Big turn-out for run

More than 350 runners turned out on Sunday at Stimpson's Piece in Reepham for the increasingly popular Reepham 10k race.

Amongst the throng was a strong contingent of 17 North Norfolk Beach Runners.

Leading the way for the Cromer Club was the extremely quick trio of Chris Merrylees and brothers Rob and Andy Kett, who all finished in the top 13. Merrylees in particular showed that he is now well over last year's injury worries by beating Rob Kett to the line to take eighth place in superb time of 37:08.

Just inside the top 30 were Richard Blake and John Christopher, who both sneaked inside the magical 40-minute barrier on a warm day on a tough course.

The Beach Runners' more senior members took home the big prizes, with Jim Hayes picking up the 60-plus first prize by more than a minute, in an excellent 42:16.

Brenda Kinch made it a clean sweep for the club in her age group with an extremely well-paced run of 50:10, beating her nearest rival by over two minutes, while Malcolm Ball took the Over-70s with a time which most 30-year-olds would have been pleased with. The improving John Leach had another excellent run to finish 70th, just two places ahead of Terry Quigley, one of the few runners to make the race look easy on a hot but windy day.

Several other Beach Runners enjoyed the shade and the soft ground provided by the rail trail for the last four kilometres. Among these were Jeremy Bolam, Keith Pickens, Alec Fraser, Rob Saines, Mike Marshall and Maurice Copeland for the men and Christina Walker and Shelley Burton for the ladies.

Another in-form Beach Runner, Clare Donovan, ran at the Cambridge trail race, the Wandlesbury Five Mile. The Cromer personal trainer, who has had some terrific results in the last year, continued her brilliant form by taking the ladies' first prize by more than a minute and a half with a superb time of 32:58.