On Sunday 14 July 2013, Waveney Valley Athletic Club travelled to Ipswich Harriers home, at the Northgate Sports Centre for the third round match of the East Anglian Athletics League. On a hot and sunny summer day, Waveney, who train at East Point Academy in Lowestoft, took a compact squad of 19 ‘scoring’ athletes, and a further 5 under 11 ‘non-scoring’ athletes, to compete against West Suffolk, Colchester and Tendring, Breckland, Ryston, Southend and Ipswich Harriers.
Waveney amassed a total of 202 points over the day, a slight dip on round 2, to finish the day in a 5th place. With several athletes unavailable on the day, and 3 athletes making their league debut, this proved a very good result for a fledgling Waveney team competing in the league this year for the first time in many years. Waveney’s most successful team on the day in terms of points score, were the under 13 boys who scored 46 points, with the highest scoring junior, Dylan Davies scoring 17 points. Alan Fairs was the highest scoring senior with 21 points after competing in 7 events.
Grace Forster, Hazel Fairs, Abeni Beckham, Maisie Elvin-Andrews and Rio Clements competed for the under 11’s in the events of 80 metres, 600 metres, shot put and long jump. Grace finished 4th in the 600 metres in a time of 2.18. Abeni, making her U11 girls league debut ran the 80m in a time of 14.0 to finish 3rd out of a field of 10 with Rio, another debutant for the U11 boys, running the 80m in 13.2 to finish 5th out of 11. Hazel continued to perform well in her events, as did Maisie, making her league debut, and reaching the minimum age to compete with a birthday just a few days before.
In the girls under 13 category, Hannah Mayne, Mia and Harriet Lyman competed in the 100, 200 and 800m, 75m hurdles and long jump. Hannah ran a PB of 14.5 in the 100m to finish 4th, Harriet ran a PB of 3.00 in the 800m which was notable in very hot conditions, and Mia ran a PB of 14.7 in the 75m hurdles.
The under 15 girls were represented by Emily Turner, Georgia Fairs, Imogen Lyman and Charlotte Gooch competing in the 100 metres, high jump, long jump, shot put, discus, javelin and the relay. Emily Turner equalled her PB of 1.30m in the high jump, narrowly failing to clear 1.35m and Imogen making her league debut, performed well finishing 3rd in the ‘B’ discus. The girls also successfully managed to get the relay baton round in a time of 1.03.
The under 13 boys were represented by Dylan Davies, Jamie Besford, Ethan Lee, Tai Elvin-Andrews and Callum competing in the 100, 200 and 800 metres, long jump and the three throws – shot put, discus and javelin along with the relay. Dylan followed up his previous good performances in the league by winning the discus with a strong throw of 20.28m, coming 2nd in the shot and 4th in the javelin. The 4 boys, without Dylan, successfully finished the relay in a time of 103.6.
The under 15 boys were represented by just Jake Block and Isaac Fickling in the 100 and 800m, long jump and shot put. Jake jumped 4.05 to finish 5th out of 9, and Isaac performed well in the heat to run 3.01 in the 800m.
5 seniors competed for the club in this fixture, an improvement over the previous meetings. Tracy Mayne registered another PB in the 1500 metres and also competed in the shot put. Michaela Gooch recorded 12.70m in the javelin to finish 5th out of 8 also finishing 4th in the hammer with a throw of 14.55m – the first time she has competed in this event. Vicky Fairs, making her league debut entered the 3 throwing events, finishing 5th in the discus out of a field of 10 with a throw of 15.51m and also performed well in the javelin and shot put. Alan Fairs was Waveney’s busiest athlete on the day entering seven events, and finishing a creditable 3rd in the ‘A’ 3000m in a time of 13.09 and Joe Mayne, making his league debut also ran the 3000m in a time of 13.29.
The final round will be at Bury St Edmunds on 1st September 2013. The juniors are next in action on Saturday in the final Quadkids event in Norwich.

