Monday 28 March 2011

Annie Oakley...

Nine mad souls made the short trip to the village of Oakley to take on the challenge of the Oakley 20.  The event is extremely well organised by Bedford Harriers and takes in some beautiful countryside.

Finishing 42nd overall was Andy Blaize an a very impressive time of 2:14:52.  Steph Russell continued her good form of late with a very respectable 2:19:49.  Two of the Mark's racing on the day finished very close together, Mark Nightingale in 2:20:06 and Mark Garrett in 2:23:17.  Andy Thomas also rocketed around the course in 2:27:17.  Prior to the race Rob Donovan looked totally in the zone and it certainly paid off as he broke to three hour barrier with a 2:59:11 finish.


The casino club enjoyed their afternoon's work, Ronnie Ambrose (3:10:32), Mark Kennedy (3:10:44) and Jim Anderson (3:12:59) capped a fine day out for Northampton Road Runners.

42nd Andy Blaize 2:14:52

77th Steph Russell 2:19:49
80th Mark Nightingale 2:20:06
95th Mark Garrett 2:23:17
115th Andy Thomas 2:27:17
472nd Rob Donovan 2:59:11
587th Ronnie Ambrose 3:10:32
591st Mark Kennedy 3:10:44
611 James Anderson 3:12:59

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Sunday 13th March - One day 28 runners and 435 miles

What a weekend of running that was.

28 club members have totalled a staggering 435 miles of racing between them at venues around the country.

There were some fantastic performances at all levels as marathon training is reaching its peak period.

The Milton Keynes Festival of Running was well attended with good runs from Richard Franks and Claire Spokes who keeps on improving, at the 10K distance.  Richard completed the distance in 44:09 and Claire completed her first ever 10K race in 1:14:45.

Claire's partner Peter Moor was one of seven members who all broke the two hour barrier at the half marathon distance.  Peter finished in 1:48:10, one of the real stars was John Fleming with a storming 1:36:37 time.  Rob Donovan also clocked an impressive 1:45:47 and Jocelyn Granger came home in 1:52:11.  Close behind was Bob Bateman 1:53:24 and Colin Bracham 1:55:40 with Jim Anderson completing back to back halfs in 1:56:29.
Further away at the Ashby-de-la-Zouch 20 miler another eight were running.  Everyone deserves congratulations however pride of place must go to Steph Russell who was 2nd Lady in a very good field, her time was 2:16:20. 
Andy Blaize was first to finish for the club in 2:14:22 and Andy Thomas is in good shape for his marathon debut with an impressive 2:28:26.  Mark Kennedy also gave himself a good confidence boost with a strong finish (3:11:47).  Mary Kingsnorth continued her preparation for the Paris Marathon 3:15:51 and Claire McDaid did likewise for her London Debut finishing in 3:21:47.  Pauline Horne grabbed a PB with 3:27:51 and Helen Blackburn was delighted to break four hours with 3:54:39.
Eleven more of us (if we include Rich the Ambulance who met us there) made a weekend of it at The Grizzly in Seaton Devon.  Five competed in The Cub run, a very tough 8.5 mile mountaineering course is worth it if only for the sea views.

Karen and Sally had a great laugh all the way round. Jo and Alan were happy to stick to the cub.

Maree’s bike training forced her to drop in distance down to the cub which she duly went and won. She is still in great shape.

So down to the final six, these fools did the full Grizzly a 20 mile hilly, boggy, endurance test of survival.  Mark Nightingale on his first event of this kind showed us how to do it with a top effort.  Fish and chips on the beach after a paddle in the sea rounded off a great trip.

Congratulations to all who have ran. Hopefully we can all stay injury free for a little while.

Milton Keynes 10k
Richard Franks 44:09
Claire Spokes 1:14:45

Milton Keynes Half Marathon
John Fleming 1:36:37
Rob Donovan 1:45:47
Peter Moor 1:48:10
Jocelyn Granger 1:52:11
Bob Bateman 1:53:24
Colin Bracham 1:55:40
Jim Anderson 1:56:29

Ashby 20 Miles
Andy Blaize 2:14:22
Steph Russell 2:16:20 2nd lady
Andy Thomas 2:28:26
Mark Kennedy 3:11:47
Mary Kingsnorth 3:15:51
Claire McDaid 3:21:47
Pauline Horne 3:27:51
Helen Blackburn 3:54:39

Grizzly Cub Run
Maree Jesson 1:12:56 1st lady
Jo Smith 1:39:25
Alan Hackett 2:16:28
Sally Garrett 2:18:12
Karen Townsend 2:18:14

The Grizzly 20 Mile
Mark Nightingale 3:18:49
Mark Garrett 3:57:28
Rich House 4:09:37
Geoff Smith 4:12:15
Ronnie Ambrose 4:23:38
Mick Clarke 4:56:32 - 1st in age catagory

Who Won The Park Run?

