VALENTINE 10K 18/02/2018

Valentines 10k Easton, 18 Feb 18

27 Jags turned out on a beautiful bright and sunny morning at Easton college to take part in the Valentines 10k race. For the first time this year, many of us wore shorts and vests and there was a definite feeling of spring in the air.!!

The conditions were perfect and the mood was good as we set off on what turned out to be a lovely route. 

Based on the Easton and Otley College campus the valentines run starts uphill, what seems like a long drag takes you up to the Bawburgh Rd and a left turn takes you north and into Easton village. West along Dereham Rd and left again passed St Peter’s church see’s the field heading out into the open countryside and on to Colton. By now the gentle spring-like heat was keeping everyone warm, the first drinks stop was very welcome. Looping back to Marlingford through a second water station, the route sweeps around to the north, climbing slightly over the last 2ks back onto the campus and the finish. 

All agreed that the race was well organised and the facilities excellent. The Jags all had good races with 14 PB’s, and even though the Road Runners were out in abundance, our brilliant ladies still managed to claim the “Vets Ladies” team award ( Emma Blake, Vicky Tovell and Elly Young ) Elly Young also achieved age group record and Diamond standard, as did Tony Aldbrough, while Ken Bowman achieved age group record and Platinum standard. Emma Blake and Vicky Tovell got age group record and Gold standard.

All agreed that the race was well organised and the facilities excellent. 

 

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NameTimePBsStandard
Anthony Alborough38.11YES & Age Group RecordDIAMOND
Neil Button39.56YESGOLD
Melvyn Porter41.02GOLD
Graham Johnson41.30YESGOLD
Thomas Lincoln-Kemp42.11YESGOLD
Stephen Neal43.22FTGOLD
Elly Young43.24FT & Age Group Record & Team win in age groupDIAMOND
Ken Bowman44.16Age Group RecordPLATINUM
Emma Blake44.21PB & Age Group Record & Team win in age groupGOLD
Rebecca Pountain44.43PBGOLD
Paul Emery 45.09PBGOLD
Vicky Tovell45.25PB & Age group record & Team win in age groupGOLD
Phill Henry45.46GOLD
Nouha Tate46.31FTBRONZE
Julian Smith47.15YES SILVER new
Lee Emmett47.58
Chris Johnson49.14FT
Charlotte Reed50.59YESBRONZE
Nicholas Eley53.47BRONZE
Graham Fryer51.23YES
Dee Neal52.20YESGOLD
Julian Jardine53.21
Adele Bushell54.01SILVER
Tamara Mills53.47BRONZE
Sharon Jones55.35YESSILVER
Rachael Cole1.01.37
Caren Maidment1.13.00YES

CANCER RESEARCH LONDON WINTER RUN 10K

Cancer Research UK London Winter Run 10km Sunday 4th February 2018 We were pleased to open the curtains to Sunday morning and see that the rain had dried out from the previous day – it’s a winter 10km in the UK so pretty much anything could have happened weather wise and we were very lucky with sunshine. 20,000 runners had signed up with the organisers promising support from penguins, wolves, polar bears and yetis. We were issued with start times in separate waves and were told that we could move back a wave but not forwards. Karen and Tim were in an earlier wave to me so moved back to mine so we could all start together. We walked down The Mall to Trafalgar Square where we could drop bags off and join the back of the queue. The queue was huge but snaked through to the start point very quickly. Bin bags were provided by the organisers to wear pre-run to save freezing in the queue – Tim and I saved a bag for use at the end of the course whilst waiting for our coats. There didn’t seem to be any way for the organisers to know whether we started in an early or late wave as there were no ‘time’ holding pens, just join the queue and crack on. So crack on we did! Karen was off like a rocket weaving her way through the runners, followed by myself and Tim and it was great fun weaving through. Even with the large volume of runners it didn’t feel too hemmed in and there were plenty of opportunities to move ahead of others without feeling frustrated. It was fabulous to be able to run through London in a closed road event and we all reminded ourselves to look up and around at the iconic roads and buildings in the metropolis. There were distance signs along the course which was very helpful, plus an array of musical distractions including (but not limited to) a choir and a steel band. There were plenty of marshals on the course, including the promised wintery animals. The end of the route signed the last 1km and 500m so there was a chance to up the sprint pace to the finish line before collecting the all-important medal. Marshals were very generous in handing out food and drink (coconut water, water, Soreen, and a protein bar) in as much quantity as needed. Once we were reunited with our warm clothes we had a chance to review our times and the organisers had sent a text message of official time almost immediately of crossing the finish line. We all did better than expected, Karen got a 10km PB, I was happy with a decent time considering recent illness and not running since Wymondham Jan 1st 10km, and Tim could hardly walk the previous weekend and finished fifteen minutes earlier than he predicted. The course, however, turned out to be more like 11km (although I guess this just means it was better value for money?!!). In summary, it seemed a well organised event and it was a proud day for us to be wearing orange for The Jags.
RACHAEL COLE

