Thursday 26 June 2014

Weedon 10K

The last but one East Midlands Grand Prix series took us to Weedon for a beautiful and (yet another) challenging course.


Daniel Cook enjoyed another good run with a top 30 finish in 37:47 and Simeon Howson finished in 38:49.

Matt Brand was close to the forty minute barrier 40:10 and Sarah Jones kept up her series run with a 47:08.  Close behind was Steve Prior 47:39 and Beckie Hollowell 48:36, followed by John Eales 49:45.


Wendy Parker completed her fourth race in five days (wow) in 51:02.  Jon Dilworth has had a good series too with 51:28.  Paul Braddock 52:10, Tom Sullivan 52:42 and Colin Bricher 59:15 completed the line up.


30 Daniel Cook 37:47
41 Simeon Howson 38:49
59 Matt Brand 40:10
162 Sarah Jones 47:08
169 Steve Prior 47:39
187 Beckie Hollowell 48:36
203 John Eales 49:45
214 Wendy Parker 51:02
218 Jon Dilworth 51:28
225 Paul Braddock 52:10
228 Tom Sullivan 52:42
270 Colin Bricher 59:15

Colworth Challenge Weekend - 20/21/22 June (Too Hot To Trot)

This is the biggest write up of the year due to the massive turn-out we had at this weekend. If I miss you out, sorry.

We set up camp to find we were by far the largest gang camping, joined by family, young kids, youths and pets and all seemed to have a great time.

Some came just for one race, others to attempt the three. Some came to do one and ended up running all three.

34 of us ran 69 races between us totalling 720 miles + under a burning sun.

All the kids ran in the junior races and were showing off their medals to all.

30 of us took part in the Fri 5, some new faces and some old ones also. Hardened Colworth veterans and newbies wondering what they were in for.

A nice gentle 5 miler on a beautiful evening followed by food, beer, football. Nothing to it.

Saturday is a different story however. The campers were joined by those softies preferring their home comforts for the dreaded 8.1 mile trail race.

Although dry and hard this year was particularly tough due to the long grass and deep, rock-hard ruts and there were many tales of falls, grazes and bruises at the finish line. Twenty ran, walked, swore, and hobbled their way round with the thought of cake and more beer to help them along. The 12 o’clock start and very hot day ensured that there were some very red faces on the finishers.

The campers waved off the home lovers and settled down to talking rubbish, a few drinks, and judging the bake off. I wonder if Mo could compete on burgers and beer. Steve got his table of torture out and rubbed up sore calf muscles with the old burger fat.

Sunday morning started at 4.30am with the sun turning my tent into an oven. Another hot one was on the way.

It is by now easy to tell who has been camping by their semi-comatose condition. Still only a mere 13.1 miles to do.

19 of us completed the half, and of those 19 an amazing 16 had completed the whole 3 race marathon challenge. All were frazzled and shattered at the finish however all knew they had completed what is a very special event. First time Challenge finishers always deserve a mention and they were Keren, Jo Letts, John Eales, Steve and Beckie.

This events popularity with us is all due to Mick Clarke. He started running it over 10 years ago. Every year he nagged a few more to join him. Numbers from NRR grew and grew and here we are now.

Mick's last Challenge, 2013 saw him collect his 10 year award. As a tribute to Mick Colworth Striders presented a special commemorative Mick Clarke Award to the oldest finisher of the Challenge.

After the awards were dished out with trophies for Tony and Wendy it was time to relax, and try and chill out.

So another Colworth over. Same weekend next year however the weather can never be as good again can it.

Congratulations to everybody whether running, supporting, marshalling, entertaining or whatever. A damn fine weekend that took my mind off the footy.

The kids were good fun, the dogs behaved, the support was very welcome and the running was pretty good also.

Colworth striders once again put on a fantastic event and we are very grateful for their efforts.

See you next year hopefully. Number 9 for me.

