A Capital 10K

Claire McDaid completed the London Bupa 10k on Monday 30th May in a time of 55.48.  The course starts at Buckingham Palace (outside it of course) and heads through Westminster taking in a beautiful loop of Central London which includes many famous landmarks (if you have time for some sightseeing en-route).

Corby 5

Twenty four runners from Northampton Road Runners made the trip to East Carlton Country Park for the Corby 5 on Wednesday 25^th May.  The talk of the start line was of the upcoming hills around the course and the field were challenged immediately with the first climb in the opening few hundred yards.  Despite the challenging course, all survived and first to cross the finish line for the club was Tony Letts in 30:14.  Lynton Dawson did a full triathlon at the weekend so five miles was relatively short in comparison and he finished in 32:40.  Gary McDaniels was pleased to return from injury and record 33:16.  The ever improving John Flemming was next to finish in 34:54 just ahead of Mark Kennedy in 35:14 and Peter Moor in 35:34.  Charlotte Yarker was again the first lady home in 36:24 and next was Ronnie Ambrose and Dave Blackburn in 37:25 and 39:44 respectively. 

Jim Anderson finished in 41:30 and Jocelyn Granger was only nine second behind in 41:39.  Next was Colin Bricher in 42:41 and Wendy Parker in 43:30.  Mary Kingsnorth came home in 44:08 ahead of Elaine Palmer in 44:56 who has spent a long spell out injured.  Dave Soloman and Claire McDaid finished in 45:41 and 46:02 then Jackie Horne and Jo Cummings finished within a second of each other in 46:48 and 46:49.  Richard Rose completed his first ever series race in 47:45 and Mary Davies crossed the line in 48:37.  Helen Blackburn, Ann Dickson and Claire Spokes finished in 50:01, 50:56 and 58:57 respectively.

38th	Tony Letts	30:14
78th	Lynton Dawson	32:40
90th	Gary McDaniels	33:16
132nd	John Fleming	34:54
142nd	Mark Kennedy	35:14
149th	Peter Moor	35:34
170th	Charlotte Yarker	36:24
209th	Ronnie Ambrose	37:53
239th	David Blackburn	39:44
270th	James Anderson	41:30
277th	Josie Granger	41:39
291st	Colin Bricher	42:41
299th	Wendy Parker	43:30
304th	Mary Kingsnorth	44:08
311th	Elaine Palmer	44:56
314th	David Solomon	45:41
317th	Claire McDaid	46:02
324th	Jackie Horne	46:48
325th	Joanna Cummings	46:49
331st	Richard Rose	47:45
334th	Mary Davies	48:37
340th	Helen Blackburn	50:01
344th	Ann Dickson	50:56
355th	Claire Spokes	58:57

The Edinburgh Warriors

The NRR warriors made the long trip north to Edinburgh on 22nd May for the city's Festival of Running.  Claire Spokes nervously lined up for her first ever half marathon and wondered what she was ever worrying about as she crossed the line ahead of her target time in 2:43:43.  Claire has proudly come a long way since completing Race for Life a couple of year ago.

The two marathon boys amazingly finished almost within a minute of each other and set some amazing personal achievements.  Firstly Rob Donovan smashed his marathon PB by over 30 minutes with a time of 3:53:06.

Peter Moor, who has been flying on the local scene lately, completed his first marathon in 3:54:13, yet another great achievement.
 
Results Half Marathon
Claire Spokes 2:43:43

Full Marathon
Rob Donovan 3:53:06 PB
Peter Moor 3:54:13

Lynton's Lanzarote Ironman

Lynton Dawson took a trip to the Canaries for the Lanzarote Ironman at the weekend and will come home very pleased indeed.  He completed the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and then run a full 42KM marathon in a total time of 13:47:48.  Lynton picked up an injury during his training which sidelined him for around six weeks making this achievement even sweeter.


Result
Swim 1:15:49
Bike 7:10:00
Run 5:09:41

Total 13:47:48

Bedford Six...

Thirteen Northampton Road Runners turned out for the third round of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series at Bedford for the six mile route set in the beautiful country park.

Tony Letts took full advantage of the flat course to record a PB of 35:58 and was three places ahead of 34th placed Andy Blaize who finished in 36:36.

Richard Franks recovered from an early tumble to snap up a finish of 40:54.  Next home was Mark Kennedy in 42:05 followed by the first lady for the club, Charlotte Yarker in 43:53.  Jo Lee was full of smiles with a PB of 48:03 and Mick Clarke was close in her sights with 48:36.  Jim Anderson made his return from the Stratford Marathon with a very respectable 49:23 and Colin Bricher continued his fine form in 50:11.