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NameTime PBsStandards
Karen Evans53.40YESBronze
Racheal Cole1.01.30

Freethorpe 10 Mile – Sunday 28th January 2018

Thirty three Jags turned out for the Freethorpe 10 mile. The popular subject of conversation in the toilet queue at the start was what to wear?! The wind was cutting through us and the ones that had arrived in shorts were questioning whether that was the correct kit choice. With the forecast showing a mild 14 degree Sunday and the sun beginning to break through the cloud it was a tough one to call.

This year there was a staggered start with three waves setting off approximately 2 minutes apart. After a gentle warm up we were ready to set off. The beginning of the course saw us heading out of Freethorpe towards Southwood, past the beautiful Southwood Hall and down a gradual downhill before bearing off left towards Cantley. You could see the beat factory in the distance and there was a sweet smell in the air coming across with the wind. Bearing left again we started our journey toward Limpehoe and up our first hill. Whoever says Norfolk has no hills needs to come and run this route! Thankful for all of the hill training sessions we have completed recently, with the Gas Hill efforts there was nothing that the Jags couldn’t handle. This part of the course was quite sheltered so the wind was not being too unkind to us at this stage.

With plenty of marshalls along the route encouraging us and keeping us safe you could continue in your rhythm without worrying too much about the junctions you were crossing or the traffic that was trying to weave its way through the runners. Limpenoe was where we first felt the wind. It hit so hard when we turned out of Limpenhoe towards Reedham that is almost felt like you were running but not actually moving too far. Head down and digging deep up another incline to reach the 4 mile mark, an encouraging Jags supporter and our first water station.

Running into Reedham and along the broad past the Reedham Ferry you could almost mistake it for a summers day. The sun was bright and felt warm, back into sheltered territory where the wind couldn’t get us it was an enjoyable and beautiful part of the course. With some more Jags supporters set up outside the pub it was great to get that cheer of encouragement ready for what was about to come. Having never run this course before I had no idea that I was about to turn a corner and be faced with yet another hill.

Once we had climbed the incline out of Reedham heading back towards the start we had a short flat the recover before another short climb. Turning left we had a relatively flat course ahead of us back towards the finish line. Another drinks station at 7 miles and yet more Jags support, 3 miles to go.

Team mates had previously warned each other of the 2 mile loop at the end, running with the finish line in sight and seeing the runners coming towards you heading that way was mentally challenging. As if that wasn’t enough there was yet another incline ahead and this one felt harder than ever before. Running up towards Wickhampton it was clear that everyone was focused, getting through those last two miles to reach their target point. Just over 9 miles we turned left out of Wickhampton towards the finish. When you turned that corner it felt like the wind had punched you in the face. It hit us hard but there were a great group of marshals there to shout encouraging words telling us to dig deep and finish with strength.

A welcome decline to aid fighting against the wind took us back down before a right hand turn towards the finish line. With plenty of crowd support the heads went down to finish strong, and crossing the finish line to receive a wonderful memorable medal and snickers bar!

A special mention has to go to Emma Blake who finished 3rd lady in her age category with a time of 1:12.20 and Ken Bowman who not only won his age category but also set a new course record for his age category in a time of 1:14.22. This means that Ken now holds the course record in his current and his previous age category.

A beautiful course through the Norfolk countryside, with some amazing marshalls that were encouraging all the way, and all those Jags that weren’t running coming out to support their team mates. I know I couldn’t have fought so hard without them.

An amazing day for Jags with 33 runners, 13PBs, 2 age group records, as well as Emma and Ken’s achievements above. A great day to be wearing orange.

