RUNNING FOR CHOCOLATE
A four day bank holiday weekend meant plenty of running opportunities for HRR.
HIGH LODGE HALF MARATHON
last weekend we had one roadrunner taking part in the High lodge half marathon. The route passes through the depths of Thetford Forest on a variety of hard packed trails. A tough course but Matt Thomas had a superb run finishing 2nd place overall in 1:29.35.
SUDBURY 5 MILE
HRR had a good turnout for the annual Sudbury 5 mile fun run on Good Friday. Matt Tomas was back out racing and was first home for Halstead taking 11th place overall in 28:02. Running well, Ray Sharman finished in 34:12. All that training is paying off for Mary Veater. She crossed the line in 42:21. Maryann sycamore enjoyed the race in 44:30. Running together, Mandy Humm finished in 45:29 and Jane Roach in 46:04. Sandy Maloy finished in 48:36 and Val Kerrison in 52:00. Finally, HUGE kudos needed for Alice Ablitt. Having recently completed the C25K programme, Alice was wearing her yellow shirt with pride in her debut race for the club. Running with friend Sarah Waddington who supported Alice all the way, they finished in 57:31. Big well done.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
We had a few HRR at the Easter eggstravaganza trail races over the weekend. A series of trails put on over the four day bank holiday. Runners were racing for chocolate and a chance to get their hands on some of the prize fund which is spread out over the top 25 men and 25 women for best three results out of the four races.
Day 1 was hosted by Mid Essex Casuals and started and finished at The Panfield Bell. There was the option of a 10 mile or 5 mile route. Taking on the 10 miles, Neil poulter and Steve May ran together and finished in 1:38.29. Men’s captain Perry James and Caroliena Cameron ran most of the route together with Perry finishing in 1:40.39 and Caroliena finishing 3rd lady in 1:44.05. HRR’s quickest time home for the 5 mile was Andy Carter in 49:54. Anna Bambridge making a welcome return to the trails ran with Lorraine Garnham and Wendy Carter and they finished in 1:02.05. Ladies Captain Victoria Metson was also back facing her fears (especially after last years antics!) with Emma Healy. Taking it steady and getting a little bit lost, they finished in 1:11.50.
Day 2 was over at Purleigh and hosted by Little Baddow Ridge Runners. A very soggy, muddy, undulating route. Keely Jordan ran the 10 mile race finishing 2nd lady in 1:36.22. Phil Jeffries and Treena carder also taking on the 10 mile ran together in 2:10.22. Running the 5 mile race Victoria Metson and Emma Healy ran together finishing joint 5th ladies in 1:06.54.
Day 3 was over at The Chequers, Felsted and hosted by Grange Farm and Dunmow runners.  With only a 10k option available, Keely Jordan  finished 3rd lady and 6th overall in 48:39. Neil poulter and Steve May were back for their second race of the weekend, Neil finishing in 55:05 and Steve in 56:13. Caroliena Cameron also on her second race finished in a brilliant 58:33. Running their third race Emma Healy and Victoria Metson were this time accompanied by Sarah Waddington and the ladies finished together in 1:12.07.
The fourth and final race and the sunniest of them all took place from the Rose and Crown pub in Great Waltham and was hosted by Springfield striders. A 6 mile route, with a lot less mud and a lot more track than the previous three days. Steve May was back for his third race and this time running solo. A tremendous run saw Steve finishing 4th place overall in 44:57. Also on her third race a super strong Caroliena Cameron  finished in 53:16. On his second race of the series and with just over a minute separating him from Caroliena , Andy Carter was next in 54:33. It was also the second race for Phil Jeffries and Treena carder, running it together they finished in 1:05.05. Completing all four races Victoria Metson and Emma Healy finished in 1:06.54. Wendy Carter, Anna Bambridge and Lorraine Garnham completed race number two together in 1:09.26. There were 255 runners across the weekend, with 100 running 2 or more races. For those HRR running more than one race the final results overall were as follows:
Steve May 11th , Caroliena Cameron 18th , Victoria Metson and Emma Healy 31st, keely Jordan 39th, Andy Carter 51st, Neil poulter 52nd, Treena carder  and Phil Jeffries 70th , Wendy Carter, Lorraine Garnham and Anna Bambridge 77th.
Well deserved chocolate all round!