The first ever Newmarket Half Marathon road race took place on Sunday, 31st May, starting and finishing at the Rowley Mile Grandstand on Newmarket Heath and organised by RunThrough UK. The route followed traffic-free, decidedly undulating (i.e. hilly), country roads, ascending nearly to Stetchworth and passing through the villages of Woodditton, Little Ditton and Saxon Street along the way. Writing as a local dweller and participant, it was a pleasure and privilege to run along these roads, free from the danger, noise and pollution of traffic. The total elevation of the course was around 700ft but the high point was reached at Woodditton, about halfway through the race, so it was mostly downhill from there, apart from one steep climb up Woodditton Road towards Newmarket. Following the recent heatwave, there was a fear that the weather might be unbearably warm but it was a very reasonable 18°C at the 09:00 start, rising to the low 20s, and the sun was hiding behind hazy cloud much of the way, with a cooling breeze.
Above from left: the start of Newmarket Half Marathon; all roads along the route traffic-free, this road leading to Saxon Street.
Thirteen Newmarket Joggers took part in the race. All positions given here are based on chip time. Oliver Daykin (1:19:10, 2nd of 1,384 overall, 2nd M of 828, 1st of 350 in M20-34) enjoyed a brilliant run over this tough, hilly course, coming 2nd overall and first in his age group. He was followed by Carol Cienna Carter (1:36:34, 9th F of 555, 1st of 28 in F55-59), who is also in top class form and continues to excel in her age category. Then came Richard Defries (1:40:21, 8th of 57 in M50-54), Jonathan Ollington (1:49:22, 8th of 49 in M55-59), James Turner (1:52:10 SB, 129th in M20-39) and James Thomson (1:56:24, 51st of 130 in M35-39), all with good runs. Next home for the female Joggers were Sally Hancock (2:02:06, 56th of 268 in F20-34) and Catherine Bragg (2:04:08, 14th of 41 in F50-54), both doing well by age category. Then came Jan Holmes (2:20:21, 6th of 17 in F60-64), Joanne Bouttell (2:28:01, 8th in F60-64), Chris Aylmer (2:30:05, 2nd of 2 in M75-79) and Sarah Last (2:32:32, 30th in F50-54), all with sound efforts. Ian McClements (2:38:10, 61st of 64 in M45-49) was representing 1st claim South Cambridge Striders and ran with a friend. Interesting that only one of the 13 Newmarket Joggers (James Turner) achieved a season’s best half marathon time in this race and that was because it was his first known half marathon of the year. It was a tough challenge.
Above, from left: Jan Holmes in action; Jo Bouttell, Jan Holmes and Sarah Last with medals; Jo & Jan sporting their Newmarket HM T-shirts.
Above, from left: Jonathan Ollington’s medal and vest; Sarah Last’s medal and bib; Sarah’s Newmarket HM T-shirt.
Above: relaxing after the race, near the Rowley Mile Grandstand.
Friday 5 Series, Framlingham, Thursday evening, 29th May: Six Joggers competed in this 5-mile race, the second fixture of six in all. Top veteran Neville Clarke (37:25 SB, 170th of 437 overall, 151st M of 294, 1st of 13 in M70+) was once again in great form and first Jogger to finish, as he did in the first race of the series the previous week at Kirton, near Felixstowe. Then came Neil Williamson (45:33 SB, 43rd in M50-54), Brian Munns (49:12, 29th in M60-64), Jan Holmes (49:38 SB, 115th F of 143, 12th in F60-64), Joanne Bouttell (50:08 SB, 13th in F60-64) and Jim Withers (51:29 SB, 12th in M70+). All but one Jogger managed to get a 5-mile SB, so some good efforts.
Culford Sprint Triathlon, Culford School, nr Bury St Edmunds, Sunday: Two Joggers entered this event, both representing 1st claim Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club. The format was: 300m indoor pool swim; 21km bike ride on country roads; 4.2km run in Culford School grounds.
Martin Smith achieved a total time of 59:28, putting him 18th of 201 overall and 2nd of 9 in M45-49. Reuben Smith achieved a time of 1:05:53, putting him 58th overall and 6th in M45-49. Interesting to look at the breakdown of Martin’s and Reuben’s times. In the swim, Reuben achieved 9th overall place of 201 compared with Martin’s 53rd. In the bike, it was a different story: Martin finished 16th overall to Reuben’s 53rd. In the run, Martin was 42nd overall to Reuben’s 94th. So, Reuben certainly has a special talent for swimming, while Martin’s forte is on the bike.
TRACK NEWS
Also on Sunday was the second fixture of the East Anglian Track & Field League, held in Peterborough. Newmarket Joggers join with Ely Runners in this league. There was a big turnout of 12 Newmarket Joggers for this track meeting, including Shane Mcandrew, Rio Mcandrew, Ellie Bithell, Cerys Bithell, Lauren Bithell, Oliver Hilton, Noah Poujardieu, Gordon Irvine, Isla Irvine, Nancy Irvine, Phil Blundell and Sophie Blundell. The official results are not yet on Power of 10. We do know that NJ Shane Mcandrew competed in the 800m and clocked an official time of 2:18.5, which is a little slower than his best time this year of 2:12.51. Overall, the team of Newmarket Joggers and Ely Runners are doing much better than last year, which was the first year of the league. It makes a good, active, family outing for athletically-minded parents and their children.
Re the Cape Wrath Trail fundraising event for Newmarket Open Door, May 24th to May 31st, reported here last week: we have just heard that Alan Shand and Adrian Whittle (the two Newmarket Joggers who tackled the Cape Wrath Trail last week to raise funds for Newmarket Open Door), successfully made it to Cape Wrath, despite severe weather, relentless rain and a Mountain Rescue alert along the way, plus Alan losing his phone but gaining a lot of blisters. The main problem was the intermittent lack of a phone signal, so that they could not reliably contact Open Door Chair David Walker, who was in his car and acting as the route planner, carrier of the tent and of all food supplies. For one night, due to severe weather, they had to stay in a remote bothy, with no food (bar emergency rations) or bedding, unable to contact David. That’s when David put out a Mountain Rescue alert, fearing for their safety. They were spotted and contacted by one of the rescue team, who was able to tell David where they were and that they were fit and able to carry on. Thank goodness they made it in the end. Well done Alan, Adrian and David and a huge ‘thank you’ to the rescue team! We hope they are enjoying some well-deserved rest and recovery. Good news too, that Newmarket Open Door have now raised over £11,000 in donations, so very near the target of £12,000 for refurbishment of Portland House in Newmarket.
Here again is the donation link:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/newmarketopendoor?msockid=1dfe3672248162da1ec12230256163c4
Above: Cape Wrath Trail on a good day; Adrian Whittle & Alan Shand in full hiking gear.
Many thanks for all the great photos.