Saturday, September 20th: Starting off with the ultra marathons, Ellie Bithell (5:42:29, 2nd of 3 overall, 1st F) took part in the Zig Zag Horseshoe event at Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds. She completed the out & back marathon route (which went as far as Newmarket), followed immediately by the 10k out & back, to make an ultra distance of ~52k, the only female runner to attempt this combination. This was her second known ultra, following her St Edmunds Ultra last December. She enjoyed the race, felt very comfortable and kept an even pace throughout, helped by her diligent preparation and many long training runs. Also running at this event was Phil Blundell (5:42:43, 34th of 39 overall), who did very well in his first known race over the marathon distance.
On the same day, Joggers Alexia Smithson (8:41:50, 42nd of 47 overall, 14th F, 4th F40) and Sianie Painter (8:51:08, 43rd, 15th F, 1st F55) took on the Fields & Forests Ultra (~56k) at Bardwell, near Honington in Suffolk. Both put in sound efforts. For Sianie, it was just one week after completing the Suffolk Coastal Path 50k, so not an easy task. Both enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way.
On Sunday, it was the BMW Berlin Marathon in Germany, which NJ Caroline Mcintosh (6:09:39, 46,382nd of 48,028 overall, 16,288th F of 17,111, 45th of 54 in F70-74) had entered on a whim only a few weeks before. She put in a colossal and courageous effort and saw it through to the end. This was her all-time marathon PB race in 2018, when she clocked 5:24:01 at the mere age of 65, so holds fond memories for her. It was following a very tough race schedule during 2025, including the London Marathon in April and the London Big Half only two weeks before Berlin. Well done Caroline.
Also on Sunday it was the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon, starting/finishing at the football stadium in Portman Road. The route went on a long and scenic out & back section, alongside the River Orwell and underneath the iconic Orwell Bridge, including a tough, hill climb up to Freston. Toby Anderson (1:37:22, 300th of 2,698 overall, 195th of 1,120 in MS) was in great form, doing very well overall and in his age group. It was his second fastest half marathon to date.
Joggers entered three different 10k races on Sunday. In the Marriott’s Way 10k, from Reepham to Aylsham along a disused railway line, Suzanne Bailey (58:20, 247th of 446 overall, 77thF of 223, 3rd of 11 in F60-64) did well to record her fastest 10k time this year.
In the Run Shoreditch 10k in East London, Charlie Spencer (36:51, 99th of 5,936 overall, 1st of 12 in M17-19) managed to put in a high-class run, even though he spent some time helping to pace other runners, such as the first female finisher. He was representing his first claim club NN Running Team. In the Harling 10k in Breckland, Norfolk, Jason Beeton (41:27, 31st of 327 overall, 8th of 31 in M40-44) put in his best 10k time of the year, representing Thetford AC as his first claim club.
Chariots of Fire, Sunday morning, Queens College, Cambridge: This is an annual, well-established charity relay race, in aid of Roald Dahl’s Childrens Charity, with thousands of runners taking part every year. Teams of 6 members ran legs of approximately 1.7 miles (2.7km) each, through the cobbled streets of the city centre, passing through the grounds of a number of colleges on the way. There was a definite air of fun and excitement and the weather was fine and sunny. Newmarket Joggers (NJ) entered one team of six into the mixed category, while five other Joggers were running for their various work companies. The NJ entry was called ‘Last Past The Post’, with members: Abi Marson (leg time: 14:46), Sarah Kinston (16:15), Sophie Adams (15:56), Joanne Bouttell (14:55), Chris Aylmer (19:05) and Fran (friend of NJ, 14:23) for a total of 1:35:22. They finished 167th of 187 mixed teams, so not as bad as their name. Other Joggers running for their companies were: Dan Bainbridge (13:15), Sarah Osborne (10:09), Jan Holmes (15:29), Daniel Tee and Sam Sadler. Sarah Osborne’s time was one of the best female times of the day; she continues in great form.
Above left: Abi, Sarah K, Sophie, Jo, Fran and Chris; right: Jan Holmes 4th from left, in her works team.
Above from left: Sophie, Sarah K, Jo, Fran and Chris.
Also on Sunday, Sarah Last (53:57) took part in Only The Brave 5k Obstacle Race, in the grounds of Euston Hall, not far from Thetford. It was a charity event in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance. It was a well planned event with lots of obstacles and challenges along the way, among beautiful scenery.
TRACK NEWS
It was the final of the East Anglian League at Bury St Edmunds track on Sunday. The results are not yet available on Power of 10, so these results will be reported next week.
Many thanks for all the photos, which help bring this report alive.