Cambridge Self-Transcendence races

Well, my aim of getting all the Joy Day race results for the year on to the web has not worked out this time, so perhaps I'll have better luck in 2008!

Still, we can at least finish where we started - in Cambridge - where a chilly race in Jan 07 was followed more recently by an equally chilly race on the same course in early November 07.

The venue, as usual, was the loop at Parker's Piece. Steve described the course as "two and a half laps" but anyone who has raced here knows that it's actually more like "two and seven eighths"! We had a mixed bunch of British, Irish and French with local boy Dave J taking the honours ahead of Colm and Martin from Dublin. First lady was Amelia, with her regular running partner Bhauliya (quite an achievement that, as they live several hundred miles apart) in second. Nurari took bronze ahead of first French runner Manjula. Mukunja would have been up there in the top few, except that she started late - Amelia was finishing her first lap when Mukunja reached the start line :)

The results were compiled by Balavan, who had "17.46 - sweater" down on his list. Now, it could be that he was referring to a runner in a woolly jumper but I am speculating that he actually means Tsveta from London.

After the race the day's various choices of activity included a visit to the service at Kings College Chapel (mostly to hear the world famous choir) and a stroll along the river to Grantchester meadows. Reports suggest that some of the runners who had given their all in the race nodded off pretty quick in the chapel, while others opted for a stroll by car to Grantchester instead of on foot!

Next joy day - who knows? But I'll do my best to get the results up wherever it may be.

Self Transcendence 2 Mile Race Sunday 21st January, Parker's Piece, Cambridge

"Her determined speed

Is her eternal journey's soul.

Her adamantine will

Gives her the immortal Victory's Goal."

Sri Chinmoy

The first "Joy Day" gathering of the year coincided with the first really low temperatures of the winter, so it was a shivery group of runners who jogged down to Parker's Piece for a two miler on a clear & (extremely) fresh Sunday morning. Steve has got himself a reputation for being a bit flexible with his course measurements recently, but he was able to guarantee us a pretty accurate two miler here on his home turf.

After a brief surge to the front by Suswara, it was Mark who led from the front and stayed there, finishing well clear after two and a half laps of the green. Artur and Dave ran together for most of the race, with Roger some way back in fourth. 7th placed Amelia was first lady, with a strong run from Shankara getting her second place. Stef took third, ahead of Fran, while Becky, Shinja and Penny ran round together to finish in just over 24 minutes.

The marshals injected lot's of enthusiasm, with Ed also contributing some photos which are now in our gallery.