Monday 30 July 2012

Wellingborough Five

The fast, flat and friendly Wellingborough Five is normally run is extreme temperatures making the possibility of a PB all that bit harder but this year's event greeted runners with a downpour as the horn sounded the start of the race.  A fast dash along the "Mad Mile" before a sharp left turn towards Sywell then left again after mile two into Mears Ashby village.  Competitors grab a quick refreshment before the the second very slight climb and then it's the loop back to the finish at the Old Grammarians.  The final few hundred yards swap tarmac for grass as those who can look up from the sprint finish can grab a glance of the ongoing cricket match on the green.

Northampton Road Runners are normally well represented and that man, Danson Njoka racked up another impressive time of 27:20.  Rosanna ANDREWS also added to her trophy cabinet again finishing second female overall in 31:50.

Mark Kennedy grabbed a PB with his fastest five miler for three years in 33:29.  Penny ANDREWS was third female vet in 35:50.  Martin ANDREWS was next to finish in 36:43 just ahead of Tom SULLIVAN in 36:59.

Jon Dilworth crossed the line in 40:55 and Mick CLARKE in 43:19 just ahead of Natalie ABRAHAM in 43:39.  Richard Rose also recorded a five mile PB in 46:59 and Pauline HORNE came home in 49:34.



5 Danson Njoka Male 27:20
42 Rosanna ANDREWS 31:50 2nd Female Overall
67 Mark Kennedy 33:29 PB
99 Penny ANDREWS 35:50 99 3 Female Vet
120 Martin ANDREWS 36:43
124 Tom SULLIVAN 36:59
172 Jon Dilworth 40:55
205 Mick CLARKE 43:19
210 Natalie ABRAHAM 43:39
231 Richard Rose 46:59 PB
253 Pauline HORNE 49:34 


Parkrun 28th June

Radoslav NIC finished second in the latest Parkrun in a time of 18:41.  Peter MOOR finished in 8th place in 20:10 and Ronnie AMBROSE was just behind in 20:29 taking 10th.  Tony KENNEDY and Mark GARRETT finished close together in 25:04 and 25:07.

 2 Radoslav NIC 18:41
8 Peter MOOR 20:10
10 Ronnie AMBROSE 20:29
32 Tony KENNEDY 25:04
33 Mark GARRETT 25:07


Tuesday 24 July 2012

Parkrun 12

Radoslav NIC continued his good form at the latest Parkrun on Saturday 21st July finishing 6th overall in 19:01.  Peter MOOR continued to get closer to the twenty minute barrier in 20:04.  Ronnie AMBROSE and Mark KENNEDY had a close race finishing in 20:36
and 20:40 respectively.  Richard ROSE was pleased with his best finish of 27:40.


Wendy PARKER led home the ladies in 24:21 with Kirsty TURNER crossing the line in 28:17 and Claire SPOKES who finished strongly in 35:00.

The biggest cheer of the day was for young Morgan BRAND who left her father Matt for dust as she sprinted for the line in 39:55.

 6 Radoslav NIC 19:01
18 Peter MOOR 20:04
21 Ronnie AMBROSE 20:36
23 Mark Alan KENNEDY 20:40
45 Wendy PARKER 24:21
71 Richard ROSE 27:40
75 Kirsty TURNER 28:17
103 Claire SPOKES 35:00
108 Morgan BRAND 39:55

109 Matt BRAND 39:55

Friday 20 July 2012

The Real Relay Makes BBC News

NRR Make National News - see picture 4.

** In pictures: The Real Relay **
Images from around the UK of a group of amateur runners who are following the route of the Olympic torch.
<
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/uk-18873770 >

Thursday 19 July 2012

The Great Adderbury Swim

The Three Spires Challenge and 10K is a lovely jaunt through the Oxfordshire countryside which is around 60% off road and takes in some picturesque villages en-route.  Heavy rain the night before meant organisers had to adopt a plan B approach and alter the route slightly as an early stretch in the opening mile was described as only being accessible by canoe.

Prior to the off, a long race briefing by the organisers, the event began.  The 10K runners headed straight out of the field whilst the half marathoners did a lap before criss-crossing out the same exit.  A trip through a churchyard was followed by a road route from Adderbury towards Banbury before turning onto a narrow canal towpath.  There was no overtaking for a few miles and the only sounds heard was the splish-splashing of runners through the puddles.

