It was all about the distance this weekend and the chilly, dull, wet weather made it tough going for our HRR runners taking part in various events on Sunday.
ST EDMUNDS
This race offered a half marathon, marathon and 50k option and we had a team of 4 there, representing HRR. It was a flat course, with plenty of sheet ice on the all-weather trail around Ickworth with some muddy field edges to contend with. Neil Addington started the race hoping to complete 2 laps to make it a marathon. However, after having a tough first lap he did the sensible thing and decided to call it at half marathon. Still an impressive distance, Neil finished in 2:34.Nathan Roulson, Keely Jordan and Matt Biggin took on the marathon and 50k challenge. Nathan and Keely ran together until 10 miles when Nathan pushed on. He had a fantastic race finishing 2nd overall and was extremely happy with his performance after his two-day event in the Peak District two weeks ago. Keely had a challenging race, initially hoping to complete the 50k, she stopped at the marathon distance. But what a race! She finished 1st place overall! A superb run from Keely as always. Matt Biggin was running his first race for HRR since rejoining the club. Matt was a very active member between 2004 and 2009 so it’s great to have him back on the team! Usually preferring to run longer distances than 50k, Matt had a great run, enjoying it he finished in 49th place in 5:56.
HARE AND TORTOISE RAYNE DEER RUN
HRR had three runners taking on this six hour timed event along the Flitch. Starting at the Booking Hall cafe runners could run 5k in either direction but the first lap had to be towards Braintree. There was the option to run 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon or 6 hours. Ben Ryder just keeps getting stronger! Taking on his first ultra marathon he made it look easy, running a total of 32.5 miles in 4:15 and finishing 3rd place overall. Having been unable to train as much as he would have liked, John Warne was pleased with his half marathon time of 2:26. Running the 10k, Aidan Kelly took first place, in 51 minutes.
GOODWOOD MARATHON
At the Goodwood marathon runners ran laps on the traffic free, tarmac, motor racing circuit. HRR’s Tracy English was there, battling the wet weather and hail storms. Tracy had a brilliant race, finishing 1st lady in 3:18.52.
Absolutely fantastic running from all!