Maree Jesson was the first lady home at the Milton Keynes Park Run on Saturday 12th February in a time of 20:24.



25 Maree JESSON 20:24

Monday 7 March 2011

Mary's Half...

Mary Kingsnorth continued her training and preparation for the Paris Marathon and completed the Berkhamsted Half Marathon in 2:01:27 on Sunday 6th March.

Silverstone Half, Home Of Grand Prix Legends

The pancake flat half marathon at the home of the British Grand Prix is always a pull for local runners as well as attracting many from far and wide.  This year was no exception as over 6,000 donned the starting grid before the customary 10 minute delayed start.  There were some pretty impressive performances from NRR runners too.  Andy Thomas was first home for the club in an impressive time of 1:29:27, a time which was also a PB.  Mark Kennedy also busting his PB by over two minutes with a time of 1:35:28.  Charlotte Yarker was all smiles when she crossed the line of her first every half marathon in an impressive 1:46:05.  Jim Anderson was fresh from his 20 mile adventure last week to complete the course in 1:56:58.  Claire McDaid's latest challenge is to run 100 miles in March and she knocked 13 off that with a finishing time of 1:58:28 and another PB.  Pauline Horne was next home in 2:06:08 and Kirsty Braithwaite wasn't far behind in 2:08:15.  Martin and Louise Adams completed the course together in 2:21:22

Results
Andy Thomas 1:29:27
404th Mark Kennedy 1:35:28 PB
1260th Charlotte Yarker 1:46:05 First Half
2606th Jim Anderson 1:56:58
2830th Claire McDaid 1:58:28 PB
3583th Pauline Horne 2:06:08
3784th Kirsty Braithwaite 2:08:15
4917th Martin Adams 2:21:22
4918th Louise Adams 2:21:22

An extraordinary achievement for a Novice! Maree’s dream comes true…

An extraordinary achievement for a Novice! Maree’s dream comes true…
She has competed locally, regionally and internationally in running and now she wants to take on the World in Duathlon's.
Maree on Saturday won her age group outright in the British Duathlon Championships for age group competitors, as well as competing in a qualifier race for the World and European Championships.

Well done again Maree...

The Literacy Half...Steph Wins Again....

Now for some very fast times on a very fast course!  Andy Blaize and Steph Russell took on the new Shakespeare Raceway Half Marathon on Saturday 5th March and recorded two amazing times.  Andy was 18th overall in a time of 1:23:29 and Steph smashed her PB and was also 1st lady in a time of 1:24:59
Results
18th Andy Blaize 1:23:29
25th Steph Russell 1:24:59 1st Lady

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Nene Valley 10...

Two of NRR's elite took part in the Nene Valley 10 at Peterborough on Sunday 26th February. Andy Blaize came 22nd overall in a time of 63:50 (he was cruising!) and Steph Russell wasn't far behind, finishing 25th in 64:34 and 2nd lady.

22nd Andy Blaize 63:50
25th Steph Russell 64:34 2nd lady

What A Way To Celebrate Your 50th...

We know he doesn't look old enough but our Chairman Alan Hackett celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday 26th February.  How?  By putting his feet up?  By having a quiet drink?  Not quite! 

 
Why not go and do a stupid, boggy, hilly, mega cross-country which involved leaving Northampton at 4:30am for a 7:30am start?  Two car loads made their way to QE2 Country Park near Havant for a sightseeing and climbing trip around the South Downs (yes a 20 mile off roader).
Alan Hackett and Jo Smith wisely opted for the 15 mile route with Ronnie Ambrose, Jim Anderson, Geoff Smith and Mark Garrett manning up for the 20 (which was really 21).  After an eventful number of hours and having scraped off a few layers of mud it was off to the pub for a recovery session and for stories.  Jim falling at the 1st stile won the best laugh award.  Congratulations to Alan, that was some way to spend your birthday.

MK Park Run 26th February...

Guess who was first lady again?  That's right, Maree Jesson in a time of 20:31.

20 Maree JESSON 20:31

Lynton Loves Stamford...

Lynton Dawson completed the Stamford Valentines 30k on Sunday 13th February in an impressive time of 2:05:06.
 

45th Lynton Dawson 2:05:06

MK Park Run - 19th February

Two NRR runners were out at MK on Saturday 19th February.  Maree Jesson was, yet again, first lady home in 20:45.  Gemma Francis also completed the course in 27:40.

17 Maree JESSON 20:45
82 Gemma FRANCIS 27:40

MK Park Run - Maree Wins Again...

Maree Jesson completed her regular MK Park Run on Saturday 12th February and was again first lady home in a time of 20:46.

Maree Jesson - 20:46