The All New Oxford Half

Tony Letts completed the inaugural Oxford Half  Marathon on Sunday 25th September finishing in a very respectable 33rd with a time of 1:23:24.

Mary's A Winner

Dave and Carole Whatton label the Ashridge Dirt Trail race as one of their favourite runs with lovely views over the Dunstable Downs but with the Downs comes a tough run. After some NRR members had enjoyed success at the Dunstable Half Marathon earlier this month, Mary Kingsnorth made it a happy hunting ground for the club added to her trophy quota by being the first woman vet, over 55 in a time of 50:35. 

Dave Whatton completed the course in 41:26 and Carole crossed the line in 62:56.  Tom Sullivan was also pleased with his 46:26 finish.

Dave Whatton 41:26
Tom Sullivan 46:26
Mary Kingsnorth 50:35
Carole Whatton 62:56

Cransley Half Marathon and 10K

The Cransley Hospice Road Races are a favourite on the NRR calender.  The day was littered with stars, Tony Kennedy completed his 1st ever ½ marathon in 1:50:54.  There were trophy winners as Mark Garrett was 2nd MV50 in 1:28:33 and the club now have a new County Champion as Steph Russell ,who was 2nd lady on the day but 1st in the County Championships in1:29:44.

Richard Franks came home in1:37:27 and Jim Anderson completed his third half marathon in three weeks in a time of 1:55:19.  Mick Clarke who turns 72 this week, clcked an impressive time of 1:57:25.

There were PBs for Jo Cummings and Richard Rose in the 10K with times of 54:13 and 58:19 respectively.
Now for a scary thought, the average age of our men running was a mere 56, we need some help from the youngsters.  Tom Sullivan  had a good run with a 49:10 finish and Mary Kingsnorth and Marion Bowen crossed the line in 52:51 and 1:05:54 to complete the line up.

10K
79th Tom SULLIVAN 49:10
119th Mary KINGSNORTH 52:51
130th Jo CUMMINGS 54:13 PB
177th Richard ROSE 58:19 PB
272th Marion BOWEN 1:05:54

Half Marathon
12th Mark GARRETT 1:28:33 2nd M50
17th Steph RUSSELL 1:29:44
33th Richard FRANKS 1:37:27
89th Tony KENNEDY 1:50:54
105th Jim ANDERSON 1:55:19
107th Mick CLARKE 1:57:25

The Great North Runners

The world's biggest half marathon normally attracts around 50,000  and this year four of those were from NRR.  Being interviewed by Colin Jackson and making the television added to the satisfaction of a good trip up north.

To add to the new found fame, Jocelyn Granger and Wendy Parker both weaved through the crowds to record PBs with 1:46:33 and 1:56:38 finishes.  Charlotte Yarker was sandwiched between arriving in South Shields in 1:52:12.  Ronnie Ambrose finished in a great time of 1:37:35.

Ronnie Ambrose1:37:35
Wendy Parker 1:46:33 PB
Charlotte Yarker 1:52:12
Jocelyn Granger 1:56:38 PB

Marathon Mick At Birmingham

The superhuman Mick Clarke completed the Birmingham Canal Canter Marathon on Saturday 3rd September and still had enough energy to dance the night away at the club's 30th birthday bash on the same evening (although cramp set in once or twice). 

Nottingham Half

On Sunday 11th September, Claire McDaid completed the Nottingham Half Marathon in 2.02.03.

Top Ten Finishers At Dunstable

A trio of Northampton Road Runners set off to navigate the Dunstable Challenge, this off road half marathon is shy of mile markers and directions and all entrants are sent a map to find their way to the finish line.

The club boasted two top ten finishers at the event, Mark Garrett crossed the line in 1:42:40 and was first MV50 and Mark Kennedy was close behind in seventh in a time of 1:45:25.  Jim Anderson took a minor detour but still survived in 2:13:34.

Results
5th Mark Garrett 1:42:40 First MV505
7th Mark Kennedy 1:45:25
36th Jim Anderson 2:13:34

Bedford Harriers 10K including Marathon Mick

On Saturday 3rd September two Northampton Road Runners' vets completed the Bedford Harriers 10k Mick Clarke completed his marathon training preparation in a time of 53:04 and Richard Rose was delighted to have cracked the hour barrier for first time in years.

Results
Mick Clarke 53:04
Richard Rose 59:44

Kenilworth Half

Andy Blaize had a storming run at the Kenilworth Half on Sunday 4th September finishing 23rd overall in a time of 1:24:08.  She may have moved to another county but Steph Russell also continued to do the club proud finishing 3rd in 1:29:26.

Cross Country Dates

With autumn approaching, the cross country dates have been confirmed as follows

 

30th Oct -  W&DAC Croyland Park Wellingborough

13th Nov - Biggleswade
27th Nov - North Herts RR
18th Dec -  Stopsley Striders
15th Jan -  Wootton RR Delapre Abbey

Full details of each event will follow and Mark Garrett will be chasing you to join the team for some fun, mud filled Sunday morning madness.

Taming The Beast With The Baldwins

The Beast versus the Baldwins. Melton Mowbray Sun 4^th September.

In another battle against the Beast the Baldwin clan took on the Double or Quits obstacle race. This involved 2 x 5mile laps climbing the fences of an eventing course enroute. With no refusals at any of the jumps

 Double 10 miles         

46^th Darren 1:40:50

73^rd Suzanne 2:02:47

Quits 5 miles             

7^th Carrick 41:40 (son and heir and budding cross:country star)

Taming The Beast - Boys Version

The Beast ( not for girlies) Poole Sun 4 September

A boys only trip to visit Rich (the Ambulance) and take in a tough off-road half marathon at the seaside.  Pre race training included fish & chips and a few beers on Poole Quay. We also met up with Monsieur Alan Burgess to take on this challenge. We did defeat the Beast however we did not look good  at the finish. This is a particularly hilly course but is well worth it for the fantastic coastal views.  A beautiful day and a great race, we will return.  As for the ladies, there were lots in front of us as always. Come and join us next year.

75        Mark Garrett                           1:46:34

114      Rich( the Ambulance)             1:52:32

132      Ronnie Ambrose                     1:54:10

166      Alan (Monsieur Burgess)        1:59:26

232      Jim Anderson                          2:11:42

406      Alan Hackett                       kept stopping to take in the views, why rush?