The third fixture in the Suffolk Winter Cross Country League was hosted by St. Edmund Pacers at NowtonPark, Bury St. Edmunds. The firm dry underfoot conditions on the parkland course was ideal for the runners, the only thing that hampered the runners was the strong blustery wind, but still some very fast times were recorded on the 5 mile course.

Waveney Valley Athletic Club who for the past two meetings, had fielded large teams, unfortunately were down on numbers at Nowton Park, but more importantly lacking some of the key runners. But nevertheless full credit must go to the fifteen senior members who turned out for the team, despite slipping down one place in the league; there were some very fine individual performances.

Mark Betts posted a very speedy 33.41 to clinch 13th place. Chris Pimlott was in good form, and looked very strong on the last lap of the course, overhauling several runners to record his highest placing so far this season in crossing the line in 22nd place with his time of 35:42. It was good to see Bill Kingby coming back to form, after being sidelined with injuries for several months, he posted a very creditable time of 40:20 in finishing in 82nd place overall. David Pryce took 2nd place in his age category 65+. The men’s team are still in third place overall in the league, just a few points ahead of Ipswich Harriers.

In the ladies section, Ann Millett was the leading lady for the club, was in top form, and once again she was first in her age group V50+. In the middle of her marathon training, Ann still managed to put in fast sprint to the line to take 126th place overall in 44:02, then after a short break, she carried on to do her usual Sunday long steady run in preparation for the marathon. The ladies team are currently in 8th place in the league. The combined ladies and men’s team are in 4th place overall.

Megan Soanes was the only Waveney runner in the junior section, recorded her hat-trick of wins in the Girls U15 section, in clocking 11.03 in 9th place overall. A good individual performance, especially as she competed the day before, running for Suffolk Schools in the Anglian Schools Championships.