Friday evening,19th July: After the bleak years of the Covid pandemic and one tentative reappearance in 2022, the Wibbly Wobbly Log Jog was back again in full swing at High Lodge in Thetford Forest, by popular demand. Twenty-three Newmarket Joggers were among 307 participants, enjoying the densely wooded trails and rugged Breckland landscape of this 5-mile trail race. The course was very tough, with lots of tree root hazards, some rough, stony paths, and a deep crater to negotiate. The distance came out at about 5.15 miles according to Joggers’ pooled GPS data, but times appeared to be at least 5 minutes longer than an equivalent road race, with the heat and humidity adding to the challenge.
Above back row, from left: Jan Holmes, Jim Withers, Suzanne Bailey, Lisa Jennings, Martin Smith, Jo Bouttell, Bridget Wallwin, Pearl Fay, Brian Munns, Reuben Smith, Sarah Kinston, Hanneli Stevenson, Mark Geddie and Neville Clarke; front row: Steven Oglesby, Marc Drury, Angela Drury, Jeremy Reader, Helen Wass, Ian Butcher, Wendy Ancill, Ellie Bithell and Helen Hilario. Many thanks for the team photo. Lynda McCormack is not in the picture.
First Jogger home was Marc Drury (37:12, 11th of 307 overall, 3rd of 21 in M50-54), who has been in great form all year, followed by Neville Clarke (41:20, 29th, 1st of 15 in M65+), who put in an amazing performance for his actual age of 70+. Third was new member Reuben Smith (45:03, 61st, 10th of 20 in M40-44), who is improving all the time.
Above left: Marc Drury; right: Neville Clarke. Thanks for the photos.
First female Jogger home was Helen Hilario (45:24, 13th F of 173, 4th of 27 in F45-49), a new member this year, who has impressed in all her race performances. She was closely followed by Ellie Bithell (46:19, 17th F, 5th in F45-49), who has been in peak form this year, and Hanneli Stevenson (46:42, 19th F, 2nd of 36 in F40-44), another new member, with a top age group performance.
Above left: Helen Hilario; right: Hanneli Stevenson. Thanks for the photos.
Looking through the other age group performances, Ian Butcher ( 45:57, 69th, 2nd of 15 in M65+), Helen Wass (51:06, 37th F, 3rd of 22 in F55-59) and Suzanne Bailey (56:26, 68th F, 3rd of 12 in F60-64) all stand out.
Other Joggers putting in big efforts were: Steven Oglesby M45 45:41, Mark Geddie M50 46:00, Jeremy Reader M50 47:37, Martin Smith M45 54:12, Angela Drury F40 54:12, Bridget Wallwin F55 56:57, Wendy Ancill F50 58:15, Jim Withers M65+ 58:31, Lynda McCormack F60 1:00:55, Jan Holmes F60 1:01:08, Sarah Kinston F50 1:02:26, Lisa Jennings F50 1:07:03, Pearl Fay F65+ 1:10:15 and Jo Bouttell F60 1:10:21.
Above left: Sarah Kinston during the race; right: Medal photos by Jo Bouttell and Suzanne Bailey. Thanks for the photos.
BOUDICCA WAY 50K ULTRA, Diss, Norfolk, Saturday, 20th July: Sianie Painter (7:43:48, 97th of 176 overall, 4th of 14 in F55-59) put in an excellent age group performance in this race, which followed the Boudicca Way from Norwich to Diss, passing by ancient landmarks dating back to the time of the Roman conquest and the reign of Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe in the 1st Century AD. The heat and humidity were stifling. This was Sianie’s third ultra race of the year and shows how she is gaining in confidence and endurance.
Above top left: Sianie Painter during the Ultra; top right: Boudicca Way scenery; bottom: The attractive medal. Thanks for the photos.
Cambridgeshire Track & Field Open No.3 at St Ives, Wednesday evening, 17th July: A number of Junior Newmarket Joggers competed in this open track event and put in good times, with NJ club coach Phil Blundell also taking part. In the One Mile race, in order of age grade performance, Harvey Thomas U15M (5:26.91, 76.57% age grade), Lilian Corbett U17F (5:43.82, 75.68%) and Rory King U17M (5:32.32, 72.28%) all put in excellent efforts. In the 800m, Sophie Blundell U13F (2:48:51, 78.08%), Cerys Bithell U17F (2:32.45, 77.88%) and Lilian Corbett U17F (2:34.95, 76.62%) all excelled, with Sophie putting in her highest ever age grade in any event. In the 200m, Cerys Bithell U17F (29.10, 76.98%), Phil Blundell M45 (29.22, 75.60%), Sophie Blundell U13F (33.33, 73.78%) and Amber Smith U13F (33.15, 72.28%) all competed at a high standard. In the 100m, Amber Smith U13F (15.91, 72.28%) gained a PB. The overall standard was very high and especially encouraging for all the Junior Joggers.
Above: The line-up for the 800m at St Ives athletics track, with Sophie Blundell further away and Lilian Corbett nearer the camera. Cerys Bithell not spotted; maybe she was in a different heat. Thanks to Phil Blundell for the photo.
*Apologies for missing Neville Clarke’s Humpty Dumpty 10K race on 14th July at Reedham Village Hall in Norfolk, where he clocked 45:31 and finished 106th of 433 overall and 2nd of 10 in M70-74, achieving an impressive 79.42% age grade. That would have been a good choice for his Grand Prix Wild Card. Don’t forget to select your wild card race for the Grand Prix, to be run before the end of November; it must be over a distance of 5 miles or 10k. Please email your selection to chris.aylmer@newmarketjoggers.co.uk, preferably at least a day before the race starts.