After being troubled by niggling injuries for much of the season, ace veteran Paul Holley was back to top form in the Stroud Half Marathon in Gloucestershire on Sunday. He finished in a time of 1:24:03 SB, 51st of 1,257 overall and 6th of 184 in his M50-59 category. Had there been a 55-59 age category, he would surely have been higher still. This performance earned him 83.30% age grade, only bettered over the half marathon distance by Joggers Neil Pollard and Mark Hayward this year.
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Above: The start of the Stroud Half Marathon 2024…can’t see Paul; right: Paul in the Jersey Spartan HM in September.
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On Saturday, up in Ravenscar, North Yorkshire, two Joggers took part in the Endurance Life North York Moors Trail Marathon. It was a very tough, muddy and hilly route with 3,566ft of climb and plenty of exposure to the coastal winds. Mark Geddie (5:43:46, 25th of 42 overall, 2nd in M50) and Wendy Ancill (5:55:47, 28th, 12th F of 20, 4th in F50) both put in big efforts, enjoying the spectacular views and rugged nature of the course. The distance was a little long at about 27 miles, which is not unusual in this type of trail event, where the emphasis is on endurance rather than time and it’s more important for the distance not to be short.
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Above, top left: Wendy Ancill & Mark Geddie at Ravenscar on the North York Moors, with photos of the scenery. Thanks for great photos.
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Zig Zag Pumpkin Plod multi-lap event, Brandon Country Park, Sunday: Hannah and Neil Pollard celebrated Hannah’s birthday in the 2-lap Pumpkin Plod 10K in true Halloween style and fancy dress. They finished =3rd of 55 runners overall, in a time of 51:47. Hannah was 1st F of 32. The distance was actually a quarter marathon (~6.6mi/10.6km), with each lap an eighth marathon (~3.3mi/5.3km).
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Above: Hannah & Neil after and during the Pumpkin Plod. Thanks for great photos.