Dacorum & Tring coach Rob goes on the run for his birthday

Rob is a run director at South Oxhey parkrun as well as being a popular coach to the Road Runners.

Rob celebrated his birthday by actually running the course – which he hasn’t managed to do up until now due to volunteering commitments – and enjoying an ample supply of celebratory cake.

South Oxhey parkrun was set up a year ago by D&T member Michelle Ashwell, where she remains the event director, as well as being an Ambassador for parkrun UK.

Meanwhile, the wet start to Sunday didn’t dampen the spirits of the 20 D&T runners who took part in the first of three local Gade Valley Harriers marathon training runs spread over the next three months.

The runners especially appreciated the renowned ‘jelly baby stop’ at mile nine, where head coach John Jales was on hand to offer encouragement.

The run suited both the Spring marathoners and those training for the Berkhamsted Half Marathon which is now only four weeks away, so momentum and training is gathering both pace and distance.

Despite it being billed as a training run, Alex Ekylebosch couldn’t resist picking up the pace and was the overall first lady home.

While many D&T members stayed close to home, Rebecca White, Kate Crossland, Richard Blaxill and Kate Bailey headed into London to take part in the Cancer Research Winter Series 10k.

The route, run on closed roads, started from Trafalgar Square and weaved its way around some of London’s famous tourist sights before finishing on Whitehall.

All four D&T members romped home under the hour mark. New member Blaxill was the first member home in a time of 46.51, followed by Crossland in 47.48, Bailey in 50.45 and White in 57.38.