Waveney Valley Athletic Club’s Sam Lines produced a first-class performance on Sunday at the Great Bentley Half Marathon. After being side-lined through injury and illness for four months, she took part in one of the top races in Essex and, on just two weeks training, she ran a personal best 1.28:02, knocking almost ten minutes off her previous best she had set at Bungay two years ago. From a strong field of 647 athletes, a delighted Sam finished 86th overall and second female senior.

There was a record number of 676 finishers at the Freethorpe 10 mile event, which included 21 from Waveney Valley A.C. Despite very windy conditions, just under half of club members achieved PB’s. First to finish for Waveney was Chris Meadows in 46th in 1.04:49 then Steve Carruthers in 47th in a personal best 1.04:54. Andy Ayers, in his debut 10 miler, was 100th in 1.10:22 then Bill Kingaby finished 170th in 1.15:12 and won second prize in the Mens 65+ age category. Other results: 184 Lisa Knights 1.15:59, 211 Mike Illingsworth 1.17:28, 221 David Mower 1.17:52, 230 Becky Langford 1.18:24 – PB by almost three minutes, 251 Wayne Freeman 1.19:27, 301 Stephanie Pimlott 1.22:08 PB, 328 Daren Coulter 1.24:27, 405 Louise Harrod 1.28:42 PB, 407 Grainne Purvis 1.28:43 PB, 408 Anita Drake 1.28:49, 411 James Drake 1.28:51, 468 Louise Adamson 1.33:30, 469 Lee Roth 1.33:33, 513 Demelza Hammond 1.36:42 PB, 579 Alan Varle 1.43:20, 598 Gavin Hamilton 1.45:43 – PB by more than three minutes, 633 Sarah Etherton-Nicoll 1.52:34.

On January 27, Bob Milner tackled the Peddars Way Ultra from Knettishall Heath near Thetford to Holme in North Norfolk, a distance of around 48 miles. He finished in 70th place in a time of 10 hours,15 mins and 11 secs. 5k parkrun PB’s: Mark Smith 20:59, Mark Spackman 26:45, Jim Burgess 17:40, Daren Coulter 22:07, Rachel Carver 32:03, Sue Cole 38:45, William Browne 21:20, Robin Jones 22:47

Cross Country – Stowmarket.

The third fixture in the Suffolk Winter Cross Country League was staged at the picturesque Haughley Park Stowmarket, on a bitterly cold day. The 2-lap course at Haughley although on parkland proved to be very complex, with lots of hazards that included jumping over logs as well as runners having to cope with some very uneven terrain.
Waveney Valley Athletic seniors were down on numbers, mainly owing to a numerous number of members being out of action with injuries and illness, which was reflected in the combined ladies and men’s team A team dropping from their top spot to third place in the league. Credit must be given to the squad of thirty-seven members who competed, although Waveney moved down to third place thanks to their brilliant all round team effort, only a small margin of points separate the top three teams in the league, and with three remaining fixtures in the league, Waveney are still in contention to regain their senior team title they won last season.
Dominic Oliver ran a very intelligent race, by not getting carried away with the fast pace of the first lap, he judged his pace to perfection passing several runners on the final lap to clinch third spot overall in 31:49. Mark Thompson also put in a strong finish, in crossing the line in 29th place with 35:01. New member Jim Burgess in his first season of cross country running put in a very impressive performance by finishing in the top 40. Only one second separated Martin Horlock and Club captain Chris Pimlott who finished in 42nd (35:48) and 43rd place respectively. Chris Meadows clocked 36:38 in 57th place overall. Lloyd Scriven recorded his highest position this season, in crossing the line in 62nd place with 37:11. Other notable performances, Peter Rogers, Richard Aukland and Tim Earl all finished in the top 100. The consistent Bill Kingaby once again claimed 2nd place in his V65+ age group.
In the ladies section, Waveney had a very creditable turnout of 14 ladies despite the squad missing several of their regular members. Fist lady home for the team was Lisa Knights who continues her fine run of form, in finishing in 170th place overall, (23rd lady) with her time of 43:21. Sarah Norman posted 47:05 crossed the line in 236th place overall. Grainne Purvis clocked 51:29 in 313th place; close on her heels were Louise Harrod (315th) and Ann Millett (316th) who both recorded the same time of 51:21. Cheryl Goymer was 5th in her V55+ age group

Waveney’s senior results:

