The 20th staging of the Lowestoft Scores Race, which took place last Sunday, had an entry of 211 runners, just short of last years record of 225.
The race organized by Waveney Valley AC started in the High Street and followed a route
along the sea wall, Gunton Cliff and all of the town’s historic Scores before finishing at the Triangle Market, covering a distance of approximately 4.75 miles.
Joe Skipper, of Rock Estate Runners and Riders, recorded his first victory in the race, in a time of 25:42, the third fastest on record after Craig Hopkins 24:47 in 2008 and Paul Evans 25:37 in 2003. It was Skipper’s first Scores Race since 2010 when he finished 6th. Second was Michael Eccles of Norfolk Gazelles A.C., just three seconds behind in 25:45 with Ted Oldman, the 2013 winner, third in 26:08, recording his best time over the tough course.
There was a new winner also for the ladies with Waveney Valley A.C’s Rose Nicholson, making her debut in the race, finishing very strongly in 14th place overall in a time of 30:03, the second quickest on record following Odette Robson’s 29:29 of two years ago. Jo Andrews of Bungay Black
Dog R.C was second in 31:04, the fourth fastest time by a lady and Alice Wicks was third in 33:42.
Waveney Valley Athletic Club had an entry of 12 juniors and 17 seniors in the Lowestoft Scores Race, despite the club being involved in organising and staging the event, and also fielding a team in the East Anglian League Track and Field final on the same day.
W.V.A.C results: – Juniors ( Overall ) – 2 Joel Burgess 8:42 1st Boy 9-12, 5 Harriet Lyman 8:50 2nd Girl 13-15, 8 Finn Howes 9:25, 9 Thomas Spurgeon 9:26, equal 10 Benjamin Cone 9:31, Leo Joscelyne 9:31, 19 Nathan Littlejohns 10:11, 21 Ethan Lee 10:24, 22 Lauren Oram 10.32, 27 Lily Collins 11:07, 28 Hayden Lee 11:12 and 30 Seth Frankland 11:35. Seniors – 14 Rose Nicholson 30:03 1st Lady, 41 Nigel Herrod 33:17, 48 Wayne Freeman 33:39, 60 Mike Quantrill 35:02, 65
David Mower 35.13 1st VM60-64, 71 Paul Grant 35:46, 78 Mark Smith 36:16, 83 Rob Knights 36:28, 94 Bob Milner 36:56, 118 Paul Harrod 38:35, 141 Paul Harvey 40:12, 156 Suzy Knights
41:59, 157 Alan Richardson 42:01, 159 Kylie Rafferty 42:08, 168 Jay Butcher 43:23, 188 Cheryl Goymer 46:31 and 193 Jo Fisk 46:57. Rose Nicholson, Nigel Herrod and Wayne Freeman
won the Mixed Affiliated team prize.
The final runner to cross the finish line was Nigel Page, accompanied by last runner marshal David Goosey. Nigel was raising money for Help The Heroes and is believed to have raised around £700 for the charity.
In the Junior race, over a distance of approximately 1.4miles, the boys’ winner of the 9-12 age group was Joel Burgess(Waveney Valley A.C.),in a time of 8:42, second Reuben Andrews(U/A) in 8:46 and third Alec Mackay(Framlingham Flyers) in 8:52. The Girls’ winner was Grace Forster(U/A) in 9:17, who was also last year’s winner. Second was Holly Bunn(U/A) in 9:39 and third Tess Andrews(U/A) in 9:50.
In the 13-15 age group, first boy was Connor Bilner(Ipswich Jaffa) in 8:10, second Ethan Clements (U/A) in 9:46 and third Archie Roberts(U/A) in 10:08. Girls’ winner was Emma Hunter(City of Norwich A.C.) in 8:44, second Harriet Lyman(Waveney Valley A.C.) in 8:50 and third Ellie Kershaw(U/A) in 9:48.
At the prize presentation, thanks were given to Birds Eye once again for their generous sponsorship, and also Lowestoft Vision and Ashby’s for their support. Thanks were also passed to Claire Henwood of Active Waveney and her team at Waveney District Council, to Christchurch for facilities for registration and prize presentation and also to Tim Earl, the race organiser, Vicki Fairs, the chief marshal and the team of marshals, traffic management officers and helpers who ensured the 20th anniversary event was a success.