Tuesday 26 February 2013

A Beastly Weekend

Road Runners by name and Off Road Runners by nature.  Matt Brand completed the Baldock Beast Half Marathon on Sunday in 29th place with a time of 1:29:53 grabbing a PB by over 6 mins!!!.  Well done Matt!

The Belvior Challenge


There's the moment when you get out of the car and, as the cold wind whips around your body, you ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?"

You make your way to the village hall and collect your registration slip whilst bantering with your mates about the challenge that lays in wait.  Across the room you notice another club vest and a huge smile from another club mate as you collect your number from a friendly volunteer who wishes you luck.  More banter and conversations follow as you make your way back into the cool breeze and to the start line awaiting the start.

The gun goes (well the starter shouts go...) and the event is away.  Runners, walkers, novices and experienced troops make their way through the village who have come out in support, cheering frantically as the crowd snakes through.  Half a mile later and the tarmac is swapped for an uneven muddy track which then opens out to fields and more mud.  At miles three is the first of many styles to climb, the other side is an electric fence to contend with before a gentle gruelling climb to the top of a hill.  Then more fields, more mud and more styles...  Banter continues between runners and walkers and messages of admiration fly in from casual strollers our for a Saturday morning walk.  Cakes and cuppa stops are on the route and a few hours after starting, the muddied participants finish in the village hall to collect a well earned bowl of soup and cake.  Stories are exchanged, laughter is heard and pats on the back are dished out.

That is why we do it!!!

Martin Andrews is on fire at the moment and, sporting his short sleeved t-shirt, he smashed the two hour barrier in 1:59:42.  Mark Kennedy was next home in 2:18:19 just ahead of Ronnie Ambrose in 2:18:36.  Wendy Parker enjoyed a good run in 2:41:41 and Jim Anderson had plenty of stories to tell after arriving in 2:46:15.  Charlotte Yarker had an eventful run and even with a couple of stops, finished in 2:47:37, her longest run to date.  Old campaigner Mick Clarke opted for the 15 mile version instead of 26 this year(3:00:59) and the star of the day was Sally Garrett.  Sally completed her first half a couple of weeks ago and her never say never attitude got her round her biggest ever run in 3:55:06.  20 miles next Sally??

The other mega-star was Mark Garrett who went for t 4:29:49


25 Martin Andrews 1:59:42
88 Mark Kennedy 2:18:19
90 Ronnie Ambrose 2:18:36
195 Wendy Parker 2:41:41
224 James Anderson 2:46:15
225 Charlotte Yarker 2:47:37
287 Mick Clarke 3:00:59
431 Sally Garrett 3:55:06
519 Mark Garrett 4:29:49

Parkrun Event 42 - 23/02/2013.

4 Tony LETTS 18:29
18 Peter MOOR 20:25
40 Rebecca HOLLOWELL 22:43
45 Darren SMITH 23:13
54 Tony KENNEDY 24:02
56 Eamon KENNEDY 24:07
135 Simone SMITH 32:38

Monday 18 February 2013

Results for Northampton Parkrun Event 41 - 16/02/2013


17 Peter MOOR 19:48
26 Matt BRAND 21:09
62 Eamon KENNEDY 23:54
64 Tony KENNEDY 24:18
68 Jo LEE 24:34
86 Mick CLARKE 26:13
149 Simone SMITH 33:19

Wednesday 13 February 2013

The Real Deal

Well done to Sally Garrett for completing the Real Deal, her first ever half marathon in a wind-swept Kent.

65 Mark Garrett 1:36:38
386 Sally Garrett 2:39:22 1st Half Marathon

Monday 11 February 2013

Folksworth 15

Eight NRRs headed off in search of the hills at the Folkswoth 15. The two lap course was relatively flat with the exception of three challenging hills which you only wanted to see once and not twice. The runners battled rain, cold temperatures and a challenging head wind to complete the course.

First to cross the line was Martin Andrews in a time of 1.50.55, followed by Steve Prior in 156.09 and Peter Moor to complete a trio of runners to break the 2 hour mark in a time of 156.36. Next to cross the line was Darren Baldwin in 2.10.52 followed by James Anderson in 2.16.53 next was Jo Smith in 2.20.10. Completing the line-up was Mick Clark 2.23.15 and Suzanne Baldwin 2.29.49.

Folksworth 15 was a friendly club organised run that is worth adding to your 2014 race calendar.

