Thank You From The Race Director

“A great race, you will see me back next year.”

One of lots of similar comments many of us received after our race. We can all congratulate ourselves on putting on a really good event.

There is a lot more to a race than just the runners and many of those runners commented on how nice/cheerful/encouraging/helpful/friendly/ even organised everyone was and what a good club we are.

After the madness of pre-race the run itself went like clockwork without any big problems thanks to you all.

We had an entry of 300 and a record 272 runners for the race.

Runners had come from as far as Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton, Wales as well as good support from our local rivals especially Wellinboro’ and Silson Joggers.

We all know how tough the course is however many others don’t and we had lots of runners saying that they thought it was flat around here and didn’t expect it to be so hard.

Spec’s Lane ford is always popular and the race winner decided to take a swim after slipping. He still recovered to win and laughed it off after whilst showing off his grazes.

One runner was seen sat down in the stream cooling off.

It is normally the winners who get all the glory but the biggest cheer was for the final finisher.

She said that she had a fantastic day and was really beaming at the finish. She wanted to thank everyone for helping her along.

Enough of the race. The after race BBQ at Ronnie’s was a great success. The chefs MarkK and Jim did wonders and we all deserved a drink.

I once more thank everyone who helped in any way and please pass on the clubs thanks to those we won’t see.

I must however give a special thanks to my 2 backing singers Karen and Elaine without whom I couldn’t cope.

Mark Garrett (on behalf of Committee NRR)

Moulton 10K Report...

A record number of finishers completed the Moulton 10K on Sunday 28^th August as the bank holiday rain just about held off.  Runners from all over the country filled up the 300 place limit race which takes in some of Northamptonshire’s finest countryside around Moulton and Pitsford and includes the iconic Spectacle Lane ford crossing.  After a false start cause by the starter’s faulty claxon, the only minor hiccup of the day, the race was underway.

The overall winner was Jamie Loxam from Stockport Harriers who was the only entrant to take a tumble in the shallow water crossing but he dusted himself off to record a time of 34:10.  He was later seen smiling and sporting a few minro cuts and grazes.  Wootton Road Runners’ Steve Poole chased home in second in 34:56 with Jonathan Goringe from Kettering Town Harriers finished third (35:05).  Rugby & Northampton’s Stuart Nelson (35:34) and Marshall Milton Keynes’ Tom Comerford (35:42) completed the top five.

Danny Keating from Leicester Coritanian won the MV40 category, Lazloe Bowden from Wootton Road Runners claimed the MV50 prize in 36:38 and Keith Moreman of Daventry Road Runners was the first MV60 in 43:49. 

Jane Ovington from Marshall Milton Keynes won the ladies race in 37:53 with Maree Jesson of Rugby & Northampton second in 41:15.  Ruth Watson from Sale Harriers was a close third in 41:53.  Angela Copson added another trophy to her collection winning the LV55 category in 42:04.  The junior’s winner was Luke Robinson of Rugby & Northampton in 37:41.

A mass contingent of 36 runners made the short trip from Wellingborough & District AC.  Jon Kemp was first home for the club in 38:05 and James Berry and Roger Bullen enjoyed good runs with 41:08 and 41:59 finishes.  Natsaha Wain and Bryna Holmes were their first lady finishers in 46:01 and 46:02 respectively.

The biggest cheer of the day was saved for Maria Peralta who was the final runner to cross the line with the encouragement of an enthusiastic marshal.  The MK Lakeside Runners was full of smiles at recording a PB in 77:16 and was rewarded with an extra slice of homemade cake for her efforts.

The host club Northampton Road Runners committed most of their members and family friends to marshalling and helping out on the day.  Three runners did however complete the challenge.  Alan Burgess, who lives in France, returned to familiar surroundings and finished in 47:39.  Richard Rose made his course debut in 61:21 and Terri Davison finished in 74:22.  The club would like to thank everyone who helped out making the race a huge success yet again.  Already the club has been flooded with comments and emails praising the organisation and friendliness of the day.

Moulton 10K Latest

Hello everyone. 

