Dacorum & Tring Road Runners on hot form in the sun

Dacorum & Tring AC were on fine form at the Bearbrook 10k road race

At Cassiobury, Esther Hamilton finished as 11th female in a PB of 25.04, while Victoria Thornley finished in 11th position overall in an excellent 24.48 at South Oxhey. Michelle Ashwell, Rob Deane and Rob Wright were there once again as volunteers, making the event happen.

Over at Gadebridge, John Hopper was first home, finishing in eighth place in 21.53, closely followed by Michael Lamb in ninth in a new PB of 22.00. Michael was also awarded the Sweat Shop park runner of the month award for July.

David Stears came home in 25.33, ahead of Andy Mitchell 26.43 (PB), Calypso Phillips 28.07 (PB), John Cooper 28.35 (PB), and Callum Stevens 39.56, with Richard Stevens in a steady 39.57. Volunteering and making it possible were Louisa Hopper, John Jales, Steve Russell, Carol McDonald, Jamie and Erin Marlow, Jim Mason, Felix Morris-Duffin and Kirsty Russell.

At Tring, Jamie Bailey was the first club member home in a PB of 21.19 for 1st JM11-14 and a very impressive fourth overall. Samuel Burnell was in 16th in 24.07, Kate Bailey 24th and 1st VW40-44 in 25.17, while Philip Bailey finished in a PB of 27.23.

Taking in a bit of parkrun tourism were Duncan Hamilton and Rachel Lewis who attended Kesgrave parkrun in Suffolk. Duncan was third overall and 1st SM25-29 in a nippy 18.59, while Rachel took 2nd SW25-29 in 24.55.

Last but not least there were three runners out at St Albans where Freddie Truman-Williams took 1st JM11-14 in a PB of 19.30 for 17th overall. Indira Patel was first JW11-14 with an impressive PB of 19.59, and Peter Bailey was 1st VM70-74 in 31.16.

Elsewhere, D&T enjoyed another successful Sunday morning, this time at the Bearbrook 10k road race which started and finished at Aylesbury Rugby Club.

The ladies’ team once again finished top of the pile, while the men managed a very respectable fourth place.

Alex Eykelbosch led home the ladies, finishing as second senior lady in an excellent time of 40:14. Sam Fawcett (6th senior lady) was next in 42:43, followed by her twin Rebecca Fawcett (22nd) in 46:08.

Close behind them were Samantha Sullivan (32nd) 47:06, Alison Richardson (43rd) in a PB of 49:13 and Esther Hamilton (50th) in 50:18 – also a personal best. Bringing the team home were Michelle Ashwell 57:36, Denise Burford 58:35 and Samantha Hawkridge who just missed the one-hour mark in 1:00:30.

First for the men was Rhys Rowlands in a fast time of 38:36, with Douglas Hamilton following in 40:42. Stephen Shaw was next home, breaking his own club record for the VM50 10k distance in a time of 41:16.

Closely bunched were Felix Morris-Duffin 41:35 (PB) and Steve Russell 41:36, then Chris Kitchener 41:58 and Richard Bentley 43:50. Completing the mens’ line-up were Ken Perry – also scoring a club record for the VM60 10k category in a time of 48:55 – and David Stears in 52:23.

Further afield, Jules Robinson took part in the Isle Of Man half marathon, finishing a fine seventh place in the VF40-44 category in a time of 1:55:44 on an undulating course.