The Great Yarmouth Half Marathon took place last Sunday with eight members of Waveney Valley Athletic Club joining more than 300 runners at the race headquarters Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston.
Weather conditions were ideal for the participants as they headed south on a route that included the village of Lound and through the grounds of Somerleyton Hall, before returning to the Academy. Waveney’s Lee Cook was aiming to achieve a championship time for entry into the London Marathon and clubmate Matt Jeffries assisted with his pace. However, Lee fell just short of his target, finishing in a time of 1-18.53 in fourth place with Matt recording the same time for fifth. Both runners were presented with half marathon awards for top three placings in the Norfolk County Championships.
Leon Bernasconi finished 21st in 1-27.32 and also received a county top three award in his age category. Lowestoft Scores Race organiser Tim Earl finished 33rd in 1-29.31 and Steve Carruthers was 62nd in 1-36.27. Bill Kingaby was 92nd in 1-41.32 and was the trophy winner for first in the Mens 65-69 age category. Sarah Etherton-Nicoll, in her debut half marathon, finished 284th in 2-27.19 and Beth Bell 287th in 2-28.03.
The previous weekend, a near record club turnout of 40 members took to the streets of Norwich for the second staging of the Run Norwich 10k. Just under 5,000 runners completed this highly popular event. WVAC results: Liam Nudd 40:45 (PB), Matt Baldry 43:07, Bob Milner 43:44, Andy Ayers 43:47 (PB), Leon Neeve 44:02, Colin Galer 44:16, Dan Critoph 50:36, Jenni Hoye 50:39, Alan Richardson 50:42, Mark Smith 53:09, Paul Peek 53:19, Jon Andrews 53:40, Sarah Norman 53:59, Louise Adamson 56:44, Camilla Darling 56:44, Kate Holtzer 56:59, Tris Holtzer 57:00, James Gooch 57:16 (PB), Lee Roth 57:41, Alan Varle 58:24, Claire Evans 1.00:12, Cheryl Goymer 1.01:37, Dave Catchpole 1.01:58, Michaela Gooch 1.02:11, Emma Hollidge 1.02:15, Demelza Hammond 1.02:20, Karen Hamilton 1.02:31, Gavin Hamilton 1.02:55 (PB), Natalie Brown 1.03:19, Sarah Etherton-Nicoll 1.06:18, Amy Bourton 1.06:22, Angelene Ayers 1.07:49, Emma Branch 1.07:52, Lisa Cone 1.08:36, Graham Jackson 1.08:40, Jacqui Perring 1.10:09, Jessica Steer 1.10:25, Amanda Scarff 1.11:07, Laura Head 1.11:51, Donna Milner 1.15:51.