Tuesday 31 March 2015

Daffodil Dawdle

The Daffodil Dawdle was around the flat, muddy and windy fields of Newmarket. A 27 miler organised by the long distance walkers association with good food stops made up for complicated directions but ran in great company ... beware anyone else tempted to do lDWA events ...they are very addictive. 

Well it was over marathon distance so have a guess who decided to do this one?  That's right....Sharrrrrrrrrky.  He managed, despite the mud and wind, to complete in a time of 6.03 and add yet another marathon to the ever growing list.

Monday 30 March 2015

Oakley 20

Part two of the undulating coutryside spring marathon prep and another NRR crew made the short trip to Oakley.
A great run from Dave Blackburn in 2:41 exactly to comehomefirst for the club.  Darren Baldwin recovered from his "accidental" marathon last week to finish in 2:47:04 and Charlotte Yarker continued her great from finishing in a PB time of 2:52:56.
 
John Eales was close behind in 2:55:21 with Eamon Kennedy breaking three hours in 2:57:33. Jon Dilworth finished in 3:06:30 and well done to Gavin Harris in 3:10:54. Darren Byfield crossed the line 3:12:03 and Suzanne Baldwin completed a fabulous line up in 3:29:54. 


225 David Blackburn  2:41:00 
283 Darren Baldwin 2:47:04 
342 Charlotte Yarker 2:52:56 
381 John Eales 2:55:21 
419 Eamon Kennedy 2:57:33 
517 Jon Dilworth 3:06:30 
560 Gavin Harris 3:10:54 
573 Darren Byfield 3:12:03 
708 Suzanne Baldwin  3:29:54 

We Have A Winner...

Dave Green won the Colchester Half Marathon on Sunday 29th March in a stunning time of 1:12:04.  Well done Dave, totally on fire at the moment.

1st  Dave Green  1-12-04
how fantastic is that!

Parkrun 28th March

4 Ilir BRECA 19:03
9 Stuart DRUMMOND 19:24
14 Richard WILD 19:54
21 Mark KENNEDY 20:22
55 Sarah JONES 22:13
79 Mark GARRETT 23:18
122 Paul GRAY 25:30
134 Jo SMITH 25:52
231 Elaine PALMER 30:52
230 Rachel PALMER 30:52
312 Claire SPOKES 40:42

Jurassic Coast Challenge

Penny Andrews did The Jurassic Coast Challenge over weekend 20/21/22 March.This consisted of three marathons in three days.
 
She did fantastically well with day three especially being a superb performance.
Day 1    25th   6:06:14
Day 2    36th   7:10:30
Day 3    10th   6:25:14
 
18th place overall in 19:41:58, congratulations on such a magnificent and crazy achievement.  What comes next?

Ashby 20

The Ashby 20 is a traditional undulating countryside route which offers great preparation for spring marathon training.


NRR had the super seven running it with some great PBs at the 20 miles distance.


David Green put in another star performance finishing 5th overall in a superb time of 1:56:48. Stuart Drummond was a couple of seconds ahead of Matt Brand in 2:22:24.

Ronnie Ambrose recorded his best ever time at this distance with 2:41:20 as did Wendy Parker in 2:44:08.  John Eales was close behind with 2:44:43 and Pete Moor finished in a great time of 2:46:49.

5 David Green
1:56:48 
116 Stuart Drummond 2:22:24
117 Matt Brand
2:22:28
334 Ronnie Ambrose 2:41:20
370 Wendy Parker
2:44:08
382 John Eales
2:44:43
410 Pete Moor
2:46:49

Tuesday 24 March 2015

The Obelisk 'Obble II

NRR have been famed for hosting the Moulton 10K in recent years but in our 2014 move to Kingsthorpe, we lost a great race.  The Obelisk 'Obble was formed in September 2014 and opened as a trial for NRR members and the club decided to advance proceedings with a second version on Saturday 14th March.

Being a club with Road Runners in its name, it was fitting to fit into our eccentric nature and run most of the course off road.  There were two options available, an eight mile route and a 14.

