The 2021 Road runners series started on the 23rd May with one of the first post lockdown events, the Peterborough Marathon – the race distance making its debut in 2021 and being well supported by the members. The 7th and final event of the year took part yesterday at Willen lakes in Milton Keynes with David Hudson the first EMAC member home to start and end the series, along with a further 42 members that took part in at least one event across the series. The series is based on age grade scoring with the average of the best scores to count – so you had to be in to win it!
It was great to see a number of familiar faces returning for the season but also to welcome some new members to the fold and see how they progressed through the year and although we maybe masters, there were a number of PB’s to be celebrated throughout 2021.
9 runners managed to compete in 3 or more races throughout the season and feature in the overall results. All have their own story and the first one to recognise is Steve Paul, who has taken part and supported every series since I took over the role and ends the season in 9th place. Steve has progressed well throughout the season and hit his highest age grading at yesterday event and I know that he will be back on the start line again next year.
8th place went to Will Haining, who has completed more events than anyone else this season, scoring a seasons best age graded score at the Willen 5k last month and been a consistent finisher throughout the season. Top running Will.
Charles Arnold took 7th place for the season, with an age grade best at the Peterborough 10k which was one of the hottest races of the season, and only just missed out on 6th place be a whisker.
Jane Ashby scored well in her three events for 5th overall and achieved her best age graded score of the season at the Fenland 10, which was possibly the windiest and wettest race of the year. Another long term supporter of the series and the first one to message me about the final results. I look forward to catching up with you next season Jane.
Stefanie Godfrey took 4th overall after consistently strong performances throughout the season, culminating in a seasons best age grading at the Wolverton 5k and after collecting the 3 gold medals owed, did a fantastic impression of Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics (all 7 events next year maybe?).
3rd overall and the onto the podium after another fine season of running is Jim Morris. Jim has performed strongly across the spectrum this year, after a fine age category win at the Peterborough Marathon to the mush shorter Willen 5k and continues to challenge a number or runners at local events that are more than half his age! One of Peterborough’s finest!
David Hudson finished runner up this season, after some excellent performances and race wins to add to the PB setting that has taken place throughout the season. Not favoured by being one of the youngest EMAC competitors, he has been an excellent ambassador of the sport and Masters athletics and I am sure will continue his progress over the years to come.
Despite a season lost to Covid and the lockdown, its nice to know that some things do not change. Although only completing in two events this year and therefore not featuring in the final results – Jonathan Haynes, our 2018 champion averaged just under 90% age grading and had a huge smile on his face when I bumped into him this year. I am looking forward to seeing a full on season length battle next season against our reigning champion – 2019 and 2021, ladies and Gentlemen – Chris Cooke! Chris averaged a fantastic 92.70% age graded score over the season and featured strongly in every race he took part in. He has been not only a fantastic competitor but also a great representative for masters athletics and a role model for what can be achieved through sensible training, looking after yourself and a desire to race. Please join me in congratulating our 2021 series winner and I look forward to seeing if we can challenge Chris for his title in 2022, or if he is aiming for a three-peat as they would say in America.
Lastly from me, I just want to say a huge thanks again to everyone that has taken part throughout the series and I hope to see you all at next year’s events and hopefully at some of the Xc events over the winter. Information on the 2022 season will be posted early next year and I wish you all a merry xmas and a happy new year, let’s hope that Santa brings you all the running shoes that you deserve.
EMAC-Road-Runners-Series-2021-November
Wolverton 5 mile
Today’s Wolverton 5 miler was the final race in this year’s road runners series. Despite the freezing windy conditions, we were greeted by beautiful sunshine and friendly faces from the club. It was good to finally meet, catch up and award some of the long overdue medals to a number of you and I will keep the remainder in the car, so if I do see you in the up-coming weeks, please say hi and I can hand them over.
David Hudson continued his 40th Birthday celebrations and celebrated with another PB this morning and first EMAC member home – thats about 5 months of PB celebrations now Dave, congrats! Andrew Leach made his first appearance in this year’s race series and set the highest age graded score of the day, fantastic running and great to finally meet you. Chris Cooke also had a fantastic run to continue the 90%+ age graded scores and 2019’s championship winner showed that he is not a one season wonder! There were a number of excellent results and PB’s achieved today and I won’t fill your time line up going through each one – Results with age graded scores are included below, I will send out the final standings in the next few days along with a final summary. Finally, a massive thanks from all of us on the committee to all of those that have taken part, supported and got involved in this year’s series. It is always great to see everyone enjoying the sport and always great to catch up and share stories. We will be back in the new year with 2022’s race line up but if you have any requests, suggestions or ideas, please drop me a message.
Wolverton-5-Eastern-Results-2021.xlsx
Road Running Fixtures
Cambourne 10k – 26th September –
https://candcac.activetrainingworld.com/tc-events/cambridge-cambourne-10k-fun-run-2021/
SDC 50year 10k Bedford Auto drome – 26th September –
https://sdc50.co.uk/events/2021/10km-race-and-fun-run.html#event-info
Wolverton 5k – Date 23rd October (rolled over from 2020 if you entered last year) –
https://resultsbase.net/event/5863
Fenland 10mile – 31st October – https://totalracetiming.co.uk/race/297
Wolverton 5mile 28th November – https://resultsbase.net/event/5862
Road Runners series 2021 update!
Round 2
Road Runners Series 2021 – Update after round 2!
We have now had 25 different athletes take place in the series for 2021 at the two different events so far. Jon Anderson continues to lead with an age grading of 87.15% with Jim Morris in 2nd – 83.40%. David Hudson in 3rd is the highest ranked athlete to have completed in both events on 83.10%
Next event on the calendar is the BMAF 1/2 Marathon in Redhill – Surrey
If anyone has any questions about the events or results, please check out the road running page on the EMAC website or feel free to drop me a message.
Round 3
With 3 rounds now completed in the 2021 series, Jon Anderson continues to lead the series ahead of Jim Morris but Phil Martin & Stefanie Godfrey have joined David Hudson in the top 5. Runners have to complete at least three rounds (best three Age grade scores count) to be considered in the final results and compete for the fabulous Road Runners trophy!
Unfortunately – the Southend 10k is no longer going ahead this year but we are actively looking for a replacement and once we more details on entries for the final rounds, I will share with you all.
Congratulations to the 30 runners that have taken part in at least one race so far this year, thanks for your support and participation.
EMAC-Road-Runners-Series-2021.xlsx
EMAC Road Racing Series 2021
Peterborough Marathon 23rd May
