Tony Sheldon was first Chiltern Harrier home in the Berkhamsted Half Marathon last Sunday, 7 March, finishing in 1h:25m:50s and a very creditable 23rd place. This was Tony Sheldon's first major race after coming back from a long injury, so a very good result for him. Anna Lankester was third in the women's race and 43rd overall in a time of 1h:30m:22s - a very good race for her. Neil Thubron, also of Chiltern Harriers was just one second behind her to take the third Chiltern Harrier place. Jonathon Hildreth had a good run for 4th Chiltern Harrier and 65th over-all in 1h:32m29s.
The winner was Mark Forrest of London Frontrunners in a time of 1h:16m:46s. Just nine seconds behind him was the Harrow-based South African runner Ewoud Grobler in second place. First woman home was Verity Stacey of Enfield and Harringay.
Several other Chiltern Harriers were running in the large field of 419 finishers. Some were preparing for the London Marathon in April, including Chesham's member of the Perennials Club, Dave Walker, who finished 298th in a time of 1h:56m03s.
Jonathon Hildreth was first Chiltern Harrier home in the Hemel 10 mile road race run last Sunday, 14 March, finishing in 1h:07m:56s and 83rd place. Michael Turney was next Chiltern Harrier just 17 seconds behind in 86th place.
The Hemel 10 is organised by Dacorum and Tring AC and is run over an undulating 10 mile course in Hemel Hempstead. It is sponsored by Kodak Ltd who have a big presence in Hemel Hempstead. Conditions on the day this year were far from ideal with strong gusting winds blowing in the runners faces but a remarkable winning finish created two joint winners - Dave Mitchinson of Northampton and Essex Beagles and Matt Smith of Tipton Harriers who crossed the line together in a blistering time of 50m:45s each. First woman was Michelle Friend of Stopsley Striders, finishing in 45th place in a time of 1h:04m:58s.
First Chiltern woman was Claire Stubbings, 287th overall in a time of 1h:19m:14s. Chesham's perennial Dave Walker was also running and since he was in training for the London Marathon ran an eight mile training run and got back just in time for the ten mile start. He still finished in a time of 1h:25m:26s and in 410th place out of 743.