Third, Dominic Oliver 31:49. 28th Mark Thompson 35:01. 39th Jim Burgess 35:40. 42nd Martin Horlock 35:48. 43rd Chris Pimlott 35:49. 57th Chris Meadows 36:38. 62nd Lloyd Scriven. 37:11. 73rd Peter Rogers 38:18. 77th Richard Aukland 38:23. 86th Tim Earl 39:07. 103rd Karim Quaddance 40:08. 126th Daniel Harris 40:56. 160th Anthony Croucher 42:44. 167th Matt Baldry 43:00. 170th Lisa Knights 43:21. 171st Bill Kingaby (2nd V65) 43:26. 192nd Jon Comyn 44:47. 196th Darren Coulter 45:02. 227th Steve Gibbs 46:45. 231st Ian Hawkes 46:54. 236th Sarah Norman 47:05. 313th Grainne Purvis 51:29. 315th Louise Harrod 51:34. 316th Ann Millett 51:34. 318th John Skelly 51:35. 327th Dave Martindale 52:03. 330th Tony Millett 52:21. 342nd Layla Bedford 53:15. 349th Cheryl Goymer 54:00. 355th Stuart Smith 54:26. 361st Lisa Wilson 55:11. 372nd Pat Tuttle 56:11. 396th Rosemary Plant 60:53. 401st Jenni Skelly 61:54. 411th Debbie Foster 65:23. 412th Tara Carroll 66:36.421st Rachael Finch 68:45.
In the junior one lap race, James Burgess was Waveney’s only representative owing to most of the junior competing the day before in an indoor event. James who is in the first year of his U.13’s, age group, looks a promising prospect as a distance runner, he ran well over the difficult terrain to record 16:59 for 16th place in his age group.

The remaining three fixtures in the league:
Sun 18th Feb – Nowton Park. Bury St. Edmunds.
Sun 11th March – Fritton Lake.
Sun 25th March Haverhill.

The Suffolk Cross Country Championships took place on Sunday at Culford School near Bury St Edmunds. There were nine races covering 11 age groups, from Under-11 boys and girls through to Senior Men and Women. There were awards for the first three in each age group and for the veterans 5-year age bands. Waveney Valley A.C. entered five runners, though Matt Jeffries withdrew from the event due to a foot injury.
There were 139 athletes in the Senior Mens 12k race and Bill Kingaby’s first race of the year brought him success as he finished first in the Men’s 65-69 age category. He was 92nd overall in a time of 57:28. Chris Pimlott finished 30th in 48:28 and Carl Prewer of Lowestoft Road Runners was 10th in 44:23 and 2nd in the Men’s 45-49 category.
In the Women’s Under-17 event over a distance of 5k, Harriet Lyman was the 3rd place trophy winner, in a time of 21:36 and Sam Stevens competed in the Men’s Under-17 race (6k) and was very pleased with his fifth place as he recently entered the age group and was one of the youngest in the race. His time was 23:08.

Several club members took part in a variety of events over the Christmas and New Year period. At the East Coast Santa Dash 5k at Gorleston, Mark Thompson recorded a personal best 17:59 in finishing 4th from an entry of 211. Other Waveney results: 56 Louise Harrod 26:25, 57 Grainne Purvis 26:25, 66 Lee Roth 26:33, 101 Beth Stephens 29:16, 154 Simon Cross 33:16 (pb), 186 Denise Bjorck 37:07 (pb), 187 Jane Jackson 37:07, 204 Paul Hierons 41:42, 205 Jan Piggott 49:15.

The popular Groggy Doggy races, organised by Bungay Black Dog R.C. on Boxing Day, always attracts a keen entry as man’s four-legged friends lead their masters to Outney Common in Bungay. In the one lap plus dog 2.1mile race, Susannah Close finished 9th in 19:40 with Jay Butcher 20th in 24:31 and Beth Bell 37th in 30:20. In the two lap plus dog 4.2mile race, Chris Bradford was 16th in 47:49. In the events with no dog, Oliver Owen in the 1.5mile 9-12 age group was 6th in 9:55 and in the 2.1mile senior race, Rebecca Harris was 12th in 21:46 and Janet Markwell 44th in 33:44. Waveney results in the 4.2mile event: 16 Steve Barber 34:23, 18 Richard Aukland 34:33, 23 Chris Meadows 35:27, 26 Peter Rogers 35:40, 37 Tim Earl 37:16, 43 Darrel Roberts 37:36, 83 Matt Plummer 42:14, 111 Nicole Goffin 45:47, 112 Phillip Goffin 45:49, 159 Jane Hunt 53:40.

