This is the 12th year the event has been held and the 4th year that it has been run by NOTFAST Running Club. Due to Covid the event was not held last year, and although this years event was planned back in January, entries were not opened until May when we thought we would have a better idea whether it would be possible this year. May came, and we took the plunge and hoped the situation would improve. Entries trickled in slowly, I’m sure people were still unsure whether to enter or not.

We had received 177 on line entries up to Thursday night ,with a further 4 signing up on Sunday morning to make the total number of entries 181. This is about 30% down on 2019 but we consider it a good turnout considering the current situation.

To try and make the event ‘Covid safe’ for both entrants and our volunteers we made several changes. We opted to abandon the mass start but go for a ’start when you want’ system thus eliminating having a lot of people in the hall at the start and in the early stages after setting off. This worked well with a steady stream arriving and setting off as soon as they had registered.

Secondly, (and we were hoping for good weather for this!) instead of setting up tables in the hall at the finish we put them outside in the fresh air for entrants to consume their soup and puddings.

Just a note regarding the weather, which has always been good for every Ponton Plod, - Besso Childrens Home in India who are one of the beneficiaries of the proceeds always say prayers asking for good weather on the day of the event. It seems to work ! The other beneficiary is CASY (Counselling and Support for Young people) based in Newark.

All routes crossed the A1 footbridge at Great Ponton and the 27 mile route passed through Stoke Rochford, Skillington, Buckminster, Sproxton, Saltby, Croton Kerrial, Harston, Denton , Harlaxton, Hungerton, Wyville and back to Great Ponton.
The 17 mile route went through Stoke Rochford Park then passing close to The Gliding Club, along the Viking Way, Denton, Harlaxton, Hungerton, Wyville and back to Great Ponton. The 12 mile does the same route but misses Denton and Harlaxton.

Entrants as usual came from far afield, about 8 or 9 from Werrington Joggers at Peterborough, several from Northampton and others from Edinburgh, Blackburn, Leek, Gravesend, Ipswich and obviously from more local areas including a good turnout as usual from Grantham Running Club.

As usual food and drinks were served at the checkpoints positioned at about 6 mile intervals, and as is customary entrants tucked into home made soups, apple pie, apple crumble, plum crumble and more cake at the finish, all of which was made and donated by NOTFAST Running Club members.

The proceeds which we expect to be in the region of £1,500 will be donated to Besso Childrens Home in Hosur, India and CASY in Newark.

Our thanks go to all those who helped on the day which, for many, was a 12 hour non-stop shift, especially those serving the food in the kitchen.

If you'd like to come and join us next year, keep an eye on the website:
https://thepontonplod.co.uk/

“There is so much to recommend the Ponton Plod: excellent organisation, choices of routes through beautiful countryside, suitable for different levels of fitness and both walkers and trail runners, generous catering included, even personalised timing and certificates available within minutes of finishing.”