Wendover Woods 50, in the Chilterns, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Saturday 9th November: Jimmy Smith put in another huge effort to finish the final leg of his 4 x 50-mile Centurion Grand Slam challenge, in support of Alzheimer’s Society. He completed this 5 x 10-mile lap event in 9h:25m:50s, all along trails within Wendover Woods, finishing an impressive 15th of 204 overall and 6th of 61 in his M40-49 age category. The course included a massive 10,545ft of climb, equivalent to more than a third of the way up Mount Everest; as tough as it gets. His other Grand Slam events completed this year were the South Downs Way 50 (April), North Downs Way 50 (May) and Chiltern Wonderland 50 (September), helping to raise over £4,000 so far for Alzheimer’s Society on Jimmy’s Justgiving.com site: James Smith is fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society
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Above left: Jimmy Smith with medal after Wendover Woods 50; right: the Grand Slam medals. Thanks to Jimmy.
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Athens Marathon, Sunday 10th November: Caroline Mcintosh (6:16:32, 15,999th of 17,011 overall, 3,332nd F of 3,703, 18th of 26 in F70-74) put in a tremendous effort in this leg-draining marathon, which started in the town of Marathon and wended its way over a sizeable hill towards the finish in Athens. From 11 miles to 19.5 miles there was a continuous climb, totaling ~700ft. This was Caroline’s third marathon of the year, after London (April) and Helsinki (August); an impressive tally.
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Above left: Caroline Mcintosh with medal after Marathon; right: Scene at the Athens Marathon. Thanks for photos.
Above left: Map of the route from Marathon to Athens; right: Profile of the course elevation. Note that the finish is around 200ft higher than the start, adding to the difficulty. Thanks to Caroline for photos.
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REMEMBRANCE DAY RACES:
On Sunday, the George Munday 10K took place at Leverington, near Wisbech, preceded by a tribute and 2 minutes silence. Newmarket Joggers sent out a strong team of four men: Rob Dobson (32:58PB, 6th of 319 overall, 1st of 24 in M45-49), Dan Hutchison (34:51SB, 10th, 2nd of 28 in M40-44), Joey Bendall (34:58SB, 12th, 3rd of 25 in M35-39) and Paul Holley (37:35SB, 27th, 1st of 26 in M55-59) and were rewarded with first men’s team trophy and age category wins for Rob and Paul. This race gave Rob Dobson the highest age grade of any male Jogger this year, at 87.46%.
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Above left: Rob Dobson, 1st in M45-49 award; middle: Dan Hutchison, Rob Dobson & Joey Bendall, 1st men’s team award; right: Paul Holley, 1st in M55-59 award. Thanks for photos.
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The Stowmarket Scenic Seven (7-mile race) took place at 9:30am, with a tribute and 2 minutes silence after the event at 11:00am. Seven Joggers competed. For the women, Sarah Last (1:17:12, 164th F of 183, 24th in F50-54) and Gillie Green (1:34:38, 181st F, 10th in F60-64) put in good efforts and enjoyed the scenic course. For the men, Mark Hayward (39:17, 2nd of 447 overall, 1st of 26 in M40-44) was in fine form, followed by David Percy (45:34, 38th, 7th of 43 in M50-54, best AG% this year), Stephen Edwards (47:55, 62nd, 2nd of 24 in M60-64), Neville Clarke (51:58, 113th, 1st of 7 in M70-74), Brian Munns (59:49, 250th, 15th in M60-64, best AG% this year) and Jim Withers (1:10:19, 390th, 7th in M70-74). Well done Mark and Neville for age group wins.
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Above left: Sarah Last and Gillie Green after Scenic 7; middle: Scenic course; right: Sarah’s medal and bib. Thanks for photos.
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At Ferry Meadows in Peterborough on Sunday, it was the multi-lap Zig Zag Remembrance Run, with a choice of ~5K to Ultra. All participants were asked by marshals (who blew a whistle) to stop at 11:00am for 2 minutes silence, wherever they were on the course, with the time deducted from totals. Jogger Steve Oglesby clocked 54:16 over the slightly long 10K course, finishing 6th of 49.
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Above left: Steve Oglesby’s sought-after Zig Zag medal; right: The start at Ferry Meadows, with Steve in light red, raising right arm, near the bobble in the organiser’s hat. Thanks for photos to Steve and Zig Zag Running.
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The ATW Essex Remembrance Runs were held at Carver Barracks, Saffron Walden on Saturday. In the 5K, Jogger Andrew Taylor clocked his best time of the year at 20:35, finishing 1st of 8 in his M50-59 age group, while Barley Woodcock (31:18) ran with his daughter Isabella. In the 10K, Helen Wass clocked a season’s best 53:56 (her wild card for the NJ Grand Prix), finishing 26th F of 105 and 3rd of 19 in F50-59, while new member Richard Defries did well to record 46:32, finishing 39th of 215 overall and 5th of 21 in M50-59.
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Above left: Remembrance Runs medal; right: Barley Woodcock (right), who ran with daughter Isabella (left), plus youngest daughter in the middle, with teddy bear. Thanks to Barley for photos.