I am sure those who like to read mine and Mark’s EDP columns will know that I regularly like to do features on those who have in the past done Norfolk running proud.  

This of course also extends to those who still are and just right now we seem to have an abundance of running talent here in the county. 

However, on this occasion not only is my subject for this week currently doing the county pride but he also has a great future ahead of him.  

In the words of top athletics coach Tim Ash: “He appears to have slipped under the radar publicity wise despite some outstanding results.”  

Who is Tim referring to? Well, none other than young Henry Jonas from Cromer. 

Henry is currently based in Loughborough whilst studying Engineering. 

Having won the England Indoor Under 20, 800 metres title on February 11 (1:53.84) which was then followed up with a silver medal at the British University Indoor Championships (1:51.84) two weeks later, he has now further extended this success during the last few weeks. 

At the beginning of this month (May 6), he not only won the British Universities (outdoor) 800 metres title in Manchester, but won it in an impressive 1:49.32 secs.  

Winning this title is a feat rarely, if ever, achieved by a first-year student,” said Tim. “This did not stop there though as just nine days later when competing at Birmingham University he produced the fastest run of his life when clocking what is also a CoNAC club record for 800 metres of 1:47.44.” 

This also means that Henry has now bettered the qualifying standard of 1:48 for the World Junior Track & Field Championships which will be held in Lima, Peru in August. 

There is a saying that when you know you are racing well, keep it going and he most certainly has, as last Sunday and just four days after his 1:47 clocking he made his debut in a GB vest when running for the Great Britain junior team against senior opposition at Loughborough.  

However, and whilst running fast times is one thing, when it comes to track and field athletics, those who make it to the top also know they need to have a good tactical brain and this he further demonstrated when out gunning his fellow competitors to score another superb victory in what is by his standards a modest time of 1:51.24. 

Up until the age of 16, Henry was a keen footballer. His road to success as an athlete started as a nine-year-old though with what back then was the newly formed North Norfolk Harriers where up to his departure to Loughborough, he trained under the watchful eyes of Tim and Pauline (Ash) at the Sheringham Recreation Ground and Gresham’s School field with the occasional trip to the track at the UEA Sportspark. 

For those who know Henry they will also know just how modest and unassuming he is for which I am sure everyone will agree that he really has done himself and Norfolk proud. 

“Having now represented England and Great Britain over 800 metres, the future looks bright for Henry,” said Tim. “As the saying goes from little acorns great oak trees grow so very much watch this space!” 

Before signing off for this week, I must say a big well done to another City of Norwich athlete who just like Henry also has a great future and that is Logan Smith who produced a superb performance last weekend when breaking the 30-minute barrier for 10,000 metres at Parliament Hill clocking 29 mins, 53.50 secs. 

As always – have a great weekend, wherever you may be running…