On Sunday, Waveney Valley AC took nine senior and five junior teams to the Ekiden relay races, which was organised by Ipswich Jaffa RC at Woodbridge School. The event was a sell-out with 200 teams entered and staged on what turned out to be yet another very hot weekend this summer.
The event has its origins in Japan and the marathon distance of 26.2 miles is covered by six runners in each team in relay legs, consisting of 1 x 7.2k, 2 x 10k and 3 x 5k in the senior race. The juniors had four runners in a team, covering legs of 1.1 miles. It is one of the most popular events in the region, with all of the competing club’s gazebos providing a colourful display.
Award winners for Waveney Valley were Samantha Lines, who was fastest female over the 5k distance with her time of 18:21, and the club’s Over 60’s team ‘ Waveney Silver Surfers ‘ ( Robin Jones, Patricia Tuttle, David Mower, Dave Martindale, Bill Kingaby and Stuart Smith ) who retained the title they won last year, in a time of 3-34:44. Other senior results: Mens Open – 35 teams – 13th Waveney Turkey Trotters 2-53:49, 24th Waveney Blue Beach 3-10:49, 35th Waveney Cods Wallop 4-27:54. Ladies Open – 16 teams – 14th Waveney Stardust 4-17:15. Mixed Mens/Ladies – 80 teams – 5th Waveney Seagulls 2-42:54, 16th Waveney Speedboats 3-18:04, 64th Waveney Third Crossing 3-57:36, 71st Waveney Scores 4-08:42.
Matt Jeffries was second fastest over the 10k distance with 33:50 and in the Juniors George Browne was 4th fastest with 6:01 in the 12+ age group. His second lap for the second team team was 12th fastest with Joel Burgess 15th. Josh Smith was 7th fastest in the 11+ age group with 6:45 and Lewis Barnes just behind with 6:53.
At the Wroxham 5k race 3, Sam Lines achieved one of her best performances by finishing first lady trophy winner in a personal best 17:35. She was 23rd overall from more than 600 athletes. Chris Pimlott finished 30th in 17:49 and Steve Carruthers 64th in a personal best 18:49. Three club members competed in the Lord Mayors 5k race at Norwich. Jim Burgess was 53rd in 17:47, Chris Pimlott 81st in 18:19 and Tim Earl 183rd in 20:29…End