Vitality London Big Half, Sunday August 22nd: Due to the Covid-19 lockdown from January to April earlier this year, this major running event was postponed from its normal early March date and rearranged for August 22nd, 2021. Such a summer date risked very hot weather, but in the end it was relatively cool and cloudy at 17°C, with a slight drizzle; quite favourable running conditions. Four Joggers made the trip and were led home in style by Jonathan Ollington in a PB time of 1:38:49, finishing 1,860th of 9,806 runners overall and 100th of 595 in his M50 age category. This knocked 19 seconds off his previous PB of 1:39:08 in the Cambridge Half 2020. Next came Richard Jones (1:48:51, 3,205th, 102nd of 397 in M55), also narrowly beating his time in the Cambridge Half 2020, followed by Chris Aylmer (2:16:45, 7,098th, 11th of 23 in M70) and Caroline Mcintosh (2:39:52, 3,186th of 3,874F, 28th of 39 in F65), the latter snipping 13 seconds off her recent effort in the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Jonathan Ollington (1:38:49 PB!) on the left at the Big Half start, with Newmarket friends, from left to right: Ex-Jogger Troi Baxter (1:29:09 PB!), Run Newmarket joint organiser James Plowman (1:52:18) and Andy Fryatt (1:36:11). Thanks to Andy for sharing Strava photo.
Above left: The Big Half start on Tower Hill. Above right: Coming through the finish, beside the Cutty Sark. Many thanks to Andy Fryatt for these great on-the-spot photos.
Top left: Tower Bridge, crossed by runners just after the 7 mile mark and a great sight to behold. Photo thanks to Andy Fryatt. Top right: The Tower of London, near the start of the Big Half. Bottom left: The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich Park where baggage was retrieved. Bottom right: A view of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. Photos: Chris Aylmer.
Clacton 10K, Essex coast, Sunday August 22nd: Ruth Bell clocked 52:36, finishing a very creditable 16th of 106 female runners out of a total field of 220, close to her recent effort of 51:29 in the Stephen Williams 10K at Thurston, near Stowmarket.
Ruth Bell with faithful friend, after the Clacton 10K at the Essex seaside resort. Thanks to Ruth for sharing Strava photo.
Thorney 5, Sunday August 22nd: Neville Clarke was bang in form again in the Thorney 5 mile race near Peterborough. He recorded a time of 35:58, finishing 30th of 119 overall and 1st of 3 in his M65 age group. This performance earned him an age grade of 77.66%, close to his best this year.
Kevin Henry 5K League: Newmarket Joggers continue to maintain 4th overall position of 8 clubs after the 5th and penultimate fixture of the virtual 5K Kevin Henry League in August, with the men currently in 3rd position and women in 7th. This follows a shaky start to the league in April, followed by an encouraging, steady climb up the table. Highest scoring 5 women for the Joggers were: Olivia Carter 23:44 (25th female of 210 overall), Ruth Eberhardt 24:37 (34th), Claire Acklam 25:03 (40th), Danielle Jones 25:50 (50th) and Nicole Smith 25:57 (52nd). For the men: James Smith 16:51 (4th male of 213 overall), Paul Holley 17:06 (5th), Jonathan Pye 18:55 (20th), Jamie Rule 19:25 (29th) and Stuart Sowerby 20:19 (48th). Well done those speedy runners and for all Newmarket Joggers who took part, adding valuable points to our total. There is only 1 point separating the Joggers in 4th position from the two =5th teams of Royston Runners and Cambridge Triathlon Club, so a very good performance in the final fixture in September will be needed to hold on to 4th place. At present, Cambridge & Coleridge hold a narrow lead over Ely Runners, with Saffron Striders in 3rd place, while in 7th and 8th position are Haverhill RC and Histon & Impington.