Colworth Weekend

A great time was had by all at Colworth, be it runners, guests, friends, pets, kids, with around 40 Northampton Road Runners making the most of this top event.  The challenge consists of a 5 mile race on the Friday evening starting at 7:00pm.  The single lap route around Colworth Science Park takes in some beautiful woodland trails.  Saturday's noon event is a tougher 8.1 mile trail race which includes a good few miles of deep tractor furrows that had been filled by the previous night's downpour.  The sun also came up half way making conditions tougher.  On Sunday there is little recovery time before the 10:30am start for the half marathon where the two lap route goes across fields and through woodland trails.  The temperature reached 28 degrees around midday as many were well into the course.

In addition to the running, campers had to cope with rain, noisy sheep, rave music, sunburn and hangovers.  Everyone competing is a star, however NRR brought home a good selection of trophies and these deserve a special mention.

1st Lady in Friday’s 5 mile, Saturday’s 8.1 mile and Sunday’s Half Marathon and of course Overall Champion Lady was Steph Russell

1^st  MV40 in Friday’s 5 mile was Andy Blaize
1^st  MV70 in Friday’s 5mile was Mick Clarke

And not to miss out the 1^st dog in Friday’s 5mile was Brian the Labrador  ( Jane + Steve Cosby’s)

Probably the best results of all were these

Marathon Challenge Overall Team   3^rd

Sun Half Marathon Team Prize         2^nd  

These are the weekend warriors;

Marathon Challenge (all three races)

Position	Name	Col 5	Trail	Half M	Total
7th	Andy Blaize	30:01	56:39	1:31:52	2:58:32
11th	Steph Russell	32:11	57:30	1:33:31	3:03:12
15th	Gary McDaniels	33:12	38:38	1:36:01	3:07:51
32nd	Mark Garrett	34:24	1:01:17	1:46:20	3:22:01
42nd	Mark Kennedy	35:11	1:04:44	1:51:15	3:31:10
58th	Ronnie Ambrose	38:13	1:10:33	1:55:07	3:43:53
80th	Jim Anderson	40:59	1:14:28	2:04:18	3:59:45
94th	Mick Clarke	41:26	1:15:01	2:13:53	4:10:20
106th	Darren Baldwin	38:41	1:15:41	2:21:58	4:16:20
110th	Jo Smith	42:21	1:18:33	2:20:18	4:21:12
123rd	Wendy Parker	42:13	1:24:03	2:25:52	4:32:08
135th	Suzanne Baldwin	45:33	1:23:19	2:35:07	4:43:59
141st	Jan Brawn	49:24	1:30:30	2:35:11	4:55:05

5 Mile

5th Andy Blaize 30:01

10th Tony Letts 30:47

22nd Steph Russell 32:11

33rd Gary McDaniels 33:12

54th Mark Garrett 34:24

64th Mark Kennedy 35:11

78th Dave Whatton 36:28

114th Ronnie Ambrose 38:13

128th Darren Baldwin 38:41

158th Jim Anderson 40:59

163rd Mick Clarke 41:26

174th Wendy Parker 42:13

177th Jo Smith 42:21

195th Elaine Palmer 43:32

226th Suzanne Baldwin 45:33

298th Carole Whatton 52:07

309th Steve Cosby 54:43

310th Jane Cosby 54:48

313th Sally Garrett 56:09

8 Mile Trail Race

16th Andy Blaize 56:39

21st Steph Russell 57:30

23rd Gary McDaniels 58:38

40th Mark Garrett 1:01:17

59th Mark Kennedy 1:04:44

91st Ronnie Ambrose 1:10:33

96th Dave Blackburn 1:11:21

115th Jim Anderson 1:14:28

120th Mick Clarke 1:15:01

127th Darren Baldwin 1:15:41

141st Jo Smith 1:18:33

161st Suzanne Baldwin 1:23:19

165th Elaine Palmer 1:23:48

166th Wendy Parker 1:24:03

198th Helen Blackburn 1:33:35

205th Alan Hackett 1:43:44

210th Patrick Breydin 1:47:06

213th Sally Garrett 1:53:15

214th Jane Cosby 1:53:21

Half Marathon

8th Tony Letts 1:29:55

10th Andy Blaize 1:31:52

13th Steph Russell 1:33:31

18th Gary McDaniels 1:36:01

49th Mark Garrett 1:46:20

61st Mark Kennedy 1:51:15

81st Ronnie Ambrose 1:55:07

125th Dave Blackburn 2:03:27

127th Jim Anderson 2:04:18

174th Mick Clarke 2:13:53

191st Jo Smith 2:20:18

196th Darren Baldwin 2:21:58

211th Wendy Parker 2:25:52

234th Suzanne Baldwin 2:35:07

As well as runners we also had a good bunch of supporters which all added up to a great weekend.  See you all and hopefully a few more next year.