Being regulars in these parts of the county, our members were amazed by the beauty of the route, some of the course that we haven't covered before giving NRR a real impetuous to make it a permanent fixture...food for thought maybe.  


Well done to all members and friends who completed the route, the results are below (not that we were being that competitive surely).  There was no chip timing so the times may not be exact (of course).

Short - 8 miles
1:39:46 - John Dilworth, Jo Letts, Sue Summers, Seb Perry, Rachael Smith
2:17:08 - Micky Bogal, Ryan S

Long - 14 miles
1:53:10 -
Illr Brecani, Tony Letts,
1:53:24 - Stu Drummond
1:57:55 - Andy Blaize
1:57:57 - Penny Andrews
1:59:05 - Mark Kennedy
2:05:25 - Darren Baldwin + mate
2:11:00 - Sarah Jones, Richard Wild
2:11:20 - Ronnie Ambrose, Wendy Parker
2:20:00 - Roger Taylor, Jocelyn Granger, Dave Blackburn
2:31:35 - Darren Byfield, Jo Smith, Elaine Palmer, Paul Braddock
2:06:54 - Mark Garrett - socialising runner
2:42:25 - Mark Lewis, Sheena
2:43:54 - Caroline - part of Mark Lewis group
2:57:05 - Avatar
2:57:15 - Mary Davies
2:57:35 - Mary Sullivan, Tom Sullivan
3:08:52 - Sally Garrett and Lynsey Brecani
3:18:55 - Helen Balckburn, Keren Irving, Katie, Nicki Hollowell

Warwick Half

Jo and Tony Letts did the Warwick Half on Sunday 22nd March.

A huge well done to Jo for a PB of 2:01:22.  Tony recorded a brilliant finish of 1.20:41 on a good course and great support plus over 2000 runners.

Charnwood Marathon

It'sthe weekend so there is a fair chance that Sharky will be ding a marathon.  Yep, him, Eamon Kennedy and Darren Baldwin all ran the Charnwood Marathon.  Darren's was an accident by the way.

Suzanne Baldwin decided on the more sensible option of the half distance.  

Both routes were escribed as beautiful, off road challenges.  One for the NRR crew in the future for sure.

Parkrun 21st March

13 Ilir BRECA 18:55
21 Mark KENNEDY 20:14
22 Richard WILD 20:24
42 Sarah JONES 21:51
69 Jon DILWORTH 23:27
70 Tom SULLIVAN 23:33
139 Mary SULLIVAN 26:49
182 Miles BILINGHAM 28:35

Loughborough Half 15th March

Jon Dilworth was the sole NRR representative at the Loughborough half and on a cold windy day achieved a creditable 3rd place for MV60 with a time of 1:50:00.

Jon Dilworth 1:50:00 MV60 3rd

Monday 16 March 2015

Silverstone Half

An iconic race at the home of the Grand Prix on a cold Sunday the 15th March.  A clutch (get it) of PBs on the fast circuit were awarded on the podium (not literally) as the chaquered flag was raised.

Well done to Stephen Kennedy, Mark Johnson, Gavin Harris and Peter Watson for huge PBs.

372 Tom Smith 1:31:48
897 Stephen Kennedy 1:39:45 PB
955 Mark Johnson 1:40:33 PB
Gavin Harris 1.45.30 PB
1688 Eamon Kennedy 1:47:10
2341 Peter Watson 1.52.50 PB
5693 John Eales and Kerry Bate 2:27:59

Marathon and a Half

NRR is full of crazy challenges these days as our thrill seeker members always look for that buzz.

John Eales did the Thames Meander Marathon on Saturday 14th March and then did a little recovery run on the Sunday completing the Silverstone Half Marathon.  


He also joined in the club festivities with the one year anniversary at the Obelisk Centre on Saturday evening.  Now for a well earned rest.