Mary Kingsnorth recorded a time of 51:29 and David Solomon 54:24.  Regular in this series, Mary Davies finished in 56:41 and Alan Hackett scored 64:10.

Next race is at Corby (5 Miles) on Wednesday 25th May, the club are running a minibus and holding a barbeque at East Carlton Country Park.

Results
31st Tony Letts 35:58

34th Andy Blaize 36:36
92nd Richard Franks 40:54
112th Mark Kennedy 42:05
147th Charlotte Yarker 43:53
225th Jo Lee 48:03
233rd Mick Clarke 48:36
244th Jim Anderson 49:23
249th Colin Bricher 50:11
258th Mary Kingsnorth 51:29
281st David Solomon 54:24
288th Mary Davies 56:41
304th Alan Hackett 64:10

The Rugby Six

Thirteen club runners made the short trip to Rugby for the second round of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series.  Conditions were close to ideal although a little windy, a light rain cooled runners after the initial decent from Hillmorden.  First home and 28th overall was Tony Letts 36:48 who continues to lead the way.  
 
Richard Franks seems to be getting quicker by the week, 40:48 was his latest offering.  Lynton Dawson, fresh from his Startford Marathon at the weekend scored a respectable 41:30.  Another man getting quicker is Peter Moor with 42:05, he was seconds ahead of John Fleming in 42:16 and Mark Kennedy in 42:22.
 
The amazing, super-human Mick Clarke completed his four race in eight days finishing in 51:01.  He run comprises of the Weston Five, Silverstone 10K, Ridgeway 40 and the Rugby 6. 

Mary Kingsnorth was the first lady to finish in 52:53 and next home was Dave Solomon in 55:23.  Another clutch of runners finished close together, Mary Davies in 58:03, Jo Cummings in 59:07 and Jackie Horne in 59:16.  Alan Hackett crossed the line in 64:09.

Next Race - Bedford 6 on Tuesday 17th May (quite flat around a country park, good for PB hunters).

Results
28th Tony Letts 36:48
90th Richard Franks 40:48
103rd Lynton Dawson 41:30
121st Peter Moor 42:05
123rd John Fleming 42:16
124th Mark Kennedy 42:22
249th Mick Clarke 51:01
265th Mary Kingsnorth 52:53
279th Dave Solomon 55:23
291th Mary Davies 58:03
295th Jo Cummings 59:07
296th Jackie Horne 59:16
314th Alan Hackett 64:09

Claire's In The Mud Again...

She loves to get covered in mud, Claire McDaid completed the Mucky Races Run at Billing Aquadrome on Sunday 8th May.  She described the course as amazing, very muddy with chest hight water/mud pits, hills, more mud, quite a few nettles and a lake. 1.13 was the time. It was the first time mucky races have been to Northampton and Claire hopes they come back.

AGM & Awards

On 27th April Northampton Road Runners held the Annual General Meeting and Awards evening.  Chairman Alan Hackett reported on a successful year for the club which saw membership rise to over 100.  Treasurer Dave Soloman also reported on a healthy set of accounts.  Nigel Osbourne was thanked for his work on the committee, he stepped down due to increased work commitments.  Jim Anderson also joined the committee.

The two Marks Garrett and Kennedy then reported on the season's cross country and recognised those who had taken part in various marathons including London.  NRR's answer to Ant and Dec then presented the awards to the following;

Runner of the Year - Steph Russell
Steph has been flying this year and nobody can deny that she thoroughly deserves this award.  She has been setting PBs and recording victories in many races recently.

Runners Up
Lynton Dawson
Mark Nightingale
Tony Letts
Mark Garrett
Maree Jesson
Gary McDaniels

 
Committee Trophy – Claire McDaid

Claire is an enthusiasic runner who love to take on mad challenges, she usually finds the hardest races there are.  Her times have also fallen and she has improved in confidence.  Claire also made her marathon debut at Brighton this year.

