SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8th:
Starting with the shortest races, four Joggers took on the ST NICHOLAS 10K in Bury St Edmunds, which helped raise funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care. First Jogger home was Sam Sadler, equalling his best time this year at 38:03 and finishing 5th of 341 overall. Then came Jan Holmes (1:01:14, 64th F of 154, 5th of 14 in F60), Pearl Fay (1:12;38, 136th F, 12th in F60) and Joanne Bouttell (1:16:22, 146th F, 14th in F55), all with good efforts.
Pearl Fay, Jan Holmes and Jo Bouttell at the St Nicholas 10K at Bury St Edmunds. Many thanks for the photo.
In the ELY RUNFEST 10K, starting close to Ely Cathedral, Marc Drury (42:29) enjoyed his quickest 10K of the year, finishing 4th of 88 overall and 1st of 12 in M50-59. This race was his NJ Grand Prix wild card and moves him up into 2nd position, behind Paul Holley.
Above left: Ely Runfest 10K start; above right: Marc Drury finishing the race. Many thanks for the photos.
Moving on to the 10-mile distance, Mike Hayward was in PB form in the 35th running of the TIPTREE 10, near Colchester. He recorded a time of 55:37, finishing 5th of 457 overall and 1st of 75 in M40-49. Mark has been in great form this year, recording PBs at nearly all distances. His trophy for 1st M40 was a beautifully wrapped and specially labelled pot of Tiptree preserve, from sponsor Wilkin & Sons….recyclable too.
Above: Attractive medal and trophy for Mark Hayward in the Tiptree 10. Thanks for the photo.
Next up, three Joggers were among nearly 16,000 participants in the ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON in London, which cleverly included Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, The Green Park and St James’s Park in picturesque loops, avoiding all roads. First Jogger home was the consistent Mike Sales (2:04:08, 6,750th of 15,957 overall, 204th of 486 in M55), whose intensive training over local trail routes is paying off. He was followed by Sarah Sales (2:18:08, 9.937th, 279th of 696 in F50), who has rebounded well from her tough run in the Great North Run last month. Third Jogger home was the redoubtable Caroline Mcintosh (2:32:44, 12,635th, 9th of 22 in F70+) in her best half marathon time since 2019.
The Albert Memorial, on the edge of Hyde Park, London, where the Royal Parks HM started and finished. Thanks to Caroline Mcintosh for photo.
Stepping up in distance, Mark Geddie (4:40:16, 293rd of 621 overall, 15th of 37 in M50) and Wendy Ancill (4:52:16, 80th F of 208, 6th of 21 in F50) both put in top efforts in the challenging KIELDER MARATHON in Northumberland, famous for its lake (Kielder Water), scenery and hills. The route included around 2,000 ft of climb, in a continuous succession of ups and downs, while the damp, misty haze added a certain aura.
Above left: Mark Geddie & Wendy Ancill with medals after the Kielder Marathon; above right: Mists over Kielder Water. Thanks to Mark & Wendy for photos.
Meanwhile, Jogger Chris Burns (3:27:58, 652nd of 4,586 overall, 57th of 365 in M50) did well in the MBNA CHESTER MARATHON, his first known race over the distance.
Only 6 months after giving birth to her baby and not being able to train properly this year, Helinä Salo (5:52:05, 58th of 129 overall, 13th F of 44) took on the challenge of her first ultra marathon in the NORTH CHILTERNS 50K ULTRA, over ~31 miles of Hertfordshire trails, near Hitchin. She was very pleased to achieve under 6 hours and is already looking forward to her next challenge, whatever that may be.
Helinä Salo after the North Chilterns 50K Ultra. Many thanks to Helinä for photo.