Medals aplenty for Dacorum & Tring AC at Hertfordshire 10 mile championships

Dacorum & Tring Road Runners posted some brilliant results at the Fred Hughes 10 mile race in St Albans, which doubled as the Hertfordshire 10 mile championships.
Dacorum & Tring AC runners were out in force at the Herts county 10 mile championshipsDacorum & Tring AC runners were out in force at the Herts county 10 mile championships
Dacorum & Tring AC runners were out in force at the Herts county 10 mile championships

Dacorum & Tring Road Runners posted some brilliant results at the Fred Hughes 10 mile race in St Albans, which doubled as the Hertfordshire 10 mile championships.

The team of 47 runners came home with dozens of PBs, some strong age group placings and a host of county championship medals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kate Rennie finished as third lady overall in a time of 1.03.25, and, as first lady across the line from Hertfordshire, she won the title of 2016 Herts 10 mile champion.

Niamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring ACNiamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring AC
Niamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring AC

She also anchored the winning ladies’ team, which included Ania Gabb (fourth senior lady), Niamh Dempsey and Bernie Horabin, with the ladies also taking home the gold medals for top women’s team in Herts.

The men also put together a good team effort, winning bronze medals in the Herts 10 mile championships, thanks to strong runs from Jamie Marlow (12th overall), Mike Kazer, Douglas Hamilton and Duncan Hamilton – a superb achievement given the strength of the opposition and the loss of top runner Andrew Cracknell, who was forced to withdraw mid-race due to illness.

Marlow finished in a new PB of 59.21, with Kazer close behind in 17th (1.00.17), followed by Douglas Hamilton (1.04.37), his brother Duncan (1.04.57) and Russell Morris (PB of 1.08.49). Next were Paul Christie (1.09.15), Richard Brawn, (1.14.15), Martin Kerr (1.15.16 PB), Keith Wishart (1.17.22), Michael Irvine (1.18.41), Tony Reeve (1.19.19(, Andy Wass (1.19.47) and Michael Lamb (1.19.52).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ken Perry finished as ninth VM60 in 1.20.33, and he was followed by Phil Pugh in 1.21.06, David Stears (1.23.09), Bruce Baker (11th VM60 in 1.23.18), Richard Blaxill (1.24.51), Richard Stevens (1.25.39), Andy Mitchell (1.24.46), John Slack (16th VM60 in 1.27.57), Jason Hawkridge (1.37.25) and Rob Deane (1.41.26).

Dacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike KazerDacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike Kazer
Dacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike Kazer

Rennie led the ladies home in a speedy 1.03.25. Next up was Ania Gabb, 10th lady overall and fourth senior lady, in a PB of 1.08.56, with Niamh Dempsey next, in a PB of 1.12.31 (17th lady and eighth senior lady) and Bernie Horabin, fourth VF45 in a time of 1.15.37.

Hannah Bennett was fifth woman home for the club, finishing as 16th senior lady in a huge new PB of 1.16.28, followed by Catherine Davies, ninth VF45 in 1.16.37, Becky Fawcett, 15th senior lady in a new PB of 1.16.50, and Sam Sullivan, 15th VF35 in a PB of 1.16.59.

Kerry Ardley had a strong race, finishing 21st VF35 in a new PB of 1.18.52, followed by Rachel Lewis (1.18.23 - 20th senior lady), Tina Le (1.20.16), Karen Wishart (15th VF45 in 1.22.32), Jess Tanner (1.24.07), Esther Hamilton (1.28.36), Alison Richardson (1.30.59), Denise Burford (first-ever 10 miler: 1.33.53), Pat Hayball (1.33.58), Claire Copperwhite (1.34.05), Penny Wallduck (1.35.27), Alex Bayliss (1.36.53), Barbara Baker (1.38.08), Rebecca White (first-ever 10 miler: 1.38.40), Annette Howard (PB of 1.39.06) and Michelle Ashwell (1.41.26).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Many club members achieved some impressive PBs over the tough, undulating course over country lanes on the outskirts of St Albans: Niamh Dempsey ran 6.5 minutes faster than her last 10-miler in 2011, while Hannah Bennett got a five-minute PB.

Niamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring ACNiamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring AC
Niamh Dempsey, Ania Gabb, Kate Rennie and Bernie Horabin were on top form for Dacorum & Tring AC

Jamie Marlow was 1.22 faster than his previous time on the same course, Annette Howard was 1.16 faster and Ania Gabb clocked a 1-minute PB.

In parkrun news, Dacorum & Tring had 26 club members in action, with eight taking part as volunteers, and there were some great performances out there, with four new PBs, one outright first and nine top-threes finishes.

Jamie Marlow finished first overall at Gadebridge in an easy 20.34 as he geared up for the Fred Hughes 10 mile and county championship the following day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michael Irvine got another PB, finishing second VM45-49 in 24.22, fast enough for 11th overall. John Stevens was next, in 26.29 (second VM55-59), with Kenneth Blythe in 29.21 and Danielle Kerr was the club’s first lady and eighth female overall in a new PB of 31.36 (third SW30-34). Star Phillips crossed the line in 33.08 (second JW11-14).

Dacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike KazerDacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike Kazer
Dacorum & Tring quintet Russell Morris, Douglas Hamilton, Duncan Hamilton, Jamie Marlow and Mike Kazer

Kirsty Russell ran as sweep, while Annette Howard, John Jales, Michael Lamb, Andy Mitchell and Tony Reeve were also on hand as volunteers. Elsewhere, Rob Deane was on duty as volunteer at South Oxhey.

Tim Coysh led the team home in Cassiobury, getting another PB, this time of 20.40, fast enough for first in the SM20-24 age group.

Chris Marriott showed he’s on the comeback, with a 21.23 run, while seven-year old Daniel Belsey pulled off a 23.41 (first JM10 by over six minutes) and his twin sister Rachel was not far behind, in a big new PB of 23.56 (second JW10), with dad Richard in 23.57.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Louise Flower was a first timer at Cassiobury, grabbing a speedy 24.19, while Esther Hamilton and Rachel Lewis ran together, crossing the line in 28.36. Stef Harding grabbed a new PB of 28.41, and Duncan Hamilton cruised across the line in 29.47.

Over at St Albans, Rob Salt put in an easy 24.17, while John Cooper finished in 27.45, Alan Grover crossed the line in 29.51 with Peter Bailey finishing in 34.07.

Parkrun tourists David Stears, Vicky Thornley (second SW30-34) and Michelle Ashwell tried out Gunpowder Park parkrun, with David finishing in 23.47, Vicky in 24.17 and Michelle at the top of her VW40-44 age group in 26.17.

Rob Wright, meanwhile, ran at Luton Wardown, finishing in 26.51 - only six seconds shy of a PB as he returns to top form.

Anya Higgins was also just short of a PB, finishing the Alice Holt parkrun in Hampshire in 30.48. Elsewhere, Kate Crossland ran the Wimbledon parkrun in an easy 26.32.