a 12th place finish and a time of 2:43:56 although her running skills are certainly better than her map reading, she clocked up 21.5 miles. Mark Garrett was the 2nd MV50 and 19th overall in a time of 2:53:05 only seconds ahead of Geoff Smith in 2:53:25. Ronnie Ambrose came home in 3:12:18.

Mark Kennedy opted for his favourite distance of a half marathon and was pleased with a 1:53:15 finish and a placing of 13th overall.

20 mile results
12 284 02:43:56 Maree Jesson
19 296 02:53:05 Mark Garrett
21 314 02:53:25 Geoff Smith
29 331 03:12:18 Ronnie Ambrose

107 runners

Half marathon result
13 469 01:53:15 Mark Kennedy

104 runners

Keith's Budapest Tri Report

A little while ago you may remember that NRR donated funds to member Keith Jellyman to go towards equipment for his triathlon ventures. Here is Keith's latest update on his success...

All home and dry now. The sprint race which I was in was a 750m swim, 20k bike and a flat out 5k mad sprint along the embankment of the Danube, and then across one of the main bridges over into the finish.

What a race despite the truly abysmal weather conditions. Torrential rain almost everyday! I completed in a time of 1:09:18, which puts me 29th in my age category out of 46, and around 200 or something out of 500 overall. The winner came in on a time of 58:36. Pleased with my time definitely although I should really have been a couple of minutes faster on the run, but my stomach was playing up. I think I drank too much water on the bike haha never mind. Hopefully next year I can try and get my time below 1:05, certainly some time to be knocked off from my swim too.

What can I say briefly, well my parents and I arrived down at the race centre at 5:30am when it was still dark and tipping it down. My wave started off at 7:15. Talk about a flying start made by many, couldn't believe it, within the first few seconds I was already a couple of metres behind. The swim otherwise was a loop pretty much of a small harbour. Then it was a mad dash up a little beach to the transition, which might as well have been a bog pretty much.

Bike leg I felt I was flying, new bike working a treat. The course was dead pan flat, so it was a true test of speed. I think I maintained about 24mph average, so pleased to bits.

The run was probably the most thrilling part, although I could have done without the bloated stomach. An almost flat out sprint all the way up the embankment, quite gruelling due to the company. It was a Mexican looking chap in front leading the way, and hot on my tail another GB athlete, and hot on his tail a pesky Irish individual. A real good race all the way up, but sadly pipped at the post, but still very pleased, but less water next time!

Also one medal and fourth place was picked up by the Northants Tri Club. Stacey Penn got a bronze in her age group with a time of 1:08:08, and Paul Jennings came in fourth in his with a time of 1:04:05.

Keith

Friday 10 September 2010

Maree ends the season winning her first ever Duathlon...

The final race of the 2010 Silverstone Duathlon Series came to a climax on Tuesday September 7th.

Hosted, at the marvellous Porsche Experience Centre competitors completed 2 laps of the Porsche Circuits running, 3 laps of the full Silverstone Grand Prix track on the bike and repeated the first run again to give an approximate 2 mile / 11 mile / 2 mile route.

Maree Jesson was the only lady under 1 hour winning in a time of 59.54, another amazing PB. Rumour has it that Maree is spending more time training with the boys on their bikes than she is on her running lately... Clearly she is reaping the rewards!

A bit of a beast...

Finally the NRR on tour crew completed Poole ACs The "Beast", am off-road half marathon.

Mark Garrett finished the race which is beast by nature too, in a time of 1:43:49. Where there's an off road, you guarantee that Geoff is there, Geoff Smith finished in 1:48:05. Another off roadie fan, Ronnie Ambrose completed the challenge in 1:52:17.

61 Mark Garrett 1:43:49
64 Rich the Ambulance 1:44:08 (on loan to NRR as tour guide)
91 Geoff Smiffffff 1:48:05
120 Ronnie Ambrose 1:52:17

A tough race with fantastic sea views, a must for the off-road fans.

Bristol Half...

Maree Jesson was also in action on 5th September finishing 9th lady vet at the Bristol Half Marathon in a time of 1:29:07.

407th Maree Jesson 1:29:07 35th lady, 9th vet lady

Running for the skies...

Whilst some were at Bedford, others were at Billing for the annual Air Ambulance Fun Run. No times are recorded but the following runners participated in the 10K;

Chris Ford
Sue Thompson
Nigel Osborne

There were a couple who decided on doing one lap of the course and they were;

Lynton Dawson - 18 mins
Mark Kennedy - 20:02

This is a great event and raises a good amounnt for the Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance.

Bedford Harriers 10K - 5th September

The 5th September was a big race day with NRR runners taking part in races here there and everywhere...

A great pair attended the Bedford Harriers 10k both from different scales of the running spectrum, Mick Clarke who is, well, very experienced and Gemma Francis completed her first ever race for the club in a time of 56:20. Mick came home in 49:22 and was the 1st in his age category.

149 Mick Clarke 49:22 1st MV
228 Gemma Francis 56:20 1st race for club

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Cross Country Dates...

The dates for this seasons cross country events are below if you want to put them in your diaries (or make a start on your list of excuses) :-

24th October 2010 - Stopsley Striders
14th November 2010 - Dunstable
28th November 2010 - Wootton
19th December 2010 - North Herts
23rd January 2011 - Team East Haddon

If you've never taken part in any of these races before, they are open to all club members, are normally around 5 miles long and are a fun(?) way to spend a Sunday morning.
Please check out www.northamptonroadrunners.co.uk/xcountry.html for more details.

10K Photos...








Moulton 10K Report...

2010 Moulton 10K Report

Sunday 29th August saw the 5th annual running of the Moulton 10K hosted by Northampton Road Runners. The unseasonable rain held off for 227 runners to complete this beautiful challenging countryside route that takes a journey from Moulton to Pitsford and back. The famous ford at Spectacle Lane took no victims this year though.

Mark Powell of Tipton Harriers won the race by over one minute in a time of 33:10. In second place was Andrew McKenna of Wellingborough and District in 34:11, who was also over a minute ahead of the next finisher. That 3rd place went to Corby’s Troy Garrity who crossed the line in 35:47.

Jo Pulsford of Rugby and Northampton, won the ladies race with a time of 40:52 and Northampton Road Runners’ very own Maree Jesson was second in 41:48. Third on the podium with a time of 42:49 was Elaine O’Sullivan of Wellingborough and District.

One of the stories of the day was the 24th place finish of Jordan Simmons, the15 year old of Rugby and Northampton finished the course in 39:54 and shows he is a star of the future.

Greg Spellman was the first veteran home, the Rugby and Northampton runner was 7th overall with a time of 36:55. Andy Pacey of Silson Joggers was a place behind both in the category and the race in 37:27.

Other local clubs were well represented at the race, Wootton’s leading runner on the day was Lee Berrill in 18th with a time of 38:33 and Davetry’s Keith Moreman was 26th overall in 40:33 and won the MV60 category. Kettering were lead home by Steve Giles in 38:13

For the home club, Northampton Road Runners, the ever impressive Lynton Dawson recorded a time of 38:41 and finished 19th overall. Hartley Hancock, fresh from his recent Ironman success, finished in 46:13 and Des McGrath broke the hour in 57:46.