The stately setting of Hevingham Hall provided a stunning backdrop for the Suffolk County Cross Country Championships on Sunday. Always a true test over 12k for men and 8k for women, the recent heavy rain added the final ingredient to the endurance test.
Newmarket Joggers were well represented in the small but select fields. The runners were support by a welcome vocal contingent.
The ladies section were strongly represented by teams A,B,and C. Grainne Neary finished a superb 8th overall and together with Nicky Chapman(15th) and Alice Everett(17th) were rewarded with a terrific 3rd place in the team event. Ursula Ransom was 20th overall and scooped 3rd place in the FV40. A team runner Grainne Brennan was home in 22nd. Ultra runner Lisa Redman showed that stamina was king when finishing powerfully in 39th. Lans Zinchenko must surely be one of the Joggers most improved runners and is thriving on racing, finishing in 46th for the B team.Helen Wass performed superbly close up in 47th. Belinda Scofield was strong as usual and came home in 58th place. Pearl Fay,Isabel Vicente,Gillie Green and Jackie Henley all performed with great credit.
The men were represented by a strong contingent including elite runners Sam Sadler and Martyn Taylor. Sam is rapidly improving and is targeting a quick time in the prestigious Cambridge Half Marathon in February. Sam is sure to be inspired by a return to future cross country events after a blistering 16th place overall in the 12k senior mens race and was well supported by Martyn Taylor in 22nd place. Veteran Greg Davis was delighted that he chose the 12mm spike and his weapon of choice to combat the conditions. The V50 performer was rewarded with 23rd place overall and also took the 1st V50 category prize. Third place prize for the mens A team was secured when Chris Gay came home in 33rd to make up the team of 4.
Ultra athlete Kevin Connolly was well placed in 94th and could have gone round again with ease. Philip Green was turning back the clock to when he was a regular elite performer at such events. Philip finished with credit in 97th place. Neville Clarke was sold once more and took 3rd in the V60 and was 100th. Jeremy Reader had a great run in 104th. Clive Purbrook was pacing well with Brian Munns and they came home in 113th and 114th. Aland Shand has tackled endurance events world wide and needed all his stamina, he finished well in 133rd. Jim Withers battled a hip injury to brave finish in 148th.
Club secretary and Chair Emma Townsend and Kate Warboys represented the Joggers as county marshals and did a great job.
