The annual Stour Valley Path (SVP) 100K and 50K trail races took place on Sunday, 9th August, with the 100K starting at the Memorial Hall in Newmarket and the 50K starting at The Quay in Sudbury. They roughly followed the course of the River Stour along public footpaths, finishing at the Brantham Leisure Centre in Cattawade, near Manningtree on the Suffolk/Essex border. There were 8 checkpoints and aid stations in all, including start and finish, spaced at around 8 to 10 miles apart. Strict time limits were imposed for arriving at each checkpoint, above which participants would not be allowed to continue; particularly important in the very warm weather conditions, where temperatures were in the high twenties.
Above: The SVP 100K route, thanks to the SVP100 website.
Three Newmarket Joggers (NJ) entered this event. Carlos Campon-Alonso M50-54 (12:27:18, 8th of 101 starters overall, 8th M of 52, no age groups given in results) put in an excellent effort in the 100K, with only 57 participants able to complete the course. His previous races this year have been in the Tarpley 20M near Bury St Edmunds in February (2:20:06), the Cambridge HM in March (1:25:37) and The Heath Race 5.4km in May (21:02); all very impressive performances in his age group. NJ Richard Gash M55-59 unfortunately had to retire at the Clare checkpoint after about 37km. NJ Mattie Blakeman M30-34 entered the 50K but unfortunately had to retire at the Nayland checkpoint after about 30km. There were 151 starters for the 50K, with 18 of them having to retire.
Above: Richard Gash & friends at start of SVP 100K
Also on Sunday, in equally warm weather, Tom Hemsley (1:20:02 SB, 14th of 1,568 overall, 5th of 184 in M35) did his hometown proud in the Solihull Half Marathon in the Midlands. He was very high up the rankings in a large field, in his first known half marathon.
Meanwhile, in the Great Yarmouth Half Marathon on the Norfolk coast, Oliver Daykin (1:23:18, 16th of 431 overall, 9th of 119 in MS) did very well in the heat to finish high up in the order. His best time this year was 1:15:25 in the Cambridge Half Marathon in March, when it was much cooler.
Above: Oliver Daykin finishing Great Yarmouth Half Marathon
On the Rougham Estate, near Bury St Edmunds, it was the Sunflower 5K Run on Friday evening, organised by Run Vibes. This was an untimed, social run to celebrate the harvest, including a whole field of sunflowers as well as grain and other produce. Newmarket Joggers Anna Mayhew and Reuben Smith were taking part, as well as members of Anna’s Let’s Run Girls (LRG) group.
Above on left: Anna Mayhew at Sunflower 5K in sunflower field; right: Anna (top left) & LRG members on Rougham Estate bale stack.
TRACK NEWS
The results of the East Anglian T&F League fixture on 12th July at Cambridge University Athletics Track were released by Power of 10 recently. Newmarket Joggers join together with Ely Runners in this league, which is open to juniors and seniors of all ages from U12 upwards. The highlights of the Newmarket Joggers’ individual results at the July fixture are shown below. The last fixture of the season will be on 20th September at Bury St Edmunds, when the top clubs in the league will take part in a final, though it is not yet known which clubs will be invited. There is a good chance that Ely & Newmarket will be able to take part.
TRACK
75m: Oliver Hilton U12M 13.6s, age grade n/a.
100m: Shane Mcandrew M35 13.2s, 77.12%; Rio Mcandrew U14M 15.4s PB! 69.94%; Cerys Bithell U20W 14.4s, 74.44%; Lauren Bithell U18W 15.0s, 72.60%.
200m: Shane Mcandrew M35 25.7s 80.43%; Cerys Bithell U20W 30.4s PB! 72.17%.
600m: Oliver Hilton U12M 2:15.7 PB! 63.54%.
800m: Solomon Brokenshire-Dyke U14M 2:30.7 PB! 75.69%; Cerys Bithell U20W 2:36.0 SB! 74.44%.
1500m: Harvey Thomas U16M 4:59.4 PB! 74.18%; Noah Poujardieu U14M 5:49.8 PB! 67.81%; Rio Mcandrew U14M 5:55.5 PB! 65.09%.
100m H: Cerys Bithell U20W 19.4s 66.19%.
FIELD
High Jump: Shane Mcandrew M35 1.35m 60.7%; Cerys Bithell U20W 1.45m PB! 72.14%; Lauren Bithell U18W 1.10m PB! 57.29%.
Long Jump: Oliver Hilton U12M 2.40m PB! 39.54%; Cerys Bithell U20W 4.48m PB! 62.75%; Lauren Bithell 3.96m PB! 59.19%.
Shot Put: Shane Mcandrew M35 7.26kg 6.66m 29.43%; Cerys Bithell U20W 4kg 4.55m PB! 22.15%.
Discus: Shane Mcandrew M35 2kg 18.67 SB! 25.20%.
Many thanks for the photos.
Good luck in your running :-)
Chris Aylmer