The Heveningham Hall multi-terrain race took place last Sunday in extremely hot temperatures. Part of the course went through a forest but even in the shade of the trees there was no escape from the heat.
Three Waveney Valley Athletic Club members competed with Ailsa MacDonald a prize winner as second lady to finish in a time of 48:56. In the veterans mens category Richard Aukland took third prize finishing in 43:38 while Wayne Freeman was 6th in 47:00.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club was well represented in race two of the Bungay Summer Series of 10k races with ten members joining more than 150 runners at Ditchingham.
Richard Aukland and Ailsa MacDonald again recorded personal best times and two new members made their debut appearances for the club. W.V.A.C. results: 38 Tim Earl 42:41, 40 Richard Aukland 42:57 (PB), 54 Alan Fairs 43:42, 67 Ailsa MacDonald 46:08 (PB), 69 Paul Harrod 46:27, 79 Joe Mayne 48:15, 81 new member Jen Rudd 48:27, 116 new member Craig Drake 54:57, 124 Rosie Grieve 59:18, 127 Donna Boggis 59:48.
Warren Hytch and Richard Aukland took part in the Fritton Sprint Triathlon and less than half a minute separated them at the finish line following their 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5k trail run. Warren recorded times of swim 16:29, bike 38:50 and run 27:48 with an overall finish time of 1-26.51 for 67th place out of 157 triathletes. Richard recorded swim 15:49, bike ride 44:41, run 23:01 for 1-27.14 in 69th.
Gorleston Cliffs 5k parkrun results June 15: 10 Jon Comyn 20:22 (PB), 25 Wayne Freeman 22;24, 31 Ailsa MacDonald 22:43 (PB). June 22: 9 Jon Comyn 20:38. June 29: 12 Jon Comyn 20:25. Fritton Lake 5k parkrun June 29: 14 Warren Hytch 23.58.
Last Sunday, three members competed at the Humpty Dumpty 10k road race at Reedham. Lisa Knights finished 138th in 48:54, Wayne Freeman 144th in 49:11 and Paul Harrod 146th in 49:12. The race had a record field of almost 400 runners.

The Maltings Meadow at Bungay was the venue for the first race in this years Bungay 10k summer series with eleven members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club entered. Chris Pimlott finished 31st in a time of 41:02 with Tim Earl 44th in 42:29. Club secretary Richard Aukland improves with every race and set a personal best 43:15 to finish 49th. Alan Fairs was 60th in 44:21 with Steve Gibbs and Ailsa MacDonald recording personal best times of 45:15 and 46:09 finishing 68th and 76th respectively. Paul Harrod was 84th ( 47:42 ), David Mower 87th ( 48:09 ), Joe Mayne 110th ( 51:36 ), Stuart Smith 136th ( 56:35 ) and Rosie Grieve 148th ( 59:28 ).
At the 1st Annual Beccles Triathlon Tim Earl finished 31st from 88 competitors with stage times of swim 12:34, cycle 38:33 and run 32:51 crossing the finish line in an overall time of 1-26.00. Richard Aukland recorded times of swim 11:07, cycle 44:57 and run 31:28 to finish 45th in an overall time of 1-30.56.
Members set more p.b’s in recent weeks at the Gorleston and Fritton Lake 5k parkruns. Gorleston results May 25: 21 Wayne Freeman 21:33 (pb), 27 Lisa Knights 22:11, 29 David Mower 22:18, 47 Joe Mayne 23:30 (pb). June 1: 9 Jon Comyn 20:34, 34 Ailsa MacDonald 23:05 (pb), 94 Rosie Grieve 29:18 (pb). June 8: 9 Jon Comyn 21:00. Fritton Lake results May 25: 20 Warren Hytch 24:38. June 1: 5 Steve Gibbs 23:02, 13 Warren Hytch 24:20 (pb). June 8: 13 Warren Hytch 23:19 (pb).

A number of Waveney Valley Athletic Club members have travelled to both the English and Scottish capitals over the last fortnight to compete in major races. On May 27 Mark Nussey and Paula Lambert joined a field of 11,000 competitors on a very warm day at the BUPA London 10k. Part of the attraction of this popular race is the last part of the course which, like the London Marathon, finishes on the Mall. Mark has shown good form of late and he recorded a personal best 43:45 to finish overall in 1,000th place. Paula was placed 3,024th in a time of 51:24.

