Covering the half marathons first, by far the most populous was the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London, taking in St James’s Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, with 16,742 participants crossing the finish line. First Jogger home was Jan Holmes (2:18:34, 5,095th F of 8,826, 56th of 149 in F60-64), from Caroline Mcintosh (2:35:27, 7,073rd F, 10th of 21 in F70-74), both putting in sound performances among the huge field. No club membership was searchable in the results, so apologies if any Joggers have been missed.
.
Above: Jan Holmes in the Royal Parks HM.
.
Above: Relaxing afterwards with medal on view.
.
Nearer HQ at Peterborough, the Great Eastern Half Marathon took place, with a field of over 3,000 participants, attracting some top class UK runners. Neil Pollard (1:12:29, 41st of 3,166 overall, 4th of 262 in M45-49) put in another huge effort, less than a minute outside his PB, which was gained at Cambridge earlier this year (1:11:31). Hannah Pollard (1:33:57 PB, 67th F of 1,220, 11th of 196 in F40-44) went a stage further by recording a much anticipated and well deserved PB, after a successful fight-back from injury lasting a number of years. Next Jogger to finish was Phil Blundell (1:56:33, 1,709th, 176th in M45-49) in his first half marathon this year, followed by Miranda McWade (2:52:24, 1,164th F, 58th in F55-59), who did well in her first known attempt at the distance. Olivia Carter unfortunately had to withdraw at 7.5 mi/12km with a knee injury; we wish her a speedy recovery.
.
Above left: Hannah and Neil Pollard before the Great Eastern HM; right: Hannah with her medal after the race.
.
Of particular note was the PB performance by 12-year-old Junior Jogger Sophie Blundell (22:09 PB, 59th of 731 overall, 10th F of 375, 10th of 241 in F Open) in the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run, which took place before the Half Marathon at Peterborough, including children and adults. She is making very good progress.
.
On the same day, much nearer home in Thetford Forest, the High Lodge Half Marathon took place. Rachael Maltpress (2:08:47, 82nd of 169 overall, 14th F of 68) was in good form and enjoyed her first half marathon of the year.
.
Above: Rachael Maltpress striding out well and enjoying her Half Marathon trail race in Thetford Forest.
.
To round up the action, Sarah Last (1:10:11, 130th of 166 overall, 69th F of 99, 11th in F50) and Gillie Green (1:26:56, 88th F, 10th in F60) both enjoyed the scenic Endurance Life Dunwich Trail 10K, held along the East Suffolk coast on Saturday, 12th October. On Sunday, in the Capel 5M race at Capel St Mary, Suffolk, Chris Underwood (32:42 PB, 32nd of 231 overall, 15th of 38 in M Sen) took 31 seconds off his previous best time, in his first attempt at the distance this year.
.
Above left: Gillie Green and Sarah Last at the Endurance Life 10K in Dunwich; right: The tranquil, maybe slightly bleak, scene along the Suffolk coast.
Many thanks for all the above photos posted on Strava, which help to bring the report alive.