The Colworth Weekend

The Colworth Marathon Challenge has become a cult weekend for Northampton Road Runners as members descend on Colworth House at Sharnbrook to take part in a weekend of running challenges, camping and a little bit of partying.

Jo Lee raced her dad another Mark all weekend.
Finally can you mention Tom and Mary and a number of others ( not enough unfortunately) who came over Sat evening.

Friday Night
Once the tents are pitched on the Friday, it's off to the start line for the first event of the weekend, the five mile single lap circuit kick off at 7pm. Heavy rain made going tough with runners negotiating puddles along the opening stretch of farm track, not knowing how deep most of them would be. At the halfway stage, the route turns into a lovely woodland trail which was sodden in mud causing some interesting footing issues.

Tony Letts chose to leave his trail shoes in the tent but still impressed finishing 15th overall in 32:02. Carrick Baldwin again showed his parents how it's done with a great time of 34:46. Mark Kennedy made up good ground in the second half of the race to finish in 36:39 only two seconds ahead of John Fleming (36:41). Ronnie Ambrose and and Mark Garrett enjoyed a good battle to the line finishing in 37:29 and 37:30 respectively. Darren Baldwin looked remarkably clean at the finish, obviously avoiding the puddles on the way round (39:02). Guests Mark Lee was racing his daughter Jo and finished in 41:03 and David Garrett let his dad beat him finishing in 45:01.

Jo Lee was first lady home for the club in 41:54 and Jon Dilworth was close behind in 43:26. Wendy Parker crossed the line in 44:26 and Jo Smith finished in exactly 45 minutes. Natasha Frolich crossed the line in 47:15 helped along by first dog on the nigght, rufus (also spotted at the Parkrun recently). Elaine Palmer was next to finish in 47:32 just before Mick Clarke in 48:24 Suzanne and Coral (plus dog) completed the Baldwin's family affair in 50:15. If there is a race, he is there, Richard Rose finished in 51:19 and Sally Garrett skipped through the mud in 1:07:50.

Saturday Midday
After a Friday night of barbecues and a good night's sleep (ahem) in the tents, you could lie in if you wish before the midday start of the 8.1 trail race. The single lap affair takes in a different route from Friday but includes a challenging uneven farm trail with a downhill/uphill dog leg to kill off your legs.

Going underfoot wasn't any easier in this tough event but John Fleming recorded a good time of 1:05:35 with Darren Baldwin close behind in 1:08:05. Off road specialist Mark Garrett continued to defy a sore back to finish in 1:09:27 with Ronnie Ambrose just behind in 1:10:58. Guest Mark Lee could beat daughter Jo today (1:21:57).  Mick Clarke (1:30:28) and Patrick (Spike) Breydn were the other two boys to finish (1:55:15).

Four ladies took on the toughie, Suzanne Baldwin crossed the line in 1:17:41 ahead of Jo Lee in 1:20:02. Jo Smith and Wendy Parker finished in 1:23:19 and 1:27:39.

Sunday Morning
After a Saturday night party in the marquee to celebrate the recent wedding of Tom Sullivan and Mary Kingsnorth, it was up bright and early to test those weary legs in the half marathon. Those on their third day will complete the marathon distance today on the two lap course which is similar to Friday's 5 miler.

Tony Letts took the 1st M35 prize and was 6th overall in 1:28:46. Also in the honours was Mick Clarke who was 1st M65 in 2:18:13.

Mark Garrett rounded off his campaign in 1:50:33 and completed the challenge. Ronnie Ambrose (1:52:26), Mark Lee (1:58:11) and Darren Baldwin (2:05:48) also achieved the marathon distance.

The lady marathoners were Jo Lee who finished Sunday in 2:08:04, Jo Smith (2:13:52) and 191 Suzanne Baldwin (2:26:50). Natasha Frolich finished her first ever half marathon in 2:24:39 and Jo Cummings crossed the line in 2:28:25.

Finally, massive congratulations to Jo Smith who receieved the coveted award from the organisers for completing her 5th Colworth Marathon Challenge.

Colworth Five - Friday Night
15 Tony Letts 32:02
46 Carrick Baldwin 34:46
71 Mark Kennedy 36:39
72 John Fleming 36:41
84 Ronnie Ambrose 37:29
86 Mark Garrett 37:30
107 Darren Baldwin 39:02
131 Mark Lee 41:03
142 Jo Lee 41:54
161 Jon Dilworth 43:26
170 Wendy Parker 44:26
180 Joanna Smith 45:00
182 David Garrett 45:01
217 Natasha Frolich 47:15
218 Elaine Palmer 47:32
235 Mick Clarke 48:24
251 Coral Baldwin 50:13
252 Suzanne Baldwin 50:15
259 Richard Rose 51:19
298 Sally Garrett 1:07:50

Colworth 8.1 Trail Race - Saturday Midday
52 John Fleming 1:05:35
67 Darren Baldwin 1:08:05
72 Mark Garrett 1:09:27
76 Ronnie Ambrose 1:10:58
102 Suzanne Baldwin 1:17:41
111 Jo Lee 1:20:02
119 Mark Lee 1:21:57
125 Jo Smith 1:23:19
147 Wendy Parker 1:27:39
161 Mick Clarke 1:30:28
180 Patrick Breydn 1:55:15

Colworth Half - Sunday Morning
6 Tony Letts 1:28:46 1st M35
65 Mark Garrett 1:50:33
74 Ronnie Ambrose 1:52:26
93 Mark Lee 1:58:11
121 Darren Baldwin 2:05:48
129 Jo Lee 2:08:04
146 Jo Smith 2:13:52
157 Mick Clarke 2:18:13 1st M65
179 Natasha Frolich 2:24:39 (1st ever half marathon).
191 Suzanne Baldwin 2:26:50
194 Jo Cummings 2:28:25

Colworth Marathon Challenge
50 Mark Garrett 3:37:30
60 Ronnie Ambrose 3:40:53
69 Darren Baldwin 3:52:55
77 Mark Lee 4:01:11
87 Jo Lee 4:10:00
99 Joanna Smith 4:22:11
111 Suzanne Baldwin 4:34:46
117 Mick Clarke 4:37:05