87th Martin Andrews – 1.50.55
134th Steve Prior – 156.09
141st Pete Moor – 156.36
236th Darren Baldwin – 2.10.52
286th James Anderson – 2.16.53
298th Jo Smith – 2.20.10
320th Mick Clark – 2.23.15
340th Suzanne Baldwin – 2.29.49

Northampton Parkrun, number 40, 09/02/2013.

Well Done Beckie
The first lady completing the course was Rebecca HOLLOWELL (F) (Northampton Road Runners) in a time of 00:22:18.

The following club members participated:
7 Sam BROWN 19:15
8 Peter MOOR 19:43 - well done Pete, great time and a PB
12 Mark KENNEDY 20:33
14 Matt BRAND 20:45
37 Rebecca HOLLOWELL 22:18 - first lady55 Eamon KENNEDY 24:18
61 Jo LEE 25:00
64 Elaine PALMER 25:18
128 Claire SPOKES 34:34
143 Simone SMITH 40:26

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Northampton Mud Skippers Sun 3rd Feb

Another Cross-Country season came to a close at Delapre Park.

This season’s races have been the wettest and muddiest ever and a change of name for the club should be considered - Northampton Off Road Runners!

Over the season 46 club members have participated in the league which is a great turnout. Many have been new faces which has been nice to see.

At Delapre 29 of us mustered in a chill wind on the start knowing we were in for muddy slog.

We were not disappointed as the course ranged from very wet, to muddy, to bogging and staying upright was an effort in itself.

A special mention goes to Chris Lamb who picked up a trophy finishing as 2nd runner overall for the series a fantastic effort.

We had 8 stars who ran every race, Sally Garrett, Beckie Hollowell, Dave Blackburn, John Fleming, Jon Dilworth, Jon Panter, Chris Lamb and Mark Garrett, well done all.

So that is that for another year. The next XC season will start in October but for all those who like the off-road races there are plenty out there where you can get nice and dirty.

There are some great photos on the website gallery and everyone is smiling.


http://www.northamptonroadrunners.co.uk/gallery.html

6 Chris Lamb
21 Tony Letts
68 Stuart Drummond
72 Sam Brown
122 Mark Garrett
128 Peter Moor
144 John Fleming
145 Jim McGowan
177 Darren Baldwin
182 Roger Taylor
195 Jon Panter
206 Tony Powell
207 Beckie Hollowell
234 Charlotte Yarker
238 Dave Blackburn
250 Tom Sullivan
256 Jim Anderson
257 Michael Franks
266 Glen Cousner
279 Jon Dilworth
283 Suzanne Baldwin
285 Paul Braddock
293 Jo Smith
302 Mary Sullivan
305 Elaine Palmer
327 Jags Rattu
339 Helen Blackburn
346 Katherine White
349 Sally Garrett 



Watford Half

Whilst others were sloggin it out in the mud, Rosanne Andrews (1:28:01) and Andy Blaize (1:30:54) opted for the Watford Half and finished in impressive times.
 
Rosanne Andrews 1:28:01
Andy Blaize 1:30:54

Charnwood Hills

The Charwood Hills Fell Race is organised by Bowline Climbing Club which must mean one thing...climbing!  The 14 mile off road course includes four beautiful country parks in Leicestershire offering stunning views from the top.  Following the snow and rain, the course was muddy, so muddy in places it was barely possible to even walk, let alone run.

Seven Northampton Road Runners took on the challenge and Martin ANDREWS decided to ignore his team mates' advice of taking it easy and enjoying the views, he flashed around in an impressive 2:02:46.  Steve PRIOR also enjoyed a good run in 2:11:26.  Mark KENNEDY survived a few stumbles on the way round to finish in 2:19:43 and Jocelyn GRANGER crossed the line in 2:23:57.

268 Wendy PARKER and Ronnie AMBROSE finished together in 2:30:13 and Mick CLARKE completed the line up in 3:00:31.

97 Martin ANDREWS 2:02:46
168 Steve PRIOR 2:11:26
217 Mark KENNEDY 2:19:43
240 Jocelyn GRANGER 2:23:57
268 Wendy PARKER 2:30:13
269 Ronnie AMBROSE 2:30:13
357 Mick CLARKE 3:00:31

Parkrun number 39 - 02/02/2013.


12 Peter MOOR 20:10
40 Matt BRAND 23:04
52 Andrew PATE 24:43
67 Mick CLARKE 26:19
68 Elaine PALMER 26:23