Woodbridge Staff, Parents and Pupils Triumph in Style at Woodbridge 10K
The town was out in force to celebrate the efforts of its citizens young and old competing in the Woodbridge Shufflers’ junior race and 10k last Sunday. The sun was out in force as well – glorious if you were there to support, and revel in the pre-event entertainment provided magnificently on the Chapel Lawn by the wonderful Swing Band. Sunshine and Swing – a perfect combination, and the music rolled richly over the verdant grounds, relaxing tense muscles and filling nervous hearts and minds with positive thoughts. The applause flowed for Mr Shepherd and his virtuosos, and then the scene shifted to the highways and byways of Woodbridge.
The Junior Race was an extraordinary endorsement of our fantastic running programme. Resplendent in Woodbridge tops, our boys and girls dominated proceedings as the results couldn’t fail to show:
In a field of 140 athletes, Woodbridge School Pupils filled 4 of the top 5, 6 of the top 10 and 12 of the top 20 positions. With some 30 athletes in total we accounted for almost a quarter of the field and the sea of red running through town was a sight to behold. All of our athletes finished in the top half and the running group were particularly proud of Rufus Davis, who in his first year with us, finished a credible 40th completing the 1500 m in 6:01
Medal winners were:
C.Turner – Overall race winner in his pink socks and Gold u16B
K.Evans Lombe – Second in the race, also in pink socks and silver u16B
A.Hill – Third overall, first lady and gold u16G
R.Vinton – Fifth overall, second lady and Gold u12G
M.Marshall – Silver u16G
E.Rufford – Silver u14B
A.Goddard – Gold u14G
J.Hattan – Bronze u12B
A.Jackson – Silver u14G
R.Jackson – Silver u12G
O.Ripman – Bronze U8B
And then in the Senior 10k itself, it was time for the most extraordinary moment of the day without doubt: Nathan Goddard, not yet 16, finishing fourth from a field of over 650. Fourth! In 35:10! Needless to say winning the under 18 pennant to boot! And not too far behind in 20th (38:05) Alex Evans Lombe ran a marvellous race as well. Chris Long, with just over a year of running behind him deserves a special mention as he was almost in the top 10% finishing 84th in 42:36. These three were our school’s undoubted highlights, with parents and school running club regulars, Mr Turner winning the Over 50 category in a very quick 36:04 for 9th place, closely followed by Mr Rufford in 13th in 37:17.
Some fantastic staff results included Mr Smith (39:49) and Mr Garvie (41:10) both making it into the top 100, as well as Mr Streat (51:44), Mr Lubbock (57:32 )and Ms Start ( 51:25).
With so many athletes competing on the day we may well have missed some names and we apologise in advance if that is indeed the case.
One more incredible highlight. Our Marketing Team put a massive effort into the day and decided to raise funds for one of the official charities of the race. We are extremely proud to announce that pupils and staff have raised over £500 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, an outstanding conclusion to a great day!
Many congratulations to all of our runners: pupils, staff, parents and OW’s.