Wymondham New Year’s Day 10k results: 284 Alan Richardson 52:30, 407 Louise Adamson 57:13, 428 Alan Varle 58:21, 432 Jane Hunt 58:32 and 484 Jayne Richardson 1.01:23. There were a total of 635 runners.

Around 355 hardy runners, just short of last year’s record 375 finishers, tackled Sunday’s Beccles Turkey Trot 10-mile road race in cold wintry weather, many braving the conditions in festive costumes. The race was organised by Waveney Valley Athletic Club with first-time sponsors Galloper Wind Farm, Sportlink and Wine Vaults of Beccles provided further sponsorship support.
Only on one occasion in recent years, in 2010, has the race been cancelled due to icy roads, but the go-ahead was given this year with just puddles and slush underfoot for the competitors to deal with. Early morning rain turned to sleet as the race got under way from outside Sir John Leman High School.The route then took in the country lanes – many with unavoidable deep puddles – of Ilketshall St Andrew and Ringsfield, before returning to the school.
The event winner for the third time, and second successive, was Joe Skipper of Team Skipper, who took an early lead which he held onto to cross the finishing line in a time of 56:26. Second was Rob Chenery of Ipswich Jaffa in 56:56 and third Framlingham Flyer’s Jim Last in 58:10. Emma Attwood of Stowmarket Striders, who was third lady last year, was this year’s winning lady in a time of 1:09.05. Second was her team mate Gemma Porch in 1:10.31 and third Jessica Behan of Norwich Road Runners in 1:11.13. Framlingham Flyers were the Men’s team winners and Stowmarket Striders won the ladies.
The fancy dress entry was again well supported. The trophies were sponsored by Wine Vaults of Beccles and the men’s winner was ‘ Mr Christmas Tree ‘ Ben Hadingham with ‘ Lady Burlesque ‘ Sarah-Jane Lumley, the ladies winner.
Host club Waveney Valley had 33 finishers, more than a dozen of them running a 10-mile race for the first time. There were personal best times, despite the tough conditions, by Steve Carruthers, Chris Bradford, Stuart Spurgeon, Stephanie Pimlott and Donna Milner. Club results: 23 Steve Carruthers 1:05.53, 37 Chris Bradford 1:08.22, 55 Daniel Harris 1:11.05, 60 Tim Earl 1:11.40, 62 Ricci Wilson 1:12.10, 67 Rob Milner 1:12.58, 83 Lisa Knights 1:15.58, 84 Stuart Spurgeon 1:16.19, 86 Bill Kingaby 1:16.46, 92 Leon Neeve 1:17.59, 93 Darrel Roberts 1:18.08, 119 Becky Langford 1: 21.26, 139 Stephanie Pimlott 1:23.23, 142 Daren Coulter 1:23.40, 147 Ian Hawkes 1:23.53, 165 David Mower 1:25.59, 166 Paul Harrod 1:26.00, 178 Daryl McKeown 1:27.07, 218 Grainne Purvis 1:30.54, 224 Louise Harrod 1:31.33, 225 Joe Mayne 1:31.34, 243 Lee Roth 1:33.20, 244 Stuart Smith 1:33.33, 250 John Skelly 1:35.06, 255 Camilla Darling 1:36.04, 266 Dave Catchpole 1:38.04, 277 Demelza Hammond 1:40.09, 280 Rosemary Plant 1:40.39, 288 Beth Stephens 1:43.28, 299 Caroline Clamp 1:44.50, 311 Lisa Farrington 1:46.35, 322 Donna Milner 1:50.06, 323 Lisa Cone 1:50.08.
There were trophies and vouchers for first three men and women and for age category winners, with wine for team winners and Christmas puddings for all finishers.
Before presenting the prizes, race organiser Tim Earl, who also competed in the race, thanked the sponsors and all marshals, caterers and volunteers for their help and support.