Mark Garrett

Colworth Friday 5 mile
7 Tony Letts 29:09 - 1st mv40
47 Stu Drummond 34:27
65 Mark Garrett 35:33
79 Dave Whatton 36:24
91 Darren Baldwin 37:03
100 Ronnie Ambrose 37:37
111 Jo Windrum 38:12
112 Beckie Hollowell 38:13
115 Steve Prior 38:16
149 John Eales 40:10
151 Wendy Parker 40:17
162 Jasmine Banks 40:49
163 Jim Anderson 40:51
171 Elaine Palmer 41:26
193 Sharky Cottrell 42:39
198 Becky Eldridge 43:12
199 Richard Wild 43:13
228 Alan Palmer 45:02
236 Eamon Kennedy 45:29
251 Andy Pate 46:09
261 Suzanne Baldwin 47:10
262 Jo Letts 47:14
299 Paula Pinney 51:08
310 Carole Whatton 52:50
311 Rachael Smith 52:58
312 Jo Smith 52:59
321 Carrick Baldwin 54:12
322 Coral Baldwin 54:12
328 Keren Irving 55:40
332 Sally Garrett 57:22

Sat 8.1 mile Trail Race
7 Tony Letts 52:34 - 1st mv40
50 Mark Garrett 1:06:32
68 Ronnie Ambrose 1:08:58
75 Steve Prior 1:09:29
76 Darren Baldwin 1:10:01
83 Beckie Hollowell 1:10:38
98 John Eales 1:12:49
99 Martin Rowe 1:12:55
105 Jim Anderson 1:13:53
111 Sharky Cottrell 1:14:44
124 Elaine Palmer 1:16:30
126 Jo Smith 1:16:46
128 Suzanne Baldwin 1:17:21
144 Eamon Kennedy 1:20:00
145 Wendy Parker 1:20:05
154 Caroline Powell 1:22:09
156 Jo Letts 1:23:45
205 Keren Irving 1:45:40
206 Spike Breydin 1:47:45
207 Sally Garrett 1:50:44

Sunday 13.1 mile half
8 Tony Letts 1:24:56 - 1st MV40
19 Andy Blaize 1:33:14
39 Stu Drummond 1:41:05
45 Mark Garrett 1:42:59
53 Richard Wild 1:44:21
69 Ronnie Ambrose 1:48:20
91 Steve Prior 1:53:07
93 Beckie Hollowell 1:53:39
97 Darren Baldwin 1:54:45
108 Wendy Parker 1:59:10 - 1st FV50
117 Sharky Cottrell 2:01:45
120 Jim Anderson 2:02:11
136 Elaine Palmer 2:06:33
143 Jo Smiff 2:07:37
154 Eamon Kennedy 2:10:14
158 John Eales 2:11:08
175 Suzanne Baldwin 2:15:13
179 Jo Letts 2:16:20
216 Keren Irving 2:54:53

Full Marathon Challenge
Tony Letts 2:46:39 - 7th overall
Mark Garrett 3:25:04 – 8th challenge completed
Ronnie Ambrose 3:34:55 - 6th challenge completed
Steve Prior 3:40:52 - 1st full challenge
Darren Baldwin 3:41:49
Beckie Hollowell 3:42:30 - 1st full challenge
Jim Anderson 3:56:55
Sharky Cottrell 3:59:08
Wendy Parker 3:59:27
John Eales 4:04:07 - 1st full challenge
Elaine Palmer 4:04:29
Eamon Kennedy 4:15:39
Jo Smiff 4:17:22 - 7th challenge
Suzanne Baldwin 4:19:44
Jo Letts 4:27:19 - 1st timer only came over to eat cake.
Keren Irving 5:36 13 - 1st timer, ran injured, only intended 2 runs but carried away in excitement, fantastic effort.

I apologise if I missed you out of results.

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Parkrun 21st June

13 Ilir BRECA 19:4496 Robert BATEMAN 25:14
114 
Tony KENNEDY 25:57
167 
Helen BLACKBURN 29:22
172 
Jane HOLLEY 29:32
171 
Paul HOLLEY 29:32
233 
Richard ROSE 51:14 Pacer

Harborough Five

The Harborough Five is another part of the EMGP famed for its hills, namely the climb from three to four miles but when you've conquered it, it is really that bad.

NRR was proud to have four finishers in top 40 (or 32 as Simeon would say).

David Green had another storming run with a 27:09 finish.  Tony Letts recorded a PB in 28:44 and Daniel Cook finished 31st in 29:46, one place ahead of Simeon Howson 29:54.
 
Matt Brand finished in 31:42 and Mark Kennedy was pleased with a 33:49 finish.  Pete Moor was next in 35:16.


Sarah Jones was first NRR lady in 35:53 and Steve Prior was next for the men in 36:51.  More ladies, Charlotte Yarker 37:00, Beckie Hollowell 37:18 and Wendy Parker 39:04.

 
Two Jon/Johns and two different spellings were to follow, John Eales 39:28 and Jon Dilworth 39:50.


