Bithell steps up London training
TWO Newmarket Joggers chose 20-mile races as part of their spring marathon preparations.
On Sunday, Ellie Bithell (2:51:08, 169th of 433 overall, 35th F of 187, 10th of 43 in F45) took on the Oakley 20M in Bedfordshire - a tough course with continual undulations and a lot of climb.
Quite likely, Bithell was saving a little something for her first attempt at the TCS London Marathon on April 21, on which she is 100 per cent focused.
Meanwhile, new club member Hugh Tawell (2:01:25, 7th of 535 overall, 5th of 125 in MS) put in a huge effort in the Wymondham 20M, near Norwich in Norfolk, taking over six minutes off his PB in the same race last year.
He has no record of running the marathon distance but we wish him luck if he has one planned.
On the same day, over on the Channel Island of Jersey, the Jersey Hospice 2 Hospice Half Marathon took place, helping to raise £58,000 for Jersey Hospice Care.
Paul Holley (1:25:58, 25th of 632 overall, 5th of 62 in M50-59) put in a fine effort on the island that he knows so well and where he was born and raised.
Also, running well in her first ever half marathon was new club member Rachele Cooper (1:48:26, 52nd F of 284, 34th of 158 in F1739).
At the Hargrave Trail 10K, which is the annual fundraiser for St Edmund Church, Hargrave, but Jogger Anna Mayhew (1:06:33, own time) enjoyed the course and couldn’t stop laughing at all the mud along the trails.
At the Ely 115 Squadron Duathlon on Sunday, organised by Ely Tri Club, Jogger Martin Smith (also a member of Newmarket Cycling & Tri Club) entered this event, which was a 25km bike ride sandwiched between two 5km runs.
He finished 35th of 62 competitors overall with a total time of 1:48:21, including transitions.
His run and bike times were: 28:20, 50:44, 27:12, with his bike time of 50:44 his strongest discipline, putting him 18th of 62.