Just to let you know that pre-race entry for the Moulton 10K has now closed and but we will be taking entries on the day from 9:30am.  Entries are currently over 200. See you there.

Race The Train

Race The Train is one of those must do races and Wendy Parker and Ronnie Ambrose ticked it off their list on Saturday 20th August.  The race takes place in North Wales and the object is...well to beat the train.  An old steam engine sets off at the same time as the masses and a 1:45ish finish will get you that accolade.  Tough on a really challenging muddy off road course.  Ronnie and Wendy didn't managed to beat the train but they highly recommend the race, they finished the challenge in 2:21:11

Blisworth Friday Five

A handful of Northampton Road Runners took part in the ever popular Blisworth Friday Five series on Friday 5th August.  First to complete the five mile course for the club was Tony Letts who finished 21st overall in a time of 30.24. 

Sue White came home in 41.30 and Colin Bricher 43.22.  Christine Ford finished in 46.39 with Richard Rose in 48.41.  Jo Cumings crossed the line in 50.05 seconds ahead of Sue Thompson in 50.08.
Results
21st Tony Letts 30.24
172nd Sue White 41.30
201st Colin Bricher 43.22
226th Christine Ford 46.39
241st Richard Rose 48.41
248th Jo Cumings 50.05
249th Sue Thompson 50.08

Pete's Thunderous Relay

We love a challenge with a difference and Peter Moor found this in the Adidas Thunder Run on 31st July.  It's a 24 hour off-road relay race consisting of 10K laps in Catton Park, Derbyshire. He ran in the sweltering temperatures of Saturday afternoon, the relative bliss of dusk and even after a hamstring niggle a final 3am dark through the woods leg!

The team of 8 was a mix of abilities and completed 26 laps in 24:17:03 with Pete's laps coming in at -

47:10
49:16
57:22

Peter said, "It was a really great achievement for all involved and I would highly recommend it to club members for next year as it was a really well organised event."

The Ironman

One week he is getting married on a Carribean beach and the next he is finishing the Ironman UK in 11.32.06hrs.  Lynton Dawson has earned the tag of the "NRR Ironman" this year, only last month he completed a half Ironman in 4hrs 59min and that was helped by ‎ a 2:14:34 for a mere triathlon a week before.

Whilst the rest of us were sweating it out at Colworth, Lynton completed The Ironman UK 70.3 at Grendon in 5hrs 51 which was a top 250 finish out of 1661.

In May he completed the Beaver Middle Distance Tri in ‎4hrs 50mins and that was a week after a full Ironman in Lanzarote.

Is he going to rest now?

Wellingborough Five

Just a couple of weeks ago a handful of NRR members were invited to Wellingborough to for the annual pre-run of the Wellingborough Five course. When Sunday 31st July arrived, it was the real thing! Richard Franks was first home for the club in 33:38 and was 10th MV50. Ronnie Ambrose was next to finish in 35:07 and Mick Clarke was 9th MV60 in 40:47. Jocelyn Granger enjoyed a good time of 41:16 with Ann Dickson and Keren Irving completing the line up in 50:47 and 59:04 respectively.

68th Richard Franks 33:38
95th Ronnie Ambrose 35:07
196th Mick Clarke 40:47
201st Darren Byfield 41:06
202nd Jocelyn Granger 41:16
299th Ann Dickson 50:47
334th Keren Irving 59:04

Milton Keynes Half

A super seven went down the M1 to Milton Keynes for the NSPCC Half Marathon and were treated to unusually cooler conditions.  Richard Franks continued his rich vein of form with 1:33:57 finish and Peter Moor, who is also running well, recorded an impressive 1:38:34.  Wendy Parker took full advantage of Ronnie Ambrose's pacing to finish in 1:52:23.  Jim Anderson was close behind in 1:53:58 and Jocelyn Granger crossed the line in 1:55:57.  Mark Glenn completed the NRR line up in 2:24:11.

Results
Richard Franks 1:33:57
Peter Moor 1:38:34
Wendy Parker 1:52:23
Ronnie Ambrose 1:52:24
Jim Anderson 1:53:58
Jocelyn Granger 1:55:57
Mark Glenn 2:24:11