 

Weedon 10K

Probably one of the toughest races of the East Midland Grand Prix Series took place at Weedon on 21st June and seven of the Northampton Road Runners took on the challenge.  Tony Letts continued his good form in the series finishing in 38:13.  Lynton Dawson who cannot stop racing at the moment, crossed the line in 40:52.  Next home was Richard Franks in 43:51.

Mick Clarke completed his series with a time of 52:01 and Claire McDaid finished in 56:16.  Mary Kingsnorth (57:30) and John Oliver (73:47) were the other two finishers.

30th Tony Letts 38:13
64th Lynton Dawson 40:52
111th Richard Franks 43:51
240th Mick Clarke 52:01
241st Tony Kennedy 52:03
279th Claire McDaid 56:16
285th Mary Kingsnorth 57:30
319th John Oliver 73:47

Harborough 5

A hot evening greeted runners to round six of the East Midlands Grand Prix at Market Harborough.  Fourteen Northampton Road Runners members took part and first to finish was Andy Blaize in 30:29.  Lynton Dawson has endured a tough schedule lately and continued to run well in 31:48.  Steph Russell made her first EMGP appearance the year with 33:16 finish.  Richard Franks was next to cross the line in 33:45 ahead of Peter Moor in 34:46 and Steve Prior in 36:37.  Charlotte Yarker was second NRR lady in 37:08.

Mick Clarke finished in 40:04 second ahead of Jo Lee in 40:09 with Jocelyn Granger close behind in 40:49.  Elaine Palmer continued her return from injury (43:32) and Claire McDaid finished in 45:15.  Jo Cummings (47:25) and Alan Hackett (53:39) completed the line up.

35th Andy Blaize 30:29

54th Lynton Dawson 31:48

86th Steph Russell 33:16

98th Richard Franks 33:45

127th Peter Moor 34:46

176th Steve Prior 36:37

186th Charlotte Yarker 37:08

240th Mick Clarke 40:04

243th Jo Lee 40:09

256th Jocelyn Granger 40:49

290th Elaine Palmer 43:32

308th Claire McDaid 45:15

324th Jo Cummings 47:25

344th Alan Hackett 53:39

Alexander The Great Half...

Sunday 12th June saw the first running of the Alexander The Great Half Marathon at Stanwick Lakes.  The whole event also included 5K and 10K options.  Two NRR members decided to take on the half challenge which consisted of two laps of the lakes and an out and back route along the old railway line (also twice).  Although the scenery was nice and peaceful, a lack of marshals meant the route was mainly signposted requiring optimum concentration.  Not easy in the rain and wind and meant a wrong turning for Jo Windrum on the second lap had her taking a little short cut.  The results still show her as first lady home in 1.36.50 and 7th overall.  Mark Kennedy also completed the route (all of it) in 1.39.07 and finished 8th overall.

The event has so much potential and will hopefully be a smash in the future.

7th - Jo Windrum 1.36.50 (can she count this as a PB)?
8th - Mark Kennedy 1.39.07

A Big Thank You From Mary...

Here is a message from Mary Kingsnorth to all club members;

Thank You!

Thank you to everybody who sponsored me for the Paris Marathon, came to our curry evening, supplied raffle prizes and spent a small fortune buying raffle tickets!!

The total you helped to raise for Anthony Nolan and Matt's Match was £1,183!

Your help was much appreciated by all.

Thanks
Mary Kingsnorth

A Great 5 In Yarmouth

Andy Pate has been missing from Wednesday training for four weeks due to working and a holidaying in Blakeney, North Norfolk. Whilst by the coast, Andy drove 30 miles to Great Yarmouth where he ran the flat 5 mile road race on the seafront.  He was pleased with a time of 39:32.

