The Three Spires Challenge

This time of year most people frown at a cloudy July morning but those lined up on the start line for the Three Spires Challenge in Adderbury (near Banbury), breathed a sigh of relief as the sun disappeared behind a thick cloud cover.

This (almost) half marathon is run mainly off road with some short trips through some beautiful Oxfordshire villages and takes in a narrow canal towpath, man styles and kissing gates and one or two playful climbs. The marshals all around the route offer a smile and plenty of encouragement to those brave enough for the challenge. As well as the "half", there is also a "10K" and a "half marathon" walk too.

It was the boys’ day out with four NRR runners making the short trip.  Mark Garrett crossed the line 1:40:10 and Ronnie Ambrose finished strongly in 1:43:08.  Close behind was Mark Kennedy in 1:44:11 and Jim Anderson completed the team in 1:56:10.

31^st Mark Garrett 1:40:10

42^nd Ronnie Ambrose 1:43:08

45^th Mark Kennedy 1:44:11

82^nd Jim Anderson 1:56:10

MK 10K

The East Midlands Grand Prix Series drew to a close at Milton Keynes on Tuesday 5th July.  Another great run from Tony Letts saw him finish in a time of 37:05, 8th M40 overall too.  Lynton Dawson also completed a fine series with 38:58.  Paul Smith was next home and broke the 40 minute barrier in 39:33. 

Gary McDaniels maintained his good form since returning from injury with 40:55 and Richard Franks rounded off his campaign in style, getting quicker by the week, 41:55.  Peter Moor couldn't quite catch Richard was was pleased with 43:01 and Steve Prior was close on his tail in 43:55.  Charlotte Yarker finished 9th in her category overall and recorded a time of 45:24. 

Mick Clarke and Jim Anderson have enjoyed a couple of inter-club battles recently but Mick was just in front this time in 50:17 with Jim in 51:10.  Robert Bateman and Colin Bricher were next home in 51:22 and 52:04 respectively followed by Tom Sullivan in 53:13.  Elaine Palmer finished in 53:58 and Claire McDaid in 54:15.  Mark Glenn made his return in club colours with a 54:45 finish only seconds ahead of Mary Kingsnorth (54:50).  Jo Cummings and Mary Davies were next home with identical times of 57:30 and Dave Solomon completed a great turnout in 58:38.

Results

41^st Tony Letts 37:05

62^nd Lynton Dawson 38:58

74^th Paul Smith 39:33

94^th Gary McDaniels 40:55

115^th Richard Franks 41:55

142^nd Peter Moor 43:01

163^rd Steve Prior 43:55

207^th Charlotte Yarker 45:24

297^th Mick Clarke 50:17

318^th James Anderson 51:10

321^st Robert Bateman 51:22

334^th Colin Bricher 52:04

348^th Tom Sullivan 53:13

355^th Elaine Palmer 53:58

358^th Claire McDaid 54:15

362^nd Mark Glenn 54:45

363^rd Mary Kingsnorth 54:50

383th Joanna Cummings 57:30

384^th Mary Davies 57:30

390^th David Solomon 58:38

Overall Series Standings (based on five races)

	Senior Women
9	Charlotte Yarker
	F35
7	Claire McDaid
	F55
6	Mary Kingsnorth
9	Mary Davies
	Senior Men
21	Lynton Dawson
34	Peter Moor
	M40
8	Tony Letts
	M50
8	Richard Franks
25	Alan Hackett
	M70
3	Mick Clarke

More Colworth Pictures

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.