North Norfolk Beach Runners

THE severe winter weather that caused the cancellation of Norfolk's flagship race, the Norwich Half Marathon, relented at the weekend to encourage a large crowd of runners to turn out for Buxton's 5K Fun Run.

Fancy dress and Santa outfits were very much to the fore but the two leading runners had rather more serious matters on their minds as former North Norfolk Beach Runner Rob Kett just pipped current Beach Runner Steve Jones to the line in an excellent time of 19:31.

Consolation for Jones was that he was first over 40 by more than a minute whilst fellow member Jim Hayes came in first over 60 by an amazing four minutes.

The Cromer club could also boast the race's two oldest finishers with 77-year-old Malcolm Ball beating more than half the field to the finish in 28:48 for 53rd place whilst 81-year-old Maurice Copeland had enough speed in his legs to beat nine much younger runners.

John Christopher and Ian Wade both ran well under 25 minutes with Ian recording a rare victory over his son, Chris, to take the Christmas bragging rights in the Wade household.

Simon Page, Nikki Kavanagh, Tony Heath and Ian Jarvis all enjoyed the mild conditions, firm tracks and dry roads to record sub 30 minute times whilst Shelley Burton, Alec Fraser and Christina Walker crossed the line almost together in 30:36.

Andrew Toogood, Emma Culley, Jonathan Folkard and Linda Holt made up a strong showing for the Beach Runners at the last event of a busy 2010.

The next outing for those able to get an early night on New Year's Eve will be the traditional Wymondham 10k.