Elaine Palmer finished in 40:30 ahead of Tom Sullivan 41:20  and Jo Letts 43:44


7 David Green 27:09 
17 Tony Letts 28:44 
31 Daniel Cook 29:46 
32 Simeon Howson 29:54 
61 Matt Brand 31:42 
97 Mark Kennedy 33:49 
132 Peter Moor 35:16
148 Sarah Jones 35:53
174 Steve Prior 36:51 
179 Charlotte Yarker 37:00 
187 Beckie Hollowell 37:18 
218 Wendy Parker 39:04 
224 John Eales 39:28 
233 Jon Dilworth 39:50 
248 Elaine Palmer 40:30 
257 Tom Sullivan 41:20
291 Jo Letts 43:44

 

 

Parkrun 14th June


4 Simeon HOWSON 18:2123 Mark KENNEDY 20:34
27 Ilir BRECA
20:4282 Jim ANDERSON 24:40
91 Elaine PALMER
25:16
100 Eamon KENNEDY
25:43
104 Robert BATEMAN
25:58
109 Jo LETTS
26:43
118 Tony KENNEDY
26:57
145 Kelly ROBINS
29:03
164 Helen BLACKBURN
30:22

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Banbury Five

Round five of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series is the Banbury Five, an undulating country route with some excellent fast downhill stretches.

A record twenty NRR members took on the challenge and, not wishing the sun away, thankfully the clouds appeared for the time around the race making conditions cooler.

There were some fantastic performances again, Tony Letts was 3rd M45 in 29:02, only ten days after his ultra adventure.  Simon Howson was just over the half hour in 30:09 and Andy Blaize ran 31:06.

Matt Brand, another ultra guy, finished in 31:12 and Mark Kennedy finished in 33:57. 
Peter Moor, also fresh from his ultra, finished in 35:19.

Sarah Jones continues to go from strength to strength, finishing in 35:47 and was 3rd F45 overall.

Next to cross the line was Steve Prior (36:15) followed by Charlotte Yarker (36:31), Beckie Hollowell 37:36 and John Eales weren't far behind in 37:58.  Four more runners all finished just under the 40 minute barrier too, Andy Cottrell (39:09), Jon Dilworth 39:14, Wendy Parker (39:21) and Paul Braddock (39:53).

Elaine Palmer was next home in 40:42 followed by Jo Smith 41:54, Jo Letts 43:38 and Colin Bricher 46:09.  Finally was Eamon Kennedy (46:21), rumour has it that he was seen running in the opposite direction on the course.


23 Tony Letts 29:02 3rd M45
46 Simon Howson 30:09
60 Andy Blaize 31:06
62 Matt Brand 31:12
139 Mark Kennedy 33:57
180 Peter Moor 35:19
192 Sarah Jones 35:47 3rd F45
203 Steve Prior 36:15
214 Charlotte Yarker 36:31
240 Rebecca Hollowell 37:36
243 John Eales 37:58
265 Andy Cottrell 39:09
266 Jon Dilworth 39:14
269 Wendy Parker 39:21
277 Paul Braddock 39:53
291 Elaine Palmer 40:42
314 Jo Smith 41:54
344 Jo Letts 43:38
368 Colin Bricher 46:09
369 Eamon Kennedy 46:21

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Race For Life

Well done to everyone who took part in and supporting Race For Life on Sunday 8th June.  Around 4,000 ladies took part in the 5K and 10K distances raising thousands of pounds for charity and the chaps were there to cheer them on

Well done also to Sarah Jones who came second overall in the 10K and to Charlotte Yarker for a top ten finish.

The Otmoor Challenge

Northampton (off) Road Runners have had the Otmoor Challenge on the calendar for the past few years. The half marathon(ish) route takes a trip around the Oxforshire countryside offering a mix of country roads, fields and trails with the start/finish time, unusually at 2pm, is part of the village's annual fate.

Seven NRR off roaders made the sort trip this year with the lure of cake and a beer tent at the finish, they set off in the hot but muddy conditions.

It was good to see seasoned cross countryman Mark Garrett back in his trail shoes and he finished in a very respectable 1:40:36. Ronnie Ambrose finished in 1:53:34 seconds ahead of Beckie Hollowell 1:53:38. Mark Kennedy completed his third Otmoor in a row in 1:58:53 (enjoying the jelly baby stop at mile 10). 

John Eales made his off road running debut with a fantastic 2:00:20 finish and Jim Anderson was close to follow him home in 2:02:57. Wendy Parker was next in 2:05:35 and Suzanne Baldwin completed a great line up 2:12:46.