Charlotte Reed

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Name TimePBsStandard
Antony Alborough1.04.25YESDIAMOND
Neil Button1.07.39YESGOLD
Graham Johnson1.09.14YESGOLD
Melvin Porter1.09.46GOLD
Thomas Lincoln-Kemp1.10.05FTGOLD
James Lambert1.10.21SILVER
Lee Emmett1.11.36YESSILVER
Dean Blake1.12.20SILVER
Emma Blake 1.12.20YES & Age Group RecordGOLD
Stephen Neal1.13.16YESGOLD
Ken Bowman1.14.22PLATINUM
Rebecca Pountain1.16.34YES & Age Group RecordGOLD
Howard Harper1.16.38SILVER
Vicky Tovell1.19.54GOLD
Julian Smith1.20.03FTBRONZE
Vikki Harper1.20.17YESSILVER
Nicola Lambert-John1.20.36BRONZE
Ruth Pilch1.22.12SILVER
Phil Henry1.23.52SILVER
Peter Kean-Cockburn1.27.31BRONZE
Dee Neal1.28.06YESGOLD
Ruth Gainsford1.28.50YESSILVER
Charlotte Reed1.29.45FT
Emma Jordan1.30.04BRONZE
Claire Owen1.31.07BRONZE
Adele Bushall1.31.50SILVER
Tony Wilson1.31.58FT
Rosemary Jackson1.33.27GOLD
John Windham1.33.33SILVER
Paul Emery1.35.00
Angela Bell1.38.15YES
Clive Cartner1.38.18YES
sue Emmett1.42.39FT

Reepham XC 10k – Sunday 14th January 2018

Mud, mud, mud, oh and a random 6ft stack of hay bales. Then more mud. This was the Reepham XC event. Having run in the Horsford XC series this winter, I asked my friend ‘is it as muddy?’, they lied ‘No…’. The joke was on them, I love running in mud, it reminds me of growing up on a pig farm, either that or I like to pretend I’m Rambo. The event was really well organised, starting from the ornate Witwell steam railway station, two gruelling loops totalling approximately 10km but my friends Garmin said 5.6 miles. Anyhoo…in a race like this distance is not the point, it’s challenging for very different reasons. Coming out of multiple hip deep muddy sections with your trainers full of ice cold water, then jumping several ditches, leap elegantly over hay bales, hurdling another ditch, run a bit more, climb some stairs, then duck under a fallen tree, feels amazing, but it shouldn’t, but it does, and this only describes an 800m section of the course! Basically, you end up considering ankle deep mud as respite.

Lots of Jaguars had turned up to get muddy, but the biggest applause should go to the two Junior Jags, running one lap of the adult course, in the junior race. Georgina Blake finishing in a fantastic 14th place in 27:01 and Georgia Corner in 24th place in 33:34, having never run further than 2 miles a great achievement for Georgia. The adults did two laps. Notably it was new member Marion Bensley’s first race for the Jaguars, a brilliant effort for her first race, finishing in 1:15:19, good for 128th, a muddy welcome to the club for Marion! Eleanor Gaskins had a speedy run finishing 3rd Lady and 20th overall in 46:26, narrowly outsprinting Ben Gaskins who finished 21st in 46:31 (I think they shook hands after). Dean Blake came across the finish line in 44:19, he had company, his dog Bella, they were the first dog and human but Dean couldn’t quite outsprint Bella so she got the medal. Jackie Gooch finished in 1:02:44, in 84th place, especially good given she spent some time finding a trainer that had been squelched off her foot by one of the boggy sections. Thomas Lincoln-Kemp finished covered in mud and some random blood, not serious but it looked heroic, in a great time of 44:57 good for 17th place. Scott Shrubsall was 33rd in a great time of 49:02 and still smiling. I managed to finish 11th in 43:52. So well done Jaguars, if you enjoyed the mud or think you might (excellent strength endurance training) maybe try the Horsford XC (hip deep mud and climbing over tree trunks) on February 4th, there is a one lap junior race too! If you don’t fancy it, then come and watch, it’s definitely a good spectator event and there are some Jags placing high in their age categories who would love the support or an embarrassing photo!

Jason Corner

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NamePlaceTIME
Jason Corner11th place first Jag Home 43.52
Dean Blake & Bella14th place first dog home44.19
Thomas Lincoln-Kemp17th place44.57
Ellie Gaskins3rd Female46.26
Ben Gaskin46.31
Scott Shrubshall49.02
Jackie Gooch1.02.44
Marion BensleyNew member1.15.19
JUNIOR JAGS
Georgina Blake14th place27.01
Georgia Corner24th place33.34

