The weekend of racing began at 7:00pm on Friday evening, Sept 10th, with 8 Joggers participating in The Ickworth Sunset Chase 10K in Ickworth Park, Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds. Although there was not much sun in evidence, good fun was had by all at this Raw Trails event, where runners were challenged to finish before dark, with some of them sporting head torches…just in case. First home for the club was Simon Harris in 40:40, 5th of 261 runners overall. Then came Stuart Sowerby (43:06, 15th), Jason Beeton (43:58, 21st), Clive Purbrook (52:01, 63rd), Nicole Smith (59:32, 42nd F of 157 female runners), Sarah Kinston (1:07:37, 96th F), Lisa Garrand (1:13:46, 125th F) and Rebecca Hannah (1:20:24, 147th F). Orla Dockery competed in the Ickworth 5K event, finishing in 33:57; 24th F of 51 female runners, in her first race this year. Age group information was incomplete in both events, so has been omitted.
The Sunset Chase, Ickworth Park. Front row from left: Nicole Smith, Lisa Garrand. Back row from left: Simon Harris, Stuart Sowerby, Jason Beeton, Clive Purbrook (rear), Orla Dockery, Sarah Kinston, Rebecca Hannah. Thanks to all for Strava photo.
On Sunday, 12th Sept, Newmarket Joggers were involved in 5 racing events across the country. The biggest of all was The Great North Run in Newcastle, where Miles Johnson (1:57:16, 8,617th of ~30,950 finishers, 60th in M65) and Anna Mayhew (2:05:58, 12,416th, 305th in F45) put in great efforts over the new out & back course, crossing the Tyne Bridge twice and finishing back in Newcastle instead of South Shields (by-the-sea).
Anna Mayhew with her medal, after the Great North Run. Thanks to Anna for the photo.
The next biggest event on Sunday was the Brighton Marathon, where Marc Drury had a great race, finishing in a time of 3:28:00, 395th of 7,154 runners overall and 41st of 524 in M45. This beat his PB of 3:34:06 in the Chester Marathon in October 2019, and also his previous time of 3:59:10 in the Brighton Marathon in April 2019, so an encouraging trend indeed.
Over in Biggleswade, starting in the grounds of the impressive Shuttleworth House, it was the Hoohaah Heritage 10K event. Hannah Parsons was in brilliant form, finishing in a time of 45:49, 16th of 167 overall, 2nd female of 91 and 1st of 24 in her F45 age group. She was followed by Clive Purbrook (51:37, 39th, 4th of 7 in M65), who was also near his best form this year.
Shuttleworth House. Thanks to Clive Purbrook for Strava photo.
Down in South West London, Rebecca Fordham enjoyed a great run in the Richmond Half Marathon, recording a PB time of 2:02:04 and finishing 343rd of 2,124 overall, 18th of 76 in F50. This beats her previous best time of 2:05:34 in the Cambridge Half Marathon 2019.
At Wymondham, Norfolk, the rescheduled Wymondham 20 attracted 4 Joggers. It is traditionally a favourite preparatory race, held in March, for the London Marathon in April. This year, perhaps by chance or design, it again fitted perfectly in that role. Mark Hayward (2:00:21, 3rd of 241 overall) was in blistering form with a podium finish. This is only his second known 20 mile race, so is a huge PB after clocking 2:16:57 in the Tarpley 20 (2017). Then came Jimmy Smith (2:06:43, 9th, 3rd of 29 in M40), an outstanding effort while not 100% fit with a back injury. His PB remains 1:57:25 in the Essex 20 (2017). Next home was birthday-boy Simon Harris (2:28:31, 48th, 7th of 29 in M45), an excellent performance in his first known 20 mile race. He was followed by Chris Aylmer (3:42:14, 213th, 8th of 11 in M65+), who has a PB of 3:28:39 in the Tarpley 20 (2018) but was happy to match his pre-race target in this race.
The Gang of Four Joggers in Market Cross, Wymondham, at the start of the Wymondham 20. From left: Simon Harris, Chris Aylmer, Mark Hayward, Jimmy Smith.