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On Sunday, four Newmarket Joggers (NJ) opted for the popular, annual, Hadleigh 5M/10M event, on the border of Suffolk and Essex. The course was very undulating and was also flooded in a number of locations, due to the heavy rain that had fallen overnight; no chance of keeping the feet dry. First Jogger to finish the 5M race was Carol Cienna Carter (34:04, 2nd F of 90, 1st of 13 in F50-54, 83.90% age grade) in an outstanding performance, achieving a podium place, beating her nearest age group rival by over 5 minutes and setting herself a new PB on Power of 10. Her best time this year was actually 33:31 in the Saxon 5M in Saxmundham (earning her 85.28% age grade), but doesn’t appear on Power of 10. Next Jogger to finish was Cienna’s husband Richard Defries (35:38, 17th of 171 overall, 1st of 11 in Open 50-54) in an impressive performance of his own and winning his age group trophy.
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In the 10M race, Marc Drury was troubled by an ankle injury but nevertheless managed an excellent time of 1:11:30 SB, finishing 2nd of 16 in his M50-54 age group. His wife Angela Drury (1:29:24 PB, 44th F of 84, 8th of 18 in F 45-49) was in top form and set a new PB by over 3 minutes.
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The Hadleigh Hares medal by Angela Drury.
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Also on Sunday, the Battersea Winter Run Fest 5K/10K event attracted two Newmarket Joggers, held within the picturesque Battersea Park, with the start and finish on the Millenium Arena running track. Neil Pollard was in peak form in the 10K, finishing 1st of 248 overall and 1st of 21 in M40-49 in a time of 33:32, just 3 seconds outside his all-time PB. His wife Hannah Pollard was also in great form in the 5K, clocking 20:30 SB and finishing 2nd F of 53 and 2nd of 7 in F40-49.
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Hannah & Neil at Battersea Park with medals (left) and podium trophies (right).
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Taking on the Larking Gowen Half Marathon in Norwich was NJ Ross Birkett (1:19:33 SB, 31st of 2,106 overall, 22nd of 757 in M Open), who did very well to achieve a PB on Power of 10 by over 2 minutes, although he has run slightly faster in an unlisted race.
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Zig Zag Running Multi-Lap event at Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds, Saturday: Three Joggers opted for the one lap race loop over road and trail, for a distance of a quarter marathon or ~10.6km. First Jogger home was Hanneli Stevenson F45 (1:00:05, 2nd F of 31, 5th of 47 overall), who put in an excellent effort, with new members Jason Clarke M50 (1:04:53, 9th overall) and Sarah Clarke F45 (1:04:54, 5th F) not far behind, followed by a good run by Miranda McWade F60 (1:25:15, 24th F).
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Jason & Sarah Clarke at Barrow, with Zig Zag medals; a close up of shoes and medals.
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Hereward Relays, Peterborough to Ely (~39 miles), mostly along the Hereward Way, Sunday: NJ Phil Blundell M45 represented his 2nd claim club Ely Runners in a mixed four-person team (2 male, 2 female) named ‘New York’. He ran the final leg of ~10.8 miles in a very decent time of 1:22:59. His team clocked a total time of 5:30:43 and finished 7th of 25 mixed teams. Altogether, 100 teams of 2 or 4 competed, with 16 individuals taking on the 39-mile ultra race.
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Phil Blundell maintaining a good 8 min/mi pace in Hereward Relay.
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In the local Run Newmarket 5K on Newmarket Heath on Sunday, NJ Chair Jimmy Smith dressed up as Hero the Guide Dog in a fund-raising initiative by the club. Temporary club social secretary Kirsty McDermott helped organise the event and ran beside Hero all the way. Lots of NJs turned up to run and support (see photos). Hero finished in a fast time of 22:35 over the very hilly course.
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Above: The start of Run Newmarket 5K, headed by Hero; Kirsty McDermott with Hero and her Jogger of the Month award.
Above: Hero, aka Jimmy Smith; Lilian Corbett plunging down Warren Hill; Jeremy Reader, Olivia Carter and Jon Brooker.
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RACE WALKING NEWS
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Results are now through for the end of season awards in the Enfield Race Walking League, which completed its final fixture on Saturday, November 8th. They confirm that Newmarket Joggers finished top of the league in the team category, from Belgrave Harriers in second and Enfield & Haringey in third. Our loyal team members, with points scores, were Lily-Ann Cooper U15G 357 pts; Suzanne Bailey W60 353 pts; Edson Wilkinson MS 341 pts; Sophie Blundell U15G 261 pts; Rio McAndrew U13B 115 pts. The points were based on the best 6 performances in the various monthly events, though not all participants had completed as many as six events. Of the NJs, Suzanne (9), Lily-Ann (8) and Edson (6) had done so.
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Individually, Lily-Ann Cooper finished 1st of 13 Junior race walkers, with Sophie Blundell 2nd and Rio McAndrew 5th. In the senior races, Suzanne Bailey came 4th of 32 seniors and 1st of 4 in W60. Edson Wilkinson came 2nd of 3 in MS.
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Overall, it was a great race walking season for Newmarket Joggers, who were the first club ever to win the Enfield League from outside London.
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From left: Suzanne Bailey, Edson Wilkinson, Lily-Ann Cooper, Sophie Blundell, Rio McAndrew.
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Many thanks for all the photos, which are much appreciated.