Norfolk XC Championships – Sunday 7th January 2018

A fantastically bright January morning saw four Coltishall Jaguars travelling to the Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford for the 2018 Norfolk Cross Country Championships. With over 450 competitors from all around Norfolk, ranging from under 11 to over 70 years of age, the atmosphere was bustling. A strong cold wind meant that most pre-race conversations deliberated whether to wear gloves or a hat or both. Fantastic to see so many junior runners braving the chilly weather and showing the adults how to run properly. Elly Young was the first Jaguar to race, in the women’s 6.8km event. Elly started off steadily but was well in contention with her peers. The women’s race was one long lap of the very exposed playing field and then two shorter laps of the heath land. Running was hard going, requiring total concentration on the frequent hazards; mole holes, tree routes and abrupt changes in surface and gradient. On the second lap Elly had moved through the field and with a fast finish attained an excellent fifth place in the 45-49 age category, in a time of 33:01 (4.51/km). The men’s race started afterwards. Neil Button (45-49yrs), Thomas Lincoln-Kemp (50-54yrs) and Jason Corner (40-44yrs) were in the men’s race. The course was the same as the women’s but with an extra loop making the distance 10.8km. All three men began cautiously, slowly working their way through the field of 142 runners, at one point Neil experimented with falling over, but subsequently decided an upright two legged running style was more effective. Jason did a very stylish sprint finish, unfortunately this was one lap too early, 7 miles is the furthest he has run and he had optimistically shortened the actual distance. Eventually a sea of orange approached the finish line, Neil was the first Jaguar in an impressive 48:56 (4.31/km) 11th in his age category, Jason fell over the line in 49.09 (4.33/km) 21st in his category.Thomas was next, excellently timing his sprint finish to perfection picking off one last competitor in the last twenty metres, finishing in 50:54 (4.42/km) 8th in his category. All the jaguars were new to cross country and despite it being a Norfolk Championship it was still a very inclusive event with a great supportive atmosphere. Next year let’s take a bigger team! Go Jags!

Jason Corner

NameTime
Jason Corner49.09
Neil Button48.56
Thomas Lincoln-Kemp50.04
Elle Young33.01

Wymondham NYD 10k – Monday 1st January 2018

The New Years’ Day 10k was always going to be a tough race, especially for those who had stayed up to see the New Year in, and even more so for those who had had a few drinks to celebrate!

We all squeezed into a very narrow start over a bridge on the edge of the town and, for most runners,  the sheer volume of numbers meant it was hard to get into your stride from the gun. After an initial pleasant downhill there was then a long, tough uphill stretch towards Morley.  The course then flattened out and formed a  complete loop before heading back along the same country lane back into Wymondham, with a final testing uphill to the finish line.

A great turnout of 16 Jags entered this race, with Jason Corner and Thomas Lincoln-Kemp both making their Jags road race debuts. There was a fair smattering of gold standards, with Emma Blake achieving a fantastic new age group record, and PBs for the ever-improving Claire Owen, Karen Evans and Rachael Cole. Husband and wife Rod and Jackie Bye both did brilliantly, coming 2nd in their respective age groups and winning cash prizes. Neil Button had the dubious honour of being congratulated by a Road Runner after the race for his impressive ‘dry-heave’ at the finish line! “Maximum effort”, Neil told me, but I wonder just how may drinks he had had the night before?!

Ruth Gainsford

Name TimePBStandard
Andy Mulligan38.24GOLD
Neil Button40.28GOLD
Thomas Lincoln Kemp42.52FTGOLD
Jason Corner43.46FTSILVER
Rod Bye44.00GOLD
Emma Blake45.36YES & NEW AGE GROUP RECORDGOLD
Shane Bidle45.36
Scott Chadwick49.38
Claire Owen52.01YESBRONZE
Jackie Bye53.13GOLD
Julian Jardine53.28
Ruth Gainsford55.47SILVER
Karen Evans54.04YESBRONZE
Angela Bell58.43FT
Clive Cartner58.45
Racheal Cole1.00.31YES

Turkey Trot – Sunday 10th December 2017

The Turkey Trot is an undulating 10 mile road race around Beccles on the edge of the Waveney Valley.

Four jags turned out in freezing temperatures, sleet and snow to compete in this event.

First Jag home was Tony Alborough with an excellent effort for the weather conditions, achieving a diamond standard time. I was kindly paced round the course by second claim Jag Keith Brighty, finishing with numb face, fingers & toes, but worth it to get a pb (by 8 seconds)! Angela Bell & Clive Cartner also ran together to brave the biting cold & slippery conditions, their first time as Jags at this event.

The marshalls certainly had a hard job that day, standing out in the freezing cold to steer us round the course, so well done them. Some intrepid runners turned out in fancy dress with a prize awarded for this. There were no medals for this event but every runner received a christmas pudding at the end of the race, which I have to say went down very well that evening!

Ruth Gainsford

Name TimePBStandard
Anthony Alborough1.05.18DIAMOND
Ruth Gainsford1.29.19YESSILVER
Angela Bell1.44.37FT
Clive Cartner1.44.46FT

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