Waveney Valley A.C. members Bill Kingaby and Becky Langford attended the Leathes Prior Norfolk Grand Prix series awards evening at the Assembly House in Norwich on 17 Nov. The 2017 series had ten races from which points from the best seven for each runner were calculated to find the top three in each age category. Bill finished top in the Men’s 65+ category.
Medals were also awarded for the Norfolk ‘ Postal ‘ Marathon Championships. With no marathon taking place in Norfolk, eligible runners were invited to send in their best times at events during the year. Becky was awarded 2nd place in the Female 40-44 age category with her time of 3:34.51 achieved at Milton Keynes in May.
At the Snetterton Race Track Half Marathon a few day’s later, almost all members taking part either recorded a PB or were running the distance for the first time. Steve Carruthers finished 46th out of 775 in a PB 1:28.58. Leon Neeve was 101st in 1:34.22 (PB) with 131 Anthony Croucher 1:37.23, 146 Ricci Wilson 1:38.34, 208 Stuart Spurgeon 1:43.30 (PB), 233 Steve Gibbs 1:45.14 (PB), 486 Lee Roth 2:04.32 (PB), 508 Demelza Hammond 2:06.32 (PB), 604 Sarah Etherton-Nicoll 2:14.30 (PB) and 638 Emma Hollidge in a debut 2:19.08.
In the Hadleigh 10 mile race, Tim Earl finished 55th from a field of 265 in a time of 1:11.03. Mark Smith’s challenge of completing ten marathons this year in aid of Prostate Cancer UK concluded with the ‘ Running the Rift Marathon ‘ in Uganda. With just six day’s rest since race nine in New York, he found the very hilly terrain even tougher but still managed to complete the race in a time of 5:42.16.
Around half of club members competing in the Southwold 10k recorded personal best’s. Results: 25 Lloyd Scriven 40:13, 28 Steve Carruthers 40:33 (PB), 40 Tim Moore 40:48, 60 Andy Ayers 42:32 (PB), 81 Matt Baldry 43:51, 92 Billy Underdown 44:27, 159 Jason Browne 47:13, 203 Tris Holtzer 48:26 (PB), 250 Anita Drake 50:49, 251 James Drake 50:50, 272 Jon Andrews 50:47 (PB), 330 Louise Harrod 52:52 (PB), 417 Dave Catchpole 55:54 (PB), 468 Beth Stephens 56:56 (PB), 469 Rob Knights 56:47, 496 Kate Holtzer 58:06, 536 Demelza Hammond 59:01 (PB), 647 Angelene Ayers 1:04.44 (PB), 683 Sarah James 1:08.09, Jo Illingworth 1:09.43. There were 732 finishers.
Member’s 5k parkrun personal best’s for November: Josh Smith 22:09, Demelza Hammond 29:01, Simon Cross 33:50, Emily Harding 45:15, Tim Moore 19:36, Fiona Houghton 29:05, Tara Carroll 30:10, Theo Chong 22:22, Rebecca Harris 23:46, Pat McCabe 24:22, Lisa Cone 27:15, Caroline Clamp 27:15, Michelle Lyman 27:27, Natalie Brown 27:42, Sarah Jones 32:00, Bev Hudson 32:28, Phil Acton 25:18 and Emma Hollidge 27:31.

North Norfolk and Snowdonia were the destinations for members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club at the weekend. On Sunday, ten members took part in the Holt 10k, the final fixture in this year’s Leathes Prior Grand Prix series. The entries limit of 450 was reached many weeks before the race and just under 400 made the start line at Gresham’s School. In cool and very windy conditions, on an undulating country lanes course, the first over the finish line back at the school for Waveney was Wayne Freeman in 63rd place in 43:15. Next was Mike Quantrill in 86th in 44:39 with Bill Kingaby just one place and three seconds behind, in 87th in 44:42. Bill was the trophy winner for first in the M65+ age category and should finish the series as category champion when the 10-race series final table is published.
Becky Langford finished 133rd in 47:35, just a few seconds outside her best time, with Paul McCormick, in his first race for the club, apart from 5k parkruns, in 226th in 55:18. Lisa Cone and Emma Branch finished together in 291st and 292nd in 1:00.10, a personal best for Emma with Lisa just outside her fastest time. Tara Carroll, in her debut race for the club, was 321st in 1:04.28, then Donna Milner 337th in an excellent personal best 1:07.02. Jenny Green, in her debut race for Waveney, was delighted to be close to her target time of 75 mins, finishing 361st in 1:15.47.

