Burnham Beeches Half Marathon, Buckinghamshire, Sunday Aug 15th: Jimmy Smith continued his excellent run of form this year, clocking 1:19:43 to finish 5th home of 456 runners overall; also an impressive 1st of 98 runners in his M40 age category. This was a picturesque, undulating course along closed roads and hard paths, leading through a nature reserve of shady beechwoods; an ideal venue for a summer half marathon.
Jimmy Smith finishing the Burnham Beeches HM in style. Thanks to Jimmy for posting photo on Strava.
Kimbolton Castle Half Marathon, Huntingdonshire, Sunday Aug 15th: Three Joggers had a crack at this popular, annual race, set in the beautiful surroundings of Kimbolton Castle. Marc Drury was first home in 1:29:55, finishing 26th of 350 overall and 10th of 64 in M40. This was just 17 seconds outside his PB in the Cambridge HM 2020, so shows he has maintained excellent form during the pandemic. Then came Clive Purbrook in 1:49:14, 102nd overall and 7th of 17 in M60, only 4 seconds outside his best time this year. In his busy season, with 5 x half marathons so far in 2021, Clive has brought his half marathon time down from 1:58:45 to 1:49:10. His all-time PB stands at 1:34:07 in 2017. Third Jogger to finish was Melanie Tindale in her first race since March 2020. She did well to clock 2:08:42, finishing 63rd of 140 female runners and 23rd of 47 in F40.
Kimbolton Castle: Final home of Catherine of Aragon, ‘annulled’ first wife of Henry VIII.
Lee Valley Half Marathon, Essex, Sunday Aug 15th: Mandy Davis recorded an excellent PB time of 2:18:49, finishing 60th of 90 female runners and 12th of 21 in F50. This was her first known race since she clocked 2:21:42 in the Manchester Half Marathon in October 2019. She is currently following a marathon training plan with great discipline and is targeting the VLM 2021 on October 3rd. which will be her first ever marathon. So this result will give her extra confidence that her training is well on course.
Mandy Davis with medal and PB in Lee Valley HM. Thanks to Mandy for posting photo on Strava.