The first fixture in the Suffolk Winter Cross Country League was held at Framlingham which has the reputation of being the most challenging course in the league – and it certainly lived up to its billing. Despite not being quite as muddy as previous years, runners still found it very slippery underfoot especially on the steep climbs out of the moat around the castle.

Waveney Valiey Athletic club fielded a strong team of 16 runners in the senior race, which attracted a large field of 220 runners. The seniors had to face three large laps around the castle. Carl Prewer, representing Waveney in this league, led the way for the team, putting in a strong run to finish third in a very swift time of 27:20, also claiming the top spot in the V40+ category Robert Cheverton was also in fine form crossing the line in eighth place overall. He also won his age group V50+ 1st with his time of 28:40. Young Seb Herrod, who represented Waveney as a junior, and is now making a comeback to the sport as a senior, registered a very creditable time of 31:00 to clinch 24th place.There were several other notable performances – Paul Sullivan, Mark Bee and Chris Pimlott all Packed in well in finishing in the top 35. Alan Fairs continues to improve and was pleased with his time of 34:11 to take 61st place. Jonathan Cowyn, Kevin Booth and Tracy Mayne were making their first outing in cross country running, and are all part of David Pimlott’s beginners group, and have only been running for a few months.

In the ladies section, Sarah Bradley was first home, but close on her heels were her team-mates Ann Millett and Elies Mann. Bradley and Millett both
finished third in their age groups. The Senior Men’s team finished third overall and the ladies finished eighth. The combined team finished fourth overall. The juniors also fared well in their one-lap race, which attracted another large field of about 90 runners. Jamie Finch was the top performer for the club, in finishing in flfth place overall in 9:26 and was first in the U13 boys section. Megan Soanes also Ied the way in finishing in first place
in the girls section, taking 11th place overall in 10:03. Alice Cheverton was the second girl home clocked 10:24 in 17th place overall.
Coach David Pimlott was pleased to see how well the juniors fared at Framlingham Fun Run – Archie Wallis 42nd overall and seventh in the U13s, Zac
Herrod 46th and 10th in the same age group. Juliet Cookson, was also 10th in the girls U13 section.