Runners Up
Geoff Smith
Jo Smith
Jim Anderson

Most Improved – Richard Franks

Richard joined the club a couple of years ago but then got injured only to return stronger than ever.  His 10K times dropped from 46:59 to 42:49 in six months and his Half marathon time dropped from 2:05:49 to 1:50:22.  He began running with C group, has gone on to be the lead runner of the B group and sometimes tags on to the back of the A's.  He also needs a special mention for his dancing at the Xmas do where he showed everyone how to 'make shapes'. Richard's greatest achievement is managing the longest ever club run!  One Wednesday evening he appeared half way through a committee meeting so he had been on the road from 7:15pm to around 9:30pm or later after getting lost around Pitsford.

Runners Up
Charlotte Yarker
Rob Donovan
John Flemming.
Claire Spokes
Wendy
Lynton Dawson
Jocelyn Granger
Helen Blackburn

Chairman's Trophy - Helen Blackburn
Helen has been a member of the club for many years and made her marathon debut at London this year.  She is also a regular at the Cross Country events and always runs with a smile on her face.

Thanks to physio Nikki MacKay who kindly supplied vouchers to our trophy winners.

Shakespeare Marathon

Two NRR heroes took on the marathon challenge at Startford on Sunday 8th May.  Lynton Dawson returned from injury to run a very impressive 3:25:45 to set himself up for the Lanzarote Ironman later this month.  It was only Lynton's second run in seven weeks after being sidelined.

Jim Anderson made his marathon debut and clocked an amazing 4:24:26, showing his many weeks of training paid off.  Jim crossed the line with a massive smile on his face and will now take a well earned rest from the pasta.

A good number of NRR supporters were on hand to cheer Lynton and Jim on whilst making the most of the sunshine in this beautiful town.  Full credit to Hartley Hancock, Gary McDaniels, Mark Garrett and Geoff Smith who all cycled to Stratford from Northampton.  Hartley and Gary also cycled home!

150th Lynton Dawson 3:25:45

736th Jim Anderson 4:24:26

MK Park Run

Maree Jesson was the first lady home (yet again) at the MK Park Run on Saturday 7th May in a time of 20:35.

11th Maree Jesson 20:35

A PB For The Most Improved Runner...

Richard Franks picked up the award for the Most Improved Winner at the club's awards evening and immediately followed it up with a half marathon PB at the Litchfield Half on Sunday 1st May.  His time was 1:40:07.

144th Richard Franks 1:40:07

Kicking Off The East Mids Grand Prix - Silverstone 10K

The East Midlands Grand Prix series consists of eight races in Northants and surrounding counties and traditionally kicks off at the home of Grand Prix Racing with two laps of Silverstone Circuit.  Twelve NRR runners were present to take advantage of the fast course...fast on foot as well as fast on wheels!

Tony Letts made his return from injury and proved unscathed with a stunning 37:01 finish.  Hot on his heels was Lynton Dawson who grabbed a PB, crossing the line in 37:06.

Next home was "Most Improved Runner" Richard Franks in 41:49, his times fall every race.  Star of the evening was Peter Moor was delighted with a great PB of 42:19, this was 11 minutes faster than his last 10K.  Charlotte Yarker was the first lady home in an awesome 44:12 and Mick Clarke finished in 48:48 (3rd in age category).  Colin Bricher clocked an impressive 50:50.

Wendy Parker continued her good form finishing in 51:39 and next home was Mary Kingsnorth in 53:39.  Claire McDaid must have found this race fairly tame compared to her usual ventures across muddy fields, she clocked 54:49.  Well done to Claire Spokes who clocked a 10K PB in 70:58 with the ever supportive Alan Hackett (71:04).  Next up - Rugby 6

Results 
51st Tony Letts 37:01
57th Lynton Dawson 37:06
186th Richard Franks 41:49
206th Peter Moor 42:19
289th Charlotte Yarker 44:12
508th Mick Clarke 48:48 (3rd age)
587th Colin Bricher 50:50
622nd Wendy Parker 51:39
687th Mary Kingsnorth 53:39
719th Claire McDaid 54:49
925th Claire Spokes 70:58
926th Alan Hackett 71:04

Team Results (after one event)
13th NRR Mens 2:38:36 (31 teams)

14th NRR Ladies 2:30:01 (16 teams)

Jocelyn's Oxon Adventure

Jocelyn Granger did a 10k today in the beautiful village of Charlgrove in deepest Oxfordshire and, not surprisingly, was the only one in a NRR vest. Her time was 50.57 and she enjoyed it the most out of all the 10ks she done so far though.

Jocelyn Granger 50.57

MK Park Run

It was back to Park Run action, Maree Jesson completed the MK Park Run on Saturday 30th April in 20:36.

20th Maree JESSON 20:36