Humpty Dumpty 10K – Freethorpe – Sunday 2 July 2017

The Humpty Dumpty 10k is a special race for Barbara and I, as 12 months ago was our debut race in our orange vests, shortly after joining the Jags. What a year it has been! This year was also the 10th Anniversary of the race, which has become a popular summer fixture.

A bright, warm, but slightly breezy morning was preferable to the soggy conditions in 2016, which saw us getting literally bogged-down in the car park field. The organisers had also recruited marshals to ensure the roads surrounding the village hall were not packed with parked cars, to placate the locals and to avoid a repeat of the issues at the start of the Freethorpe 10 mile race back in January.

The outside registration area was packed with prowling Jaguars (22 in all) and in true club tradition, they all scattered when the club photo was taken on the field.

After a staggered start, the race was underway around the undulating course, which boasts some lovely scenery, particularly on the downhill approach into Reedham. I made the mistake of heading out at 5k pace (one eye on the big event the following week!) and paid the price in the second part of the race, which seemed more uphill than I remembered, with increasing temperatures and a headwind to boot (enough excuses?!).

Unsurprisingly, first Jag home was Tony Alborough with another Diamond standard time of 38:41, which also resulted in a second in age group prize; well done Tony! I clung-on for a Gold standard PB of 41:49 and Scott Shrubsall was next man home with a Bronze 45:02. Worthy of a special mention was Paul Emery with a brilliant Gold standard PB of 45:39.

Nicola Lambert-John was first lady Jag to finish, with a very impressive PB and silver standard time of 43:56, ahead of Bex Pountain, continuing her great run of form with a Silver 46:33. Vikki Harper also achieved a Silver standard with 50:46 as third lady. However, undoubted star of the show was the amazing Rosemary Jackson, whose Diamond standard PB of 53:21 was the latest in a string of epic performances!

A big shout out too for Donna Monk and Penny Murray, running as Jags after their successful completion of the Couch to 10k course: Well done girls!

Neil Button

NameTimePBStandard
Anthony Alborough38.41DIAMOND
Neil Button41.49YESGOLD
Nicola Lambert-John43.56YESSILVER
Scott Shrubshall45.02BRONZE
Paul Taylor45.28SILVER
Paul Emery45.39YESGOLD
Rebecca Pountain46.33SILVER
Phil Henry46.34GOLD
Nicolas Eley46.29GOLD
Radley Fenn47.49FT
Ken Bowman47.57GOLD
Owen Barber49.30YESBRONZE
Peter Kean-Cockburn50.42SILVER
Vikki Harper50.46SILVER
John Windham52.06FTSILVER
Martin Bagnall52.07BRONZE
Paul Gerber52.53
Emma Jordan53.13BRONZE
Rosemarie Jackson53.21YESDIAMOND
Ruth Gainford54.42SILVER
Barbara Button57.53BRONZE
Donna Monk1.17.41
Penny Murry1.17.51