A long climb on the road followed before a jaunt along a farm track and another huge climb at 6 miles where the half and 10K route met in the opposite direction.  Runners from both events waved and shouted encouragement and walkers were passed from their earlier set off time of 8:30am.  

The final road stretch went through the village of Bloxham before heading off road onto soggy fields for the toughest part of the race from nine miles.  Stiles, mud and sodden grass greeted runners before a tough climb at 11 miles and then a muddy narrow corn field pass before the icing on the cake!  at 12.5 miles, the course was flooded knee deep giving tired legs a challenge for the final stretch back into Adderbury village.  The course clocked at 13.7 mile giving great value for money and a medal, t-shirt and doughnut were on offer to the mud spatter smiling competitors at the end.
Northampton Road Runners dominated the lines ups with nine completing the half marathon, seven the 10K and two walkers. 

Andy Blaize finished 9th overall in the half marathon event, flying round the course in 1:33:57.  John Fleming also enjoyed a good run finishing 24th in 1:46:08 and Martin Andrews finished strongly in 1:48:06 taking 30th spot.  Mark Kennedy seconds behind in 1:48:11 and just ahead of Mark Garrett 1:48:21.  Penny Andrews crossed the line in 1:51:10 before the Baldwins, Darren and Suzanne in 1:52:00 and 2:09:07 respectively.  Martin Rowe completed the half field for NRR in 2:14:01.
 
Rosanna Andrews ditched her brolly at the start to break the course record for the ladies finishing in 47:33 and taking the prize yet again.  Cross country fan Tom Sullivan finished in 57:30 with Mary Sullivan in 1:04:13.  Jim Anderson returned from injury to record a pleasing 1:06:22 and Richard Rose crossed the line in 1:09:31.  Sally Garrett and Karen Townsend both finished in 1:40:24.

Elaine Palmer and Jules Kennedy both represented the club at the Adderbury Half Walk and completed the route in 3:56:00.


See http://www.theracephotographer.com/2012/AddHalf/index.htm for some great pictures.

Results for the Adderbury Half Run - approx 13.1 miles

9 Andy Blaize 1:33:57
24 John Fleming 1:46:08
30 Martin Andrews 1:48:06
31 Mark Kennedy 1:48:11
33 Mark Garrett 1:48:21
37 Penny Andrews 1:51:10
40 Darren Baldwin 1:52:00
105 Suzanne Baldwin 2:09:07
112 Martin Rowe 2:14:01

Results for the Adderbury Ten Run - approx 10 kilometres

3 Rosanna Andrews 47:33
14 Tom Sullivan 57:30
35 Mary Kingsnorth 1:04:13
44 Jim Anderson 1:06:22
56 Richard Rose 1:09:31
85 Sally Garrett 1:40:24
85 Karen Townsend 1:40:24

Results for the Adderbury Half Marathon Walk - approx. 13.1 miles

5 Elaine Palmer 3:56:00

5 Jules Kennedy 3:56:00

Monday 16 July 2012

Half a dozen NRR members braved a wet Racecourse to take part in the latest Parkrun on Saturday 14th July.  Danson NJOKA smashed his PB and bagged another victory with a 17:06 finish.  Radoslav NIC continued his return to pure speed crossing the line in 18:46.  Peter MOOR may go on holiday and miss a Parkrun one day but he is like part of the Racecourse furniture on a Saturday morning, 20:25 was his latest effort.
Tony KENNEDY ran the circuit in 24:58 and Paula PINNEY in 26:53 with Simone SMITH crossing the line in 30:39.

1 Danson NJOKA 17:06
6 Radoslav NIC 18:46
14 Peter MOOR 20:25
59 Tony KENNEDY 24:58
73 Paula PINNEY 26:53
96 Simone SMITH 30:39

Wednesday 11 July 2012

The Real Relay

On Friday 6th July, ten Northampton Road Runners took part in a charity event called the Real Relay.  The organisation have planned a mass relay following the Olympic Tourch route around the UK and willing volunteers sign up online to run a leg.