The same weekend, Ailsa MacDonald and Alan Richardson took part in the Edinburgh Marathon. Ailsa, making a return to home soil to compete in her first marathon, enjoyed the experience, from high-fiving children at the 24 mile mark to blasts of morale boosting music of which a ballad from Amy MacDonald made her feel homesick. She completed the race in a time of 4-05.05 in 3,203rd place and plans to repeat the experience next year.
Alan Richardson competed to raise money for charity SSAFA – wounded soldiers, sailors and airmen – on behalf of his son-in-law to be, who was injured on duty in Afganistan last September. Alan ran well until muscle spasm in his back at the 21 mile mark slowed his pace. He finished in a time of 4-58.41 in 6,607th place.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club members took part in the third and final race in the Great Yarmouth promenade 5 mile series and finished on a real high as a record sixteen members competed with a dozen setting personal best times.
Particularly successful over the series was Ailsa McDonald who, in addition to recording p.b’s, won two second place trophies and bagged the series prize also for finishing top over the three races in the Senior Ladies category.
Personal bests were also achieved in race three by Jon Comyn, Mark Nussey, Richard Aukland, Philip Lane, Wayne Freeman, Steve Gibbs, David Mower, Joe Mayne, Stuart Smith, James Gooch and Michaela Gooch.
WVAC results: 61 Jon Comyn 33:24, 68 Bill Kingaby 33:47, 77 Tim Earl 34:14, 78 Mark Nussey 34:19, 86 Richard Aukland 34:34, 87 Philip Lane 34:36, 91 Wayne Freeman 35:01, 94 Steve Gibbs 35:07, 111 David Mower 36:07, 115 Ailsa MacDonald 36:22, 128 Paul Harrod 37:21, 131 Joe Mayne 37:41, 157 Paula Lambert 40:37, 180 Stuart Smith 43:04, 182 James Gooch 43:17, 185 Michaela Gooch 43:29. There were 227 finishers.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club travelled to the City of Norwich Athletic Club’s home at the UEA Sportspark for the first round match in the East Anglian Athletics League.
With the club only re-starting its junior section in September, Waveney took a compact squad of 18 to compete against CONAC, Southend, Colchester and Tendring, Peterborough, Braintree and Diss.
Chloe Allen, Shamara Hammonds and Grace Forster competed for the under 11’s in the events of 80 metres, 600 metres, shot and long jump, with Shamara knocking 13 seconds off her PB and Grace knocking off 15 seconds off her PB in the 600 metres.
Hannah Mayne, Harriet Gooch and Harriet Lyman competed for the under 13 girls in 100, 200, 1500 metres, long jump and shot. Hannah ran her 100 metres in a time of 15.3 seconds, Harriet Lyman recorded a time of 6.25 in the 1500 metres, with Harriet Gooch coming 4th in the Shot.
The under 15 girls were represented by Shannon Hall, Charlotte Gooch and Emily Turner, competing in the 100, 200, 800 metres, high jump, long jump, shot and javelin. Charlotte recorded a PB of 14.8 seconds in the 100 metres and placed 4th in the javelin, Shannon registered a long jump and PB of 4 metres, and Emily competing in her first athletics competition was unlucky not to clear 1.2 metres, having jumped clear at 1 metre.
The under 13 boys were represented by Dylan Davies, Jack Testoni, Tyler Hunt, and Tai Elvin. Dylan performing very well in all three of his events of shot and discus, where he was 2nd in both and javelin where he finished 3rd. Jack Testoni was also placed in the Shot, and recorded a time of 6.35 and finishing 5th in the 1500 metres.
The under 15 boys were represented by Jake Block, Danny Blowers and Isaac Fickling. Jake finished 4th in the 200 metres in a time of 30.3 seconds, Danny finished 6th in the 800 metres in a time of 2.45 with Isaac finishing 5th in the 1500 metres.
Only 2 seniors competed for the club in this fixture, Tracy Mayne, usually a distance road runner competed in her first 1500 metres and registered a PB, and Michaela Gooch came 4th in the javelin.
The club amassed a total of 107 points over the day, with the most successful category the boys under 13 with a points total of 36 placing them 5th, just 1 point off Colchester and Tendring in 4th. The performances of the clubs athletes were particularly notable as many of them were not only competing in their first competition, but also the first year of their age category, where they will be much more competitive in their second year, next year. Round 2 will be in Gt Yarmouth on 23 June 2013.

Fourteen members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club competed in race 2 of the Great Yarmouth promenade 5 mile road race series and despite the breezy conditions more than half clocked personal best times. Waveney Valley results: – 66 Jon Comyn 34:21, 72 Bill Kingaby 34:50, 78 Richard Aukland 35:38 p.b., 86 Steve Gibbs 36:11 p.b., 87 Wayne Freeman 36:14 p.b., 88 new member Philip Lane 36:15, 102 David Mower 37:06 p.b., 109 Ailsa Macdonald 37:36 p.b., 131 Joe Mayne 39:27, 161 Patricia Tuttle 42:51 p.b., 167 James Gooch 43:47 p.b., 170 Michaela Gooch 44:00 p.b., 172 Stuart Smith 44:06, 212 Angela Mower 52:58 p.b. The third and final race in the series takes place next Wednesday. Start time 7.15pm by the Marina Centre.

