The sun was bouncing off the yellow vests on Sunday when HRR had 17 roadrunners representing us across three events.
COLCHESTER HALF MARATHON
Starting and finishing at the JobServe Community Stadium – the route took participants past some of Colchester’s iconic landmarks! HRR had 8 roadrunners pounding the pavements in this popular race. In fantastic form, Rachel Rising was first home for Halstead in an incredible 1:26.22 and finishing 2nd lady overall. Ben Ryder crossed the line next, having run Halstead marathon only a week ago he found it a little tougher than usual but he still finished in a superb time of 1:28.13. Matt Hutley, also running on tired legs after last weeks marathon was very close behind in 1:28.35. Fantastic running! Aidan Kelly enjoyed his run and was pleased to finish in 1:49.15. Our second lady home was Mandy Humm, thoroughly enjoying herself and the sunshine she crossed the line in 1:54.21. Gav Ripton wasn’t in his usual club kit but wearing a pink pacer T-shirt. Pacing 2 hours he did a very accurate job finishing in a chip time of 1:59.23. Rachael and Dan Roughan ran together. Rachael paced Dan to a PB finish of 10 minutes crossing the line together in 2:03.28.
STORT 5
The Stort 5 mile race route takes in some of the finest Essex trails across private farmland. HRR had a team of 4 ladies representing us on Sunday. A swarm of bees on the course delayed the start and meant a last minute reroute which made the race half a mile less and narrow and congested in parts it was hard to properly race it (but still a great event in the sunshine!!). Lisa Clarke was first home in a super speedy time of 40.58. Maryann Sycamore was next in 47.39. Next to cross the line was Jane Roach in 48.03. Our last lady to finish was Sandi Robinson Miller. Sandi had one of those runs where nothing went to plan. With a watch malfunction she was unaware when she somehow took a wrong turn and got herself onto the second lap (for the 10 mile course) rather than heading for the finish line at mile 5. Sandi eventually finished in 1:19:26 and in 203rd place! She racked up a lot of extra miles (all for free) but still finished with a smile.
FOR HORSES FOUR COURSES
Starting and finishing in Edwardstone, Sudbury, there were two courses of approx 8 miles and approx 4.5 miles at this trail event. Runners followed written narrative instructions. Treena Carder and Phil Jeffries ran the shorter route together. Missing a footpath sign they did an extra mile and finished in 55:38. Dan Hollinshead and Jim Clarke ran the 8 miles together finishing in 1:15. Also running the 8 mile route was Megan Hollinshead. It was the furthest Megan had run since 2020 so she was extremely pleased to complete it. She finished in 1:24.
Great running all.
