All hands on deck, as Joggers host a successful Newmarket 10K

On Sunday June 25^th, Newmarket Joggers all pulled together to host the annual Newmarket 10K race, with HQ at the Ellesmere Centre in Stetchworth. In charge of the overall race organisation was Jim Withers with Stuart Sowerby chief marshal, while training coach Phil Blundell oversaw the junior races for U11s and U15s and Malcolm Osbourn coordinated car park strategy. Many weeks of preparation were needed to assign volunteers and get everything in place. For safety reasons, the road between Stetchworth and Woodditton had to be temporarily closed from the beginning of the race, with permission of the police and highways authorities. Altogether at least 60 club members were involved as volunteer helpers and another 14 ran in the race. It was a very warm day for running, with temperatures during the race around 24-25°C (in the shade), with the sun bearing down on runners along the exposed route. It certainly was tough in the heat, though most runners seemed to have enjoyed the challenge.

Coming home in 1^st place for the men was Jack Nixon of Saint Edmund Pacers (33:59, 1^st of 160 overall), the same runner who won the Newmarket Heath Race in May. In 2^nd place was Dylan Van Wyk of Bishop’s Stortford RC (35:19) and 3^rd was our own NJ Mark Hayward (35:32). In the women’s race, first home was Bethan Everson of Ely Runners (40:40, 1^st F of 53), followed by Sam Baxter of Felixstowe RR (46:12, 2^nd F) and Juliet Garnham of Stowmarket Striders (46:49, 3^rd F).

 

 

For Newmarket Joggers, in addition to Mark Hayward’s podium 3rd, Jimmy Smith (36:15, 5th) took the M40 trophy, Paul Holley (38:38, 12th) the M55 trophy and Junior Lilian Corbett (46:58, 4^th F) the U21F trophy, not far ahead of Junior Cerys Bithell (48:48, 2^nd U21F). Other results for the Joggers in order of finishing were: Joey Bendall (36:45, 6^th), Robert Dobson M40 (37:01, 8^th), Jacob Freeborough (44:16, 28^th), Marc Feary M40 (45:35, 37^th), Shane Mcandrew (46:44, 45^th), Adam Maltpress M40 (48:52, 61^st), Ellie Bithell F45 (53:55, 17^th F), Paul Roberts M40 (55:29, 99^th) and Steven Cleary M45 (1:17:49, 154^th). The results of the junior races are not yet available.

 

 

Eastern Athletics Championships at Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, Saturday June 24^th: Some Joggers had fun competing at the Cambridge University athletics track in Wilberforce Road. Junior Jogger Sophie Blundell (aged 10) entered both the 70m hurdle event (16.98 sec) and the shot put (3.81m) and showed excellent technique in both disciplines. Junior Jogger Harvey Thomas (aged 12) entered the 800m event and recorded an 8 second PB of 2m:32s. Juniors Cerys Bithell and Lilian Corbett, both aged 15, competed in the 300m and 1500m events. Cerys achieved PBs of 45.69s and 5m:23.9s respectively, winning the bronze medal over 1500m. Lilian was not far behind with 50.40s and 5m:26.97s in each event. Cerys also had a go at the long jump, achieving 4.20m and showing excellent technique. Senior Jogger Ellie Bithell achieved a 25 second PB of 3m:04.76s in the 800m race, taking the silver medal.

 

Above left: Sophie Blundell in shot put, showing an excellent pose before releasing the shot; above right: Sophie looking fluent over the hurdles. Thanks to Phil Blundell for the great action shots.

Above left: Harvey Thomas setting an 8 second PB in the 800m; above right: Cerys Bithell showing perfect technique in the long jump. Many thanks to Phil Blundell for the great action photos.