The busy programme of road races this summer has kept athletes from Waveney Valley AC in regular competition. Leading the way in popularity in recent weeks was the Run Norwich 10k, which had more than 6,000 entries. Just under 60 of those competing on a very hot day were Waveney Valley members. The top ten finishers for Waveney were Chris Meadows in a personal best 37:59, Steve Carruthers 39:22, Andy Ayers 42:41, Mike Quantrill 43:14, Ricci Wilson 43:16, Colin Galer 43:58, Michael Hollidge 44:02, Matt Baldry 44:25, Bob Milner 46:45 and Ian Hawkes 47:12. Sarah Norman was delighted with her personal best time, by over two minutes, of 48:11.

The Scottow Coltishall 5k proved to be a happy event for Waveney as five of the seven club members recorded PB’s. The ever-improving Mike Quantrill recorded another Diamond age-graded performance with his PB 19:51, finishing 45th from a field of 511 runners. Dan Critoph was 135th in 22:38 PB with Mark Smith 183rd in 24:10, Paul Maccormick 184th in 24:15 PB, Lauren Finch 297th in 27:27, Rachael Finch 301st in 27:34 PB and Kirsty Howe 326th in 27:58 PB.

A new race, the Wortwell Friday 5m Sizzler, organised by Bungay Black Dog RC, attracted an entry of over 200 with 35 of those being Waveney Valley AC members. Waveney’s Matt Jeffries won the race in a time of 26:27 and there were age category wins for Jim Burgess, M45-49 in 29:22 and Phil Hazell M70+ in 45:02. Club members achieving PB’s were Tim Moore 30:58, Andy Ayers 33:01, Stephanie Pimlott 40:21, Lisa Stewart 43:45, Gavin Hamilton 44:54, Alison Cooper 45:42, Rachel Maydom 54:06 and Paul Hierons 1:00.32.

Samantha Lines is fast becoming one of the region’s big names in road running and her superb run at the Great Yarmouth Half Marathon produced a personal best time of 1:22.43. She finished 8th overall (2nd lady) out of 381 finishers, with her pace maker, club coach Matt Jeffries, recording the same time in 9th place. Mark Thompson was 27th in 1:28.14, Bob Milner 87th in 1:38.33, Jason Browne 95th in 1:39.05 PB, Mark Smith 225th in 1:56.58, Kirsty Howe 334th in 2:22.49 PB and Donna Milner 372nd in 2:39.22

Other results: Ipswich Twilight 10k Jayne Richardson 1:00.30, Alan Richardson 1:01,51. Dereham 5k Demelza Hammond 27:48 PB.