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.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club’s final two fixtures in the Suffolk Winter Cross-country league, took place at Bungay and Bury St. Edmunds recently.
The three lap course at Bungay was very varied with the added obstacle of a section of deep water for the runner’s to contend with, and with cold weather conditions, it was extremely hard going.
Once again Carl Prewer put in a strong performance in finishing in fifth place overall to clinch first place in the V40+ category. Catherine Rickett who the day before put in long training run of over 18 miles in preparation for the Brighton Marathon, still managed to find the energy to clock 40:34 in 48th place overall and first in the senior ladies age group.
Other notable performances from Bungay: Bill Kingaby recorded his fourth victory in his age group 60+. Ann Millett once again dominated her age group V55.
Results from Bungay: 5th Carl Prewer (33:37). 48th Catherine Rickett (40:34). 64th Chris Pimlott (42:07). 70th Bill Kingaby (42:59). 76th Tim Earl (43:2). 81st Alan Fairs (43:56). 94th David Mower (45:25). 113th Ann Millett (47:26). 120th Tamsin Desborough (48:19).
122nd Tony Millett (48:25). 137th Sarah Bradley (49:50). 170th Michaela Gooch (57:17).

The conditions for the fixture at Bury St. Edmunds were in complete contrast to the previous race at Bungay. The flat parkland course at Nowton Park, plus the dry firm underfoot conditions was ideal for fast times over the 2 lap course of just over 5 ½ miles. Bill Kingaby obviously found the conditions to his liking; he ran a very good tactical race, working his way steadily up the field to convincingly win his age group 60+ in crossing the line in 67th position in the swift time of 41:00. Tim Earl recorded a very creditable time of 42:04 in 79th position; close on his heels was Alan Fairs who clocked 42:42 in 84th place. In the final league results, the men’s team finished in 8th place overall.
In the ladies section Ann Millett and Sarah Bradley recorded their highest placing over the five races in finishing in 103rd and 127th respectively. There were also good performances from the rest of the ladies team, Tamsin Desborough, Michaela Gooch and Angela Mower that secured the ladies team third place overall in the league.
As well as the usual senior and junior races, St. Edmund Pacers promoted a U.11’s fun run, which attracted a large field, which included one of Waveney’s young members, Hazel Fairs.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club members Bill Kingaby and Alan Richardson took part in the Freethorpe 10 mile road race last Sunday and both won trophies for finishing in the top three in their age groups.
The event was originally planned for January but was cancelled due to the snow. Two months on and the rescheduled race was spared the snow and ice but the bitterly cold east wind still posed a real challenge for the 168 runners.
Kingaby finished in 40th position overall and second in the M60-64 age group in a time of 1:12.48 and Richardson 125th – third in the M65-69 age group – in 1:27.02.
At the mainly off-road Fritton Half Marathon, four members of Waveney Valley competed. Jon Comyn was 22nd in 1:46.54, Ailsa MacDonald 60th in 2:01.49, David Pimlott 85th – first in the 60+ age group – in 2:12.13 and Anna Outlaw 91st in 2:15.25. There was a total of 117 finishers.
Recent 5k parkrun results: Gorleston March 2, Jon Comyn 13th 20:29; March 9, Mark Nussey 11th 21:16; March 16, Tamsin Desborough 47th 25:37. Fritton Lake February 23, Jon Comyn 3rd 21:48; March 2, Dominic Oliver 1st 17:48; March 23, Jon Comyn 1st 22:01.

Three Waveney valley runners ran the Silverstone Half marathon. This half takes place on the Grand Prix circuit. The weather was cold and was windy particularly around the outer circuit. Mark Nussey achieved an excellent 4 minute PB in a time of 1hr 37 mins, with an overall place of 585 out of over 6,000 runners. Paula Lambert in a time of 1hr 54 minutes, overall place 2012 and David PImlott in a time of 2hr 4 minutes overall place 3421.

The Tarpley 10 mile road race, organised by Bury Pacers, was staged recently and was the first race in this years Suffolk Grand Prix series. The race, which was accompanied by a 20 mile event, started at Beyton Middle School and the course took in a number of villages south of the main A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.
Competing for Waveney Valley Athletic Club was Bill Kingaby who made a very good start to the series by finishing first in the Mens 60-64 age group. Out of 208 competitors he was placed 58th overall in a time of 1-11.32.
At the prize presentation, the awards were also presented to last years overall series winners with Kingaby the victor in his age group.