Banbury Five

Five Northampton Road Runners arrived in Banbury for the fifth race in the East Midlands Grand Prix Series.  Gary McDaniels was first to arrive at the finish in an impressive time of 32:22.  Richard Franks continued his good for with a time of 33:29. Steve Prior crossed the line in 36:07, Mick Clarke finished in 40:35 and Alan Hackett in 53:21.

Results
82nd Gary McDaniels 32:22
105th Richard Franks 33:29
163rd Steve Prior 36:07

255th Mick Clarke 40:35
334th Alan Hackett 53:21

The Otmoor Challenge

Glorious sunshine greeted runners who made the trip to Oxfordshire for the Otmoor Challenge.  It certainly was a challenge!  The route consists of 6 miles of country roads and just over 7 miles of off road sections comprising stiles, ploughed fields, footpaths, bridleways and one demanding hill near the end.  Everyone was pleased for friendly marshals and locals with hosepipes!

Mark Garrett was first to finish for Northampton Road Runners in 1.39.33 and Ronnie Ambrose crossed the line in 1.56.52.  Jocelyn Granger enjoyed the challenge for the second time after taking it on last year and she finished in 2.01.20.  Jim Anderson 2.02.02, Wendy Parker 2.12.52 and Gemma Francis 2:18:37 completed the line up.

Results

Mark Garrett 1:39:33

Ronnie Ambrose 1:56:52
Jim Anderson 2:02:02

Jocelyn Granger 2:01:20

Wendy Parker 2:12:52
Gemma Francis 2:18:37

A Capital 10K

Claire McDaid completed the London Bupa 10k on Monday 30th May in a time of 55.48.  The course starts at Buckingham Palace (outside it of course) and heads through Westminster taking in a beautiful loop of Central London which includes many famous landmarks (if you have time for some sightseeing en-route).

Corby 5

Twenty four runners from Northampton Road Runners made the trip to East Carlton Country Park for the Corby 5 on Wednesday 25^th May.  The talk of the start line was of the upcoming hills around the course and the field were challenged immediately with the first climb in the opening few hundred yards.  Despite the challenging course, all survived and first to cross the finish line for the club was Tony Letts in 30:14.  Lynton Dawson did a full triathlon at the weekend so five miles was relatively short in comparison and he finished in 32:40.  Gary McDaniels was pleased to return from injury and record 33:16.  The ever improving John Flemming was next to finish in 34:54 just ahead of Mark Kennedy in 35:14 and Peter Moor in 35:34.  Charlotte Yarker was again the first lady home in 36:24 and next was Ronnie Ambrose and Dave Blackburn in 37:25 and 39:44 respectively. 

Jim Anderson finished in 41:30 and Jocelyn Granger was only nine second behind in 41:39.  Next was Colin Bricher in 42:41 and Wendy Parker in 43:30.  Mary Kingsnorth came home in 44:08 ahead of Elaine Palmer in 44:56 who has spent a long spell out injured.  Dave Soloman and Claire McDaid finished in 45:41 and 46:02 then Jackie Horne and Jo Cummings finished within a second of each other in 46:48 and 46:49.  Richard Rose completed his first ever series race in 47:45 and Mary Davies crossed the line in 48:37.  Helen Blackburn, Ann Dickson and Claire Spokes finished in 50:01, 50:56 and 58:57 respectively.

38th	Tony Letts	30:14
78th	Lynton Dawson	32:40
90th	Gary McDaniels	33:16
132nd	John Fleming	34:54
142nd	Mark Kennedy	35:14
149th	Peter Moor	35:34
170th	Charlotte Yarker	36:24
209th	Ronnie Ambrose	37:53
239th	David Blackburn	39:44
270th	James Anderson	41:30
277th	Josie Granger	41:39
291st	Colin Bricher	42:41
299th	Wendy Parker	43:30
304th	Mary Kingsnorth	44:08
311th	Elaine Palmer	44:56
314th	David Solomon	45:41
317th	Claire McDaid	46:02
324th	Jackie Horne	46:48
325th	Joanna Cummings	46:49
331st	Richard Rose	47:45
334th	Mary Davies	48:37
340th	Helen Blackburn	50:01
344th	Ann Dickson	50:56
355th	Claire Spokes	58:57

The Edinburgh Warriors

The NRR warriors made the long trip north to Edinburgh on 22nd May for the city's Festival of Running.  Claire Spokes nervously lined up for her first ever half marathon and wondered what she was ever worrying about as she crossed the line ahead of her target time in 2:43:43.  Claire has proudly come a long way since completing Race for Life a couple of year ago.

