Good news that Newmarket & Sudbury (N&S), the joint team of Newmarket Joggers (NJ) and Sudbury Joggers (SJ), have retained their lead in the men’s division of the Suffolk Winter XC League, after the second fixture at Sutton Heath near Woodbridge on Sunday 1st December. The men’s first team of 7 members lead on 5,297 points from Saint Edmund Pacers (5,222) and Felixstowe Road Runners (5,109), out of 22 competing clubs. The combined N&S women’s and men’s first team of 4 women and 7 men (8,136 pts) are also doing well, in second place of 22 in their separate division, with Saint Edmund Pacers (8,398) in the lead and Framlingham Flyers (8,103) third. The N&S women’s first team of 4 are holding their own at 7th of 22 in their division (2,839), with Saint Edmund Pacers (3,176), Ipswich Harriers (3,102) and Framlingham Flyers (3,010) filling the top three places so far. The next fixture will be hosted by Stowmarket Striders at Haughley Park on Sunday 12th January 2025. N&S had a similarly encouraging start in the 2023-2024 season but faded somewhat later in the competition, so there’s no room for complacency.
.
Above from left: The Woodbridge XC field of 426; Angela Drury in fast forward mode; Alan Thornhill in top form. Thanks to Phil Donlan, friend of Woodbridge Shufflers, for photos.
.
It was great to have 3 juniors representing N&S in the 3km race: Cerys Bithell NJ 12:11, 2nd of 5 in FU17; Harvey Thomas NJ 11:47, 4th of 15 in MU15; Alex Balmer 13:53, 9th of 13 in MU13. Well done all three.
.
Altogether 29 senior members represented N&S, consisting of 10 women and 19 men. The first teams were composed of the first 4 women and 7 men to finish the race, which was over ~5.1mi/8.2km.
.
Women’s first team: Sarah Osborne NJ 38:10, 14th F of 159; Olivia Carter NJ 38:58, 20th F; Helen Wass NJ 47:25, 89th F; Ruth Cowlin SJ 47:37 91st F.
.
Men’s first team: Hugh Tawell NJ 29:25, 5th M of 267; Rob Dobson NJ 29:26, 6th M; James Smith NJ 30:37, 11th M; Chris Balmer NJ 31:30, 17th M; Paul Holley NJ 33:20, 40th M; Piotr Bulacz SJ 33:59, 48th M; Chris Underwood NJ 35:19, 62nd M.
.
Also representing N&S women were B team: Angela Drury NJ 94th F; Rachael Maltpress NJ 96th F; Francine Dasseville NJ 125th F; Sarah Sales NJ 130th F. C team: Jan Holmes NJ 147th F; Pearl Fay NJ 155th F.
Also representing N&S men were B team: Marc Drury NJ 65th M; Shane Mcandrew NJ 88th M; Andy Fryatt NJ 107th M; Steve Edwards NJ 121st M; Neville Clarke NJ 147th M; Daniel Tee NJ 165th M, Tom Elton NJ 198th M. C team: Rob Hawkins NJ 219th M; Brian Munns NJ 225th M; Mike Sales NJ 239th M; Alan Thornhill NJ 248th M; Jim Withers NJ 262nd M; Chris Aylmer NJ, retired with injury after fall.
.
Above from left: The Sutton Heath course; Francine Dasseville floating in centre picture; Jimmy Smith digging in near the front of the field. Thanks to Phil Donlan for photos.
.
In the individual age group competitions, we have several N&S members doing particularly well. Sarah Osborne is 4th of 29 in F Senior, with Olivia Carter 7th; Ruth Cowlin 4th of 15 in F60-64 and Belinda Schofield 5th of 11 in F65-69. For the men, Rob Dobson is 1st of 39 in M40-44, with Dan Hutchison in 3rd and Chris Balmer in 5th. Neville Clarke is 1st of 19 in M70-74, Paul Holley 2nd of 46 in M55-59, Jimmy Smith 2nd of 43 in M45-49, Piotr Bulacz 6th of 67 in M50-54 and Steve Edwards 7th of 37 in M60-64.
.
While on XC news, Andy Fryatt represented Royston Runners (his 2nd claim club) in the Hertfordshire XC League at Stevenage on 15th December, clocking 36:58 over the ~4.8 mile course. Well done Andy😊. Royston Runners are current leaders in this league.
.
OTHER NEWS
.
Zig Zag Ferry Meadows Multi-lap 6-Hour event, Peterborough, Sunday 15th December: Suzanne Bailey (5:54:52) was delighted to complete her first ever ultra marathon, consisting of 9 laps of the ~5.3km/3.3mi circuit, which came to approximately 29.7 miles.
.
Above: The start of the Zig Zag 6-Hour event at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough; right: Suzanne’s Ultra medal. Thanks for the photos to Suzanne and Zig Zag Running.
.
Above: The scenes at Ferry Meadows; centre: Suzanne Bailey finishing the St Edmunds Trail HM last week.
.
BELOW: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN CAMBRIDGE BOTANICAL GARDENS on 15th December, thanks to Sarah Last & Gillie Green.
.
.
.
On Saturday, December 21st, Sarah Last (33:39) and Gillie Green (43:16) took part in the virtual Sue Ryder Winter Solstice 5K, running a local route in Newmarket.
.
.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
.
There were no new races to report on 31st December, 2024. Next report, Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.