Newmarket Joggers club member Elke Hausler was among the W60 (Women, aged 60+) team of 4, who were attempting to set a new world record in the 4 x 800m relay at Nuneaton, on Sunday 24th August. The GB team included world record holders and world champions Clare Elms and Virginia Mitchell, plus fellow world medalists Christine Anthony and Elke Hausler. Elke is the current British Masters W60 indoor 800m silver medalist and 400m bronze medalist.
.
Having heard that the American 4 x 800m W60 team had raced to a new world record of 10m 45.23 at the USTAF championships at Alabama in July 2025, the British women were inspired to take on the challenge. The USA team included the multiple world champion Sue McDonald, who ran the anchor leg. The 4 x 800m event is not contested at any international masters championships, so the GB team decided to race at the British Masters Open at Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton, which was hosted by the BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation). There were also GB W45 and W65 teams going for a record in the same event.
.
Above from left, in both photos: Virginia Mitchell, Elke Hausler, Christine Anthony & Clare Elms. Thanks to organisers for photos.
.
The GB W60 team judged the race perfectly, to achieve a time of 10:38.86, over 6 seconds inside the record set by the USA. The W45 team also achieved a world record time of 9m 26.38, while the W65 attempt will need to be redone due to an error. All in all, a good day’s work for the GB teams. The unofficial leg time for Elke Hausler was 2:47.7, earning an impressive age grade of 90.39%.
.
Above, from left: Clare Elms, Christine Anthony, Coach Mick Graham, Elke Hausler & Virginia Mitchell. Thanks to organisers for photo.
.
NHRM (National Horse Racing Museum) Trail Half Marathon, Newmarket, Sunday, August 24th: This inaugural race was organised by Newmarket Joggers (NJ) chair Jimmy Smith, with the course designed by NJ Alan Shand. It went along the top of Devil’s Dyke from Newmarket Racecourse to near Stetchworth; then meandered over picturesque countryside through Woodditton, Cheveley and Ashley, before heading up a long trail towards Moulton Road, which led back towards Newmarket, with an exciting final plunge from the top of Warren Hill training grounds. The course was beautiful and fairly tough, with around 660ft of climb. The terrain was difficult along the Dyke in places, where there were multiple tree root hazards, stones protruding from the ground and a narrow, uneven pathway. So, it was never going to be a fast route; it was one that took real trail-running skills to negotiate safely and effectively. Groups of runners were set off at 3-minute intervals to avoid too much crowding, with start and finish times recorded. There were 82 finishers in all, 42 women and 40 men, including 22 NJs.
.
Above: The NHRM Half Marathon starters. Thanks for photo.
.
First female finisher was our very own NJ Carol Cienna Carter, in an excellent time of 1:49:17, followed by Karine Ferrin (1:54:13, unattached, former NJ a good while ago) and Kristy Guneratne (1:55:32, St Radegund RDC). Second female finisher for the Joggers was NJ Olivia Carter (2:12:30), with NJ Helen Wass (2:40:39) 3rd. Other NJ female finishers were: Sianie Painter (2:51:17), Jan Holmes (2:52:39), Sue Kent (3:13:10) and Miranda McWade (3:13:10).
.
Above left: Jimmy Smith (hi-viz) with the Female 123, with 1st-placed NJ Carol Cienna Carter centre, Karine Ferrin (2nd F) on right and Kristy Guneratne (3rd F) on left; right: The Male 123, with 1st-placed Owen Rees centre in blue, 2nd-placed NJ Carlos Campon-Alonso on right and 3rd-placed NJ Jack Imrie on left. Thanks for photos.
.
For the men, Owen Rees of Ipswich Phoenix was the winner in 1:28:20, followed by NJ Carlos Campon-Alonso (1:38:01) in 2nd and NJ Jack Imrie (1:38:52) in 3rd. Third male Jogger home was NJ Paul Holley (1:51:08) in 7th place overall. Other NJ male finishers: Richard Defries (1:51:28), Jon Brooker (1:51:33), Chris Howell (1:53:27), Tristram Hilborn (2:03:06), Richard Jones (2:03:21), Andrew Sandeman (2:12:30), Rob Hawkins (2:27:35), Malcolm Osbourn (3:01:48), Stuart Janes (3:01:48) and Chris Aylmer (3:02:29). Tail runners: Alan Shand & Jo Bouttell. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers for a great trail running experience.
.
Above: Some scenery shots. Thanks to Jo Bouttell and Kirsty McDermott for many of these photos.
.
Above from left: Nicole Smith & Mark Hayward at St Mary’s Church halfway checkpoint; Joggers relax outside the Tack Room after the race; Alan Shand, designer of the course and tail runner/walker. Thanks for photos.
.
Also on Sunday was the ASICS LDNX 10K, with HQ at Wembley Stadium in London, which attracted 4,665 runners. Six Joggers took part in this race. First home was Andy Fryatt (42:37 SB, 388th of 4665 overall, 5th of 148 in M55), who finished very high up in his age group. Then came Karl Coutts (46:21 SB, 754th, 73rd of 293 in M40), Bridget Wallwin (57:14, 508th F of 1,861, 19th of 98 in F55), Martin Smith (57:16, 2,314th, 148th of 224 in M45), Francine Dasseville (1:00:21 SB, 712th F, 45th of 137 in F50) and Suzanne Bailey (1:04:54,1000th F, 24th of 50 in F60).
.
Above from left: Andy Fryatt, Bridget Wallwin, Francine Dasseville and Martin Smith; Andy at finish line; with medals after race. Thanks for photos.
Above from left: Suzanne in Wembley Stadium; Hannah & Suzanne with medals; the medal close up. Thanks for photos.
.
Newmarket Joggers ‘took over’ Mildenhall Hub parkrun 5K on Saturday, August 23rd, i.e., they provided nearly all the volunteers and marshals and a team of pacers from 18 to 50 minutes. They also helped at the Mildenhall Hub Junior parkrun 2K on Sunday. Mildenhall Hub is the favourite parkrun of the club, with a good number of Joggers participating every week.
.
Above: NJ marshals and other volunteers and pacers at Mildenhall Hub parkrun; right: Olivia Carter, 25 min pacer. Thanks for photos. More photos on parkrun page.
.