Waveney Valley Athletic Club had another large turnout of senior members in the recent Suffolk Winter Cross Country League staged at Nowton Park, Bury St. Edmunds. The club have consistently fielded strong squads of runners in the series so far. Another great all round team effort at Nowton Park, resulted in them not only maintaining but also stretching their lead at the top of the table.
As well as the club’s regular cross-country runners, five members were making their debut in the league; Leon Bernasconi, Andy Ayers, Matt Plummer, David Joyce and Layla Bedford all put in very creditable performances over the two-lap scenic parkland course that covered a distance of just over 5 miles.
Waveney members were once again to the fore with Matt Jefferies putting in another superb performance in leading the club home, finishing in second place overall with his swift time of 31:37. Dominic Oliver was also in fine form, in recording his highest position this season in claiming third place with his time of 31:48. Lee Cook who was in contention with a top five finish unfortunately twisted his ankle on the latter stage of race, but still carried on to finish in a very creditable seventh place in 32:41. The rest of the men’s A squad all finished in the top 30, Mark Thompson 25t, Martin Horlock 26th, Dylan Neeve 27th and Jay Lingwood 29th. The men’s A team finished in first place overall on the day.
In the ladies race, it was good to see Sam Lines getting back to race fitness, after being off with a injury, she put in a very solid performance, in crossing the line 52nd place overall, with her time of 36:59, but more importantly was second in the ladies section. . Rose Nicholson who was third in the senior ladies age group, finished in 71st place overall recorded 38:33. Sarah Norman was third lady home for the ladies A team also ran well in finish in the top 50 of the ladies race.
Other notable performances: Karim Ouaddane time of 36:00 in 32nd place overall also secured him second place in his age group V50. Team Captain Chris Pimlott was over two minutes faster than his time over the same course last season. Peter Andrews who at the start of the winter season set himself a target of finishing in the top 100, was delighted that he finished in 92nd place overall with his time of 39:55. The combined ladies and men’s B and C teams also top their leagues.
Senior Results
Second Matt Jeffries 31:37. 3rd Dominic Oliver 31:48. 7th Lee Cook 32:41. 25th Mark Thompson (V40) 34:51. 26th Martin Horlock (V40) 35:06. 27th Dylan Neeve 35:18. 29th Jay Lingwood 35:45. 32nd Karim Ouaddane (V50) 36:00. 40th Chris Pimlott (V40) 36:29. 52nd Sam Lines (2nd Lady) 36:59. 54th Leon Bernasconi (V40) 37:09. 66th James Drake 38:07. 71st Rose Nicholson 38:33. 74th Liam Nudd 38:39. 80th Paul Sullivan (V50) 39:02. 92nd Peter Andrews (V45) 39:55. 93rd Tim Earl 39:56. 104th Jon Comyn 40:43. 106th Leon Neeve 40:49. 121st Tim Moore 41:26. 124th Steve Carruthers (V45) 41:49. 125th Jason Browne (V40) 41:59. 134th Andy Ayers (V40) 42:25. 137th Colin Galer 42:29.
142nd Robert Milner 42:58. 158th David Mower (V60) 43:58.164th Bill Kingaby (V60) 44:18. 183rd Mike Illingsworth (V45) 46:03. 186th Alan Fairs (V45) 46:19. 192nd Steve Gibbs (V50) 46:47. 222nd David Joyce (V45) 48:30. 226th Sarah Norman (V35) 48:54. 229th Matt Plummer 49:04. 242nd Stephanie Pimlott (V35) 50:11. 250th Layla Bedford (V40) 50:56. 275th Stuart Smith (V55) 53:12. 280th Louise Harrod (V45) 53:55. 284th James Gooch (V40) 54:19. 297th Kaly Gooch (V50) 58:18.