Plodders pleased to get one last race in before lockdown

Shauni Wells and Ian Weston of the Polegate Plodders managed to get one more race in last month before the country went into lockdown.
Ian Weston at Hampton CourtIan Weston at Hampton Court
Ian Weston at Hampton Court

On March 15, Wells competed in the Beowulf 10km in Bury St Edmunds. It was the first time she competed in the run but achieved a magnificent 10k PB in a time of 1hr 15 mins 20 secs.

Wells said: “There was a great buzz around the starting line and people around the course cheering you on. It’s a great trail course running around an old Anglo-Saxon village. It’s frustrating that it’s possibly going to be the last race for a while but you can understand why they have cancelled them.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plodders coach Weston was competing in the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon. He achieved a PB of 1 hr 34 mins 56 secs, came 180th out of 2700 runners and first in his age category.

Shauni Wells in SuffolkShauni Wells in Suffolk
Shauni Wells in Suffolk

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

In addition, please write to your MP urging the Government to provide some additional financial support for local newspapers and their websites like this one and ensuring that supermarkets continue to stock them. I cannot stress enough how important such an intervention would be.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

Related topics: