London Marathon

It's the biggie!  The London Marathon captures the hearts of the British public as thousands of runners take to the streets of the nation's capital to take part in the world's most famous marathon. With so many races to enter nowadays, it is still impossible to ignore this showpiece.

On 26th April, a huge crowd of NRR runners, supporters and friends made their way to London to be a part of the masses.  Those at home followed the live updates on the website and a real buzz was created all round.

Performance of the day went to super Dave Green who finished an amazing 208th overall and was only 12 seconds behind legend Paula Radcliffe with an amazing time of 2:37:07.  Dave even made the tv shot of Paula finishing.

Also smashing through the three hour barrier was Tony Letts in 2:56:13 and Daniel Cook in 2:57:09.

Matt Brand chalked up a 3:05:34 finish with ever popular monkey following him around too. Dan Gosling made an impressive marathon debut in 3:19:20 and Dave Blackburn flew around the course with a phenomenal 3:38:31. Beckie Hollowell was the first NRR lady to cross the line in 3:40:18 and Ronnie Ambrose broke four hours at London for his first time in five at 3:48:45.  

Winner of the club place Charlotte Yarker made her London debut in 3:55:51 and Wendy Parker finished in the same time.  Also breaking four hours was Eamon Kennedy in 3:57:20.

Next up was Rob Donovan in 4:07:41 closely followed by our other club pace winner Darren Byfield in 4:08:14.

Two more debutants followed, Fern Farmer 4:10:37 and Gavin Harris 4:16:22 with Suzanne Baldwin next in 4:30:19.

Alan Capell survived an early tumble at eight miles to soldier on and finish in 4:42:57 and
Paige Pinckard finished in 4:46:34.  Katie Pittam also completed her first ever marathon in 4:53:24 with Nicci Hollowell in 5:56:58.  A huge well done to Sue The Cake Thompson who who finished in 6:22:57 after her hip operation last year.

Plus well done to Spike for 6:19:33 and a huge shout out to Chris Mr PJR Lamb for 2:46:12.
Well done everyone and to the supporters who were cheering everyone today.
 

Dave Green 2:37:07 

Tony Letts 2:56:13

Daniel Cook 2:57:09. Matt Brand 3:05:34
Dan Gosling 3:19:20 
Dave Blackburn 3:38:31
Beckie Hollowell 3:40:18 
Ronnie Ambrose 3:48:45.  
Charlotte Yarker 3:55:51 
Wendy Parker 3:55
Eamon Kennedy 3:57:20.
Rob Donovan 4:07:41
Darren Byfield 4:08:14.

Fern Farmer 4:10:37
Gavin Harris 4:16:22
Suzanne Baldwin 4:30:19.
Alan Capell 4:42:57
Paige Pinckard 4:46:34
Katie Pittam 4:53:24
Nicci Hollowell 5:56:58
Sue The Cake Thompson 6:22:57

Parkrun 25th April

Five NRR in the top twenty...we're flying.

6 Ilir BRECA 18:53
8 Rosanna ANDREWS 19:03 - 1st lady
13 Mark GARRETT 19:31
15 Mark KENNEDY 19:46
17 Richard WILD 19:58
29 Mark JOHNSON 21:00
51 Seb PERRY 22:04
61 Sarah JONES 22:31
126 Paul GRAY 24:58
140 Elaine PALMER 25:51
160 Mary SULLIVAN 26:43
230 Helen BLACKBURN 29:47
267 Helen GARDNER 32:03

The brand new Market Harborough parkrun
35 Jon DILWORTH 24:00

Manchester Marathon

Described by many as "the fastest marathon in the country," a trio of NRR members took on the challenge of the Manchester Marathon. 
 
Three storming runs started with Stu DRUMMOND flying over the line with a stunning time of 3:06:26.  Stephen KENNEDY completed his second marathon with a goal of breaking four hours and he didn't just scrape through the barrier, he smashed it!  Time of 3:40:15.
Mark and Sue LEWIS ran the course together, Mark helping them both to a time of 4:43:51.

The standard has now been set ahead of London next weekend, well done everyone. 

686 Stuart DRUMMOND 3:06:26 
2668 Stephen KENNEDY 3:40:15 
6714 Mark LEWIS 04:43:51

Duston Tri

Two NRR members took part in the popular Duston Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 19th April.

Jo Windrum completed her first tri, finishing with a pretty quick run in 20:40.  Adrian Tuck completed the whole event in a fantastic time of 1:06:35.

50 Adrian Tuck - 7:49 (swim) 1:13 (t) 35:03 (bike) 0:57 (t) 21:31 (run) - 1:06:35
185 Jo Windrum - 7:44 (swim) 1:47 (t) 47:48 (bike) 0:36 (t) 20:40 (run) - 1:18:37

Parkrun 18th April

A huge field of 348 runners took part in the latest Parkrun.  The three year anniversary run is taking place on 2nd May.

5 Ilir BRECA 18:59
6 Rosanna ANDREWS 19:23 - 1st lady
13 Mark KENNEDY 20:05
26 Peter MOOR 21:11
48 Sarah JONES 22:10
162 Mary SULLIVAN 26:54
220 Helen BLACKBURN 29:41

Daventry parkrun
18 Seb PERRY 21:53

A Jaunt Around Brighton

John Eales completed the Brighton Marathon on 12 April 2015 in a great time of 4:11:16, making it a course PB.

John Eales 4:11:16

Belvoir Half Marathon

The Belvoir Half Marathon was another windy one with four NRR runners tackling the countryside route.

Rosanna Andrews battled against the conditions to rack up a great time of 1:27:57.  Richard Wild also continued his amazing form with a 1:32:44 finish.  Penny Andrews and Sarah Jones also had great runs with times of 1:40:50 and 1:41:03. 

36 Rosanna Andrews 1:27:57
76 Richard Wild 1:32:44
165 Penny Andrews 1:40:50
168 Sarah Jones 1:41:03

Worcester Half Marathon

Roger Taylor continued his comeback to form with a brilliant 1:42:42 at the windy Worcester Half Marathon on Sunday 12th April.

154 Roger Taylor 1:42:42

Sandy 10

Eamon Kennedy and Paul Braddock did the well established Sandy 10 (mile) on Sunday 12th April. It's another one of these little gems boasting an out and back route in glorious countryside.  The first few miles are a bit hilly but that offers an amazing fast finish if you have anything in reserve. Eamon did a respectable 1:22:32 and Paul scored a 10 mile PB in 1:26:52.

Eamon Kennedy 1:22:32
Paul Braddock 1:26:52

Peter's Debut in Paris

Peter Watson mae his marathon debut in Paris, a beautiful city and lovely route taking in all the sights.  Did he have time to stop and view then in his quest?  Peter finished in 5:10:47.

Peter Watson 5:10:47 

A Seaside Half - Bournemouth Bay Run

A beautiful day for a run along the seafront, Mark Kennedy completed his fifth Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon, a favourite road event of his, completing the route in a time of 1:34:39.

The event starts at Bournemouth Pier and heads along the promenade towards Poole before climbing to the top of the cliff and heading back towards Southbourne before a trip back along the seafront to Bournemouth via Boscombe Pier.  Good support along the way from locals and a rousing finish line reception.

The weather was great for an added bonus.

90 Mark Kennedy 1:34:39

Valley & Views, Waendel Walkers Club

A great run local run on 12th April for a handful of NRR at the Valley & Views hosted by the Waendel Walkers Club.  Darren Baldwin and Sharky Cotters did the marathon distance while Suzanne Baldwin Elaine Palmer and Casey Baldwin did the 16 mile distance, all for a lowly £4 entry fee and a full English breakfast when you finish, can't go wrong.

Parkrun 11th April

6 Ilir BRECA 18:55 
9 Richard WILD 19:31
35 Sarah JONES 21:50 
160 Helen BLACKBURN 29:06
174 Richard ROSE 29:38 

Northampton Running Festival

Set in the beautiful grounds of Delapre Abbey, the annual Northampton Festival of Running provides a great atmosphere for runners over three distances. The 10K starts at 10am with the half and marathon distances going off at five minute intervals later.

Five NRR members took on the half distance challenge which involves six laps of course, starting outside the Abbey and heading clockwise around the lake which got muddier on each loop.  
 
The ladies put in a storming performance! Rosanna Andrews finished in 5th position overall with an excellent time of 1:34:28 and well done to Penny Andrews who was 1st in her age category (F50) 1:48:15
 
Mark Kennedy was pleased with a 15th place finish in 1:44:04 and Mark Johnson was close behind in 1:46:50. Pete Moor completed the line up in 1:51:54.

This is a fantastic event with brilliant, enthusiastic marshals around the course, music to rock out to each time you pass the start finish and excellent camaraderie between runners lapping the route.

5 Rosanna Andrews 1:34:28
15 Mark Kennedy 1:44:04
20 Mark Johnson 1:46:50
22 Penny Andrews 1:48:15 - 1st F50
31 Pete Moor 1:51:54

Coventry Massey Ferguson 5 Mile

Tony and Jo Letts took part in the Coventry Massey Ferguson 5 Mile on the weekend of 4th April.  Tony was 1st MV40 in 29:49 and Jo finished in 45:45.

Tony Letts 29:49 - 1st MV40

Jo Letts 45:45.

South Downs Way 50 Miles

Well done to Richard Cormack for completing the South Downs Way 50 mile event in 11 hours and 40 minutes.  A superb endurance achievement.

Parkrun 4th April

6 Ilir BRECA 19:11
9 Stuart DRUMMOND 19:49
11 Richard WILD 20:01
38 Pete MOOR 21:31
50 Sarah JONES 22:05
75 Mark KENNEDY 22:57 - Pacer
76 Jon DILWORTH 23:03
201 Rachel PALMER 28:44
200 Elaine PALMER 28:44
219 Helen BLACKBURN 29:12