71 Mark Garrett 1:40:36
140 Ronnie Ambrose 1:53:34
144 Beckie Hollowell 1:53:38
177 Mark Kennedy 1:58:53
189 John Eales 2:00:20
204 Jim Anderson 2:02:57
214 Wendy Parker 2:05:35

250 Suzanne Baldwin 2:12:46

Northampton Parkrun 7th June

6 Simeon HOWSON 18:21
18 Andy BLAIZE 19:41
36 Sarah JONES 21:31 - New PB
85 Jon DILWORTH 24:39
113 Tony KENNEDY 26:13
147 Paul HOLLEY 27:54 - First Timer
169 Elaine PALMER 29:18
202 Jonathan TICE 32:37

Corby Five

The East Midlands Grand Prix series reached the halfway point at East Carlton Country Park on the Northants Leics border.

An undulating route starts ends with an uphill climb back into the grounds of the park to offer competitors a challenge.

This year was damp to start and thankfully everyone avoided the torrential downpour that followed in the evening.

A clutch of NRR members put in some great performances on the night, David Green was 4th overall in a fantastic time of 27:00.  Daniel Cook finished 26th on the night in 29:26.

Simeon Howson was back on track with a 31:26 finish and Stu Drummond enjoyed a good run in 32:33. Mark Kennedy was next to finish bang on 35 minutes with Adrian Tuck close behind in 35:26. 

Sarah Jones was the First Lady to finish in 36:34 with Beckie Hollowell (37:04) and Charlotte Yarker (37:41) close behind. 

John Eales finished in 38:03 followed by Wendy Parker 39:26, Jon Dilworth 39:36, Paul Braddock 40:21 and Elaine Palmer 40:47.  Jo Letts grabbed a new PB in 43:47.


4 David Green 27:00
26 Daniel Cook 29:26
57 Simeon Howson 31:26
77 Stu Drummond 32:33
127 Mark Kennedy 35:00
135 Adrian Tuck 35:26
160 Sarah Jones 36:34
171 Beckie Hollowell 37:04
181 Charlotte Yarker 37:41
187 John Eales 38:03
205 Wendy Parker 39:26
206 Jon Dilworth 39:36
220 Paul Braddock 40:21
227 Elaine Palmer 40:47
264 Jo Letts 43:47 

Thursday 5 June 2014

Ultra Madness

On 1st June, seven brave souls pushed themselves to the limit with the 35 mile Northants Ultra starting out from the lovely Lamport Hall.  Sometimes people say Northants is a flat county but if you talk to any of these people, they will tell you otherwise.
 
Tony Letts finished 7th overall in the event timed at 5:00:55, pretty impressive eh?  Matt Brand took part last year and finished in 5:26:38, 14th overall.

Jon Panter had a storming run and looked pretty fresh at the end after 6:24:10 on his feet.  Richard Cormack, also a veteran from last year and smashed 90 minutes off his time too - 7:12:57.

Pete Moor hit legendary status by smashing the Edinburgh Marathon one week, deciding to enter this ultra on a whim and then smashing it in 7:17:51.

Jocelyn Granger loves a challenge and was back for more for her second appearance and again put together a good team - 7:23:59
Andy Cottrell 7:50:42 completed a fabulous line up that was well supported by a cheering crowd of NRR at the finish line.
 
Everybody stayed until the end to cheer all on until Andy crossed the finish line (including Tony and Matt who had finished earlier), that is what makes this club so proud.  Well done all.
 
7 Tony Letts 5:00:55
14 Matt Brand 5:26:38
47 Jon Panter 6:24:10
102 Richard Cormack 7:12:57
110 Pete Moor 7:17:51
112 Jocelyn Granger 7:23:59
138 Andy Cottrell 7:50:42

A Lovely New Half

John Eales travelled down to Histon in Cambs to take part in the inaugural Flaming June Half Marathon. A multi terrain course, thoroughly enjoyable. Completed in a time of 1:58:43 and well recommended for future reference.

Parkrun Results 31st May

28 Mark KENNEDY 20:29
50 Jon DILWORTH 23:09
57 Jo LEE 24:06
71 Elaine PALMER 24:34

76 James ANDERSON 24:49
87 Suzanne BALDWIN 25:24 -plus Casey the dog
100 Tony KENNEDY 26:04
192 Jonathan TICE 31:39

Edinburgh Marathon

Pete Moor completed the Edinburgh Marathon on May 26th in a fantastic time of 3:53:50.