What a weekend for running! HRR started on Saturday with park run and finished on Sunday with Essex 20 and Colchester half with incredible performances throughout.
PARKRUN GRADUATION
A massive shout out goes to the C25K team who have stuck with it over the past nine weeks to reach their goal of 5k. HRR went to Markshall parkrun to support them on their first 5K ‘event’. Needless to say they all smashed it, finishing with big smiles and a huge sense of satisfaction. We are now hoping that many of them join and are looking forward to welcoming them into the club.
ESSEX 20 MILES AND 10k
The infamous Essex 20 race was held at Carver Barracks in Saffron Waldon on Sunday. Known as a popular training run for spring marathons HRR had a large turnout. The added bonus is the aeroplane shaped strava map at the end!
Currently training for Edinburgh marathon, the hard work is paying off for Ben Ryder. He was looking strong throughout and was first home for Halstead in 02:07:02. Reece Hearn was next over the line in 2:09.32. He felt comfortable and is feeling good about his upcoming Manchester marathon. Chris Lloyd had a brilliant run and was pleased with his time of 2:11.32.
Our first lady home and currently in training for her London marathon championship place was Rachel Rising. She had a brilliant run finishing in 2:14:09. Next over the line and also with a championship London marathon place to train for was Karen Pickering. A fantastic run, Karen picked up a county gold medal for finishing 1st in her age category in 02:18:32.
Those Manchester training runs are paying off for James  North. Looking strong throughout he finished in 02:25.34. Rachael Roughan also had a fantastic run finishing with a PB in 02:32.48. Our first three ladies home were county bronze team medalists. Massive congratulations to Rachel, Karen and Rachael, superb running ladies. Confident with his training plan and feeling good, Ross Kemble had a solid run finishing in 02:45:50. Getting stronger and stronger and pleased to tick another 20 miles off the plan, Gareth Dyball was next to cross the line in 2:51.42. It was a fantastic run from Noush Springett who took 6 minutes off her previous PB. She felt strong and comfortable throughout and finished in 02:57:55. A huge confidence booster for her upcoming London Marathon. Sam Wolton supported and paced Noush round the course, he finished in 02:57:57. Charlotte King also in training for Manchester had a solid run and looked good crossing the line in 03:06:59. Hannah Whale had a tough run but got it done. Her first race in a year and a half post injury. With perseverance she finished in 3:12:08. Another training run banked! Also in training but this time for Halstead marathon, Sarah Waddington had a brilliant run crossing the line in 3:13.57 getting herself a PB. Another training run in the bag for Ian Stokoe who finished in 3:17:05. Maryann Sycamore loved the race. The training is paying off and she’s feeling confident for Manchester. She completed in 03:27:20. It was nice to see Glynn stone running with his daughter who is in training for a London marathon ballot place. They ran together finishing in 3:31.58. Jenny Smith currently in training stuck to plan as much as possible, she was feeling it towards the end but got it done in 03:36:00. Hayley Lamkin and Jody smith started the race but had pull out early. Hayley in training for London ran just over 12 miles at a very impressive pace to finish in 1:23 and Jody ran nearly 8.5 miles.
A 10k race took place alongside the 20 mile and HRR had 3 taking part. Ladies Captain Victoria Metson, Vikki Suett and Emma Healy. Vikki had an incredible race finishing 2nd lady in 39:10. Victoria and Emma ran it as part of their ongoing training for Manchester half marathon. Running not racing, they felt strong and finished in 50.42.
COLCHESTER HALF MARATHON
HRR’s Luis Bettancourt is going from strength to strength. After completing his first ever half marathon race at Great Bentley in February he took on the Colchester half marathon on Sunday. The long miles and hard work are paying off and Luis crossed the line with a new PB of 1:49.44. Graeme Lewis crossed the line in 1:54.45. It was Anthony Denton’s first race since 2019. Struggling with illness over the past week he finished in 2:25.43 and is looking forward to booking some more races in soon. Good to see him back! We also had some HRR pacing at the race, Aidan Kelly was pacing the 2 hour finish and Gav Ripton the 2:05 finish. Well done to both.
MERSEA MIX
Also on Sunday the Mersea Mix by Essex Trail Events was an 8.5mile trail race. Muddy, with a bit of beach thrown in and a strong wind on the sea wall made for a tough race. Treena Carder and Phil Jeffries ran it together in 1:33.53.