Round Norfolk Relay, Sat/Sun 17th/18th September: The Joggers put in a strong team performance over the 17 unequal stages of this all-night event, which roughly traced the 198 miles of the Norfolk coastal and inland county boundary in a circular clockwise route, starting from King’s Lynn on Saturday morning and arriving back on Sunday morning. The 53 club teams had handicapped, staggered starts, according to ability, so that all teams finished roughly together on Sunday, with the faster runners continually chasing down the slower ones.
Three Joggers managed to win their individual stages; the first time any stage has been won by the club in this event. They were: Jimmy Smith (Stage 5, 10.8 miles, 1:01:16), Neil Pollard (Stage 11, 12.5 mi, 1:11:33) and Mark Hayward (Stage 12, 19.7 mi, 1:54:25). In doing so, Smith claimed the “Fat Birds Don’t Fly” trophy for Stage 5 and Pollard the Peter Andrews Cup for Stage 11.
Overall, Newmarket Joggers finished in a time of 28h:31m:26s, which put them 16th of the 53 clubs; their best ever position in this event.
The three highest placed female Joggers in their stages were: Ruth Eberhardt (Stage 8, 7.5 mi, 59:07, 29th overall, 13th Female of 30), Hannah Parsons (Stage 7, 9.2 mi, 1:13:48, 30th, 13th F of 30) and Danielle Jones (Stage 16, 5.5 mi, 30th, 15th F of 32).
Jim Withers did a fine job of coordinating this club effort and of leading his able support crew of Kate Warboys, Brian Munns, Emma Reader and Jeremy Reader, who were multi-task experts, including cyclists, timers, van drivers and first-aiders, day and night.
Other Joggers doing the club proud were, in stage order: Mark Geddie (Stage 1, 16.3 mi, 2:35:36), Wendy Ancill (Stage 2, 13.8 mi, 2:14:27), Kate Warboys (Stage 3, 5.8 mi, 1:04:45), Stuart Sowerby (Stage 4, 11.1 mi, 1:22:08), Neville Clarke (Stage 6, 7.9 mi, 1:00:21), Jonathan Ollington (Stage 9, 16.6 mi, 2:00:00), Paul Holley (Stage 10, 18.1 mi, 1:57:02), Jonathan Pye (Stage 13, 13.3 mi, 1:27:15), Adam Maltpress (Stage 14, 7.3 mi, 52:07), Marc Drury (Stage 15, 10.6 mi, 1:10:51), Olivia Carter (Stage 17, 11.7 mi, 1:33:54).
Fleam Dyke Marathon and Half Marathon, Cambridgeshire, Sunday Sept 17th: Helena Salo (6:16:04) enjoyed her relaxing trail run in the marathon, while Sianie Painter (3:00:59) had some ill luck in her half marathon run, falling 3 times and damaging her shoe on one occasion, but thankfully escaped injury and managed a nifty scout repair on her footwear.
In the Draycote Water Half Marathon on Saturday 17th Sept in Rugby, Ben Blowes (1:23:44, 8th of 144 overall, 1st of 9 in M50) put on a great show in full boxing gear. It’s the lead-up to his TCS London Marathon on Oct 2nd, when he will be trying for a Guinness World Record, dressed as a boxer.
In the Sandown & Shanklin 10K on the Isle of Wight, Sunday 18th Sept, Ruth Bell did well to clock 55:43. She was followed by her friend and work colleague Zara Bailey (1:14:00) in her first 10k and first real race for the Joggers since graduating from the NJ Beginners Group earlier this year. Well done Zara. In photo below, Zara on left with Ruth.
Also on Sunday, Chris Howell (1:53:47, 28th of 89 overall) had a good run in the Harvest Trail Half Marathon, which is a very tough, hilly route over Royston Heath in Hertfordshire.