Charlotte Yarker and Mark Kennedy composed a team of club members and devised the route along the A4500 to run the Northampton to Wellingborough leg.  The 10.5 mile stretch took in some challenging hills between Ecton and Wilby before hitting Wellingborough Town Centre to meet up with members of  Wellingborough DAC who embarked on their journey to Geddington.

Support on the route was well recieved from fellow club runners who had just finished work, passers by in their cars and on foot and even some students from Northampton Academy who joined the crew for a few hundred yards.

Black Country Half

Jocelyn Granger is a big fan of offroad races and completed the Black Country Half on Saturday 7th July in 1:57 finishing 3rd in her age category.  The race route follows the canal from Wolverhampton to Brindley Place in the centre of Birmingham. The weather was lovely and sunny although going was very wet and really muddy underfoot requiring a lot of puddle/bog dodging which really sapped the energy. Also there were a lot of short steep bridges plus a very dark, unlit tunnel which totally confused the garmin. Water stations were manned by narrow boat owners along the canal and the marshalls were really friendly so there was a great atmosphere all the way along.

Danson First Again

Danson NJOKA was first home again at the latest Parkrun at the Racecourse in a time of 17:29.  Radoslav NIC continued his comeback at the club with a 6th place time of 19:05.  Peter MOOR finished in 20:11 and Matt BRAND in 21:17.  Regular organisers Martin ANDREWS (21:35) and Jo LEE (23:15) both managed a run this time and Tony KENNEDY (24:24) and Paula PINNEY (26:49) also completed the course.

1 Danson NJOKA 17:29
6 Radoslav NIC 19:05
10 Peter MOOR 20:11
23 Matt BRAND 21:17
26 Martin ANDREWS 21:35
41 Jo LEE 23:15
49 Tony KENNEDY 24:24
68 Paula PINNEY 26:49 

Sunday 8 July 2012

East Midlands Grand Prix Final Standings

Well done to everyone who took part in the East Midlands Grand Prix events this year.   Northampton Road Runners had some of our best achievements for a long time in this series.
Rosanna Andrews dominated the Junior Women category completing all eight events and winning seven of them to take the overall prize.  Charlotte Yarker completed six events and finished 7th overall in the Senior Women and Kirsty Turner was 11th overall

In the F35 category, Jo Cummings finished tenth overall completing six events and Suzanne Baldwin was 8th in the F40 group.   

Congratulations to Penny Andrews was 2nd in the F45 category.

Danson Njoka dominated the Senior Men finishing 5th overall with five top ten finishes out of six events completed (the other finish was 11th).

Peter Moor completed the full set of eight races and finished 25th overall and Martin Andrews was only ten places behind in 25th spot.

In the M40 Tony Letts finished 7th and Darren Baldwin was 11th in the M45 group.

Last but not least to the M60  and Tom Sullivan finished 5th and Richard Rose 10th.

The team standings finished as follows:

5th - Senior Women 

7th - Veteran Women
10th - Senior Men
8th - Veteran Men
 

Senior Women
7 Charlotte Yarker 
11 Kirsty Turner 

Junior Women
1 Rosanna Andrews 

F35
10 Jo Cummings 

F40
8 Suzanne Baldwin 

F45
2 Penny Andrews

Senior
5 Danson Njoka 
25 Peter Moor 
35 Martin Andrews 

M40
7 Tony Letts 

M45
11 Darren Baldwin 

M60
5 Tom Sullivan 
10 Richard Rose 

Watlington 10K

The Watlington 10K in the Chilterns is highly recommended on the race calender by three Northampton Road Runners. It's a tough cross country course with two really steep hills and several stiles and gates. You need to watch your footing most of the time but its easy to be distracted by amazing views over the Oxfordshire plain and red kites circling overhead.

A small, friendly event saw Tony Letts finish 2nd overall in 43:37.  Jocelyn Granger broke the hour in 59:20 and Jo Cummings finished in 67.29

They do a winter race in December over the same route so keep your eyes open for the date and it will be a good addition to our cross country league.

Wednesday 4 July 2012

MK 10K (hey that rhymes).

The final race of the East Midlands Grand Prix series took place at a wet and drizzly Milton Keynes.  Normally basked in evening summer sunshine, the course takes a trip through Milton Keynes village towards Willen Lake before a long, monotonous stretch of duel carriageways and roundabouts on MK's redways.  The final mile enters a lush green stretch alongside the canal before returning to the grounds of the Open University.

