Dereham Runners Athletics Club turned out in force for the City of Norwich Half Marathon on the hottest day of the year so far.

This made the 13.1 mile course around Easton, Colton, Barnham Broom and Marlingford something of endurance test for many of the 3,000 competitors, particularly on the several hills.

Indeed at several points along the course sympathetic locals played garden hoses onto hot but grateful runners.

Lacey Bareham made yet another strong showing as sixth female finisher, crossing the line in just 1:37.07, while Ed Turner and Todd Lake also impressed with times of 1:26.44 (a personal best) and 1:32.18.

Also taking part were Andrew Hood (1:42.56), Malcolm Fisher (1:48.30), Andy Rowles (1:48.45), Robert Crockford (1:53.06), James Nice (1:53.38, PB), Stuart Slattery (2:06.45), Neil Flatt (2:09.13), Anthony Elsey (2:10.13), Martin Strowger (2:16.54), Paula Olley (2:20.35), Philip Websdale (2:20.35), Megan Oram (2:20.42), Kareana Symonds (2:21.51) and Jan Totterdale (2:25.10, PB).

Further afield, Jake Stearman stormed the five-mile Lowestoft Promenade Dash in just 28.57, finishing in second place.

Craig Rogers and Jonathan Burton both negotiated an equally hot and unforgiving Brighton Marathon, coming home in 4:08.05 and 4:32.01 respectively.

A week earlier club members David Olley and Philip Websdale travelled north to take part in the Manchester Marathon, covering the 26 miles in 4:52.58 and 4:26.16, while Amanda Baker finished the Bungay Half in 2:20.24.

Ian Odgers has now completed three more full marathons (Leeds, Bungay and Ibiza) since the last report on his progress, and now has just one more event to go before notching up an astonishing total of 100 marathon runs.

Ten North Beach Runners were among 2,016 finishers at the Norfolk Showground. First home was Tim Francis in 1:46.51 for 331st place, with Natasha Sumner the first woman in 2:05.05 for 936th place. Super Seventies runner Mike Marshall clocked 2:28.41

Sixteen Beach Runners made the trip to Brighton and first home was ultra specialist Colin Stark in 3:12.53 for 280th place overall and 261st male finisher out of 7,743. First lady Beach Runner — and 68th lady out of 4,818 — was Lisa Oakley in 3:29.48 for 835th place overall.

Eight Beach Runners cracked four hours.