192 JOHN EALES 4:18:08 - Marathon
John Eales and Kerry Bate 2:27:59 - Half

Parkrun 14th March

98 Robert BATEMAN 24:35 - PB
122 Paul GRAY 25:35
212 Richard ROSE 30:14

Wednesday 11 March 2015

Backlight Fun

Backlight Run
Gavin Harris took part in the colourful, Backlight Run in Northampton on the evening of Saturday 7th March. A 5K route saw competitors covered in uv paint for a colourful finish. 

Chiltern Kanter

Chiltern Kanter 
Ronnie Ambrose and Wendy Parker run the Chiltern Kanter, an 18mile map-reading cross country event and they managed to find their way back ok. 

MK Festival

MK Festival of Running
Ben Mullaney made good preparations for London with a fantastic 2:37:08 time in the 20 mile event at the Milton Keynes Festival of running. 

Darren and Suzanne Baldwin shook off their Grizzly legs to complete the course in 1:39:41 and 2:10:30 respectively and Pete Moor finished in 1:42:44 at the half distance. 

20 Miles
Ben Mullaney 2:37:08

Half Marathon
281 Darren Baldwin 1:39:41
377 Pete Moor 1:42:44
1378 Suzanne Baldwin 2:10:30

Cambridge Half

Cambridge Half
Joe McManus and John Eales completed the Cambridge Half on Sunday 8th March. Joe finished in 1:45:11 and John in 1:51:05 after a good return from injury. 

Joe McManus 1:45:11
John Eales 1:51:05

The Battle Was Won

Naseby Battlefield Run
A great local event at Naseby, the Battlefield Run incorporated a duathon alongside three distances at running. The route took in some of the country's stunning countryside and offered some killer hill climbs, especially the long haul at Haselbech. Half marathoners had to do it twice.

With eight different events happening at once, it was hard to know who was doing what distance but thee was plenty of spirit on the course between competitors. 

One slight niggle was a few snags to the organisation with some distances being undercut and a few runners taking wrong turnings. Perhaps the hosts took on a little too much. 

A good note for the day was an optional t-shirt for purchase that included the names of all entrants plus a great route with a challenge.  

The NRR crew turned out to try the running distances. 

Congratulations to Rosanna Andrews who won the 5K event in 23:08.

Jo Letts completed the 10K in 40:49. 

At half marathon distance there were some great finishes with two out of three in the top ten. Tony Letts was second in 1:21:26 and Daniel Cook third in 1:23:15. Mark Kennedy finished 11th overall in 1:35:08 and Roger Taylor crossed the line in 1:47:21. 

Well done to Penny Andrews who was 1st MV50 with a time of 1:40:24. 

5K
1st Rosanna Andrews 23:08

10K
48th Jo Letts 57:22

Half Marathon
2nd Tony Letts 1:21:26
3rd Daniel Cook 1:23:15
11th Mark Kennedy 1:35:08
18th Penny Andrews 1:40:24 1st MV50
25th Roger Taylor 1:47:21

Groundhog Day

The Groundhog Marathon
Some people will remember the classic film Groundhog Day where Bill Murray plays a weather man who wakes every morning to experience the same day. 

Perhaps the Groundhog Marathon won't take days to complete but it was an incredible 105.5 laps of a running track in Telford. 

Eamon Kennedy and Andy Sharky Cotters completed the gruelling event on Saturday 7th March. Not only was then an achievement in itself but Sharky also completed his challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months. Sometimes it is not always about speed. 

Well done to Sharky, a full report will follow. 

Sharks 4:12
Eamon 4:06 

Parkrun PB Day

7 Matt BRAND 18:42 PB
12 Richard WILD 19:22 PB
13 Ilir BRECA 19:24
42 Sarah Jones 22:05 1st lady
62 Mark KENNEDY 22:56 Pacer
204 Richard ROSE
30:34
237 Lynsey LOU 34:03

Daventry parkrun

17 Seb PERRY 21:46

Friday 6 March 2015

Ultra Man

On Sunday 1st March Jon Panter did the 45 mile St. Peters Way Ultra in Essex in a fantastic 8:39 and didn't even get a T shirt.

