Updating with the news since the second lockdown started on 5th November. All ‘bubble’ group runs have had to stop until at least December 2nd, except for 1:1 socially distanced runs arranged individually by club members. Obviously, no real races taking part in the UK either.
The Memorial Gardens in Newmarket, with thanks to Sarah Last…a fitting tribute for Remembrance Day.
The second of the NJ Virtual Winter 5k Handicap 2020/2021 fixtures was completed by 8th November. Baz Colley stole the show by clocking 26:00 and improving over 7 minutes on his time recorded for the first fixture in October. His current 2020 5k PB stands at 23:04, recorded in the 2019/2020 NJ Handicap last spring, so scope for more improvement still. Baz has been concentrating mainly on his HIIT training since the first lockdown but shows he is still more than capable of pulling out fast road runs when needed. Next came Emma Reader in a time of 34:48, -2:44 on last month, with a 2020 5k PB in the process. In third place came Paul Roberts (25:44, -2:27, 5k PB 2020), with Sarah Kinston putting in a good effort (29:56, -2:18) to finish fourth. Fifth and sixth were Jill Howard (35:05, -2:08) and Bethany Broughton (28:43, -1:58, 5k PB 2020).
Baz Colley pictured after the Cheltenham Half Marathon 2019
Other club members earning overall 2020 5k PBs were, Jeremy Reader 24:17, Jill O’Grady 27:26, Bridget Wallwin 28:26 and Clive Purbrook 23:44.
On time alone, the top three NJ women were: Hannah Parsons 21:32, Claire Acklam 24:45 and Lisa Johnson 25:18 and the top three men: Chris Gay 17:09, Jimmy Smith 17:19 and Stuart Sowerby 20:24; all great achievements.
Looking at Age Grade %, the top three women were: Claire Acklam 74.01%, Hannah Parsons 72.99% and Belinda Schofield 68.32%, and the top three men: Jimmy Smith 79.69%, Chris Gay 77.75% and Stuart Sowerby 70.67%.
All in all, 44 Joggers took part in this month’s race, including 26 women and 18 men. Thanks to all who participated to make this an enjoyable event.
Flood on Stetchworth/Woodditton Road, near the top of Watery Lane on November 15th, thanks to Paula Wiseman. About a foot deep in places.
NJ Grand Prix 2020: It’s time to officially wrap up this year’s NJ Grand Prix Championship. Very well done to Sianie Painter, who has won her second successive title on 457 points, with top efforts by Christine Windsor, second on 417 points and Jenny Osbourn, third on 406. In the men’s competition, Paul Holley sealed his third Grand Prix title (his first two were in 2012 & 2013, the first two events) with some great age graded performances, totting up 567 points in all. Malcolm Osbourn was a very deserving second placed finisher with 519 points and third place went to Jamie Rule on 446 points. Malcolm Osbourn has now been runner-up in the men’s Grand Prix championship for three years in succession, so a great deal of rugged determination shown by him in this competition. Jamie has enjoyed a generally great year of running in 2020, with a number of PBs to his name. Thanks to all those taking part in the Grand Prix this year for creating a motivating atmosphere, despite the intervention of COVID-19 and the necessity to stage all the Kevin Henry races as virtual events.
EMMA READER: 40 successive 5k runs in aid of Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) completed on 15th November! The PSS charity is dear to Emma’s heart, as it is through their help that she and her unborn son managed to survive her serious pregnancy illness. Huge congratulations to Emma and thanks to all her colleagues in the club and other friends for running with her and offering their support and encouragement over the last 40 days. Forty days and forty nights…..
Emma and friends on the Day 40 final run 15th November thanks to Jan Holmes
A reminder that the Newmarket Joggers AGM will be held on 19th November as a Zoom session. All are welcome and encouraged to take part.
NJ AGM Zoom Thursday 19th Nov 7:30pm