Runners young and old out in force for Newmarket Heath
ANGELA Drury did a great job as race director of the annual Newmarket Heath Race, with a turnout of 224 participants in the senior race (5.4km) and another 67 in the Junior Heath Race (1.8km).
The Clive Purbrook Stable & Stud Challenge went to Rossdales, who mustered a strong first team of three, with several more of their teams competing on the night.
The teams of three had to have at least one man and one woman running, with points awarded according to finishing positions of each team member.
Apart from the valuable helpers and marshals from Newmarket Joggers, there were a good number of notable performances from club members too.
Sixteen-year-old junior Jogger Lilian Corbett (21:34) put in a tremendous effort to finish first home of 101 female runners.
First runner to finish overall was Dominic Baxter (18:22) from London club Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC.
Joggers managed to fill the next three places, with Neil Pollard (18:41, 2nd) and Dan Hutchison (18:46, 3rd) completing the podium, and Jimmy Smith (18:52, 4th) winning the trophy for first M40-44.
Going up the age group winners for the Joggers, Hannah Pollard (24:06) was first F40-44; Mandy Corbett (23:56, Lilian’s mother) first F45-49; Paul Holley (21:33) first M55-59; Belinda Schofield (29:38) first F65-69; Ian Butcher (26:57) first M65-69); and Neville Clarke (25:44) first M70-74. Altogether, 36 Joggers completed the race, with about as many volunteering to help and marshal.
In the Junior Heath Race (1.8km), junior Jogger Harvey Thomas U13B (06:50) was first home of 67 runners overall in a very impressive performance.
First female runner to finish was Connie Abraham U13G (07:43) of Ely Runners, with junior Joggers Isabelle Knowles U13G (8:05) and Sophie Blundell U13G (8:17) not far behind in second and third female places.
Other excellent efforts by junior club members were Alexander Balmer (07:39, 3rd U13B), Lewis Stinger (07:57, 3rd U11B), Solomon Brokenshire-Dyke (08:14, 5th U13B), Noah Poujardieu (08:39, 7th U13B), Amber Smith (9:13, 7th U13G), Emma Southgate (9:46, 10th U13G), Esther Eaton (9:46, 2nd U11G), Oliver Hilton (9:52, 12th U11B) and Imogen Stephens (10:05, 3rd U11G).
At the Aylsham 10K, one of Joggers’ fastest runners Hugh Tawell (35:44, 7th of 466 overall, 4th of 115 in M Open) was well up with the leaders, followed by Reuben Smith (51:00, 217th, 13th of 23 in M40-44), doing well in his first 10K for the club.
Club secretary Wendy
Ancill (4:08:34, 322nd F of 1,079, 24th of 71 in F50-54) and her husband Mark Geddie (3:55:27, 1,626th of 4,374 overall, 111th of 264 in M50-54) took on the Belfast City marathon.
At the Bury to Clare Challenge 18M, three Joggers took on this popular annual run or walk challenge.
Sianie Painter (3:53:47) opted to run, while Gillie Green (5:41:57) and Sarah Last (5:41:57) walked together all the way. They all enjoyed the beautiful spring scenery, despite muddy conditions in places.
At the MK Half Marathon & Marathon, Adam Maltpress (1:37:10, 167th of 2,139 overall, 24th of 182 in M4549) opted for the Half, doing very well overall and in his age group.
David Percy (3:20:00, 226th of 1,713, 36th of 188 in M45-49) took on his first marathon of the year and finished high up in the rankings.
Six Joggers took part in the Breckland 10K. First home and in great form was Marc Drury (41:46, 18th of 310 overall, 3rd of 31 in M50-59), followed by Ellie Bithell (47:56, 11th F, 1st in F45-49) in trophy-winning style.
Then came Helen Wass (54:41, 41st F, 5th of 14 in F55-59), who has improved rapidly after a long period of injury, Angela Drury (54:58, 44th F, 8th of 23 in F40-44), Jan Holmes (1:01:41, 84th F, 6th of 15 in F60-64) and Jo Bouttell (1:10:21, 124th F, 13th in F60-64).