By John Axtell, Chairman of Saxmundham Running & Fitness Club
“Always a great event, well run and all ages and abilities welcome. Absolutely brilliant”, “Very friendly atmosphere and very well organised. Definitely back again next year”, “Many thanks for a very well organised event”, “This is, without a doubt, my favourite race of the year” were just some of the comments that we heard following our annual 5 Mile Race.
This year The Saxons are celebrating 20 years since Gordon Merfield, our Lifetime President, established the club, and since then we have gone from strength to strength.
We were delighted that the race was a sell-out this year, and so we were excited to welcome runners from far and wide to our club HQ on a dry and breezy morning to help us celebrate our anniversary. Overall the weather was incredibly kind to us with blue skies and ideal temperatures for running.
Daisy Glover of Framlingham Flyers achieved a new female course record. Image: Phil Donlan
There is always a buzz of excitement around the club in the weeks leading up to the event, which reaches fever pitch on the day itself. The organisation of an event like this has to be meticulously planned, and leading the Race Committee so efficiently, Sarah Vick our Race Director, will definitely have earned a good night’s sleep following such a successful event.
Of course, the whole club pulled together, with everyone contributing to the success of the day. Thanks to those involved in clearing and marking the course, all the marshals who kept runners safe and provided encouragement, the catering team, all the club bakers who provided a glorious display of cakes and bakes for sale, the photographers, our generous sponsors, and the aforementioned members of the Race Committee. You all played an important role in showing why we are all so proud to be Saxons.
More than 40 children took part in the Junior Fun Run.
The events started with the Junior Fun Run, which is always a joy. It is always great to see such large numbers of children warming up together and enjoying their running, and inspiring to see the quality of talent on display. Our congratulations to all the juniors, we hope to see some of you in the senior race in future years.
The main event started with a mass start, but it didn’t take long for the field to spread, with some runners taking an early and unassailable lead. The excitement levels were high around the whole mixed terrain course, and for those of us based at the clubhouse it didn’t seem long before the first runners were heading towards the finish line.
We thank all runners for their participation and congratulate you all on your effort. All runners received a handsome medal and a goody bag. We would love to see you all come back in 2026.
The following runners received awards:
Daisy Glover of Framlingham Flyers was first female with a course record of 28.10. Carol Carter (Newmarket Joggers) was second and also the fastest in the V50 category with a time of 33.31, and Emma Wheeler (Ipswich Phoenix Running Club) came third. Jenni Askew-Martin (Kesgrave Kruisers) was the first V40 female in a time of 35.38, in the V60 category Grace Judge (Haverhill Running Club) came first in 45.04, and in the V70+ class Pam Morgan (Ipswich Triathlon Club) was victorious in 52.03. The first placed female team was the Kesgrave Kruisers. Congratulations to you all.
Owen Rees of Ipswich Phoenix Running Club won the male race in 26.59. Haydn Wade (Felixstowe RRC) came second and Tim Ballard (BLC on the Run) was third overall as well as winning in the V40 class with a time of 29.27. Steve Brooke (Felixstowe RRC) came first in the V50 category with a time of 30.39, Dave Copland (Ipswich Triathlon Club) was the fastest in the V60 class with a time of 34.17, and in the V70+ Bill Kingaby (Waveney Valley AC) triumphed in 40.34. The first placed male team was Felixstowe RCC. Once again, congratulations to you all.
Race day is now over, but I hope that everyone involved had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Photographs of the day can be found on this website, so if you missed it you can take a look to see how much fun was had by all. It would be great if you all could join us next year when we’re sure to have another fun-filled day of meeting friends, socialising and running.
Click the links below for more exciting race photos: