Neil Pollard was in tremendous form in the Stowmarket Half Marathon on Sunday, coming home 1st of 209 finishers in 1:14:45, over 2 minutes ahead of the field. He was just 2 seconds outside an official half marathon PB time, if you include his 1:14:43 at Bedford in September 2018, which has been classed as a slightly less reliably measured multi-terrain course on Power of 10. This race was really a step on the way to his carefully planned target, the Yorkshire Marathon on October 20th, for which he has been putting in countless miles of dedicated training over the last 6 months. Also running a top race was Mark Hayward, who came 5th in 1:18:50 and is targeting the Chelmsford Marathon on the same day that Pollard tackles York. Following on from Hayward was Neville Clarke (1:39:46), who ran very well to win his MV65 age prize with Clive Purbrook (1:57:25) 4th in MV60.
Neil Pollard showing poise and balance in the Marcus Gynn Newmarket 10K last July. Photo: Kate Warboys
At the Ely Tri Club Runfest on Sunday there were 7 Joggers competing in the Half Marathon over cycle paths and trails. Olivia Carter was first Jogger home and achieved her best time this year of 1:43:03, finishing an impressive 12th of 137 runners overall and 2nd home of 74 female runners. Next to finish was Adam Maltpress (1:47:05), 21st of 137 overall, who has finally achieved his long awaited target of 40 race medals while aged 40, with about three weeks to spare before his 41st birthday! Following on came Sarah Boneham (1:48:13), 7th female finisher, Zoe Dickson (2:02:18) in her first half marathon this year, Rebecca Fordham (2:02:57 PB!), Jan Holmes (2:03:25) and Sianie Painter (2:10:32). Fordham is targeting the New York City Marathon in November and her training is going really well, with plenty of spin-off PBs at other distances along the way.
Rather a damp, misty, rainswept Sunday morning outside Ely Cathedral, for the start of the Ely Runfest HM but still plenty of smiles. From left, Olivia Carter, Sianie Painter, Sarah Boneham, Jan Holmes & Rebecca Fordham. Photo: Courtesy of Sianie Painter
Meanwhile, Melanie Tindale, not content with a top run in the Great East Run 7 days ago (2:04:22), completed the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham on Sunday in an even faster time of 2:00:27, her best time this year. Also on Sunday, Henry Hamilton-Gould (1:34:30) was in great form in the Cheltenham Half Marathon, finishing 183rd of 2,474 overall and 38th of 216 in his MV35 age group. Baz Colley (1:56:21) followed on not far from his best time this year.
Baz Colley at Cheltenham Half Marathon with the racecourse in the background. Photo courtesy of Baz Colley.
The day before, Iain Perry revisited the picturesque Tissington Half Marathon in the Peak District and shaved over 20 minutes off his time last year, clocking 1:57:41 on this one-way course with the pleasing gradual downhill gradient.
Nearer home in the Grantchester 10K, six Joggers were taking part along this scenic route. Paul Dockerill was first home in 42:23, 23rd of 391 overall and 4th of 56 in MV40. Next came Brian Munns (46:52), 8th of 47 in MV55, Jim Withers (55:34) and Miles Johnson (55:36). Lynda McCormack (58:47) enjoyed a great run to come 6th of 43 in FV55, as did Mary Marsh (1:03:09), who was 5th of 13 in FV65.
If you are not in the Newmarket Joggers Strava Club (all members are very welcome to join!), please let us know of your race results or of your upcoming race plans by emailing chris.aylmer@newmarketjoggers.co.uk Thanks.