Sunday morning, October 6th: Nineteen Joggers were at Midsummer Common for the start of Bidwells Cambridge Town & Gown 3K and 10K events, which attracted over 2,400 participants. In the 3k event, Junior Joggers Rory King (11:02, 1st of 74 overall, 1st of 8 in M14-15) and Harvey Thomas (12:08, 3rd overall, 3rd in M14-15) both put in great performances to take first and third place open trophies. It was Rory’s first attempt at the distance, while Harvey was just 1 second outside his best time this year.
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Above: Harvey Thomas (left) & Rory King (right) proudly display their trophies and 3k medals.
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In the 10k race, Robert Dobson (33:13 PB, 17th of 2,396 overall, 2nd of 262 in M40-49) continued his remarkable return to form after serious injury problems earlier in the year, earning himself an outstanding age grade of 86.10%. He was closely followed by Neil Pollard (33:35 PB, 21st, 3rd in M40), who earned an even higher age grade of 86.55%, being 2 years older. Third Jogger home was Ross Birkett (35:53 PB, 49th, 35th of 612 in M Open), performing impressively in his first known 10k race.
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Above: A photo of Hannah & Neil Pollard taken at Northstowe earlier this year.
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For the female Joggers,16-year-old Cerys Bithell (41:40 PB, 38th F of 1,181, 29th of 662 in F Open) took almost 7 minutes off her previous PB time. It’s great to see her back in top form after a football leg injury put her out of contention during the summer months. Next came Hannah Pollard (43:44 PB, 51st F, 8th of 238 in F40-49), who is now running better than ever, after suffering a prolonged period of injury from 2018. Third female Jogger home was 16-year-old Lilian Corbett (44:09, 60th F, 46th in F Open), whose PB remains 42:24 at Bungay last April.
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Above Top: Ellie Bithell, Andy Fryatt, Cerys Bithell & Meera Mahadevan; bottom left: Barley Woodcock & Meera Mahadevan with medals; right: Chris Underwood in action.
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Other Joggers putting in good efforts were: Barley Woodcock (39:50 PB 160th overall, 30th in M40-49), Chris Underwood 41:23 SB, 224th, 132nd in M Open), Andy Fryatt (42:52 PB, 281st, 18th of 219 in M50-59), Eleanor Bithell (46:53, 101st F, 23rd in F40-49), Martin Smith (49:58 PB, 770th, 145th in M40-49), Meera Mahadevan (50:21 PB, 186th F, 38th in F40-49), Francine Dasseville (57:45 PB, 498th F, 60th of 207 in F50-59), Suzanne Bailey (1:02:25, 695th F, 29th of 64 in F60-69), Chris Aylmer (1:05:47 SB, 1,941st, 15th of 23 in M70+), Caroline Mcintosh (1:08:22, 920th F, 4th of 7 in F70+) and Jo Bouttell (1:11:39, 1,001st F, 52nd in F60-69).
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Above from left: Suzanne Bailey & friend; Jo Bouttell in action.
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Above from left, Joggers on Midsummer Common after the race: Chris Aylmer, Bridget Wallwin, Andy Fryatt, Martin Smith, Francine Dasseville, Caroline Mcintosh….and reposing at the front, Lilian Corbett.
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On the same day, southeast of Cambridge, it was the Abington 10K, where 5 Joggers competed. First to finish was Steven Oglesby (45:51 PB, 60th of 242 overall, 10th of 36 in M45-54), who took about 4 minutes of his previous best time. Then came ace veteran Neville Clarke (47:31, 65th, 2nd of 13 in M65+), just missing an age group win. Third was Jeremy Reader (49:20 SB, 83rd, 16th in M45-54), followed by Stephen Cousins (51:18 SB, 100th, 5th in M65+) and Jim Withers (1:00:40, 183rd, 11th in 65+).
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Above left: Stephen Cousins and Jeremy Reader at the Abington 10K; right: Steven Oglesby’s medal and bib.
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Weavers’ Way 50K & 50M Ultras, Saturday, 5th October, Norfolk: Starting at Acle, east of Norwich, Sianie Painter (12:41:35,18th of 23 overall, 6th F of 8, 3rd of 5 in F50) put in a huge effort in the 50-mile event, which meandered northwards over trails, all the way to Cromer, via North Walsham and Aylsham. After finishing in the dark, she immediately had to hurry to the train station in Cromer, to catch the last train home….that’s determination.
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Above: Line-up at the start for 50-mile race. Thanks to Giles Thurston and Sianie (5th from right) for photos.
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Above, from dawn until dusk: Sianie Painter on her way (left) and nearing the end in Cromer (right).
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Above: Sight-seeing along Weavers’ Way by Sianie Painter.
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Saxon 5M: In his first race over the 5-mile distance this year, Stephen Edwards (34:34 SB, 21st of 162, 2nd of 18 in M60-69) put in a good time and did well in his age group. He used this race for his NJ Grand Prix wild card, being already in the lead in the men’s table. A reminder for all Grand Prix contenders: You need to play your wild card before the end of November…it needs to be a 5-mile or 10K event. Just email chris.aylmer@newmarketjoggers.co.uk to let let us know where and when, before you run your race.
Many thanks for all the Strava photos taken by Joggers.