Danson Njoka was first to get there in 35:29 despite taking a wrong turning at 9K and Tony Letts completed his series in 36:42.  Rosanna Andrews wrapped up another victory in the F20 category and grabbed a PB in 39:45.

Peter Moor also missed the turning at 9K but still managed a very respectable 43:26 and also holds the accolade of completing all eight series races.  Mark Kennedy was close behind in 43:52 followed by Darren Baldwin who bagged a PB in 44:33.

Martin Andrews was pleased with his time of 45:25 and Charlotte Yarker was four seconds ahead of Penny Andrews in 45:48.  Tom Sullivan was next home in 47:17 followed by Suzanne Baldwin in 53:36 and Jo Cummings in 55:43.  Elaine Palmer was next in 56:12 and Richard Rose was also among the PB crowd in 59:04.  Kirsty Turner completed the field in 59:31.
14 Danson Njoka 35:29
27 Tony Letts 36:42
78 Rosanna Andrews 39:45 1st F20
121 Peter Moor 43:26
142 Mark Kennedy 43:52
162 Darren Baldwin 44:33
184 Martin Andrews 45:25
199 Charlotte Yarker 45:48
200 Penny Andrews 45:52
226 Tom Sullivan 47:17
328 Suzanne Baldwin 53:36
348 Jo Cummings 55:43
351 Elaine Palmer 56:12
370 Richard Rose 59:04
373 Kirsty Turner 59:31

Tuesday 3 July 2012

The Achievements Keep Coming...

Northampton Road Runners are currently sitting pretty in both the East Midlands Grand Prix table and the Parkrun participation table.

East Midlands Grand Prix

Senior Women
5th from 39

Veteran Women
7th from 27

Senior Men
9th from 47

Veteran
8th from 31

Rosanna Andrews is currently top of the F20 category and Danson Nikoja is 6th male overall. There is one event to go tonight.

Park Run

Participation Table
2nd

Peter Moor is 1st in the individual participation too.
Danson Nikoja and Andy Blaize had recent victories in this event.

Andy's A Parkrun Winner

Andy BLAIZE stormed home to win the latest Parkrun in 18:26 at a blustery Racecourse on Saturday 30th June.  Peter MOOR finished 10th in 20:16 which keeps him top of the Parkrun points table.  Ronnie AMBROSE was seconds behind in 20:49 and Tom SULLIVAN enjoyed a good run in 22:43.

After all her hard work organising recent events, Jo LEE finally got to take part in a Parkrun and finished in 23:49.  Wendy PARKER was next home in 25:02 followed by Tony KENNEDY (25:27) and Elaine PALMER (26:30).

 1 Andy BLAIZE 18:26
10 Peter MOOR 20:16
13 Ronnie AMBROSE 20:49
23 Tom SULLIVAN 22:43
27 Jo LEE 23:49
34 Wendy PARKER 25:02
37 Tony KENNEDY 25:27
43 Elaine PALMER 26:30

Weedon's Hills

The Weedon 10K is the seventh race of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series and arguably the hilliest.  A climb of around one kilometre through Everdon Stubbs, shaded by overhanging trees, opens up to stunning views across Northamptonshire's countryside. 

Ten Northampton Road Runners got to enjoy the challenging route and were once again, led home by Danson Njoka in an impressive 36:52 who cemented himself in 4th in the series with one event to go.  Tony Letts currently sits in 6th overall in the M40 category and kept up his form with a 38:39 finish.

Peter Moor continued his EMGP quest with a time of 44:31 and Martin Andrews crossed the line in 49:07 just ahead of Tom Sullivan in 49:48.

Dave Knowley was next home in 52:11 ahead of Mick Clarke (58:43) and Richard Rose in 62:33.
Rosanna Andrews continued to lead the way for the ladies in 40:11 and once again was 1st F20 overall.  Ann Dickson also finished in 63:58.

11 Danson Njoka 36:52
23 Tony Letts 38:39
35 Rosanna Andrews 40:11 1st F20
89 Peter Moor 44:31
145 Martin Andrews 49:07
151 Tom Sullivan 49:48
181 Dave Knowley 52:11
226 Mick Clarke 58:43
240 Richard Rose 62:33
242 Ann Dickson 63:58