Five members competed in the Norfolk Coastal Trail Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday which weaved along a 27 mile section of the Norfolk Coastal Path from Morston Quay to Holme-Next-The-Sea. The 124 marathon runners set off alongside the creeks and marshes towards Stiffkey. There was some respite from the 30mph gusts by a last minute route change through the pine forests of Wells and Holkham. The route picked up the half marathon runners at Burnham Market then led to a scenic but tricky board-walk section to Brancaster Staithe. The race then included a long hill with open views before the final punishing dune section to the finish. Matt Jeffries finished very strong in the marathon in 2nd place in 3:22.38, despite an unplanned one mile detour. Chris Bradford finished a superb fourth in 3:28.15 with Richard Aukland 16th in 3:44.36. In the half marathon, Matt Plummer finished 41st in 2:07.52 out of 140 with Chris Mills 76th in 2:24.20.

In the Brooks Snowdonia Marathon on Saturday, experienced long distance runner Tim Earl finished 156th in 3:30.46 and Matt Baldry was 521st in 4:00.10, just seven minutes outside his best time, a magnificent achievement on one of Britain’s toughest races.

Club members 5k parkrun PB’s for October:- Jim Burgess 18:33, Susannah Close 22:16, Paul Brown 22:20, Stuart Smith 26:41, Kirsty Howe 29:37, Tara Carroll 30: 23, Theo Chong 22:42, Josh Smith 23:00, Phil Acton 26:57, Andy Ayers 20:09, Malcolm Huggins 22:19, James McAllen 23:16, Caroline Clamp 28:17, Emma Hollidge 30:00, Bev Hudson 33:18, Rebecca Tate 40:38, Jenny Green 37:08, Mike Illingsworth 21:22 and Dave Catchpole 26:44

Waveney Valley Athletic Club member Sam Lines put in a first-class performance at the East Coast 10k by finishing first lady, completing the race more than two minutes faster than last year. Sam has made considerable progress since rejoining Waveney Valley two years ago and continues to build a reputation as one of the region’s top female athletes.
The race, staged at Gt Yarmouth, had over 700 runners, with Sam finishing 10th overall, and first Waveney, in a time of 37:59. There were 37 members of the club in the race with Mark Thompson next in 14th in a time of 38:16 followed by Lloyd Scriven in 57th in 42:27 and Andy Ayers in 81st in a personal best 43:11, more than seven minutes faster than last years race, when, as a new member, he ran his first 10k.
There were PB’s also for Sarah Norman (50:17), Stephanie Pimlott (50:54), Jon Andrews (53:00), Lee Roth (55:20), John Skelly (55:21), Dave Catchpole (57:18), Gavin Hamilton (59:15), Caroline Clamp (59:19) and Emma Hollidge (1.00:57). There were debut 10k’s by Darrel Roberts, Grainne Purvis, Mark Spackman and Amy Liddell-Andrews.
Tim Earl competed in the Melbourne Marathon and finished in 426th place in 3.09:45 and also running marathons were Alan Richardson in the Leicester Marathon in 4.51:02, Mark Smith, Budapest Marathon in 4.11:09 and Jason Browne, Palma de Mallorca Marathon in 3.48.
Jayne Richardson achieved a personal best at the Leicester Half Marathon, recording a new best time of 2.17:41 and Daren Coulter took part in the Saxmundham 5 mile event and finished 51st out of 166 in 39:52.
On Sunday, Six members competed in the Trowse 10k. Colin Galer was 50th in a personal best 42:56, Louise Adamson 380th in 58:36, Alan Varle 385th in 58:49, Emma Hollidge 400th in 59:46, Sarah Etherton-Nicoll 436th in a personal best 1.02:10 and Beth Bell 520th in 1.11:11. At the Great South Run (10 miles) in Portsmouth, also on Sunday, David Joyce recorded a time of 1.28:02 and Louise Harrod 1.29:57, both in their 10-mile debut races for Waveney Valley and Claire Evans ran the Venice Marathon in 4.45.06

Lisa Wilson, who joined Waveney Valley Athletic Club as a beginner two years ago, has taken part in her second marathon and produced a stunning performance by knocking more than half an hour from the time she recorded at her debut at the distance in May. At the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday, she ran a personal best time of 4.49:36. Having progressed from the beginners’ sessions, Lisa has been an inspiration to those taking up running for the first time.

