November is here, the clocks have gone back and high Vis is around to stay for while, but despite this there is no less enthusiasm for running from the Gade Valley Harriers. We had the Herts Half Marathon and 10K at Knebworth, a trail Half and 10K at Wendover woods and a fairy tale at the New York Marathon
But first …. Parkrun round up
Parkrun was popular again this weekend – despite the Half marathon events on Sunday. I am told Ricky parkrun was busy!, Rob Humphrey went all the way to Penrith and Helen Heathcote went to University Parks in Oxford. Simon Morris tackled the tough Wendover Woods parkrun with Phil Robbins, in his pursuit of 20 different parkrun venues this year.
Most popular finishing position for our runners? Was 12th!!! Michael Linden was 12th at Gadebridge, Gareth Tucker 12th at Ricky and Andrew Wells 12th in St.Albans. But taking home the Kudos for top finisher this weekend was Rob Hawkes at Harrow. He was also one of our 6 men that finished in under 20 mins!
It appears there was quite a tussle at the busy Ricky Parkrun with Gareth Tucker & Lewis Ellerby, racing each other in that battle for 12th place, and just a few places behind was Russel Jones – all 3 finishing below 19 mins ( Outstanding ! when most of us would be just starting our final lap)
The vast majority of our lady parkrunnners were to be found at Ricky this week with standout performances from Sandra Flynn, out first lady home in 25: 51 and Jade Evans finishing under 26 mins with a great PB of 25.54. Closer to home at Gadebridge , Rachel Haffenden took home 8th place gender finish in 28:19.
Well done all!
Stunning success all round in Knebworth on Sunday
Where our runners tackled either the Herts Half marathon or Herts 10K and were on Fire! Another GVH favourite event, starting and finishing at Knebworth house with a scenic rural route It probably would have had more GVH entries had the Ricky road run not taken place the week before.
Nick Crowther set a stunning new PB of 1:23:19 . Roland raced Jack Boughton and James Birnie home, each taking top category placings and /or PBs. A welcome return to competitive running for James.
Kim (also on her way back from injury) led Sam and Innes home – again nice category placings or PBs from out ladies.
Full results from the Herts Half
I
n the 10k Lisa Newing was 2nd lady home, and 1st in the V40 female Category 44:18). Martin store squeezed in nicely under the hour nark in 59:44
Some would vote the Herts Half as one of the nicest medals of the season – but perhaps Not James Birnie who declared it “the most dangerous medal ever devised! ” Seems it caused him a most unlikely injury from it .
Leaving the roads behind for the muddy on the trails …
Nick Joseph and Andrew Bishop took on the Wendover Woods Half Marathon and 10k Trail respectively. A very undulating route around the trails and paths within Wendover Woods. It’s said to be stunningly beautiful with some challenging sections. Well done both with finishing times most of us would be proud of on a flat road, let alone a very hilly trail.
Much further from home we had
A Fairy Tale in New York
Three fun fact about the New York City Marathon
- The first NYC marathon in in 1970 consisted of laps around Central Park.
- It’s the largest marathon in the world,
- In 2004 Simon Wheeler proposed to his then girl friend Natalie, as they crossed the line together.
On what look likes to have been a truly stunning day last Sunday, the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon became the world’s largest marathon EVER with 55,646 total finishers. For two of those finishers, our very own Simon and Natalie Wheeler, it was a particularly special day as they returned to the scene crossed the line together once again. What is even more astonishing, is that they even took 70 whooping minutes off their time from 20 years ago! Finishing in a great 4:25;28 . Well done Natalie and Simon, I know how tough and lonely many of the long training runs were, being out of sync with other marathon runners.
And finally on to Members of the Month
Women’s Member of the Month, October 2024 – Reported by Kim Morgan
The women’s Member of the Month for October is someone who I loved running with when I first joined GVH, and it is fantastic to see her back running with us again now she has returned from her travels. This is someone who is a regular at club sessions, she works extremely hard, and she is wasting no time in picking up her pace. I am looking forward to running with her again soon, if I can catch her! October has been a great month for this member. On Saturday 12th, she was part of the ladies Cross Country team once again. She had a great run, coming in second for the GVH women in a very impressive 26:37. The following day, she took on the challenge of the Ridgeway Run. This is a scenic 15km course with stunning views and therefore plenty of elevation. She completed the course in 1:21:00, 11th in her category and also managed to be part of the 1st Women’s Team. Our member of the Month for October 2024 is Megan McCreadie. 
Congratulations Megan, very well deserved!
Men’s Member of the Month, October 2024 – Reported by Simon Morris
The men’s Member of the Month for October has been making great progress recently. He is a regular at the Tuesday evening sessions, always working hard to improve. Over the last few months he has been going from strength to strength, setting a number of PBs along the way. His October has been particularly impressive with another park run PB – he is now at sub 29 minutes. He also took part in his 1st ever Cross Country at Keysoe, which is a fantastic achievement given that he completed the Learn to Run programme last summer! I hope we get to see you at other cross country races this season. Our member of the Month for October 2024 is Dominic Hook. Congratulations Dom – and keep working hard!
