Sunday Sept 5th: Paul Holley continued his excellent 2021 campaign in the Bedford 20M, finishing in a time of 2:10:00, 4th of 336 runners overall and 3rd of 35 in his 50-59 age group. This was likely a preparatory race for the Virgin Money London Marathon on October 3rd, in which he regularly earns a Good For Age place.
Meanwhile, over in Oxborough, Norfolk, two Joggers competed in the Wissey Half Marathon, named after the river passing through this picturesque village. Neville Clarke was bang in form in his first half marathon this year, finishing in 1:44:10, 113th of 277 runners overall and 1st of 11 in M65+. Interesting that Neville never wears any kind of GPS device, as may be seen in the finish photo. Clive Purbrook (2:03:52, 3rd of 11 in M65+) also ran very well, though he did clock 1:49:10 earlier this year and has had a hard season of racing.
Neville Clarke finishing the Wissey Half Marathon in 1:44:10
On the same day, Andy Hayward took on the Framlingham 10K, which is a hilly 2.5 lap road route circling Framlingham Castle Grounds. There are three steep passes up Framlingham High Street, with a good atmosphere generated by supporters on each pass. Andy did well to clock 59:19 and finish 218th of 286 runners overall.
Joggers Jeremy and Emma Reader tried out the Northstowe 10K, in the new town of Northstowe, near Longstanton in Cambridgeshire. Jeremy ran well in 50:53, 53rd of 213 runners overall, while Emma finished in 1:22:27, beating her previous 10K time this year. Both are preparing to run in the London Marathon in October, so were not wanting to overdo the pace and risk injury.
On Saturday 4th Sept, Sarah Boneham ran her first race of the year in the very hilly SRC Barrow Half Marathon (Suffolk Running Centre), recording a very decent time of 1:58:02. The multi-lap course consisted of quarter marathon loops, each one with an elevation gain of nearly 400ft.