Two club members were part of a 4,000 strong field in the Perkins Great East Run (Peterborough Half Marathon), also last Sunday. Lee Cook finished in an excellent 36th in a time of 1.15:49 and new member Patrick McCabe was placed 1,182nd in 1.49:33.

Grainne Purvis, Lisa Joyce and Chris Hulme took part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon. The event is one of Central London’s most popular races as the route takes in many of the capital’s world famous landmarks, including four of the Royal Parks. Over 16,000 runners completed the race with Grainne finishing in 2.00:46 Lisa in 2.38:23. Chris who started running last winter as part of a beginners group finished in 2.49:12, this was Chris’ 3rd half marathon in 2 weeks knocking over 15 minutes off his time over the 3 races.

At the Martlesham 5k last weekend, Demelza Hammond finished 84th from a field of 148 in 29:30. On Monday six members, Patricia Tuttle, Alan Richardson, David Mower, Stuart Smith, Phil Hazell and Bill Kingaby were presented with the trophy for the Ekiden Relay over 60’s team. Following a review of the results from the event in July, the Waveney Valley team have been awarded first place.

Club members personal best times in the 5k parkruns for September:- Lee Cook 16:48, Daren Coulter 22:12, Alan Richardson 23:34, Sue Cole 39:12, Paul McCormick 24:47, Dave Catchpole 26:52, Emma Branch 28:17, Beverley Hudson 34:36, Amy Liddell-Andrews 36:27, Andy Ayers 20:10, David Martindale 25:41, Natalie Brown 28:06, Lisa Cone 28:20, Paul Hierons 36:19, Jack Gooch 20:44, Paul Brown 22:23, Susannah Close 22:49, Sarah Norman 23:29, Lee Roth 24:45, Caroline Clamp 28:19, Lauren Finch 30:46, Theo Chong 23:17, James McAllen 24:20, Michelle Lyman 28:27, Rachael Finch 28:28, Angeline Ayers 29:25, Maggie Godfrey 30:35, Mandy Roberts 30:46, Denise Bjorck 37:54, Samantha Lines 17:41 (overall winner of Gorleston event Sept 16), Ricci Wilson 19:49.

Last weekend’s busy road race programme produced some quality performances by members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club, with several personal best times recorded. At the Berlin Marathon, Matt Jeffries took almost four and a half minutes off his previous best marathon time, which he achieved at last years Bungay Marathon. In Berlin, running in aid of the Get Kids Going charity, he finished in a time of 2.35:04. Competing in the same event as part of his 2017 10- race marathon challenge for Prostate Cancer UK was Mark Smith who ran a time of 4.04.

At the Jolly Jaguars 10k held at Coltishall, Samantha Lines ran an astonishing race to finish third from more than 300 athletes. She was first female to finish by several minutes and took more than two minutes off her previous best time, finishing in 37:50. Leon Neeve was 30th in a PB 42:54, Antony Croucher 36th in 43:29 and Camilla Darling 176th in 55:40.

Six members took part in the Simply Health Ipswich Half Marathon. Liam Nudd finished 73rd in 1.29:14, Alan Richardson 793rd in 1.53:25 and another first for him in the M70 age category, Patricia Tuttle 1,403rd in 2.07:14, Lisa Wilson 1,404th in 2.07:14, Michaela Gooch 1,583rd in a big PB time of 2.12:05 and Chris Hulme 2,382nd in his first half marathon, in 3.05:22.

At the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, three club members competed. Lisa Knights finished 689th in 3.54:52, David Mower 726th in 3.56:03 and Paul Harrod 1,232rd in 4.21.35. Angela Mower opted for the 10k event and recorded a time of 1.06:55 in 1,534th place. Despite both Loch Ness events having large fields of more then 2,000 runners, there were no reported sightings of the Loch Ness monster.

Mike Quantrill took part in the West Pinchbeck 10k in Lincolnshire and finished 27th out of 151 in a time of 44:37. Earlier in September, four members travelled to Newcastle for the Great North Run. Billy Underdown, in his first half marathon, ran a time of 1.37:58. Becky Langford recorded a personal best 1.45:09. A debut also for Amanda Scarff who finished in 2.31:23 and Rob Knights completed the race in 3.12:44.

At the Wissey Half Marathon near Downham Market on September 3, Demelza Hammond ran a time of 2.36:53 and on the same day at the Bedford Half Marathon, Liam Nudd was 72nd in a personal best 1.28:57 and Tim Moore 180th in 1.34:54.