A magnificent mixed relay team triumph, a county age category champion, age cat. victories and personal best times were all part of a successful last couple of weeks competition for Waveney Valley A.C.’s senior athletes.
At the Alex Moore relay event, organised by Norfolk Gazelles R.C in very hot conditions, three club members formed a mixed ladies and mens team with the aim to contest that category but ended up beating all of the other 76 teams entered in the event. Samantha Lines ran the first leg of 2.2miles in 13:04 then handed over to Chris Pimlott who ran a time of 27:12 for his 4.4m leg. Matt Jeffries then pulled the team into the lead with a speedy 23:22 for his 4.4m leg. All three then ran together for the final 2.2m leg, which they completed in 13:17 for an overall victorious time of 1.16:49, more than three minutes faster than the second placed team Dereham Runners A.C.
On a humid evening last Friday, two members took part in a 400 strong field in the Framlingham 5 mile race, which incorporated the county championships. Bill Kingaby finished 149th overall in 36:11 and 2nd in the M65+ age category but first eligible Suffolk runner, so was awarded the county 5 mile road race title in his category. Alan Richardson was 220th in 39:34 just three days short of his 70th birthday. He will be a formidable competitor in the 70+ age group in forthcoming races.
At the Mike Groves Coltishall 10k on June 4, David and Angela Mower scored a notable double success by finishing first in their respective age groups. David was 58th, 1st M60 in 44:44 and Angela 282nd, 1st F60 in 1.08:20. Billy Underdown ran a personal best 42:48 in 39th place and Camilla Darling was 181st in 54:28, also a pb.
A dozen members took part in the first race of this summer’s Bungay 10k series. The two Billy’s led the team home with Billy Underdown finishing 27th in 43:49 and Bill Kingaby 39th in 45:26. Next was Becky Langford in 60th in 47:20, more than 2 minutes faster than her previous best 10k. Bob Milner was 61st in 47:29 then 68th Steve Gibbs 48:07, 110 Louise Harrod 53:45, 133 Phil Hazell 58:32, 137 Michaela Gooch 59:02, 157 Emma Branch 1.00:51 (pb), 158 Lisa Cone 1.00:53 (pb), 172 Sarah James 1.06:56 (pb) and 176 Mandy Roberts 1.08:39.
At the Wroxham 5k series (Race 2) on June 14, Sam Lines set another personal best time of 18:10, finishing 51st from more than 600 runners. Wayne Freeman was 200th in 21:01, Bill Kingaby 242nd in 21:49 and Jon Andrews 357th in 24:08.