The two marathon boys amazingly finished almost within a minute of each other and set some amazing personal achievements.  Firstly Rob Donovan smashed his marathon PB by over 30 minutes with a time of 3:53:06.

Peter Moor, who has been flying on the local scene lately, completed his first marathon in 3:54:13, yet another great achievement.
 
Results Half Marathon
Claire Spokes 2:43:43

Full Marathon
Rob Donovan 3:53:06 PB
Peter Moor 3:54:13

Lynton's Lanzarote Ironman

Lynton Dawson took a trip to the Canaries for the Lanzarote Ironman at the weekend and will come home very pleased indeed.  He completed the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and then run a full 42KM marathon in a total time of 13:47:48.  Lynton picked up an injury during his training which sidelined him for around six weeks making this achievement even sweeter.


Result
Swim 1:15:49
Bike 7:10:00
Run 5:09:41

Total 13:47:48

Bedford Six...

Thirteen Northampton Road Runners turned out for the third round of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series at Bedford for the six mile route set in the beautiful country park.

Tony Letts took full advantage of the flat course to record a PB of 35:58 and was three places ahead of 34th placed Andy Blaize who finished in 36:36.

Richard Franks recovered from an early tumble to snap up a finish of 40:54.  Next home was Mark Kennedy in 42:05 followed by the first lady for the club, Charlotte Yarker in 43:53.  Jo Lee was full of smiles with a PB of 48:03 and Mick Clarke was close in her sights with 48:36.  Jim Anderson made his return from the Stratford Marathon with a very respectable 49:23 and Colin Bricher continued his fine form in 50:11.

Mary Kingsnorth recorded a time of 51:29 and David Solomon 54:24.  Regular in this series, Mary Davies finished in 56:41 and Alan Hackett scored 64:10.

Next race is at Corby (5 Miles) on Wednesday 25th May, the club are running a minibus and holding a barbeque at East Carlton Country Park.

Results
31st Tony Letts 35:58

34th Andy Blaize 36:36
92nd Richard Franks 40:54
112th Mark Kennedy 42:05
147th Charlotte Yarker 43:53
225th Jo Lee 48:03
233rd Mick Clarke 48:36
244th Jim Anderson 49:23
249th Colin Bricher 50:11
258th Mary Kingsnorth 51:29
281st David Solomon 54:24
288th Mary Davies 56:41
304th Alan Hackett 64:10

The Rugby Six

Thirteen club runners made the short trip to Rugby for the second round of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series.  Conditions were close to ideal although a little windy, a light rain cooled runners after the initial decent from Hillmorden.  First home and 28th overall was Tony Letts 36:48 who continues to lead the way.  
 
Richard Franks seems to be getting quicker by the week, 40:48 was his latest offering.  Lynton Dawson, fresh from his Startford Marathon at the weekend scored a respectable 41:30.  Another man getting quicker is Peter Moor with 42:05, he was seconds ahead of John Fleming in 42:16 and Mark Kennedy in 42:22.
 
The amazing, super-human Mick Clarke completed his four race in eight days finishing in 51:01.  He run comprises of the Weston Five, Silverstone 10K, Ridgeway 40 and the Rugby 6. 

Mary Kingsnorth was the first lady to finish in 52:53 and next home was Dave Solomon in 55:23.  Another clutch of runners finished close together, Mary Davies in 58:03, Jo Cummings in 59:07 and Jackie Horne in 59:16.  Alan Hackett crossed the line in 64:09.

Next Race - Bedford 6 on Tuesday 17th May (quite flat around a country park, good for PB hunters).

Results
28th Tony Letts 36:48
90th Richard Franks 40:48
103rd Lynton Dawson 41:30
121st Peter Moor 42:05
123rd John Fleming 42:16
124th Mark Kennedy 42:22
249th Mick Clarke 51:01
265th Mary Kingsnorth 52:53
279th Dave Solomon 55:23
291th Mary Davies 58:03
295th Jo Cummings 59:07
296th Jackie Horne 59:16
314th Alan Hackett 64:09