Three club members entered the Waveney Spring Triathlon which took place in Bungay on May 5. There were 142 triathletes competing in the event which started with a 400 metre swim, followed by a 20 kilometre cycle ride and completed by a 3.2 kilometre run.

Tim Earl finished 56th in a time of 1-01.40 with stage times of swim 8:58, cycle 36:41 and run 14:35. Seamus Wrigley was 81st in 1-05.53 (swim 9:11, cycle 40:55, run 14:03) and Alan Fairs 95th in 1-08.56(swim 12:02, cycle 38:52, run 15:06)

The Gorleston and Fritton Lake 5k parkruns, held each Saturday morning, continue to be a popular part of the race programme for Waveney Valley Athletic Club members.
At Gorleston on April 20 Jon Comyn finished 13th in a time of 20:40, James Gooch was 71st in a personal best 25:50 and Kaly Gooch 87th in 26:53. On April 27 Steve Gibbs was placed 24th in a time of 22:08 and last Saturday James Gooch finished 72nd in 26:06, just outside his best time.
At Fritton Lake on April 13 Jon Comyn was 3rd in 21:37 and on April 27 Warren Hytch recorded a personal best time of 24:38, crossing the line in 6th place.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club members David Mower and Lisa Knights took part in the London Marathon, David making his marathon debut whilst Lisa was running her second ‘ London ‘ in a row.
David’s main concern was around the 18 mile mark, when the going started to get tough and for him got tougher when a chap outside a pub, holding a glass of beer, said to him ” Get some of this down you “. He found just enough willpower to resist the offer and was pleased with his finishing time of 4-03.07.
Lisa’s club training is mostly geared to running the longer distances and she recorded a very good time of 3-30.27. Both runners ran on behalf of Cancer Research UK.

The Great Yarmouth midweek 5 mile road race series got under way with thirteen Waveney Valley members competing in race one from a field of 186 runners. Tim Earl, having his best race so far this year, was placed 41st in a time of 33:39. Bill Kingaby was 56th in 34:23, Jon Comyn 59th in 34:43 and Richard Aukland was 68th in a personal best 35:56. Stephen Gibbs was 76th ( 36:26 ), Wayne Freeman 78th ( 36:43 ), Paul Harrod 83rd ( 37:14 ), Ailsa Macdonald 92nd ( 37:57 ) – 2nd prize ladies open category, Joe Mayne 116th ( 40:11 ), Patricia Tuttle 141st ( 43:08 p.b. ), James Gooch 152nd ( 43:55 ), Stuart Smith 155th ( 44:19 ), Kaly Gooch 156th ( 44:23 ).

Half a dozen members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club competed in the Bungay Half Marathon last Sunday in very tough weather conditions. The lunchtime temperature at Bungay reached 22 degrees celsius so runners in both the full and half marathons needed plenty of fluid during the race. After tackling the hilly first part of the race to Beccles, the runners then faced a strong head wind back to Bungay.
Bill Kingaby finished 75th in a time of 1:42.57 – about five minutes slower than his time last year – and won the trophy for first in the Mens 60+ age group. Ailsa MacDonald was placed 160th in 1:54.46, also some five minutes down on her best time. Wayne Freeman finished 176th in 1:56.07, Paul Harrod 241st in 2:04.08, Alan Richardson 282nd in 2:09.23 and Stuart Smith 357th in 2:17.50. 441 runners finished the half marathon from an original entry of almost 600.

Members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club have taken part in a variety of events over recent weeks.
At the Orion 15 mile Cross Country race at Epping Forest, Tim Earl competed in windy, snowy and muddy conditions to finish 81st in a time of 2:09.10. On Good Friday, Steve Gibbs tackled the annual Roger Wing memorial trophy 10k and, from a field of 190 runners, was placed 80th in 47:26.
On March 30, James Gooch finished 76th in the Gorleston 5k parkrun in a time of 27:24 then improved his time to 26:40 ( 71st ) at last Saturday’s parkrun. In the same race, Jon Comyn was 11th in 20:46 and Alan Richardson 53rd in 25:27.
At the Fritton Lake parkrun on March 30, Warren Hytch finished 11th in 26:43 then last weekend was placed 4th in 25:05.