HRR were out in force this weekend with umpteen Marshalls and 20 runners taking part in four events.

ULTRA TOUR OF SNOWDON
Nathan Roulson took on the ultra tour of Snowdon on Saturday, a 55km race on technical trails. A beautiful, scenic route but with no breeze and very little shade it was extremely hot. His 3rd climb was tough, warm and steep, but feeling good at the final check point he was able to run all the flats and descents from there, picking up loads of time and places, he finished feeling strong. Nathan was extremely happy with 11th in category and 136th overall.

BATTERSEA HALF MARATHON
Battersea Park half marathon offers a totally flat course, the perfect opportunity for runners to achieve a personal best. Tom Pease was representing HRR on Saturday and did us all proud finishing in a PB time of 1:34.21 knocking approximately 20 minutes off his previous half marathon time.

COLCHESTER 10k
Vikki suett was over in Colchester on Sunday taking part in the Colchester 10k race. The 10k route takes place over a flat, fast and scenic course, along roads and footpaths in Colchester. It is a great PB race and Vikki made the most of this finishing with a 17 second PB of 39:10. Incredible running Vikki.

HALSTEAD MARATHON
Sunday saw the return of the annual Halstead marathon. Known for its hills but also known for being super friendly with fantastic marshalls! We had a brilliant team of roadrunners actually out on the course running it!

First home for Halstead was Reece Hearn in a super speedy time of 2:59.16. A tough run today for Karen Pickering, having only run London a few weeks ago. She had another superb run finishing in 3:09.30 which was a course PB of 7 minutes and was 1st in her age category V40. Keely Jordan, making it look easy, got herself a new course PB of 3:16.47. Ben Ryder enjoyed running his first Halstead marathon in the sunshine crossing the line in 3:25.16. Matt Hutley did a great job and was very close behind finishing with a brilliant new PB time of 3:26.17. Glynn stone finished in 3:46.31. Ian Stokoe had a great race and got himself a new PB of 4:24.20. Massive well done to Ian!

Having signed up on the day as a late entry, Gav Ripton was hot on his heels in 4:24.27. Sam Wolton was running his 11th Halstead marathon and his 20th marathon overall. He had some hamstring issues out on the course but that didn’t hold him back and he finished in 4:27.08. It’s been a busy few weeks for Ross Kemble with Manchester marathon, Bury to Clare 18.5 miler and then Halstead marathon. Ross went into it with the mindset to merely finish as he had to pull out last year at 21.5miles. He took it steady (and took a picnic to enjoy on the course)and finished in 4:36.18. A great achievement!

It was Bec Gilroys first marathon and after training so hard she was quietly confident that she’d finish. She did indeed finish and with a fantastic time of 4:39.12. Maryann sycamore ran brilliantly and got herself a shiny new PB! Her previous marathon PB was 5.12 and Maryann desperately wanted to achieve sub 5 hours. She definitely did that with a new PB time of 4:54.06. Jody Smith ran a virtual marathon in 2020 then in 2021 she ran London. On Sunday not only did she achieve a sub 5 hour marathon she also got herself a magnificent PB of 40 minutes crossing the line in 4.55.25.

John Warne had another good, steady run. This was a special race for John being his 70th marathon. He completed in 4:56.56 and came 3rd in his V70 age category. Well done John! First ever marathon for Jenny smith. She had a good pace for the first 16 miles then the sun came out and she began to walk/run as the heat made it tough. Her target time was sub 5 hours so she was over the moon to finish in 4:58:25.

Andy wilmot was running his 831st marathon!!! A few knee niggles but he still completed in a great time of 5:21.51. It was Sandy Maloys first time running Halstead marathon. She loved the course and the support and bought Halstead home in 5:41.38.

Our first three ladies home qualified for the Halstead ladies team and came 3rd place overall. Karen Pickering , keely Jordan and Bec Gilroy all got a sparkly Essex medal to take home with them as well. Superb running ladies.

What a weekend for running !!!