Monday 2 March 2015

March March Begins

As February ended and March began, NRR ran various events across the country.

Belvoir Challenge
Saturday began with the Belvoir Challenge, Andy Sharky Cotters did his 11th marathon in 11 months, slogging it around in the mud in around six hours. Jocelyn Granger did the 15 miler in 3 hours.

Eleven members did the Parkrun at the same time (which wasn't quite as muddy.)

Coventry Half
Penny Andrews did the Coventry Half in 1:42 finishing a few minutes ahead of Jon Dilworth in 1:46


Berkhamsted Half
Another popular event in the NRR calender is the beautiful Berko Half (as it is fondly known locally).  Seven runners were treated to lovely sunshine around the hilly, countryside route.  Richard Wild and Wendy Parker grabbed massive PBs on a course not normally likened to a PB route.

91 Richard Wild 1:32:41
184 Ronnie Ambrose 1:38:24
190 Mark Kennedy 1:38:53
255 Sarah Jones 1:41:47 

317 Wendy Parker 1:44:28
471 Tom Sullivan 1:49:41
792 Mary Sullivan 2:04:40


Grizzly
The iconic Grizzly is too much of a pull for our club and this year was no exception. A handful of crazed thrill seekers made the trip to Devon to tackle the mud and hills in The 


Grizzly 2015 - Dash To Delirium
159 Matt Brand 3:11:17
220 Stuart Drummond 3:17:48
450 Pete Moor 3:39:26
722 Darren Baldwin 3:57:52 

1116 Paul Braddock 4:32:09
1237 Suzanne Baldwin 4:50:46
 

Rome Marathon
Finally Dave and Helen Blackburn left the country to complete the wonderful Rome Marathon and thoroughly enjoyed the race and the trip.

February Parkruns

28th February
4 Daniel COOK 18:16
10 David GREEN 19:02
9 Ilir BRECA 19:02
17 Richard WILD 19:37
31 Mark KENNEDY 20:30 - Bangkok to Heathrow arriving at 6:45am
55 Sarah JONES 21:55
77 Gavin HARRIS 22:57
149 Mick BHOGAL 26:12
164 Paul GRAY 26:45
188 Miles BILINGHAM 27:40
271 Lynsey LOU 33:14

21st February
2 David GREEN 16:32
11 Ilir BRECA 19:11
39 Pete MOOR 21:02
55 Sarah JONES 21:47
56 Richard WILD 21:48
71 Seb PERRY 22:29
93 Jon DILWORTH 23:12
243 Sue SUMMERS 29:06

Gunnersbury parkrun
70 Mark GARRETT 22:56

14th February

1 David GREEN 16:27
12 Richard WILD 19:36
32 Pete MOOR 21:14
45 Sarah JONES 22:00
48 Mark GARRETT 22:11
95 Jocelyn GRANGER 24:26
158 Mick BHOGAL 27:22
202 Pauline HORNE 29:01
209 Sue SUMMERS 29:17

8th February
20 Richard WILD 20:29
25 Mark KENNEDY 20:42
34 Pete MOOR 21:12
50 Sarah JONES 21:52
57 Seb PERRY 22:19
67 Jon DILWORTH 23:27
83 Tom SULLIVAN 24:08
116 Paul GRAY 25:31
165 Mick BHOGAL 27:49

Strathaven and Richmond Half Marathons

On Sunday 22nd February, Eamon Kennedy ran the Strathaven Half Marathon in wonderful sleet and snowy conditions. His time, 1:51

On the same day, Mark and Sally Garrett did the Richmond Half and boasted that it was sunny and fine.

Mark G 1:35
Sally G 2:40

Stamford 30K

Five NRR members took part in the Valentine's Day 30K, a challenging 30K route at Stamford.  Well done to all.
 

114 Matt Brand 2:16:23
201 Stuart Drummond 2:26:21
242 Beckie Hollowell 2:30:55
354 Charlotte Yarker 2:43:21
428 John Eales 2:53:21