Personal bests aplenty for the Dacorum & Tring Road Runners

The Dacorum & Tring AC Road Runners had another hugely successfully weekend, with PBs and personal targets achieved up and down the country.
Dacorum & Tring trio Kelly Du Buisson, Rachel Lewis and Duncan Hamilton tackled the Edinburgh MarathonDacorum & Tring trio Kelly Du Buisson, Rachel Lewis and Duncan Hamilton tackled the Edinburgh Marathon
Dacorum & Tring trio Kelly Du Buisson, Rachel Lewis and Duncan Hamilton tackled the Edinburgh Marathon

Ania Gabb and Kelly Du Buisson had brilliant runs at the Edinburgh Marathon. In cool and windy conditions, Ania ran a fantastic new PB of 3.19, while Kelly also had a superb new PB of 3.31.

Sadly, Rachel Lewis injured herself at mile 14, but was ‘really brave and determined’ according to partner Duncan Hamilton, and they walked the rest of the way in - crossing the line in 4.57.

Clare Hunt and Kayleigh Halvers got down and muddy at the Tough Mudder Midlands 2015, while the club’s growing triathlon section also had a great day out in London.

Rob Deane and Victoria Thornley were in action at the Vitality London Triathlon, racing in the Olympic distance event in London’s Hyde Park – the same venue that Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee race at later in the day.

Rob finished in 3.08.13, completing the 1,500m swim in 37.19, the 40km bike in 1.30.33 and the 10k run in 49.24. Vicky was not far behind, in 3.26.22, completing the swim in 42.55, the bike in 1.40.19 and the run in 51.18.

Giles Leather, meanwhile, completed the Outlaw Half triathlon, comprising a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run, at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottinghamshire – finishing in a very respectable 6h 08m, in very wet and windy weather.

Elsewhere, Richard Smith bravely took on the Chiltern 100, billed as the ‘toughest sportive close to the capital’ - finishing the 110-mile Gran Fondo course in an impressive 7h 27m.

Dacorum & Tring also had dozens of runners out training over the weekend, preparing for the summer season of racing, along with 24 club members running various parkruns on Saturday morning.

There were a total of 11 new PBs, along with a number of age group wins and a new club record.

At Gadebridge parkrun, first timer Russell Morris was first across the line for the club, finishing fifth in 21.08 (1st VM40-44). Next was Paddy Ashton, also a first timer, who was ninth in 21.32 (2nd SM20-24). He was followed by Vince Clarke in new PB of 23.14 (2nd VM40-44) and Michael Lamb – 23.20 (3rd VM40-44).

After that, three of the Road Runners posted new PBs, led by Dave Stears, who finished 1st VM55-59 in 25.08, Jess Tanner, 2nd SW25-29 in 25.09, and Jim Mason, who finished in 26.51. Next up were Richard Belsey in 28.13 and Kodie Mitchell in 31.00 (4th SW30-34).

The club also had a whopping 10 members on duty as volunteers: Daniel, Rachel and Anna Belsey, John Jales, Carol MacDonald, Erin Marlow, Jamie Marlow, Kirsty Russell, Sam Sullivan and Keith Wishart.

At the Cassiobury parkrun, the three Dacorum & Tring runners were led home by Richard Slack, sixth overall in 19.11 (3rd VM35-39), followed by Chris Kitchener – 18th in 20.38 (3rd VM45-49) and John Slack – new PB of 25.18 (1st VM65.69).

Over at St Albans, 13-year-old Indira Patel finished 39th overall out of a record 382 runners in a fabulous new PB of 20.07 – and a new club record for her age group, for first in the JW11-14 age group.

She was followed by 11-year old Thomas Ashton, who also scored a brilliant new PB of 21.29, fast enough for 3rd JM11-14.

Next up was Jonathan Edwards in 22.45 (5th VM50-54), followed by Henry Ashton – who also got a new PB of 27.17 (5th JM10), and his mum Charlotte, not far behind in 27.32, while Jan Briggs proved she’s getting back to her best with a new PB of 27.52. Finishing up for the club were Alexis Bunce, who crosse the line in 31.58 and Peter Bailey, in 32.16.

In Tring, Daniel Macey was seveth overall and second JM15-17 in a new PB of 21.56; right after him was Sam Burnell, 1st JM11-14 in 23.18. Next was Rob Salt, 21st overall in 24.05, while Anya Higgins scored a new Tring PB of 31.04.

The club didn’t have any runners at South Oxhey, but run directors Michelle Ashwell and Rob Wright were on hand to make sure the event went smoothly.