The first fixture of the Fenn Wright Suffolk Cross Country League took place at Framlingham on Sunday and had the most fantastic turnout of Joggers ever recorded at this notoriously difficult course. It’s a 3 lap race starting and finishing in the beautiful grounds of Framlingham Castle which takes the runners out across fields and tracks and down into the moat which surrounds the castle and has a particularly gruelling climb which the teams have to contest 3 times. Starting proceedings for the team in the Juniors over 11 race, which was 1 lap of the Seniors course and 2½km in distance, saw Ryan Holley as first home for the Joggers putting in a great race to finish strongly and was closely followed by teammate Peter Elsdon-Dean who has gone from strength to strength in the last year and competing in the League for the first time was Charlie Davis who put in a fantastic performance as the only girl in the trio.
Running in the under 11 race which also included some jumps thrown in was Ruby Davis who emulated her father by being left at the start but didn’t let this stop her from putting in a brilliant race and picking off other competitors throughout also showing some brilliant jumping skills throughout the race.
The Seniors had over 240 competitors line up which is an amazing turnout and shows how highly contested the league is within Suffolk. After watching his son Ryan finish first for the Junior Joggers team gave Paul Holley the incentive to put in a great race and finish 5th overall (1st male veteran) as well as first home for the Senior team to make it a Holley double on the day for the team. Next for the club was Vincent Coogan who must have the biggest and loudest support team out there with his 3 sons screaming him into the finish as he put in a burst of acceleration in the final lap to record 8th position closely followed by teammate Charlie Fawler in 9th, with 3 top 10 finishes the League could not have started any better for the men. Other results: Ben Blowes (37), Brian Munns (43), Alex Cairns (53), Neville Clarke (72), Jason Beeton (73), Steve Edwards (77), Jim Wither (91), Adam Etches (113), Clive Purbrook (142), Chris Aylmer (203)
The ladies team had 8 line up and first home for the club recording the fantastic position of 111th overall was Ursula White who as ever put in a perfect performance to lead the ladies on the way, next for the club was Susannah Rush in 151st position with Sue Stoten next in 198th. Finishing as a trio were new team members Angela Barnes (200), Belinda Schofield (201) and Marjie Davis (202). Diana Thomas was next in 215th position with Lisa Jennings putting in a welcome return to the team to finish in 239th position.
These fine results have given the team the incentive they need to start the league flying and hopefully continue this form throughout to ensure that silverware yet again comes there way at the end of the season in March.