Summer is here, the weather has been joyous with barely a cloud in the sky (other the the biblical downpours that seem to be arriving every now and again). I’ve been enjoying the more traditional British summer weather as I struggle to run in anything above 24 degrees, but I’m sure lots of you would rather just have sun, sun, sun. 

My favourite thing about July has been the astonishing number of different parkruns that you have all been out exploring. The usual local ones have been covered along with (deep breath) Clare Castle, Jersey Farm, Upton House, Sandhurst Memorial, Gunpowder, Talkin Tarn, York, New Earswick, Old Deer Park, Valentines, Bury St. Edmunds, Great Yarmouth North Beach and finally Nosehill. There’s a lot on that list that I haven’t made it to, and I always keep an eye out for a future trip. 

You have been racing here, there and everywhere with the final round of our very own Mickey Edwards 5k series, the Stowmarket Friday 5 and our own GBRC Friday 5 rounding out that series too. The last of our own races (at least until cross country season starts) was the Geoff Day Memorial 5k. This was a great evening, well attended by club members and Geoff’s family. The post race social was a great sight and meant a great deal to all those who knew Geoff. Let’s hope we can make this bigger and better in 2024. 

Other races included the Harwich 5k series, the Brantham 5 mile, Ekiden in Ipswich were we had another great turnout, the Ipswich Twilight 10k, Norwich 10, Wickham Trails, the Finish Line Frolic 6hr event and a Half Ironman that was so wet it nearly became a swimming event. Keep up the great work out there, and please keep posting in the Facebook group so that we can see what you have been up to. 

Looking ahead into August and beyond there are quite a few dates for your diaries: 

• 19^th August: For those that can make it there is a trek up the coast to the Great Yarmouth North Beach parkrun. This parkrun has the slowest average finish time of any parkrun in Britain, so strap on your flip flops and come along and see how much fun running on the beach can be. 
• 3^rd September: The Essex Way Relays. Those of you taking part should know by now which team you are on and are probably planning a recce of your part of the route. 
• 16^th December: Awards Night at Great Bentley. Always a great night out, do not miss it! 
• 7^th January: Our own 10 mile race vs Harwich. A fast flat course, everyone is welcome to come out and help us win the trophy once more. 
• Cross Country: There will be lots more info about this coming out closer to the time, but the dates for the races have been scheduled so do not accidentally book anything up on these weekends:  

• 29^th October – Springfield 
• 26^th November – Halstead 
• 10^th December – Great Bentley 
• 21^st January – Harwich 
• 18^th February – Hadleigh 

Finally, on to our Runner of the Month for July. Another month of great performances, and another headache in terms of decision making. This month there was someone who just kept putting in strong performances. He was so impressively consistent during Mickey Edwards, but put in a huge performance at the Geoff Day 5k with a PB of 17:22.  

Congratulations Mark Jasper, a well deserved Runner of the Month!