There was a big turnout of Joggers for the Ely New Year’s Eve 10K on Sunday 31st December, 2022. Conditions were very muddy in places with significant wind, so not ideal conditions for PBs, but always a great atmosphere.
Mark Hayward (35:30, 20th of 468 overall, 1st of 32 in M40) led the way home, carrying his great run of form all the way through the year, which started on January 1st, 2022 with a new PB (at the time) of 35:16 in the Wymondham New Year’s Day 10K. He then clocked another PB of 34:08 at the Ekiden Relays in August. With PBs at all distances from 5K to Marathon, he was deservedly voted the performer of the year at the NJ Awards in December. Second Jogger to finish at Ely was Joey Bendall (35:38 PB, 21st, 18th of 81 in SM), who has also had a tremendous year of running and has shown huge improvement in his first year at the club, despite an annoying period of injury along the way. Then came James Smith (36:23, 25th, 2nd in M40), who has been in excellent form all season over road, trail and cross country.
Above, clockwise from top: Mark Hayward, Jimmy Smith and Joey Bendall, seen in the Woodbridge XC recently. Thanks to all runners and Epic Action Imagery for the photos.
First home of our female runners and enjoying a great run was the consistent Hannah Parsons (47:27, 23rd F of 200, 6th of 36 in F45), who continues to perform near the top of her age category. Then came Wendy Ancill (50:58, 39th F, 5th of 35 in F50) and Sarah Sales (53:42, 57th F, 9th of 35 in F50), both doing very well in their age groups and achieving their best 10K times this year.
Jeremy Reader and Angela Drury in the Ely NYE 10K. Thanks to both for the photo on Strava.
Other Joggers in order of finishing were: Jonathan Pye (38:03, 25th in SM), Jonathan Ollington (43:52, 6th of 32 in M55), Phil Blundell (46:18, 18th in M55), Stephen Cousins (50:22 YB [Year Best], 12th of 28 in M60), Mike Sales (53:20 YB, 19th in M55), Jeremy Reader (55:32, 40th in M45), Angela Drury (58:12 YB, 13th of 29 in F40), Bethany Broughton (58:28 YB, 22nd of 42 in SF), Jan Holmes (1:02:48, 13th of 20 in F55), Sophie Adams (1:04:56, 20th in F40), Caroline Mcintosh (1:07:00 YB, 1st of 2 in F70+), Sarah Last (1:08:48, 31st in F50), Jackie Henley (1:09:25, 18th in F55), Jo Bouttell (1:13:58, 20th in F55), Zara Bailey (1:14:51, 38th in SF), Emma Reader (1:18:08 YB, 22nd in F35), Gillian Green (1:18:43, 8th in F60), Andy Hayward (1:41:06 YB, 81st in SM, sustained injury during race).
Sarah Last and Gillian Green at the Ely NYE 10K. Thanks to both for the Strava photo.